Abstract: The water heater has a totally submerged combustion chamber disposed within the lower third portion of the tank. Top and side openings connect respectively to an upwardly extending flue pipe and an inlet side cylinder to provide an air and gas passage through the tank in heat exchange relationship with water. A gas burner is receivable in the combustion chamber and is operated by a thermostat to assure a continuous supply of hot water. The totally submerged combustion chamber itself is solely supported by the flue pipe and side inlet cylinder.

Abstract: The gas supplemented solar collector storage means includes a water tank having supply and return connections for circulating water from the tank to a solar collector and back to the tank. A combustion chamber having top and side openings is disposed within the upper half portion of the tank and connects respectively to an upwardly extending flue pipe and an inlet side cylinder to provide an air and gas passage through the upper half of the tank in heat exchange relationship with water. A gas burner is receivable in the combustion chamber and is operated by a thermostat to provide heat to the water only in the event that the solar heating of the water is insufficient to maintain the water above a minimum temperature.