Virtually all properties nowadays have a water heater. This appliance handles the heating of your bath water and the water used for washing dishes and laundry. Without it, most things in your home would inevitably grind to a halt. There are different controls needed for the operation of your water heater, but the thermostat is the crucial one. Your heater’s thermostat will control the amount of electric current that will be sent to your heating element and consequently your water’s temperature.
The thermostat is among your component heaters that determines the energy efficiency of your heater. Choosing a water heater’s thermostat might seem daunting, but a wrong choice has a significant impact on the temperature of the water you will get and the energy efficiency of your appliance. Here is a guide on the different thermostat options for your water heater to make your choice less of a hassle.
Stem Thermostats
These thermostats comprise a long stem that will expand with a rise of temperature in your water heater. The expansion will be set to a maximum to keep the user from getting burnt. Stem thermostats are inexpensive and reliable, but it might be necessary to manually reset them if they overheat. At times, however, the overheating might emanate from a failure of your heating elements. Thus, it is prudent to get an expert to diagnose the issue rather than try resetting it.
Bulb Thermostats
These are also called capillary thermostats. They comprise a bulb filled using a heat-reactive fluid whose volume increases with heat. The volume increase will allow the thermostats to trigger and stop your heating element from producing heat. Bulb thermostats are reliable and as precise as stem thermostats.
Electronic Thermostats
These are among the most precise thermostat options available. They come with multiple possibilities of adjusting the water heater temperature. An electric thermostat has a built-in thermistor. This will measure your heater’s temperature variation using an electrical resistance whose values will vary based on the temperature setting. Although costly, electronic thermostats are the easiest at maintain.
Smart Thermostats
These are the latest ones on the market. They will regulate your water’s temperature based on the weather in your surroundings and your living habits. You can, for instance, set the setting of your water heater on your mobile device way before you get home so that the water temperature is just right. These thermostats are easily programmable and extremely energy efficient. Some models will also allow you to keep track of the energy use of your water heater.
The thermostat is among the smallest components of your water heater, and it is easy to overlook this component when buying your appliance. When choosing one, you should evaluate the water heater’s voltage vis-à-vis the number of water heating elements in your appliance. Most residential water heaters with two heating elements require a voltage of 240. If your water heater does not include these specifications on its label, get input from the supplier on what will suffice for your heater. While price will be a crucial factor in your thermostat’s choice, do not overlook other elements in your pursuit for the cheapest thermostat.
