You may feel like a cold shower is a good thing. Maybe you’re just used to being last in your household to get ready in the morning. (The things we say to console ourselves, right?) You don’t quite remember running through hot water so why do you run out of hot water so quickly? Let’s dig into some of the reasons and solutions.
“Hot water can run out quickly thanks to things like an old or poorly maintained water heater, sediment or corrosion buildup, a broken thermostat, and weathered heating element. You could also need a bigger water heater for your household.” Angi
Why Is My Hot Water Not Lasting Very Long?
There is a myriad of reasons why your hot water isn’t lasting very long. One of which is your water usage. Since many people are working from home (still) and even schooling from home – especially those college students – you may be using a lot more hot water than before the pandemic.
Think about it. You’d have coffee at work (hot water), wash your hands at work (hot water), and eat at a restaurant (no dishes). So the first thing to check is your water usage year over year.
Go back to 2019 and 2018 to compare your usage for this time of year for your household. According to the EPA, a family of four uses about 12,000 gallons a month. If the gallons per month are the same in April of 2022 as they were in April of 2018, then maybe your hot water heater is at the end of its normal life span. How old is your water heater?
Your Water Heater Might Be Just Plain Old
If your hot water doesn’t last as long, your hot water heater might be older than ten years. (When did you buy your tank?) That’s the basic life expectancy for a typical hot water heater, according to Bob Villa. It’s true that water heaters are coated to prevent corrosion, but the internal rod that prevents corrosion can also lose its effectiveness. If your water is especially hard, that may shorten your hot water heater’s lifespan, too. Yay! Time to go shopping!
How Long Should My Hot Water Last?
Standard tank water heaters are rated by a First Hour Rating (FHA). That isn’t always as helpful to a homeowner. You just want to know the answer in minutes, right? Jeffrey Bradford, Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, did the math in a Quora thread; the answer is 1 hour. For a standard 50-gallon tank, your hot water should last for a 42+ minute shower – all things being equal. That’s a really long shower.
If your hot water isn’t lasting at least 30 minutes anymore (sudden or subtle change), then it’s time to call your favorite plumber (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). There could be sediment in your tank, reducing its capacity for water and efficiency. You’re having annual or semi-annual maintenance performed on your hot water heater, right?
“The build up of sediment in the tank can reduce your water heater’s energy efficiency and also clog your water lines. Avoid these problems and increase the life of your unit by flushing your water heater every six months.” Home Depot
You could also have a leak somewhere (yikes). Yes, hot water can leak, too. There really are a lot of variables. As with any type of plumbing issue, it’s better to get ahead of the problem before it becomes a larger problem.
Get Your Free Estimate Today!
If your water heater no longer meets the demands of your household, let’s find a good solution. Whether it’s maintenance, repair, or replacement, we’ve got you. But that’s why we’re your favorite local plumber.
I’d love to help you out and keep your property worry-free. When you’re ready, let’s schedule an appointment and talk about your Door County project.