A high-efficiency water heater dip tube includes a wall having orifices formed therein for conducting an outflow of relatively colder water from the dip tube into relatively hotter water in an interior of a water heater. The orifices have a size, number, shape, pattern and location for at least minimizing turbulence, for reducing admixing near the tube, for diluting, equalizing and blending efflux flow and for reducing outflow force and speed. A method for reducing turbulence in water heaters includes providing a dip tube including a wall having orifices formed therein, conducting an outflow of relatively colder water from the dip tube into relatively hotter water in an interior of the water heater, and selecting a size, number, shape, pattern and location of the orifices for at least minimizing turbulence, reducing admixing near the tube, diluting, equalizing and blending efflux flow and reducing outflow force and speed.