Why Does My Hot Water Run Out So Fast?

Why is it that every time you take a shower it goes from hot to cold halfway through? Or why your dishes never seem to be as clean as they could be? You don’t realize how much you really need hot water until you’re stuck with a faucet that’s only dispensing cold water (talk about frustrating). Well, we’re here to tell you why these problems keep happening to you — and it all comes down to your water heater.

Your Tank is How Small?
Most water heaters have a rating that is equivalent to the number of gallons of water they heat per hour. For example, you can have a water heater that can heat up to 50 gallons of water per hour. From here you will have to figure out how much water you could be using at any given hour of the day. If you have a large family that requires multiple people to shower, a lot of dishes to wash, and mountains of clothes to clean, you might need a larger water tank.

You’re Using How Much?
If you’re the type of person who completes all of their chores in a specific timeframe each day, you could be using too much water at one time. For those who load up their dishwasher and washing machine at the same time, the chance of using all of your available hot water greatly increases. If multiple people in the house need to shower at a certain time of day, you should hold off on washing dishes and clothing until later in the day. A family that uses a lot of hot water should plan out anything that involves the usage of showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and sinks.

When Was the Last Cleaning?
Like all appliances and systems in your home, water heaters need to be maintained and inspected routinely. As your water heater ages, sediment buildup within the tank can happen more frequently and will affect its overall performance and efficiency. This buildup of limescale, magnesium, and calcium will cover your water heater’s burner, thus causing it to heat up less water while also doing so at a slower rate. Make sure your water heater is serviced each and every year so you know if it needs to be drained out or not.

If you’re constantly experiencing a loss of hot water throughout the day, it might be time to have your current water heater inspected and evaluated. Luckily, your friendly neighbors at Len The Plumber are available for service, repair, and installation of both commercial and residential gas, electric, and tankless water heaters. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (800) 950-4619.