How do you extend the life of your hot water?

Question

I have heard that you can turn down the hot water heater but dont know how? I am really sick of running out of hot water

I live in a apartment and know nothing about the hot water heater

Answer 1

there should be a knob that has different numbers....140-150-160 etc.... that roughly corresponds to water temp. If you;re running out, the hot water heater might not be big enough for your needs, or if its older, it might have a bunch of sediment in it thats keeping on from heating completley.

Answer 2

Running out of hot water has nothing to do with the thermostat. Is the water hot when you have it? If so then the thermostat is fine. Running out is a matter of not having a big enough tank or just bad timing on your part i.e....last person in the shower. If you live in an apartment and your hot water is included in your rent than that is the way it goes. The reason hot water is included is because the landlord is to cheap to install seperate hot water tanks for each unit so you all share one.

Answer 3

There are controls for temperature; however, the age and condition and capacity of the water heater also come into play. If it is old, it's possible that the diode is corroded, therefore doesn't read temperature properly and keep the water warm. If it is less than 30 gallons, even with one person you can run low quickly. Water heaters should be drained and checked annually for maximum performancee.

Answer 4

Careful. Some water heaters are set up stupidly. READ everything, especially the parts about DON"T TOUCH THIS OR YOU WILL DIE FROM ELECTRCUTION UNLESS YOU HIRE A REALLY EXPENSIVE REPAIRMAN TO COME OUT HERE AND UNSCREW THIS PLATE FIRST. No joking. My water heater actually has something like that on it. Can you believe people for designing water heaters like that so it's REALLY hard just to turn the temp up or down? Anyway, read everything as you go. Use a flashlight.

Answer 5

If your running out of hot water, turning the temperature higher would actually help. With hotter water you have to add more cold water to get the water to a comfortable temperature, that makes the hot water go further.

Answer 6

How many gallons is your water heater? Is it gas or electric? Where is it located, in relation to the shower? How often do you drain any sediment from the water heater tank? How old is the water heater? The data plate will give us all the answers needed to answer your questions! Make, model, serial number, capacity, these will help us help you.

Answer 7

there is a thermostat on the water heater, look at the directions placed on the tank... you can add a filter in the filler line, drain it every 3 months to remove the silt build up, and yes set the thermostat lower... this will save money also...