My house has a gas hot water tank. When I get up first thing in the morning, I can turn the hot water tap on and even after letting it run for a few minutes, it still doesn't get all that hot. The water is hot enough to do dishes, but not as hot as it should be. But once I've used some hot water out of the tank, that seems to "wake it up" and then it realizes that it needs to turn on in order to heat the tank. So then it starts to heat up and it seems fine for the rest of the day.
Is this normal, or is there something wrong with my hot water tank? Thanks for any help!
2006-11-24 05:29:34 · 16 answers · asked by Raindrop 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Time to replace the heating elements. Depending on how old it is you might as well go ahead and replace the whole thing.
2006-12-01 15:13:24 · answer #1 · answered by rumplesnitz 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Is this a house you just moved into, or have you been in it a while? Has it always been this way or is it something new you noticed.
My intitial thought was that your kitchen sink may be a ways from the water heater, so it takes a while for the hot water to push out the cold water before hot water can take its place. So, it seems like it would be heating as the day goes on, when in reality, the pipes haven't had time enough to cool down like overnight.
If this is a new problem, then there could be a problem with the thermostat, but I would think this is unlikely, since you seem to be satisfied with the temperature later in the day.
I am going to go with distance from the heater as the reason.
2006-11-24 05:41:37 · answer #2 · answered by Gnome 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mine does the same thing. I run the hot water a few minutes until it gets somewhat warm before breakfast to get it hot enough to take a decent shower 15 minutes later. It has to do with moving water out of the tank which triggers the gas to kick on and heat up the incoming new water. It works for me.
2006-11-24 05:35:10 · answer #3 · answered by stklotto 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a smart boiler. The boiler will heat the water as demand requires. It has a thermostat that regulates the heat,which can be adjusted to your comfort. Do not exceed setting above manufacturer guidance (will void any warantee) The reason that you don't get hot water instantly is because the water is not being circulated through the system. Installation of a circulating pump would resolve the problem.
2006-12-02 04:36:47 · answer #4 · answered by iroquiscave 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your hot water heater has a "thermostat" on it. It is adjustible. When the water gets cold the thermostat senses this change in temperature and starts the heating process. When the water in the tank reaches its "set" temperature it shuts off. As time passes and the water gets used it starts to get cooler. This triggers the thermostat to start the heat back on until it reaches its "set" temperature again. I have a child in my house so i set my heater lower around 85f degrees so my child will not get scalded with hot water. I prefer the electric water heater maybe because it's the only kind i have ever used. The thermostat operates on the same principle.
2006-12-01 13:18:57 · answer #5 · answered by redbass 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
as for your tank, there is nothing wrong with it, now, your water is what is wrong, you have lime build up in your tank, it settles in the bottom of tha tank, after a while, it causes your tank to remain hot at the bottom, but cooler at the top so your tank thinks it is fine on the temp, the next time you replace it, please put a water pureifor on the line, this will give you about 5-6 extra years out of it, you will also save money on you gass bill. I have replaced more tanks than i can remember, 75% were from lime or a sediment, in the tank,
2006-12-01 10:43:08 · answer #6 · answered by Handy Smurf 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
when you can turn it off for a few hours, turn it off. wait a few hours, then drain at least 10 gallons from it (use the faucet/drain near the bottom) you will probably get some dirtty water for the 1st 3-6 gallons then by gallon 10 most of the dirt/rust should have cleared out. close the drain valve, turn on your water heater and enjoy. as routine maintenance you should do ths 1 time per year and 5 gallons should be enough to clean it out.
2006-11-30 00:33:46 · answer #7 · answered by s w 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your thermostat needs a shock of colder water to cycle. Your thermostat is bad. Try turning the valve up just a hair and see if it helps. I suspect it won't. Of corse the thermo and valve are all in one and not a cheap repair. Let the age of the heater be your guide.
2006-12-01 19:27:47 · answer #8 · answered by mountainriley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you are just purging the water in the pipes between the hot water heater and the faucet which has cooled. Once this is purged you are getting hot water directly from the hot water heater. This sounds quite normal.
2006-11-30 06:03:49 · answer #9 · answered by airman 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds as tho you have an internal circulation problem.
check the age and if over 7yr you may just find it easier to change it out than struggle with the pain of the daily trauma of no hot water...they're cheap anyway about 3 bill for a 50 gal 5yr warrantee
2006-11-24 08:25:15 · answer #10 · answered by ticketoride04 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should get a plumber to check the dip tube in your heater. When the dip tube is broken or otherwise missing, the cold water is injected into the top of the heater and mixes with the hottest water.
2006-11-29 05:53:38 · answer #11 · answered by gntolng 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋