Many volume water heaters have a 5:1 or 3:1 turndown ratio. This means that, for example, an 850,000 BTUH water heater with a 5:1 turndown can operate down to 170,000 BTUH—below that, it cycles on and off. This low capacity cycling can occur under low loads and even no-load periods due to the recirculating system.
Dirt and Clogs
A clogged thermocouple is the most common problem that causes shutdowns. This part of the water heater can turn the whole water heater off if it can't sense heat from the pilot light.
According to our energy service advisors, your water heater accounts for 14-20% of your electric bill. Try out these tips from PEC to save more throughout the year. A basic water heater will run three to five hours a day to keep its tank heated 24/7.
If your water heater is constantly running the first thing you should do is check the unit and the pipes immediately around it for leaks. Your water heater might have insufficient insulation – If the water heater is not properly insulated, it will be unable to maintain the water temperature.
In the average home, the water heater will run for about three hours each day. Total run time can range from one to two hours for new tankless water heaters to five or more hours for older tank style water heaters.
Hot Water Shortage
Finding yourself running out of hot water more quickly than usual is often a sign that your water heater is on its last legs. When water heaters start to go bad, they often lose their ability to heat water properly, which can result in shorter showers and less hot water overall.
One way to know that your water heater is not working as it should is if you're experiencing inconsistent water temperatures. Inconsistent water temperature could signal an issue with the thermostat, but it could also point toward a problem with the heating element, which is a bigger issue to address.
If your hot water heater temperature switches between hot and cold, there may be a problem with the control thermostat. Your water heater has two thermostats, an upper and lower. Fluctuations between hot and cold temperatures indicate that only the upper water heater circuit is working.
Instead of a constant flame, an intermittent pilot only lights when the unit needs to burn gas. Whenever the unit needs to start heating, the pilot automatically turns on and then shuts off again as soon as the heating cycle is complete.
Average Lifespan Of A Hot Water Heater
With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.
A water heater making noise like water running could simply be the water entering the tank. However, If the sound continues, it could indicate a leak or a broken pipe.
Water Heater Lifespan
A hot water heater's lifespan depends on many factors, including the type of water heater, the energy source, the type of water you have, and how well the unit is maintained. On average, most water heaters last between 8 and 12 years but some can last up to 20 years with regular maintenance.
Intermittent hot water is usually one of two things; a faulty heating element, or slow overall heating coupled with demand elsewhere. If your wife or kids took a shower before you ran your bath, they may have drained the tank of hot water leaving none for you.
Before you troubleshoot the plot light, remember that it is always on and the flame needs to be blue. Adjust it if it's yellow. You should make sure that the tank is full of water before you light the pilot light.
If the pilot light goes out on a storage or instantaneous hot water heater, space heater or a ducted heater, you will not have a gas leak. This is because all modern gas appliances with pilot lights have a fail-safe device that closes off the gas to the appliance in the case when the pilot may go out.
Although this is an area of concern for many people, the reality is that boilers are built so that the gas supply to the pilot light is shut off if the flame goes out. Whilst the cause of pilot light failure needs to be investigated, extinguished pilot lights aren't going to cause a gas leak.
Bad Heating Element
If your heating element goes bad, this lowers the temperature of your water and greatly affects how much hot water you get. So, if you start out with hot water, but then it goes cold fast, it could be that the water isn't getting heated anymore.
Water heaters might develop a failing pilot light assembly. Electric issues such as a blown fuse, tripped breaker, or electrical connection problem can shut off your water heater—especially electric and tankless units. Hard water or poor water quality could disable your sensors with rust or mineral buildup.
If your water temperature fluctuates, the pressure-balancing valve might be to blame. Your pressure-balancing valves open and close depending on your water flow in your plumbing system. If cold or hot water levels drop, a broken pressure valve could cause a drop in water pressure.
You're overusing hot water. The water heater tank size is too small for your household. Your hot water heater is tankless. Sediment or minerals have built up in your water heating system.
Over time, sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank. When the water is heated, the sediments harden. As a result, you can hear banging or rumbling noises from inside the heater. This is a sign that you need to get a new hot water heater, as its nearing the end of its operational lifespan.
Hard water can cause sediment to build up in your water heater, leading to corrosion and shortened lifespan. We recommend installing a water softener or using a filtration system if you have hard water. This will not only extend the life of your water heater, but it will also improve the quality of your water overall.
Tankless water heaters typically have a lifespan of 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters with standing water tanks can last around 10 to 15 years before you notice signs of age.
Humming is also a normal sound to come from your water heater. The humming noise occurs when cold water enters the heater. Units with heating elements at the top and bottom will tend to experience some humming sounds. In addition to humming, your water heater also might shake a bit.