E. Coli

The common abbreviation of Escherichia Coli. One of the members of the coliform groups of bacteria indicating fecal contamination.

ECO

Energy Cut Off. A safety device designed to shut power off to the water heater and prevent high temperature.

EF Energy Factor

A measure of the overall efficiency rating of the water heater based on the model's recovery, efficiency, stand-by loss and energy input.

EMT

Electrical Metal Tubing. A thin wall galvanized steel pipe used to carry electrical or other types of conductors.

ERW

Electric Resistance Weld. Most common form of manufacture for pipes 2 3/8" to 22" in diameter.

Earthquake Strap

A metal strap used to secure a water heater to the house frame or foundation.

Eccentric Shank

A shank or the fitting with a shank in which the centerline is offset to allow minor compensation for supply lines that would be difficult to precisely position.

Eductor

A device utilizing a nozzle and throat, installed in a stream of water to create a partial vacuum to draw air or liquid into the stream; commonly used to draw regeneration chemicals into an ion exchange water treatment system, such a softener or deionizer.

Efficiency

A product's ability to utilize input energy, expressed as a percentage.

Effluent

Septic system liquid waste

Ejector

A mechanical device for pumping sewage from below the sewer line.

Elbow

A fitting with two openings that changes the direction of the line. Also known as an ell. It comes in various angles from 22 ½ degrees to 90 degrees; often referred to by their angles (i.e. 45, 90)

Electric Resistance Weld Pipe (ERW)

Cold finished pipe made by a series of operations in which the flat rolled material is cold shaped into tubular form and welded at the seam. The heat for the weld is generated at the seam by the resistance to the flow of electric current applied through electrical contacts or an induction coil.

Electrodialysys

A process which uses an electrical current and an arrangement of permeable membranes to separate soluble minerals from water. It is often used to desalinate salt or brackish water .

Electrolysis

A process involving chemical change caused by the passage of an electric current through a liquid.

Electrolyte

A nonmetallic substance that carries an electric current, or a substance which, when dissolved in water, separates into ions which can carry an electric current.

Element

Heating unit in an electric water heater

Elevation

The vertical distance between the level where fluid enters a pipe and the level where it leaves. It must be added to the Total Discharge Head if the inlet is lower than the outlet and subtracted if the inlet is higher.

Elongated

The shape of a some toilet bowls, where the bowl is about 2 inches longer than the standard round front bowl, usually 14 inches wide by 18 ½ inches long.

Enamel

An opaque vitreous composition applied by fusion to the surface of metal fixtures such as cast iron and pressed steel tubs, lavs, and sinks. Enameled steel is less durable than enameled cast-iron.

Enclosure

Panels of glass or other material used to form shower or tub stalls.

End Body

 A faucet valve body configuration in which both the inlet and outlet are at the end of the valve body.

End Drain

The side of a tub where the drain is found. When facing a tub, if the drain is on the right, this is a Right-Hand tub (RH). If on the left, it is a Left Hand tub (LH). On whirlpools, the pump is located opposite the drain.

Endpoint

(1) The point at which a process is stopped because a predetermined condition is met;
(2) in an ion exchange water softener service run, this is where the hardness of the softener effluent increases to a predefined concentration, often 1.0 grain per gallon;
(3) in a filter service this may be where the pressure drop across the filter reaches a predetermined value.

Energy Guide Label

The label required by the FTC on water heaters that show 1) an estimated annual cost of operation and 2) how that unit's efficiency compares to all other comparable models.

Escutcheon

A decorative metal flange or trim shield beneath a faucet handle that covers the faucet stem and the hole in the fixture or wall.

Expansion Tank

A tank designed to absorb excess pressure due to thermal expansion. (e.g. closed system)

Expansion Valve

Thermostatically controlled valve that controls liquid refrigerant.

Extinction Pop

A flashback occurring when a burner is turned off.

Extra Strong

A standard pipe weight designation (XS). Sometimes called XH (Extra Heavy)

Extrusion

Refers to the result of forcing molten metal or plastic through a die or mold to form a specific shape. Commonly refers to shower door components such as jambs and headers that were created by extrusion.

Eye of the Impeller

The center of the impeller, where the fluid enters.