Why Do I Run Out of Hot Water So Quickly?

What a rotten feeling: You jump in a hot shower on a cold morning, and the hot water turns frigid without warning. Suddenly, coffee is no longer necessary. You’re wholly but unpleasantly awake. What happened? Why did you run out of hot water so quickly? Here are some possible reasons for rapidly running out of hot water.

Can Your Water Heater Handle Your Water Demand?

No matter what your water heater system is, it is designed to handle a particular load. Heavy water demand can overload your system and cause it to run out of hot water. First, inspect your water heating system. There are two most common types: traditional storage tank water heaters and tankless water heaters.

•   Storage tank water heaters come in several sizes, from under 30 gallons to over 120. Unsurprisingly, larger tank sizes can handle larger hot water loads. They also come with a first-hour rating of how much hot water the system can produce in an hour. You can compare that to your peak usage, which we will discuss next.

•   Tankless water heaters are sized by flow rate, measured in gallons of hot water produced per minute. Flow rates range from 1 GPM to 9 and over, and a heating system should match higher water demand with a higher flow rate.

Now, notice how you are using hot water:

•   Does more than one person bathe or shower at the same time?

•   Are you running appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers simultaneously?

•   Have you added more members to your household (aging parents, children, etc) recently?

Do some research about how much water your household is using at peak times. You might be surprised by the amount. For instance, the average shower uses 20 gallons of hot water, while the dishwasher uses seven. Could you be overloading your hot water heating system? If so, the answer is simple: reduce your hot water usage or upgrade to a system that can handle a higher output.

Could It Be the Heating Element?

Sometimes, you are not getting enough hot water because your water heater element is simply not heating or not heating enough. For instance, your pilot light may be out with a gas system. Or, if it is an electric water heater, your fuse may be flipped due to an outage or other electric problem. Both are relatively simple to fix.

Could Your Tankless Water Heater’s Temperature Rise Be Insufficient?

If you have a tankless water heater that is not heating your water enough, you may have an insufficient system for your home needs. Tankless water heaters, in addition to flow rate, are rated by maximum temperature rise, which is how many degrees can raise water from ground temperature (usually 50 degrees) to a given heat (usually 120 degrees) for a given flow rate. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to lower your flow rate or add more heaters to the line. An experienced plumber can help you decide.

Could It Be Mineral Buildup?

Mineral buildup is another common reason for hot water problems, especially in tankless water heaters. If your water supply consists of hard water (water heavy in minerals), it can cause the scale within your water heating system to fail. It can cause the heating element to corrode and leak in the tank (for heaters that use tanks) or pipe failure. Buildup in pipes can also result in lower water pressure, making it feel like there is less hot water. You might also need to replace your shower head. Water heater maintenance is essential, but you have better things to do than fight with water heaters.

Are you considering a water heater upgrade? You need a tested partner like Superior Plumbing and Pipelining to help you repair, maintain, or replace your current system. If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, why not reach out to discuss your situation? We can help you get your hot water flowing and stay hot longer than ever.