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When you first start to notice that the water coming from your taps and shower heads isn’t hot enough, you may think it’s just you. Or maybe it’s temporary. But then the lukewarm water keeps flowing, and other people in your household start to complain about it. Something is definitely wrong. But what is it?
There are several reasons why you might experience a decline in hot water temperature, and most have to do with your water heater. In most cases, you’ll need to contact professional plumbers for water heater repairs in Temple Terrace, FL. Or you may need to have those professionals replace your water heater entirely. To determine if a replacement is necessary, review the top signs you need to replace your water heater. We’ll look into some of the possible reasons your water heater isn’t heating enough as it once was.
Excess sediment in the tank
Sediment in the freshwater entering your home will start to collect along the bottom of the tank of your water heater. This will happen faster if you have high mineral content in your water (i.e. hard water). To learn more about how hard water affects your system, consider reading about hard water’s impact on your home. This sediment becomes an insulating layer between the heat exchanger and the water, making it harder for the thermal energy from the heat exchanger to warm the water.
Plumbers can solve this by flushing out the tank. We recommend you schedule regular maintenance for your water heater to flush out the tank periodically, which will prevent this problem in the future and help your water heater to last longer.
Broken dip tube
The dip tube is a tube that carries incoming freshwater down into the tank and above the heat exchanger. The water is then heated and rises to the top of the tank, where it’s pumped out into the hot water lines.
If this tube breaks, the cold freshwater will instead end up at the top of the tank, mix with the hot water, and lower the temperature of the water that gets transported to the taps. Plumbers will need to replace the broken dip tube.
Aquastat malfunction
A water heater has a type of thermostat known as an aquastat. Like a thermostat, it can malfunction and cause the unit to not heat the water as high as its setting. You must have experts examine the aquastat and fix/replace it. Don’t raise the temperature to attempt to overcome the problem, as you create a potential scalding hazard.
Failed heating element
If you have an electric water heater, a possible source for the problem is a burned out heating element. An electric water heater has two heating elements in its tank to heat the water and then keep it heated. If one of them fails, the water heater will lose its ability to make the water hot enough. Professionals must replace the burned out heating element.
If you use a tankless water heater, inconsistent heating or water that isn’t hot enough can occur due to a clogged inlet screen. This screen is designed to prevent debris from entering the system, but over time, it can accumulate dirt and restrict water flow. Restricted flow leads to insufficient heating as the unit struggles to operate efficiently. Cleaning the inlet screen regularly can resolve this issue and improve the heater’s performance.
Age
Finally, you may have a water heater that is getting too old to do its job, possibly because of corrosion developing inside the tank. The average gas water heater can last for around 12 years and electric water heaters can last for around 20 (provided they have regular maintenance). If you have an old water heater, then a drop in the water temperature may indicate that it’s time to upgrade to a new unit. For guidance on timing upgrades, see when to finally replace old plumbing fixtures.
Another factor to consider is the distance between your water heater and the faucets. If the water heater is located far from certain fixtures, it can take longer for hot water to reach them, giving the impression of insufficient heating. Installing a point-of-use water heater near these fixtures can provide immediate hot water supply, particularly for distant faucets.
Undersized water heaters can also lead to insufficient hot water. If the size of your water heater is too small for your household’s demands, it will struggle to keep up with usage, especially during peak times. Consulting with a professional to assess your hot water needs and upgrade to a larger capacity system, if necessary, can ensure consistent hot water supply.
Pipe Insulation
Uninsulated hot water pipes can lose heat as water travels to your taps, resulting in lukewarm water upon arrival. Insulating your hot water pipes helps maintain the temperature of the water as it moves through your home, ensuring that it remains hot when it reaches your faucets. This not only improves comfort but also enhances energy efficiency by reducing heat loss.
For all your water heater woes, rely on The Clean Plumbers—The one with the bubbles on the trucks.