Slow Hot Water Recovery: Causes And How A Water Heater Repair Technician Help | Cibolo, TX
The hot water recovery rate of a water heater is the period you will have to wait until the water heats up after the water heater tank’s capacity has been drained. Although the recovery rate for a water heater varies based on the model or type of a water heating unit, household needs, and tank capacity, any water heater shouldn’t take ages to heat your water. Whenever you experience such an issue, it means that your Cibolo, TX home’s water heater has a problem that requires the attention of a water heater repair technician. So, what causes a slow hot water recovery in a water heater?
When the Thermostat Is Set Too Low
If your water heater’s thermostat is set too low, the result will be uncomfortable showers, low recovery, bacterial growth, and insufficiently heated water. To raise the temperatures on the thermostat, you can turn the knob to a higher reading to arrive at the manufacturer’s recommended settings of about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, please don’t increase the temperatures too high because it might result in scalding and burn injuries.
However, some water heaters, especially the electric types, require that you remove the access panel to adjust the temperatures. Do you have a conventional water heater? Do not expect to see temperature changes immediately. It may take several hours before the water is heated properly. Unfortunately, suppose the water temperatures don’t increase even after adjusting them on the thermostat. In that case, you should enlist the help of a water heater repair professional to inspect or replace the thermostat.
Accumulation of Sediments In the Storage Tank
The other reason why the water heater might have a slow recovery is because of an accumulation or buildup of sediments within the tank. The dissolved minerals might settle on the heating element, reducing its heating efficiency. The sediments might also settle at the bottom of the water heater tank, reducing the volume that the tank holds typically. The accumulation of deposits minimizes the transfer of heat between the source of heat and the water, slowing down the recovery rate of hot water.
The sedimentation also will increase the energy utility bills, cause corrosion of the water heater tank, or even it is cracking. Some signs of sediment accumulation in your water heater tank include rusty-looking heated water, rumbling sounds within the water heater tank, and high energy utility bills. Hence, you should hire a plumber for the routine flushing, inspection, and maintenance of the water heater.
Undersized Water Heater
Does your water heater supply enough heated water to your home? If the unit is too small to cater to your household’s heated water needs, you might fall victim to slow heated water recovery. Maybe you installed the water heater while living alone or with your wife, but now you have an entire family of 5 children. This is bound to happen. Hence, you should consult your trusted water heater repair professional about replacing the water heater with a larger one or installing a second water heating unit. That is the only sure way to avoid slow hot water recovery.
Orifice Too Small
You should check the rating plate or the manufacturer manual to see the right orifice size and type. Is the orifice on the water heater too small or clogged up? You might want to clean it up or hire a plumber to repair it with a newer one. Because the LP and natural gas work in different pressures and you might be converting from one gas type to another, you might want to replace the burner orifices because of the size differences. This would be a common problem if the water heating unit were modified or even converted to another type of fuel other than it was initially used.
Low Gas Pressure
Are you experiencing a gas delivery problem? The other leading cause of slow hot water recovery is low gas pressure. You should consult your gas utility provider to see whether there is a delivery issue and get the current gas pressure. When you notify them of the problem, the company will take measures to address the issue. Using a leakage detector, you could also check whether there is a gas leak at your Cibolo, TX home.
In case of a gas leak, the only solution is to call a plumber to address the issue. The low gas pressure results in an improper combination of air-gas fuel, causing poor combustion. The ultimate problem is low water heater efficiency and more prolonged water heating. Retain a water heater repair technician for routine inspections and maintenance of your water heater and plumbing appliances.
Failing Water Heater
A conventional water heater typically lasts 8-12 years with proper maintenance. Whenever the unit approaches the end of the service life, various components, including the heating element, might begin malfunctioning. This will undoubtedly result in slow water recovery. Suppose you are experiencing this issue and the water heating unit has seen better days. In that case, it may be time to have a water heater repair professional replace it with another one to save on water and energy utility bills. It will also help you reduce the chances of water damage.
Lack of Proper Ventilation
An adequate supply of fresh combustion air is mandatory for safe and proper gas combustion.
If the unit isn’t getting sufficient air, that might harm its performance. This might even expose your family to carbon monoxide poisoning and contamination, both of which are hazardous. Lack of enough combustion air means the unit will produce a low-quality flame with less heating power, resulting in slow heated water recovery rates. Water heater repair professionals in Cibolo, TX, and manufacturers recommend that the volume of indoor air should be at least fifty cubic feet for every 1000 BTU/HR at the minimum.
Blocked Flue Baffle, Flue Way, and Burner
The water heating unit must exhaust all gas combustion products outdoors via the approved venting with no blockages. Additionally, an experienced water heater repair professional should install the venting system and use the approved state or local codes. Only the proper installation can offer an efficient and safe operation. Improper water heater installation can affect the unit’s performance, resulting in a slow heat recovery time.
We Specialize in Water Heater Repair and Other Plumbing Services
Have you noticed that your water heater has a slow hot water recovery rate? Then that may be as a result of either of the above reasons. Call our reliable and professionally trained professionals at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio for a water heater repair service.
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