This is one of my biggest pet peeves, yet it most likely will never cause you any trouble what-so-ever as you build your new home. It still bothers me though. So, please try to bear with me as I get this off my chest, once and for all.

The object shown in the picture to the left is an electric water heater. It is a large tank that contains one or more heating elements. Similar models are available that use oil, natural gas, or propane gas as an energy source. Water heaters are used to raise the temperature of water that enters the tank from the main water source and store the heated water until it is needed by the occupants of the building in which they are installed. However, whether the water that enters the tank comes from an on-site well or a local municipal water supply, it is almost always considered to be cold water.

Since these devices are used to heat cold water, I just can’t figure out why so many people insist on calling them hot water heaters. If you already have hot water coming into your home, why would you need to heat it? In fact, instead of calling this appliance a hot water heater, wouldn’t one be more correct in calling it a cold water heater?

You can check our plumbing directory to find plumbing supplies, resources, books and more information about hot water heating systems, hot water storage tanks, hot water pipes, point of use water heaters, instant hot water dispensers, hot water circulating systems and other plumbing related resources. However, the correct name for the item which is pictured on this page is very easy to say and it only consists of two words — water heater.

Well, thanks for listening — I feel much better now!

Good luck with your project, thank you for visiting B4UBUILD.COM and have fun building!

Take care,
Greg