Definition

Noun: A hot-water tank is a household appliance that heats and stores water for domestic use. It consists of an insulated tank with a heating element (either electric or gas) that maintains water at a set temperature, ready for use in sinks, showers, and baths.

Usage

The term "hot-water tank" refers specifically to the complete unit that both heats and stores water. It is a common fixture in residential buildings.

Examples

• The hot-water tank in the basement supplies all the bathrooms in the house.
• We need to replace our old hot-water tank because it's no longer energy efficient.
• A leak from the hot-water tank caused some water damage in the utility room.

Advanced Usage

• "Hot-water tank" vs. "Water heater": In many contexts, "water heater" is a more common synonym. However, "hot-water tank" can specifically emphasize the storage aspect, distinguishing it from "tankless" or "on-demand" water heaters that do not store a volume of hot water.

Variants and Related Words

• Water heater (n): The most common general synonym for a device that heats water for domestic use.
• Cylinder (n, UK usage): In British English, "hot water cylinder" is a common term, often referring to the storage tank in a system with a separate boiler.
• Geyser (n, UK & Commonwealth usage): An old-fashioned term for a water heater, particularly one that heats water instantaneously.
• Boiler (n): A device for heating water, but typically for central heating systems. It can be part of a system that also supplies domestic hot water, but it is not synonymous with a standalone hot-water tank.

Synonyms

• Water heater
• Hot water heater
• Storage water heater

Related Phrases

• Tankless water heater: A water heating system that heats water directly without using a storage tank.
• Immersion heater: An electric heating element inserted into a water tank (like a hot-water tank) to heat the water.

Noun

1. a heater and storage tank to supply heated water