Is your hot water running out too quickly because of your problematic heater? Well, there are several reasons this might happen. Well, we can list some of the important ones and also tell you exactly how you can solve the issue at hand.
5 Reasons For Hot Water Running Out Fast
Hot water could run out if the water heater has some sediment buildup, or if the heater itself is old. It also happens due to simultaneous water heating by different appliances or if there’s any issue with the thermostat. Besides, lousy pipe connections could also cause hot water to run out faster.
Some of these issues are easily solvable, such as the simultaneous use of various appliances needing water heating. While others require some maintenance and fixing.
Sediment Buildup:
While sediments depositing in your water tanks can cause a multitude of problems, one of them is having you run out of water. Why, you ask? Well, the impurities such as sand, rust, minerals, and sometimes other stuff, can build up at the bottom of your water tank.
The amount of these sediments can be so much, that they take up too much space. This results in there being less space for the water itself. If the water tank is filling up less water in the first place, it is natural that you would run out of it quicker.
So, if you notice your hot water running out too fast, check for the buildup of minerals and other sediments at the bottom.
Simultaneous Use Of Multiple Appliances:
A lot of times more than one appliance uses up your hot water. If you use it for brewing tea, while someone is taking a hot shower, all the while the dishes are being washed up by hot water, well, it is obvious you would run out of it.
When more than one appliance uses the hot water, it is going to be used way more than when a single appliance would be using it. This could be a major reason you are running out of heated water.
Your Water Heater Is Old:
Even though, usually, water heaters last really long, they do have a shelf life. These devices typically last for about 10-12 years. After this period, they might show signs of low performance. One of them includes running out of hot water quickly.
Issue With The Thermostat:
No, not the thermostat of your house that regulates your home temperature. We are talking about the water heater’s thermostat. Sometimes this option of the heater might be set at the wrong setting.
It is highly likely, that the thermostat is set to heat up your water for a certain period or a certain temperature limit has been set. However, sometimes the thermostat might be too old or out of order. This is rather common and requires professional assistance for its fixing.
Bad Pipe Connections:
While not exactly bad, pipe connections that go bad after use for a certain period could be a cause of running out of hot water quickly. Over time, hot water heaters can put a lot of pressure on the pipe systems. Continuous use of heaters can lead to overheating of the pipes.
This may result in breaking, tearing, and leakage. Such damage can cause water to leak and run out quickly before you get to use it.
Why Is My New Hot Water Heater Running Out Of Hot Water So Fast?
There are a few reasons that whether the heater is old or new, it could still run out of water. Such as, if multiple appliances use the hot water at the same time, the water would be used far more than if only one device was using it.
Simultaneous use can cause your new water heater to use more water, and as a result, run out of it much faster. Aside from this, your new water heater could be putting too much pressure on the pipes and causing leaks. Do check the pipes out to be sure.
However, if none of the above is the case, and your new water heater is running out of hot water, it is probably just a sensor issue. Getting it checked by an expert should help detect the actual cause and solve it.
How Long Should Hot Water Last?
According to experts, the water in your heater tank should lose roughly 1 kWh to 2.5 kWh of heat each day. What this suggests is that a full tank of hot water should be able to last for about a couple of days at most.
If you use a lot of water, the hot water should last less, but even that should go for at least a day. So you can expect it to last for somewhere between a day or two. This will also depend a lot on the quality of the heater tank.
Highly quality water tanks have better insulation, which ensures more and longer-lasting heating. So, if your water tank is well-insulated, the hot water could even last for more than a couple of days. On average you can expect 2 days from most water heaters and tanks.
Will Turning Up My Water Heater Make The Hot Water Last Longer?
While it may occur to you that heating up the water more than usual should make the hot water last longer, it is actually not how this works. You know the saying “too much of anything is bad”? Well, this is a classic case of that.
When you heat up the water excessively, it can firstly put a lot of strain on the circuit and might even fry it up. This would result in a total system failure of your water heating system. On the other hand, the heat would also cause damage to the pipes and cause heat-induced internal damage. And this would result in leaks.
So, no turning up the water heater would do you any favors at all. The perfect temperature would be up to 140 degrees F, but not more than that.
How Can I Make My Hot Water Last Longer?
There are certain things that you could do to increase the longevity of your heated water. Here are some of the best solutions:
Install Better Insulation:
Water heater tanks can contain heated water for pretty long depending on how well-insulated they are. If you want to up the duration your hot water stays that way, you would definitely benefit from getting higher quality insulation.
This will ensure the water does not cool down too fast, as a result, you will retain heated water for longer periods of time.
Many companies provide insulation improvement for pretty affordable prices. You can call a professional to improve the insulation of your water tank for the best results.
Don’t Run Multiple Appliances That Use Hot Water:
If you are using multiple appliances that use up your hot water, you are obviously going to run out of it quicker as opposed to one at a time, as we mentioned. To counter this, do the exact opposite of what you are doing. Only use one appliance for hot water at a time to save water in general.
There are many benefits to this such as saving electricity and reducing the load on the water pipes. And not to mention, you save the amount of hot water you would be using up if the device was being used for more than one purpose. That is why you want to quit using different appliances for heating water simultaneously.
Replace Your Shower Heads And Faucets:
Shower heads and faucets that have a high flow speed tend to spray/pour more water than you would typically need. While turning down the knob helps, you could instead opt for a low-flow shower head or faucet.
This should for sure help decrease overall water waste, which means, you would use up less hot water as well. Just by decreasing the flow speed, you can save up to 1/4th of the hot water that was being wasted before. Replace your faucets and shower heads to see amazing results.
Final Thoughts
So, whether it is because of sediment buildup, dodgy pipe connections, or if your water heater is too old, you know how to solve the issues. Definitely quit using more than one appliance for water heating at the same time to prevent hot water from running out so fast.