A water heater comprising: a water tank , comprising: an input line for receiving water into the water tank , and an output line for dispensing heated water from the water tank ; a flow-through heating element disposed in the water tank , comprising: a first opening for receiving water from the water tank , and a second opening for re-injecting water into the water tank , a recirculation line adapted to transport water from the water tank through an inlet of the recirculation line to the first opening of the flow-through heating element , wherein the interior of the flow-through heating element comprises an elongated channel, and wherein the flow-through heating element is adapted to heat water as the water passes through an interior of the flow-through heating element from the first opening to the second opening; and a deflection plate positioned within the water tank and configured to promote thermal mixing of the water inside the water tank , characterized in that the deflection plate is located exterior of the interior of the flow-through heating element , wherein the inlet of the recirculation line and an outlet of the input line of the water tank are disposed on opposing sides of the deflection plate , and wherein the inlet of the recirculation line is disposed above the deflection plate and the outlet of the input line of the water tank is disposed beneath the deflection plate . an input line for receiving water into the water tank , and an output line for dispensing heated water from the water tank ; a flow-through heating element disposed in the water tank , comprising: a first opening for receiving water from the water tank , and a second opening for re-injecting water into the water tank , a recirculation line adapted to transport water from the water tank through an inlet of the recirculation line to the first opening of the flow-through heating element , wherein the interior of the flow-through heating element comprises an elongated channel, and wherein the flow-through heating element is adapted to heat water as the water passes through an interior of the flow-through heating element from the first opening to the second opening; and a deflection plate positioned within the water tank and configured to promote thermal mixing of the water inside the water tank , characterized in that the deflection plate is located exterior of the interior of the flow-through heating element , wherein the inlet of the recirculation line and an outlet of the input line of the water tank are disposed on opposing sides of the deflection plate , and wherein the inlet of the recirculation line is disposed above the deflection plate and the outlet of the input line of the water tank is disposed beneath the deflection plate . a first opening for receiving water from the water tank , and a second opening for re-injecting water into the water tank , a recirculation line adapted to transport water from the water tank through an inlet of the recirculation line to the first opening of the flow-through heating element , wherein the interior of the flow-through heating element comprises an elongated channel, and wherein the flow-through heating element is adapted to heat water as the water passes through an interior of the flow-through heating element from the first opening to the second opening; and a deflection plate positioned within the water tank and configured to promote thermal mixing of the water inside the water tank , characterized in that the deflection plate is located exterior of the interior of the flow-through heating element , wherein the inlet of the recirculation line and an outlet of the input line of the water tank are disposed on opposing sides of the deflection plate , and wherein the inlet of the recirculation line is disposed above the deflection plate and the outlet of the input line of the water tank is disposed beneath the deflection plate . <EOS>