Filter
Top Products
RESIDENTIAL GAS AND ELECTRIC WATER HEATER
SERVICE HANDBOOK
A.O. Smith Water Products Company Training Department
©2002 Ashland City, Tennessee
3
GENERAL SECTION
SERVICE GUIDELINES
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Draw efficiency
is the quantity of hot water available to the consumer before the outlet water
temperature decreases 25 degrees F. A 40 gallon water heater will typically provide 70% (28
gallons) of this “usable” hot water. The burner or elements are allowed to operate during this test.
Incoming, cold water mixes the remaining stored water below this 25 degree limitation.
Energy Factor
is an indicator of the combined thermal efficiency and standby efficiency of a
water heater. The higher the energy factor, the more efficient the water heater will be.
Recovery rate
is the amount of water that is heated to a set temperature, per hour. An example
might be that a water heater has a recovery rate of 30 gallons of water per hour at 80 degree F.
(Fahrenheit) temperature rise.
Thermal efficiency
is approximately the amount of generated BTU (British Thermal Units),
which enters the water. A percentage of the total BTU passes out through the vent piping.
Temperature rise
is the increase in the temperature from its coldest “inlet” water temperature to
the desired hot (outlet) setting. Typically this is assumed to be 40 degrees entering water, 120
degrees desired stored water or 80 degrees “temperature rise.”
Standby efficiency
– the water heater’s ability to contain heat in the tank. A minimum of tank
water heat loss per hour is desired.
Water cannot
(for all practical purposes) be compressed.
Water expands
when it is heated.
Minerals and gases
will separate from water as temperature increases.
Formulas:
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
is the heat required to raise 1 pound of water 1°F
1 BTU = 252 cal = 0.252 kcal
1 cal = 4.187 Joules
BTU X 1.055 = Kilo Joules
BTU divided by 3,413 = Kilowatts
To convert
from Fahrenheit to Centigrade: (Degrees F – 32) times 5/9, or .556, equals degrees
C.
One gallon
of (120° F, 49°C) water weighs approximately 8.25 pounds.
Pounds X .45359 = Kilogram
Gallons X 3.7854 = Liters
% of Hot
= (Mixed Temp. – Cold) divided by (Hot Temp. – Cold)