Does The Water Heater Affect The AC ? (Find it now)

You may have noticed that the water heater and the AC generally work separately. One belongs to the plumbing system, and the other belongs to the HVAC system.

Then how does the water heater affect the AC? This question may be the cause of concern for you.

Both systems are not related to each other, except for one point where they both connect when you use the air conditioner to heat your water. As you know, water heaters and AC make an essential contribution to any household appliance.

As per US Energy Information Administration, more than half of the energy consumed in US homes is from heating and air conditioning appliances.

When it comes to utility expenses, the water heater and the air conditioner are the two biggest contributors. If you live in an energy-efficient house, you might have considered saving money on this equipment.

There is good news. You can save on your energy bill by using the heat from your air conditioner to heat the water. You can do this option economically and practically with the help of an air conditioner water heater.

By executing this, you can reduce your energy bill and prolong the life of your appliances.

Water heaters that aren’t properly maintained can lead to several problems that eventually affect the AC.

The water heater is a frequently overlooked appliance for AC performance. Though it doesn’t have the same role as the air conditioner, the water heater still matters. There are several ways that the water heater can impact the AC.

What is the air conditioner water heater? 

The air conditioner water heater works the same as the heat pump water heater. The heat pump water heater will extract energy from the ambient air heat recovery unit installed between the compressor and condensing coil. But in the air conditioner water heater, waste heat from the refrigerant is captured and transferred to the water heater storage tank attached to the air conditioner.

There will be heat transfer from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature water inside the water storage tank.

A water heater storage tank is a device used for heating and usually storing hot water for our family’s use. The water heater will heat the water close to where it is attached. It may be a faucet, kitchen sink, washing machine, shower, or tub.

Water heaters are large insulated vertical tanks that contain 40 to 120 gallons of water. Coldwater will enter the tank of the water heater from a pipe.

Air conditioners and water heaters will not use a ducting system. Here, the condenser and evaporator will be separate physical equipment, and they are both connected by a refrigerant tube.

An air conditioner water heater is a device that uses the heat generated by an air conditioner to heat water. This option can be a more efficient way to heat water, as air conditioners already generate heat that would otherwise go to waste. So in place of the heating element, heat will pass through a heat exchanger from AC to the water heater tank.

This combination of water heating and home heating will save energy and reduce the load on the air conditioner.

This unit works best for families who use the air conditioner in all seasons.

How Does The Water Heater Affect The AC ?

Air conditioning water heater has multi-mode features. It can be operated for water heating only or water heating, space cooling, and space heating.

Using an air conditioner water heater in water heating mode can give us 55 degrees Celsius hot water in 2 minutes. And even without putting extra effort into condensing pressure. It will work the same as a regular air conditioner.

So it is one of the best practical solutions for combining both an air conditioner and a water heater.

But using both the devices together will also need some maintenance to keep them in good working condition.

There are some ways in which a water heater can affect the AC. They are as follows:

Valve Issue 

Make sure to test the operation of the pressure relief valve at least once a year. It is sometimes called the T & P valve. It will release the extra pressure in the water heater and keep it safe from bursting and flooding your home. You can think of it as one of the most important safety concerns for any water heating device.

No leakage in the drain area

We have to ensure that there is no leakage in the tank drain area at the bottom of the water tank. If there are any leakages, we have to unplug the device and replace it to stop further leakage.

Remove mineral deposits from the water tank

Keep a schedule of flushing the tank once a year to remove any mineral deposits in the tank. Flushing the tank of your water heater will help remove the sediment deposit, which can cause corrosion over some time and reduce the heating efficiency of your water heater.

You can flush out these hard deposits through the drain at the bottom of the tank.

Inspect corrosion over anode rod in water heater 

You can check for corrosion in the water tank. You can start by checking it with the anode rod, and if it is corroded, you can replace it. If it is corroded, replace it with a new one, and you can make your water heater last for a longer time.

What is the relationship between the water heater and AC? 

Water heaters are an essential part of the plumbing system of any home. They help ensure a steady supply of hot water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning.

While water heaters vary in fuel source and capacity, they all operate on the same basic principle. When the cold water is pumped into the water heater tank, it is heated by a gas burner or electric element. 

One common misconception is that water heaters are part of the HVAC system. However, water heaters only deal with the temperature of water, not air. Therefore, they are not considered a part of the HVAC system. 

Another common confusion is the difference between water heaters and air conditioners. While both devices use a pump to circulate fluid, air conditioners are not designed to heat water. Instead, they use refrigerants to cool the air.

Newer models of air conditioners are fitted with a heat pump, which you can use as a heater and an air conditioner. These so-called “combi” or “hybrid” systems provide homes with heating and hot water.

Homes with both a water heater and an AC unit usually have them as two separate units. However, a new trend is the hybrid system—a unit that combines both the water heater and the AC. It can lead to significant energy savings. Studies have shown that combi systems can lead to an average energy saving of 24%. 

The Combi system can heat your home’s water and air more efficiently than two separate units. In addition, the combi system can keep your home warm by producing a warm atmosphere and heating water during the wintertime, rather than relying on your single device to do all the work.

As a result, the hybrid system is a more efficient way to heat your home, and it may help you save money on your energy bills.

Water heaters and AC units are the two biggest energy consumers in any family household. They have a significant effect on the utility bill of any house. A water heater and AC contribute to about 30-35% of the total energy consumption in an average American home.

While a water heater and AC are essential appliances, there are ways to save on energy costs. One way is to purchase an Energy Star water heater or AC unit. The EPA certified Energy Star appliances to use 10-15% less energy than standard appliances.

You can save money on energy costs by properly maintaining your water heater and AC unit. Regular maintenance will help your appliance run more efficiently and last longer.

How can you ensure that your AC is running optimally?

ACs are a significant part of our lives, especially during the summer. But the question here is, how can we ensure that our AC runs optimally? One way to do this is to have it serviced by a professional. They will be able to clean the filters and coils and check for any leaks.

In addition, they will be able to give the AC a tune-up, which can help to improve its efficiency. Another way is to make sure that you change the filters regularly. Lastly, keep the AC unit clean and free of debris. You can check the below issues for running AC optimally.

Refrigerant leaks

Make sure to check for leakage issues in the refrigerant . It is the primary source of heat transfer in the Air conditioner and water heater. A leak detector can help in preventing the leakage.

Adequate maintenance of air conditioner filters

You know that a dirty, clogged filter of an air conditioner will reduce the airflow capability of AC. Eventually, it will also result in reducing the efficiency of the device. It is advisable by experts to clean the filter every two months to keep your Air conditioner in good functioning condition.

Dirt in air conditioning coils

You may notice dirt collected on the air conditioner’s condenser coil or evaporator coil. This deposition of dirt will make the airflow rate in the AC slow. This dirt deposition will also build a layer of insulation on the coil, which will reduce the heat-absorbing capacity of these coils.

Clean fins on air conditioning coils

You may have also noticed that the condenser coil and evaporator coil might have bent aluminium fins. This bent will cause air blocking issues in the air conditioning coil.

Using an air conditioning maintenance tool called a fin comb, you can fix this issue. This tool can comb these fins, and it will get back to its original condition.

Inspect electrical terminal

You can inspect the electrical terminal for any electrical failure issue due to corrosion of electrical wires and terminal. You can clean and tighten the terminal’s electrical connection to ensure its optimal functioning. If needed, you can apply a non-conductive coating over the metal bodies for electrical insulation. 

Inspect the thermostat 

Don’t forget to inspect the thermostat, as it will help measure the temperature of air coming inside the evaporator coil. You can check the thermostat for its accuracy.

Drainage problems 

You can check the clogging in the condensation drain. You can keep it clean with a stiff wire. If there are some drainage issues, air conditioner humidity reducing capacity will worsen, and it will not be as efficient as earlier.

Wrap Up-Does The Water Heater Affect The AC

You may have noticed that water heaters are an essential feature of any home since they provide hot water for showering, washing dishes, and laundry.

However, many people don’t realize that their water heater can impact their air conditioning system. 

The two units are commonly linked in the air conditioner water heater, and if one fails, the other may be affected. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your water heater and air conditioner in good working order.

You may save money on your energy cost while maintaining year-round comfort in your home.

FAQ-Does The Water Heater Affect The AC

While researching the effect of water heat on air conditioning, I came across some of the following questions: So I’ve shared all of those questions below, hoping that they will be helpful to you.