Why Do I Run Out of Hot Water So Quickly?

We’ve been promising cooler temperatures for a while now, and yet the sun keeps shining on. This is why we aren’t meteorologists. Nonetheless, frigid mornings are on their way (at some point!) and hot showers will become more and more important. But what if you’ve found your hot water is running out far too quickly? Here are some possible reasons why, and solutions for, you guessed it, a lack of hot water.  

Too much use 

If your family all decide they need to shower around the same time, while running the laundry and the dishwasher, you will find your water heater may not be able to meet the demands on it. If your family has grown recently or the back-to-school schedule has meant more demand at the same time, this could be the culprit for your hot water woes. The solution might mean shower schedules, planning dishwashing for later in the day, washing clothes in cold water, or installing a larger water heater. Alternatively, you can live alone, and then all the water is yours! 

Water heating settings 

Your water heater has a thermostat, and sometimes – perhaps due to an overzealous desire to save money or an accidental nudge, it can be set too low. Your thermostat should be set to about 60 degrees as a standard, but you can try raising the temperature to see if that resolves the issue. Be careful, however, of raising the temperature too high, especially if you have children in the house. Having the water heater set to high can easily cause burns.  

Sediment 

Another possible reason for a lack of hot water is a build-up of sediment. Water is rarely pure H2O – it usually has dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium in it that can build up over time. If that layer of build up grows, it can lessen the volume of water your heater can store and heat. Sediment can also keep the element from effectively heating water, by adding a layer of insulation between. If this is the issue, you may hear sounds coming from your water heater or see visible sediment. Regardless, you should flush your unit annually to keep sediment from building up.  

Heating element issue 

Most electric water heaters have elements on the top and the bottom of the unit to heat your water. Especially if the element at the bottom, which does most of the work of keeping your water hot, becomes damaged, you will have issues with water temperature. This will usually cause a drastic and sudden change in your hot water availability, and it will require a plumber to inspect and potentially repair the unit.  

Broken dip tube 

Finally, the cause of your cold shower might be a broken dip tube, which pushes cold water coming into the tank to the bottom, so it can be heated. If it is not functioning properly, the cold water will go to the top and be sent out to your shower. If you suspect this might be the issue, call in a plumber to repair the dip tube, or tell you if the entire unit needs to be replaced.