What is Water heating?
[[File:waterheater.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Three propane water heaters.]] '''Water heating''' is a [[thermodynamics|thermodynamic]] process using an energy source to heat [[water]] above its initial [[temperature]]. Typical domestic uses of hot water are for cooking, cleaning and bathing, and space heating. In industry both hot water and water heated to [[steam]] have many uses. The most common energy sources for heating water are [[Fossil fuel|fossil fuels]]: [[natural gas]], [[liquefied petroleum gas]], [[fuel oil|oil]] or sometimes [[solid fuel]]s ([[coal]] or [[firewood]]. These fuels may be consumed directly or by the use of [[electricity]] (which may derive from any of the above fuels or from [[nuclear power|nuclear]] or [[renewable energy|renewable]] sources). Alternative energy such as [[Solar power|solar energy]], [[heat pumps]], [[hot water heat recycling]], and sometimes [[geothermal power]], may also be used as available, usually in combination with gas, oil or electricity.{{cn}} == Solar water heaters == [[File:solar heater dsc00632.jpg|thumb|Direct-gain solar heater panels with integral storage tank installed near a house in the [[Cirque de Mafate]] in [[Réunion]]]] Solar collectors for [[solar power#Solar heating systems|solar powered]] water heaters are installed outside dwellings, typically on the roof or nearby. Nearly all models are the direct-gain type. They consist of flat panels in which water circulates. == Geothermal heating == In countries like [[Iceland]] and [[New Zealand]], and other volcanic regions, water heating may be done using geothermal power, rather than combustion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heating & Cooling|url=http://snowman.com.au/|publisher=www.snowman.com.au|accessdate=23 April 2016|archive-date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420060739/http://snowman.com.au/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} == Other websites == *[http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/how_your_house_works/1275141.html How It Works - Water Heater] {{Weba