Hot water heater seems to run out fast these days. Is there anything I can adjust on the hot water heater?

Answer 1

There is a temperature adjustment that may work. It is on the bottom of the water heater tank. This may provide a temporary fix, especially if you use only a small amount of water, but will not do much to help if you use more, plus the water might become dangerously hot, and expose you or your family to potential scalding.

You probably have an electric water heater. They have two elements, upper and lower, and the bottom one is usually the first to go. The bottom one can get buried in sediment and chemicals from the water, which coat and solidify, effectively becoming an insulation. The element then has to work harder to heat the coating as well as the water.

With just the top one working, the supply of hot water is reduced.

The heating elements are replaceable. Look for a label on your heater that gives the name and model. You can get general replacement instructions when you go to buy the element at your hardware store, or you can check on-line for an instruction booklet for your specific model.

Examine the heater and you will find metal panels that can be unscrewed/removed from the heater to allow for this repair.

STRONG WARNING

Turn off the electricity to the heater before doing any work at all..

Do not turn the electricity back on until after the work is completed AND the tank is filled with water.

This will prevent electric shock while working, plus keep your element intact after installation. If power is allowed into the element before it is completely immersed in water it will overheat and burn out, and do it very fast.

Open the drain at the bottom of the heater and open a tap in a room anywhere above the heater, then let it drain completely.

You might consider replacing both elements, and this would be a good idea, as both have seen long use.

Answer 2

Chances are your dip tube has decided to go South. This thing is a tube inside of your water tank on the cold or inlet side of the tank. Its sole purpose in life is to direct the cold water to the bottom of the tank. When it gets a hole in it or it literally disintergrates (on older, white tubes) the cold water will travel directly to the hot side outlet across the top of the tank. New tubes are available at hardware stores and home centers and run less than $10.

Since you already have a couple of good answers for electric heaters, I will only cover the gas variety. However, what follows is exactly the same for electric heaters.

If you have a gas heater, turn the control valve to "Pilot", this will keep the heater from igniting the main burner while you are working.

To check or replace your current one, turn off the water to the heater, there should be a shutoff valve on both the hot and cold lines. If there is only one that's ok, but you will have to drain the hot side water lines also, which will take a little longer. Drain enough water from the tank so that the water level is below the cold water inlet. Remove the cold supply line and nipple from the top of the tank. If you look down into the tank you will see a white or light blue tube end that is flared like a trumpet. This should slide out (upward).

Check the tube to be sure it doesn't have holes any where but the two ends and it should be long enough to reach to within six inches of the bottom of the tank when it is installed. If there are holes or if the tube is too short, replace it with a new one cut to the correct length and reinstall the nipple and inlet tube, turn the water back on and check for leaks. Turn the gas control valve back to "ON". Now bleed the hot water lines throughout the house by SLOWLY turning on each hot water faucet and letting it run until the air is out of the line and a steady stream of water flows. Then go to the next one and do the same. You might also want to clean your areators in a day or so. When water lines are drained, some magic troll gets in there and messes with the deposits and when water flow is restored these end up in your faucet screen and can actually stop water flow from the faucet.

Answer 3

Could be a few things wrong there. First, are both of the elements working? If only one heating element is working then you are only getting about half the hot water you should be getting. Second, have you checked to see if a pipe is partially plugged with sediment or something else? This will slow the water flow, but should not affect the amount of hot water you have. Third, have you checked the thermostat on the heater? It might need to be replaced as well, due to faulty circuit or old age. The first and third options are usually the culprit for loosing hot water, so I suggest you start with those two, as they can both be fixed by yourself rather than calling a plumber/electrician to fix. Good luck!

Answer 4

Your water heater is probably limed up inside and needs to be replaced. How old is it ? What have you got the thermostate set at? hey dragondave . Why do you assume that it is an electric warer heater?

Answer 5

yes, just adjust the temperature on the water heater to a hotter setting, this will increase the amount of cold water you have to use to be comfortable therefore decreasing the amount of hot water you use, making the hot water last longer.

Answer 6

i latterly had this undertaking at my residing house after warm water equipment replace. Regardless no count if gasoline or electric powered the equipment could have some settings (frequently under a detachable plate on the front or rear of the unit). The settings mine had have been for off top, trip journeys, rapid warmth, etc. verify those settings if there. on the opposite area of the conceal (if outfitted) could be some ordinary training. ideal of success.....desire I helped