DOES YOUR HOT WATER RUN OUT TOO FAST? OR MAYBE IT RUNS OUT FAST?
How long your hot water lasts will depend on a variety of factors including what type of water heater you’re using, the size of the tank, how hot you prefer your shower, the recovery rate of the tank, the flow rate of your shower head, and many more.
In general, if you have a 40 gallon water heater your hot water should last about 45 minutes to an hour.
But the reality is, how long it should last doesn’t matter. If you’re consistently running out of hot water while in the middle of a shower, then your hot water just isn’t lasting long enough and you need a better solution.
Hot water should last for as long as you need it to. So if you’re someone who prefers to take long, hot showers and lives in a household of multiple people then you’ll need more hot water than someone living alone who takes quick showers.
1. Sediment buildup
2. The tank is too small
3. Not reheating fast enough
4. Thermostat issues
Did you know your water heater has a thermostat? Find the thermostat on your water heater and try resetting it.
5. Bad lower element
If your water heater just started running out of hot water quickly, then the problem might be a faulty lower element.(For electric water heaters only)
6. Broken dip tube
7. Your water heater is too old
Water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. So if your water heater is over 10 years old and does not fit your needs, then it’s probably time to start thinking about replacing it. This is especially true if your water heater is leaking or in need of other repairs, such as a bad lower element or broken dip tube.