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Maintaining an effective and dependable hot water supply in your house requires an understanding of how various types of water heaters operate. We will explain the workings of gas water heaters and the situations in which electricity is necessary.

Do Gas Water Heaters Need Electricity to Operate?

As the name implies, gas is the primary heat source for water heaters. However, a lot of models nowadays make use of electricity. The sort of system you have will determine whether or not a gas water heater uses electricity. Modern types with electronic ignition systems require power, but traditional models with a standing pilot do not.

Different Types of Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters are efficient appliances that are less expensive than electricity and can warm water in a storage tank. They operate a pilot light constantly, which is connected to electricity to generate the spark needed for the light to turn on. However, once the pilot light is ignited, it won’t go out, so gas water heaters don’t always require power to function correctly.

Water Heaters With a Standing Pilot Light

Conventional gas water heaters come with a standing pilot light as standard equipment. When your water has to be heated, the gas burners are lit by the steady burn of this pilot light. The heating source is activated when cold water reaches the tank, heating the water that is required for usage. Electricity is not needed to run this kind of gas water heater.

Read More: Do You Notice Water Leaking into Your Water Heater Drain Pan?

Water Heaters With Hot Surface Ignition

Rather than using a standing pilot light, hot surface ignition is more common in modern gas water heaters. This method does require power to light the pilot and ignite the gas burners since it employs a resistance element for this purpose.

Tankless Water Heaters

Gas or electricity are the two fuel sources for tankless water heaters, which heat water as needed. Gas-powered machines typically have electronic sensors and controls, which do need electricity to operate.

Will You Have Access to Warm Water During a Power Outage?

Yes, you can still take a hot shower during a power outage if your conventional gas water heater has a standing pilot. Although if your contemporary gas water heater is tankless or has a hot surface ignition, you may have to take a cold shower when the electricity goes off.

Importance of Maintenance for Gas Water Heaters

Like any other one of your large appliances, a gas water heater requires upkeep in order to get the most out of its lifespan. It should last 8 to 12 years, if not more, and you should not need to replace it earlier than that if you take care of it. To remove the sediment from the bottom, it’s a good idea to flush your water heater once a year.

To prevent silt from entering the appliance, you should also make sure that your gas water heater has a short, vertical pump on the front. If your gas sediment trap is missing, you do not have to stress about it. You can easily have one added. It’s important to regularly check your gas water heater to confirm that it is working properly.

Don’t forget this next tip. It is critically important to watch the anode rod, and you should replace it every few years. This rod is located within the tank and prevents the central liner from rusting.

Read More: Top Reasons the Water in Your Shower is Cold

Some Other Maintenance Pointers

• Change the temperature and reset it, whether you have a gas or electric water heater.
• Clean the hot water heater.
• Put the water heater on idle mode before you travel for an extended period of time.
• Restart your gas water heater after turning it off.
• Examine the temperature release valve, sometimes referred to as TPR or T&P.
• In the event that water leaks out of the tank, you should tighten the drain valve.
• Adjust the thermostat for your water to 120°F.

Professional Water Heater Repair and Replacement Services

Reputable water heater repair services in Greenville, SC, are provided by our skilled plumbing technicians at Corley to homeowners. We also serve Simpsonville, Mauldin, Boiling Springs, and Spartanburg. Our experts are here to help you if you lose access to hot water in your home or with other types of emergencies such as a sump pump replacement.

Our plumbing company will also guide you in selecting a new system for your home if repairing your water heater is no longer an option. If you’re looking at different options, we also specialize in tankless water heater installation. To guarantee your happiness, we are dedicated to providing reasonably priced installation choices. Make an appointment today or give us a call at (864) 517-1251 to receive support.