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Does anyone know what to do about this problem and can you explain the solution it to me in layman's terms? We've had this issue before when we first moved into our new home (new construction). They eventually replaced the tank and up sized it to a 50 gal. It seemed fine up until the past few weeks, and now the problem has resurfaced. It is the first shower after hours of inactivity, so first thing in the morning typically and sometimes later in the afternoon if no one has run hot water all day. The water valve is turned all the way on hot but never gets more than slightly above lukewarm. Once it is turned off and after about 10 minutes, another person can get in the shower and have plenty of hot water.
Does anyone know what to do about this problem...
the first shower after hours of inactivity... if no one has run hot water all day.
after about 10 minutes, another person can get in the shower and have plenty of hot water.
You aren't describing a "problem"... you're describing your annoyance.
This first draw delay in getting hot water is a compromise design of the system.
You aren't describing a "problem"... you're describing your annoyance.
This first draw delay in getting hot water is a compromise design of the system.
To me it is a "problem" to get in the shower and not have hot water. After spending almost 400K on a house you expect to have hot water to shower with, and if I knew what the problem was I would not have to ask here in the forum. I am not a plumber.
Originally Posted by Strongasabear Does anyone know what to do about this problem... the first shower after hours of inactivity... if no one has run hot water all day. after about 10 minutes, another person can get in the shower and have plenty of hot water.
Then your problem is in the choice of water heaters purchased. You get what you pay for. Mine is a 52 gallaon WH that cost me $450 and has electronic controls on top. Thus is can be adjusted for first draw. So my first draw gives me true hot water within 30 seconds. If you don't have electronic settings then your other choice is to either upgrade the WH again or purchase a timer for it. The timer will cut off electricity to it. Thus when it is re-electrified for the first time, then within a hour(ish) of your first use its going to have piping hot water.
Your problem may be as simple as being the thermostat not being adusted correctly. Find the manual for your WH to figure out how to adjust it higher.
The further the tap is away from the hot water heater, the longer it will take the water from that tap to get hot. One of my showers is almost instant hot water (5 feet from the tank). One sink in the house is some 40 feet from the hot water tank and it takes some time (as in leave it running) to get hot. This a brand new home, so all of functioning properly.
Then your problem is in the choice of water heaters purchased. You get what you pay for. Mine is a 52 gallaon WH that cost me $450 and has electronic controls on top. Thus is can be adjusted for first draw. So my first draw gives me true hot water within 30 seconds. If you don't have electronic settings then your other choice is to either upgrade the WH again or purchase a timer for it. The timer will cut off electricity to it. Thus when it is re-electrified for the first time, then within a hour(ish) of your first use its going to have piping hot water.
Thank you, but we did not have a choice in what was installed in the home preclosing. When the problem occured in the past while still under new homeowners warranty, again we had no choice. They replaced it without giving us a choice....most likely with the cheapest I'm sure. They did upgrade to a 50 gal. That's all we know. Looking through warranty booklets, it is a State brand. Not sure if that is low end or not. It is still under warranty but not sure if this would be considered a warranty issue.
The further the tap is away from the hot water heater, the longer it will take the water from that tap to get hot. One of my showers is almost instant hot water (5 feet from the tank). One sink in the house is some 40 feet from the hot water tank and it takes some time (as in leave it running) to get hot. This a brand new home, so all of functioning properly.
We suspect part of the problem to be the location of the tank vs. where it has to travel before coming out of the faucet. The tank is in the attic and has to go down 3 levels to the crawl before coming back up to the faucets.
How far is the water heater from the shower you prefer to use?
How far is the water heater from the other (main) HW users (kitchen, laundry,etc)?
The best compromise might be to add an additional water heater near your shower.
Then you can brag on having a $401,000 home.
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