I run out of hot water fast what should I do?

There are a number of reasons why you might run out of water fast in your home. Some of the most common causes include:

Your hot water cylinder is too small.

Water cylinders come in a variety of sizes, and it’s important to choose the right size for your needs. If your cylinder is too small, it won’t be able to keep up with the demand for hot water. For example, a single person may only have to turn on their hot water once per day, while a family may have to turn on their hot water multiple times to provide enough for their needs.

You have lime scale build-up in your water heater.

Lime scale is a collection of minerals and other particles that can build up at the bottom of your water heater tank over time. This sediment can insulate the heating element and prevent it from heating the water properly.

Your thermostat is set too low.

The thermostat on your water heater controls the temperature of the water. If the thermostat is set too low, the water won’t get hot enough. The thermostat should be set to at least 60 °C. A higher temperature gives you the chance to mix cold water in to increase the volume available.

You have a leak.

If your water cylinder or hot tap has a leak, it’s wasting hot water. If a hot tap drips all day it can use a substantial amount of hot water from the tank. This can lead to a decrease in the amount of hot water that’s available for you to use.

Your water heater is old.

Water heaters have a lifespan of about 10-15 years. If your water heater is older than that, it may not be working as efficiently as it once did.

You’re using too much hot water.

If you have a large household or you use a lot of hot water for activities such as bathing, showering, or washing dishes, you may be simply using more hot water than your water heater can produce.

The boiler or electrical heater isn’t actually heating the tank.

When the water in the tank is cold turn on the immersion or boiler to heat the water. Does anything happen? The boiler should fire up and you can normally hear the immersion heating the water. If neither of these things happens you could have a fault the heater.

How to Fix the Problem

Once you’ve identified the reason why you’re not getting enough hot water, you can take steps to fix the problem. Here are some tips:

• If your water heater is too small, you can upgrade to a larger model. This is the best solution if you have a large household or you use a lot of hot water.
• To remove sediment build-up from your water heater, you can flush it out. This is a relatively easy process that you can do yourself or hire a plumber to do for you.
• If your thermostat is set too low, simply turn it up. The recommended temperature setting for water heaters is 60 °C. However, you can have the temperature much higher as long as you are aware of the risks of scalding.
• If you have a leak, you need to repair it as soon as possible. This will prevent you from wasting hot water and money.
• If your water heater is old, it may be time to replace it. Newer water heaters are more efficient and will provide you with more hot water.
• If you’re using too much hot water, there are a few things you can do to reduce your usage. For example, you can take shorter showers, wash dishes less often, and install low-flow faucets and showerheads.

Other Tips for Getting More Hot Water

Here are a few other tips for getting more hot water out of your water heater:

• Insulate your water heater. This will help to keep the water hot for longer.
• Turn down the temperature setting on your hot water tap. This will reduce the amount of hot water that you use each time you turn on the faucet.
• Stagger your hot water use. Avoid using multiple hot water appliances at the same time. For example, if you’re doing dishes, wait until the dishwasher is finished before taking a shower.
• Take shorter showers. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your hot water usage.

If you’re still having problems with your hot water after following these tips, you may want to contact a plumber for assistance.

Summary

Many of the issues with your heater can be resolved by adjusting how you use it. For instance, you can increase the duration of hot water usage or adjust the thermostat to access more hot water. If you notice a dripping hot tap, it’s essential to isolate it until it can be repaired, as every lost drop of hot water must be reheated.

While it is costly, upgrading to a larger hot water tank can help to alleviate daily hot water issues.