Not enough hot water
We know how annoying it is when there’s not enough hot water in your home and your usual hot morning or evening showers suddenly turn into feeling like an unexpected ice bath.
Your water heater used to satisfy your home’s needs perfectly, but now your hot water supply just isn’t cutting it for your household. Why may this be? There are many possible causes to this problem which come with their own solutions, some of which are quite simple. To bring back the comfort of having enough hot water back into your home check out the possible solutions that we have below.
Heat Loss
It takes some time for hot water from your water heater to reach the appliance that is using the hot water. During this time there is a varying amount of heat lost in the process. The amount of heat that is lost depends on the length of the water pipe and the temperature of the air that surrounds the pipe. Your pipes may run through an unheated space such as a crawlspace, basement, or exterior wall, which will result in a significant heat loss. This problem can be solved by insulating the hot water pipes or by using a hot water recirculating system.
Electric Heaters With Damaged Element
An electric water heater usually has two heating elements, a lower elements and an upper element. It only takes one of these elements to be burned out or damaged for there to be not enough hot water in your home. If the upper heating element is the source of the problem then the temperature of the water will be lower than it should be, and if it’s the lower elements then there just won’t be enough hot water. There is a thermostat which controls each element, and if the thermostat is failing then this could also result in less hot water.
Damaged Dip Tube
Inside of your water heater you will find a plastic pipe called a dip tube which delivers the cold water to the bottom of the tank where it is then heated. If this tube is cracked or broken in any way then the cold water from the pipe could be mixing in with the hot water at the top of your water heater, which would alter the temperature of the water coming out from your tap and making it colder than it should be. A damaged or broken dip tube can be replaced by contacting the water heater’s manufacturer.
Sediment Buildup
Over time water heater’s often build up sediment at the bottom of the tank which can reduce the effectiveness of the burner and results in a lower water temperature from your tap. The production of sediment can be reduced significantly by draining a gallon of water from your hot water tank every month.
Rust and Corrosion
It is not a rarity for old water heaters to develop rust or corrosion. Most hot water heaters are made out of steel, which means that eventually rust will develop. If you can see any corrosion or rust on your heater’s water inlet and outlet connections or on it’s temperature and pressure relief valve, then you have an obvious sign that your home needs a new hot water heater. Another way to tell if your water heater is rusting is if you spot any rust in the water from your tap. There is unfortunately no way to repair a tank to get rid of rust. A rusted or corroded water heater will eventually begin to leak, if it hasn’t already, which can result in thousands of dollars being spent on repair costs due to water damages. Your best option in this situation would be to upgrade to a brand new hot water heater and avoid the hefty repair costs and headaches that come with home repairs.
Undersized Water Heater
A very common reason behind having not enough hot water is that your hot water heater tank is just not big enough for the usage in your household. If you’re running out of hot water on a regular basis then it may be necessary to upgrade to a new water heater with a larger tank and put an end to your problems. You may also want to consider the option of replacing your existing water heater with a brand new tankless unit. If you’re experiencing hot water shortage with your current storage water heater, a tankless unit will more than likely stop the problem since they never run out of hot water. A tankless unit has no storage tank at all, but instead heats the water as you need it instead of constantly heating the water in the tank. When choosing between storage vs. tankless water heater units you should consider the number of people living in the household, the number of showers, and the difference in prices.
Thermostat Temperature Setting
It is recommended for your hot water temperature to be set between 48 to 52 degrees celsius, but heat loss during the winter months can make the recommended temperature not hot enough. You can try adjusting the temperature by a few degrees during the cold months of the year and see if this solves the problem.
If you are in need of any further assistance with your water heater problems, not enough hot water, you can call DeMark Home Ontario at 647-847-2998 or fill out our request form online and we will be happy to help you. We offer a free installation for your new Energy Star water heater, 2 months free, and the best rental rates in Ontario.
