back to blog

5 Reasons Hot Water Runs Out Quickly in the Shower

Your hot water heater is something that you rely on. However, you do not realize quite how much you need it until you are in the middle of a shower and the hot water runs out quickly. Learn more about common water heater problems and solutions with help from your local plumber.

Finding Solutions When the Hot Water Runs Out Quickly

Water Heater Tank Sizes

You must have the right size of water heater for your home. The way that a tank uses water is pretty straightforward. The water heater fills up the tank with cold water and heats it up to the designated temperature. If you have a tank water heater with a small tank, you may run out of the hot water too quickly. When this is a rare concern for you, you may not need to replace your tank water heater with a larger one. However, if you find that this is a regular frustration, ask your plumber about options in larger tank sizes that may be appropriate for your home.

Tankless Water Heaters

In theory, tankless water heaters should eliminate the problem that the hot water runs out quickly. In practice, it depends greatly on the type of water heater you have and the stress you put on it. Tankless water heaters running on electricity may not be able to deliver the single energy boost needed to heat water to a lot of sources at the same time. Gas-powered tankless water heaters are better at managing this task. However, you still have to consider the best times to run hot water at more than one source. If you are thinking about installing a tankless water heater in your home, consult your plumber about the best models for your home and your use of hot water.

Sediment Buildup

In a tank water heater, the water can only take up as much space as the tank will allow. Water is not the only thing in the tank. In places with hard water, minerals accumulate in the tank. If you do not clean it out regularly, the sediment builds up in the tank and leaves less room for water. Over several years, the buildup could take several gallons of space, leaving you cold when you want to be warm. At the very least, you should request maintenance services from your plumber, to clear the sediment from your water heater and plumbing. You may also want to install a home water softener, to prevent the problem of buildup in the first place.

Worn or Broken Equipment

Failing to arrange for regular service can lead to more than just hard water deposits in your water heater. It can also lead to broken equipment inside your water heater. For example, if your dip tube is broken, you may notice a difference in the temperature of your water. The dip tube pulls the incoming cold water to the bottom, directly to the heating element. That ensures that the water heats up faster. A broken dip tube doesn’t direct the water anywhere, just mixes cold and hot water. Be sure to schedule maintenance at least once a year to confirm that everything in your hot water heater is working properly.

Inefficient Water Heater Use

No hot water heater is going to be perfect, always accommodating all of your needs. If you want to know that the hot water will be available to you, you must also tailor your use of the hot water to a reasonable level. There are many reasons to conserve water, but several of them are also related to your own convenience. Wait to wash clothes or run the dishwasher until you have a full load. Create a schedule to use those appliances at times when you are not planning to do a lot of cooking or take a long bath or shower. With a little forward thinking, you can minimize a lot of hassle.

Call Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical

Your hot water heater works hard to keep you warm just when you need it. When the hot water runs out quickly, you need to assess the situation to ensure that you do not have a serious problem on your hands. Plumbing maintenance is always best done by a professional, so if you need help in the Phoenix area inspecting your water heater, contact us at Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical today.

You May Also Be Interested In:

Why Isn’t My Water Heating Up?

How to Extend the Life of Your Hot Water Heater

Traditional vs. Tankless Water Heaters