Hot Water Issues with Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains

When Water Doesn’t Heat Fast Enough in Your Water Heater

It’s a terrible way to start your day when you’re in the shower and the water suddenly turns cold. Someone already did a load of dishes and took a shower, and now you’re out of hot water. Maybe it takes forever for the water to heat up enough for a nice shower. There can be several reasons for your hot water issues, and Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains can diagnose the problem.

Common Issues

While Paul Bunyan Plumbing would need to see your home and setup to diagnose the issue correctly, here are some common reasons you may have a water heater that heats water slowly.

• Location – When the water heater is located further from your faucets, it takes longer for the hot water to travel to the tap.
• Restrictor – Some fixtures, such as a shower head, may have a restrictor installed, which will slow down the water flow.
• Failure – If you have an older water heater, it may not be running as efficiently as it should.
• Sediments – Mineral sediments can be at the bottom of the tank, which is where the heating element is placed. It may cause the water to heat slower and need to be flushed out by a professional plumber.
• Too small – If your water heater is too small, it may not be able to keep up with your household for hot water. You may need a larger system if your use has increased.

How Long It Takes for Hot Water to Come Through the Faucet

Once the tank has been emptied of the hot water, it takes some time for the heater to recovery and have more hot water on hand. The recovery time depends on several factors, such as the size of the tank. A larger tank will take longer to be refilled. An electric water heater takes about double the time to heat as a gas heater. Colder water takes longer to heat and the First Hour Rating is a measurement which tells how long the tank takes to heat. The FHR rating will tell you how long it takes to get hot water again.

Getting Hot Water Quicker

You have a couple of options if you want to get your hot water to the faucet faster. First, a hot water recirculating system keeps hot water moving to the faucets with a timer. It takes used water back to the hot water heater for a faster heating process. You can place these systems on a faucet or on the water heater for the whole house.

A second option is a tankless water heater. This system provides hot water consistently because it doesn’t use a tank to store the hot water. Hot water is instantaneous every time you turn on the faucet. It’s also a cost-efficient option because it doesn’t have to keep water hot until it is used.

If you want to learn more about how to get hot water faster or to have your system inspected for issues, you can contact Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains.