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Is your hot water running out?
It is never a pleasant experience for any individual when your hot water runs out. Especially when right in the middle of a nice, relaxing hot shower. When you exhaust the hot water, you immediately get violated by the impact of the rush of cold water. The sharp difference in cold and hot water temperature gives a sensation nobody wants.
It is almost like being caught in the rain when you did not go out with your umbrella, an experience no one relishes. Here's how to identify and address the cause of your problem.
Detecting why you run out of hot water
People's various experiences show that their water heater may not produce enough hot water for several reasons. These can range from the heater being too small, applying the wrong settings to the device, or some lingering problems. The situation could result from a build-up of sediments, broken heating elements or dip tubes, or leaks that may cause a shortage of hot water.
First, find out why you are running out of hot water first. It will be simpler for you to uncover the solution to the problem yourself or reach out to a professional for help. Are you having issues with your hot shower? There are many common ones, and below is a list of the most frequently reported:
Spurts of cold and hot water
If your hot water system runs hot and cold water at will, regardless of the programmed setting, then there is an issue that needs fixing. Instead of enjoying refreshing moments under a hot shower, the intermittent release of hot and cold water makes your experience uncomfortable.
It might be the anode rod, or it could be that your pipes are just old. Either way, a replacement will probably have to be done, perhaps of the entire water heater system. The sooner this is accomplished, the better it is for you, as it can save you from additional costs that may arise from further damages.
Running out of hot water after a short time
There are two heating elements in most water heaters: one at the top and another at the bottom—the heating element at the top re-heats water that is close to the top of the tank repeatedly. The heating element at the bottom heats all the water that is added to the tank and keeps it at a steady hot temperature.
Most of the water in the tank will not be adequately heated if the heating element at the bottom of a water heater stops working. At this point, you will have to use the small amount of hot water made available by the top element. When you run out of hot water at the top of the tank, the water heater will begin to send you the unheated water it has, leading to a nasty shower surprise.
Water remains lukewarm
If you like hot water showers, you probably already know the water temperature that works best for you. However, it can be frustrating if the temperature isn't right for you. The problem could be so bad that you may eventually settle for a cold shower in the end, which defeats the purpose of having a heater.
You run out of hot water before everyone has showered
This is something we've all been through. When up against someone else in the morning, we can't wait to go use the bathroom first. If you're not an early bird, make sure to turn on your shower quickly; otherwise, you might get spiked with a cold-water blast and ruin the experience of a warm morning shower. You can forget about showering if someone is running the dishwasher or is at the laundry.
There is no hot water running at all
Not getting hot water at all is a different issue on its own, and it could be from any of various reasons ranging from wrong settings to faulty components in the water heater. If you have the manufacturer's manual, that may help you find the solution to the problem.
But, if you are a part of the category of people who hardly touch manuals of the devices they buy, go online and search for more information about your water heater. However, this may require you to sift through a lot of information before as there are different models of water heaters, and there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation.
How long is a shower's hot water meant to last?
The duration of a hot water shower depends on different factors, and these include the type of water you use, how hot you would want the shower to be, the size of the tank, the flow rate of the showerhead, the recovery rate of the tank, and several others.
As an example, a 40-gallon (181L) water heater should give hot water for about 45 minutes to one hour. The length of your shower doesn't matter as much. If you are constantly running out of hot water while showering, your hot water isn't lasting long enough.
Reasons a shower runs out of hot water fast
These are a number of reasons professionals have found to be responsible for hot water heaters running out of hot water quickly. If you are experiencing this problem, one of these reasons may be attributed to any one of the reasons below. Fortunately, there is a solution for each issue.
Sediment build-up
There is a good chance that sediment is gradually building up within the tank if your hot water no longer lasts as it used to or if there is a gradual change. There are several natural minerals and sediments that are found in water. These minerals and sediments will settle at the bottom of the water heater tanks. When this happens, the capacity of such water tanks will start reducing.
If you have a 40-gallon (181L) water tank and 5 gallons (22L) of this is sediment build-up, you will effectively have 35 gallons (159L) of water available each time your water heater tank fills up. Drain the water tank and clear the sediment. Rinse out the tank with fresh water.
This exercise should be done at least once a year if you want to rid your water heater tank of sediment build-up. If your tank requires draining and flushing too frequently, replace it with a new one. This needs to be done without postponement because there is the risk of the water heater exploding if it is not replaced.
The tank may be too small
Water heater tanks come in varying sizes, and the type you buy will determine the amount of hot water available for you or your household. A bigger tank is suitable for a large family. Change your water heater tank for a larger one if your family has increased in size.
Generally, a 40–50-gallon (181-227L) water heater will be required in a home with two people. Each additional person will need another 10-15 gallons (45-68L). As such, if you have a family of five, you should aim to buy a 70–80-gallon (318-363L) water heater tank.
Your previous water heater tank is more significant than the new one if you run out of hot water more quickly after you change your water heater tank. Check the size of your water tank and use that to determine if it can serve your hot water needs in your home.
The water heater tank does not reheat fast enough
If you have issues with your water heater when you run very long showers or when there are visitors with you in your home, then the problem could be that of recovery time. When you take consecutive showers, the hot water in your tank may run out quickly, forcing you to wait until it reheats. It's an excellent idea to space out your showers. See if that resolves the issue for you in the long run.
Faulty thermostat
Did you know that water heaters have thermostats too? If it seems like your tank isn't providing enough hot water for your needs, try checking the thermostat and adjusting it. If the fix doesn't work, you can always increase the temperature until you get the desired results.
Set the water heater temperature at roughly 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) to prevent scalding. However, it is not advisable to have a water temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) as this can lead to scalding.
A faulty lower heating element
If your water heater has been running out of water more quickly recently, it may be caused by a faulty lower element. The lower element heats cold water that flows into the tank at the bottom, while the upper element ensures there is hot water running out from the tank.
You will easily observe a reduction in the quantity of hot water available if the lower element is faulty. Cold water that flows in at the base will not be heated again. Call your local plumber and get your water heater inspected. The faulty element may be repaired if possible or replaced where repair is not possible.
Broken dip tube
Dip tubes in water heaters push incoming cold water down towards the lower heating element. The cold water at the bottom will mix with the heated water at the top of the tank. The overall temperature of the water in the tank eventually decreases considerably since the incoming cold water at the base of the tank is not heated properly.
You will find small plastic debris in your sink strainers or showerhead if it is the dip tube of the element that is broken. Carefully remove the showerhead and check for debris. Replace the dip tube yourself or look for a professional that can do it for you.
An old water heater
A water heater is typically expected to last 8-12 years. If yours is more than ten years old and no longer fits your needs, consider replacing it with a new one. Replacing becomes even more urgent if your water heater is not working. You may also find that the heater needs repair of some of its components, like a broken dip tube or a bad lower element.
Stay guided by the number of years your water heater is expected to perform optimally, and when it is time to change it, buy another one urgently. When a water heater becomes old and does not get a replacement as, and when due, faulty components of the device can lead to other complications, such as users receiving electric shock when put to use.
The good thing is, there are usually tell-tale signs that warn of such impending danger before anyone gets hurt, although you do not want to rely entirely on these.
How to make your hot water heater last long
Here are a few handy tactics you can employ to make your hot water last longer:
Use low-flow showerheads
The rate of consumption of hot water from your heater is drastically reduced when you use a low-flow showerhead. Low-flow showerheads make it possible for more people to use the hot water available in your water heater at any given time.
Use showers instead of baths
More water is used in running a bath than when using a shower, especially if you use a low-flow showerhead. Using a shower can help you conserve more of the hot water you have in your water heater tank. This may not be that easy to do when running a hot water bath.
Insulate water pipes in your house
Heat is conserved when water pipes in your home are insulated. You can look forward to a nice, relaxing hot shower any time of the day as long as you have a functional water heater in the house.
Install a second tank
Installing a second tank is a great idea if you have a large family and are not planning to change the old water heater tank to a bigger one. There is no point in replacing your hot water tank if it is working properly. Having another tank installed may be the solution you need to augment your home's hot water system.
Hire an expert to inspect your plumbing system
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a go at sorting your water heater system yourself, but there are certainly some situations where all you do will not avail much.
Instead of wasting time and probably resources too, it may sound more economically viable for you to have a hot water expert check the status of your plumbing to ensure that you have hot water running from your water heater tank at all times of the day.
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