Is it possible to lay down a water heater

Can we put a hot water heater down?

A water heater is one of the essential appliances in a home.

Although there are several models and brands, there are only two types of positioning of a water heater: vertical and horizontal.

Each model is structured in a way that makes it easier to operate and optimizes its performance. However, sometimes you may want to put a heater in the vertical position or vice versa in order to save space or add style to your decor.

But is it really possible to lay a water heater down without affecting its proper operation?

How does a water heater work?

Before knowing whether your vertical heater can be positioned horizontally, you must first understand how it actually works.

The electric water heater works on the basis of stratification: cold water loses its density when heated, becomes lighter and rises up in the tank.

This is how it becomes usable to meet the hot water needs of the occupants of the dwelling.

The electric water heater consists of a tank, a resistance, a thermostat, a heating system... the balance between cold and hot water is preserved by the jet-breaker.

The positioning of the water heater can affect the proper upward flow of water and its circulation inside the appliance.

Why is it not advisable to place the water heater horizontally?

A vertical water heater is not designed to be positioned horizontally. In fact, the pipe that transports the hot water will no longer be at the top of the tank, but in the centre.

This makes it difficult for the hot water to rise easily.

As a result, only half of the hot water in the tank is used.

In addition to the pipe, the other parts of the vertical model have been placed to operate vertically and not horizontally.

Therefore, laying your water heater down could cause air pockets reducing the amount of hot water.

The pipe is placed at the top of the water heater for quick air pockets.

This is why you should always choose the model that suits your tastes.

Can the water heater be laid down for transport?

The manufacturers have included this type of handling in their models, which means that some models of water heaters can change position according to the owner's tastes.

In this type of appliance, the internal parts and piping have been positioned in such a way that the heating system operates normally, regardless of the positioning.

A conventional model will not perform well when you change its position.

However, you can change its position for transport, as you do for refrigerators.

Ask your dealer for advice.

Always seek the advice of an expert or your dealer before performing any work on your device.

Each product has its own specific features and the salesperson is best placed to advise you on the characteristics of the device.

You can also ask your plumber for advice. He will be able to check the circuit of the appliance and tell you whether it can be installed horizontally or not.