When you need hot water quickly, waiting isn’t ideal. If your shower warms up slowly or hot water is slow throughout your home, there are ways to fix the problem!
5 Reasons You Have To Wait for Hot Water
- Distance: If your hot water heater is far from the faucet or shower, it will take longer for hot water to reach you.
- Low Flow Restrictor: A restrictor on fixtures like your shower might slow down the water flow, delaying hot water delivery.
- Old Water Heater: Water heaters around 10 years old might start to fail or become less efficient. A plumber from Len The Plumber can check if it needs repair or replacement.
- Sediment Buildup: Minerals like calcium and magnesium can settle at the bottom of your water heater, blocking heat transfer and slowing down hot water production. A professional can flush and clean your heater to restore efficiency.
- Too Small Water Heater: If your household has grown and you still have the same water heater, it might be too small for your needs. Upgrading to a larger unit could solve the problem.
How Long Does It Take To Get Hot Water Back?
- Tank Size: Bigger tanks generally take longer to recover.
- First Hour Rating (FHR): A higher FHR means the water heater recovers faster.
- Fuel Type: Electric heaters typically take twice as long to reheat compared to gas heaters.
- Temperature Rise: It takes longer to reheat cold water compared to warm water.
How Can I Get Hot Water Faster?
Hot Water Recirculation System
A hot water recirculation system helps reduce the wait time for hot water at the tap and cuts down on water waste. Here’s how it works:
- Faster Delivery: It moves hot water quickly from the heater to the faucet.
- Recycles Water: It sends used water back to the heater, keeping hot water near your faucets.
- Controlled by Timer or Thermostat: It turns on automatically based on a timer or thermostat.
The system can be installed near the faucet or directly on the water heater, where it includes a pump and timer to keep the water circulating.
Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater provides hot water on demand without a storage tank. Here’s what you need to know:
- Instant Hot Water: Water is heated as it flows over a heating element, so you get hot water immediately.
- Energy Savings: Since there’s no tank to keep water hot all the time, you save on heating costs.
You can choose between whole-house tankless water heaters or smaller units for individual faucets. The smaller units fit under a sink or in a closet and are great if your current heater can’t meet the whole house’s needs.
