The water heater operates using a heating system, featuring a regulating thermostat and a heating element. When the thermostat detects that the water in the tank is not at the user-desired temperature, it activates the heating element. This element then converts electricity into thermal energy, quickly and effectively heating the water.
The heating element, typically made of stainless steel, is directly immersed in the water. Its role is to heat the water to the temperature specified by the user. It is important to note that there are two types of heating elements: the sheathed (or stéatite) type and the immersed (or thermoplongeur) type. Both are protected by a casing to prevent direct contact with water. For sheathed elements, the protective casing is generally made of enamel, whereas for the immersed elements, it is made of armoured steel. The thermoplongeur heating elements from SOMATHERM and ATLANTIC, for example, quickly heat the entire volume of water in the tank. However, if your water has a high lime content, a water heater equipped with a stéatite heating element is more advisable. Moreover, these casings prolong the lifespan of the heating elements.