Running out of hot water before finishing a shower or washing the dishes can be a frustrating experience.
Or what about opening the hot water tap on your bathtub and finding only tepid water coming out?
Having plenty of hot water is essential for living comfortably in your home. No one likes cold showers!
There can be many reasons that you are running out of hot water quickly. However, here we will discuss the 5 most common reasons on why you hot water supply dwindles so fast.
Let’s start by breaking down the two types of water heaters to give you an overview of their operation.
A water heater’s anatomy
Electric and natural gas are the most popular power sources for water heaters. Let’s explore on how they work to bring hot water into your home.
Gas water heaters
The components of a gas-powered water heater include a cold water input line, gas vent, and a hot water supply line. The water heater also includes a storage tank that heats up the water and stores it until it is ready to be used. At the bottom of the tank there is a burner that heats water. The thermostat controls the water temperature and the hot water is delivered into your home via the hot water supply line.
This setup also includes the Temperature Pressure Relief Valve, also known as a relief valve or TPR valve. A vent is provided for combustion gases. TPR is an emergency device that releases pressure from the storage tanks when it becomes unsafe.
An anode is also included in this set-up, as well as a dip tube. An anode is a metal rod which prevents corrosion and removes unpleasant odors. A dip tube is used to heat cold water. The tank’s bottom is also served by a drain valve, which allows for the emptying of the tank.
Electric water heaters
An electric water heater’s heating system works in the same way as a gas heater. The only difference is that in an electric water heater system, gas isn’t used to heat water. The heating elements in the tank use electricity to the heat water.
You now have an understanding of how water heaters work, so let’s get into the details about why hot water is running out too quickly.
Common reasons why your water heater runs out of hot water quickly
There are many things that can lead to hot water running out quicker than normal. Five of the most frequent causes are too much hot water demand at once, temperature setting is set wrong, sediment buildup, a defective heating element, and a broken dip tube.
Too much demand for hot water at once
A common problem is too much hot water demand. This could be anything from running a dishwasher, laundry load, or two people taking a separate shower at once. You might also encounter the opposite problem. You are in the shower, and suddenly you get scalded.
This could happen if you use the hot water while in the shower or when you flush the toilet. It is best to not put too much pressure on your hot water at once. This can be difficult in a large house but can be managed.
Hot water temperature set incorrectly
Your water heater may be set at an incorrect setting. Your temperature should be between 120 and 140 degrees. Turn up the heat if it falls below 120 degrees. It is important to not set the heat too high, as it can cause severe burns.
Sediment build up
Most water entering your heater tank has dissolved minerals. Some dissolved minerals can precipitate as the water heats and settles at the bottom, creating a layer called sediment.
The sediment build up layer can become so large that the water within the tank is displaced causing a reduction in hot water available to deliver to your home. A 40-gallon tank of water heater that has 15 gallons sediment accumulation will produce 25 gallons of hot water.
Signs Of Sediment Built Up
What are the warning signs your water heater may be experiencing significant sediment buildup?
If you see the following signs, your water heater may have an issue with sediment build up:
- You can see sediment in your hot water.
- You may hear unusual noises from the unit, such as popping or knocking sounds.
- Your TPR valve leaks or hisses.
Bad Lower Heating Element
Two heating elements are used in most electric water heaters: one near the tank’s top and one close to the bottom. Because water heats up using conventional currents, the lower heating element is responsible for most of its heating.
This means that water at the bottom is cold, while hot liquids rise to the top when they get heated. Therefore, the element at top only functions periodically to keep water temperatures constant. The amount of hot water that is produced will drop if the lower element becomes damaged.
The Common Reasons for a Damaged Lower Heating Element
There are several reasons your heating element could fail. These are some possible causes of this problem in a water heater:
- Overheating due to sediment that forms on the element
- Faulty thermostat
- A short circuit in the wires of an element
A Broken Dip Tube
Broken dip tubes are a common reason for a lack of hot water. The dip tube makes sure that the cold water gets pushed down to the bottom of the heated tank. With a broken dip tube the cold water will remain at the top of the tank and mix with heated water being delivered into your home. This reduces the temperature of your water.
How a Dip Tube might get damaged
Why might you have a broken dip tube? Two scenarios are common:
- This dip tube is old
- The dip tube could be defective, which can cause cracking or breaking
Is all of this new information causing you to be concerned about your water heater? It’s understandable so. Since water heaters are an integral part of most people’s lives, they often go unnoticed. They are usually not noticed until a problem arises, such as when there isn’t enough hot water.
While we’ve discussed some common causes of hot water heater problems, there are many other possible reasons.
Signs That Your Hot Water Heater is Going Out
When you notice hot water problems in your house it means your unit needs to be either repaired or replaced. What can you do to tell which one you need?
Your Unit Is Over A Decade Old
As your water heater ages, the likelihood of mechanical issues will increase. A home water heater can last between 10 to 13 years. It is possible, however, that the hot water heater will not make it into double digits. For example, most gas heaters last only 8 years.
A hot water heater comes with an expiration date, which is something many homeowners don’t know. Some water heaters have a manufacturer date on their labels, while others do not.
The serial number is a way to determine the age of water heaters. It doubles up as a code which indicates when it was made.
Take, for example:
- An example of a serial number is “121608246”
- The month is represented by the first and second numbers. The example shows that “12” is December, which happens to be the 12th month in the year
- The year is represented by the second two digits. So, 16 is the year in our case
This water heater was made in December 2016 in our example.
Each manufacturer has a different serial number format. It’s best to check the manufacturer’s site for further details.
Most plumbing experts recommend that water heaters older than 10 year should be replaced.
Loud Or Unusual Noises
We’ve mentioned that sediment can build up in the storage tanks over time. The sediment buildup occurs from the bottom. The sediment builds up along your tank walls and floor, and can make it rumble or bang when the heater heats water.
There are many problems associated with sediment accumulation, such as:
Efficiency reduced
The heater will use more electricity and gas to heat the cold water.
Damage Acceleration
This sediment will cause your tank to wear faster by requiring more energy for heating water. Leaks can occur when the tank walls and floors become fragile and crack easily.
Rusty Water
If your hot water taps start to smell rusty or turn a rusty color, it could be a sign that your heater has begun to rust. Untreated, the rust can corrode the heater and cause water leakage.
Water Pooling Around Heater
It is possible that the water heater has sprung a leak if water seeps from the walls and floor around it. Leaking water heater systems could result from many things. Water leakage, regardless of its cause, must be fixed quickly and efficiently to prevent property damage.
Troubleshooting A Broken Water Heater
Are you experiencing one of these issues identified above and are wondering what to do about it? You have a few options to solve your problem.
Take a look at the Power
Problems with water heaters could be due to problems in the power supply.
You’ll need to follow these steps when checking the power.
Electric water heater:
- Verify that power is on
- Verify that the circuit breaker has not tripped
- Reset the thermostat
Gas water heater:
- Verify that the gas connection is on
- Check that your water heater pilot light has been turned on
- Make sure to clean the burner
- Replace the thermocouple. This is an safety device that shuts off gas automatically when water heater pilot flame goes out
Take a look at the water
You can learn more about your water heater’s health by checking the state of the hot water coming from your faucet. These are some tips to help you better identify what to watch out for.
- The water heater, or the pipes in your house may be rusty if the water is appearing rusty. To determine if you have to replace your water heater, piping or both, a professional is recommended.
- The water may appear muddy, or even sandy. This could indicate that there is too much sediment in the tank. To remove sediment, you will need to flush your tank. It is best to leave the task of flushing your tank to licensed plumber.
- Your water heater may be in dire need of immediate replacement if the water is metallic-smelling or has an unpleasant taste.
Listen to the water heater
A water heater will make a regular sound when it heats water. Unusual sounds could indicate underlying issues.
Unusual pops or cracks can occur when heating elements come in contact with sediment, scale and other materials that might be accumulating inside the heater. These unusual or strange sounds could indicate that your heater needs to be flushed.
Look For Leaks
Water heaters that leak must be repaired immediately. Leakage of water could be a sign that the heater is failing internally. It is a good idea to call a professional plumber to repair water heater leaks.
How to deal with hot water that turns to cold water after a few minutes
Repairing a water heater is not an easy task. Repairing water heaters can be difficult and requires a lot of expertise. Just remember, if you decide to tackle the issue yourself, a seemingly small mistake can quickly turn into an expensive disaster. Americas Service Plumber can help you save time and ensure that your plumbing issues are fixed correctly.
FAQ – Should I switch to a tankless water heater?
A tankless water heater is a great way to reduce your heating costs by as much as 50%, which can translate into an average annual savings of $80. Tankless water heaters are more durable than conventional water heaters and are less likely to break. The average tankless unit lasts twice as long as conventional water heaters, and can even last for 20 years.
Conclusion
No on likes to run out of hot water quickly. We hope the information above helps you solve your hot water problem. If not, please give us a call.
