How do heaters work?

coralreefhq · 03/28/2011, 02:06 PM

I have a Ti heater from Via Aqua and never realized this until recently.

The heater is 300 watts, and it's constantly on.
So does this mean it's always running at 300 watts, or is it just the initial start up? It turns off automatically once it reaches the required temp though.

Thanks in advance for anyone's input.

Allmost · 03/28/2011, 02:07 PM

300 Watts used when on.

if on all the time, it is using 300 watts all the time

jdegrasse · 03/28/2011, 02:44 PM

The full 300 watts of power flows over the heater element only when the temperature falls below the thermostat set on the heater itself.

I imagine that it would pull current even when the element is off, though I doubt it is very much. Probably on the same order that all appliances pull power even though they are off.

That is why you want a heater that is rated for the tank volume you have. Too little power and the sucker is on pretty much all the time. Too much power and you have less control over the thermostat and its harder to control your water temp.

03/28/2011, 02:06 PM	#1
coralreefhq Moved On Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 219	How do heaters work? I have a Ti heater from Via Aqua and never realized this until recently. The heater is 300 watts, and it's constantly on. So does this mean it's always running at 300 watts, or is it just the initial start up? It turns off automatically once it reaches the required temp though. Thanks in advance for anyone's input.

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03/28/2011, 02:07 PM	#2
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	300 Watts used when on. if on all the time, it is using 300 watts all the time

03/28/2011, 02:44 PM	#3
jdegrasse Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 241	The full 300 watts of power flows over the heater element only when the temperature falls below the thermostat set on the heater itself. I imagine that it would pull current even when the element is off, though I doubt it is very much. Probably on the same order that all appliances pull power even though they are off. That is why you want a heater that is rated for the tank volume you have. Too little power and the sucker is on pretty much all the time. Too much power and you have less control over the thermostat and its harder to control your water temp.