Turn the thermostat up so that it is hotter. BE CAREFUL TO NOT BURN YOURSELF on your new hot water temp. The hotter water means that more cold water has to mix with less hot water to get your water to a reasonable temperature therefore making it last longer.
This happens over time as your water heater ages. If you haven't maintained your water heater with annual system flushes, this could be the problem. Sediment is formed from loose minerals that are found naturally in water. When they settle at the bottom of the tank, it causes your tank to run out of hot water quickly.
Check your faucet aerators. If they caught little white bits of plastic, then your tank's dip tube has failed. The dip tube is what brings the cold water to the bottom of the tank to be heated, leaving the hot water on top. If it has failed, you will only get hot water for about 5 minutes.
Minerals and sediment can accumulate at the bottom of your water heater tank over time. This sediment can insulate the heating element, reducing its efficiency and causing the water to heat slowly. As a result, hot water doesn't last long.
The average adult uses about 10 gallons of water per shower (at a rate of 2 gallons of water per minute). If you assume that an 80-gallon tank has about 55 gallons of hot water to dispense before refilling, that means you have 27 or so minutes of total shower time before running out of hot water.
If your hot water runs out too fast, you may have an issue with: Too much hot water demand from multiple sources at the same time. Sediment build up inside of your water heater tank. A broken dip tube.
Raising the temperature setting on your water heater ultimately makes your hot water supply last longer. It will ensure everyone gets a hot shower, with plenty leftover to run your dishwasher and washing machine.
Flush the tank regularly
Over time, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank and cause the unit to overheat. This can shorten the lifespan of the unit and lead to expensive repairs. To avoid this, it's important to flush the tank regularly. Most manufacturers recommend flushing the tank once a year.
Over time, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank, where the burner usually is. This can lead to slower heating or poor efficiency in your water heater, meaning lukewarm water rather than hot water. The solution for this is to drain the tank and to use a water softener.
A malfunctioning thermostat, broken dip tube, and sediment buildup are the most common repair issues that can explain why your shower quickly runs out of hot water.
It could be faulty parts in the water heating unit, an obstructed flue, the build-up of sediment or a malfunctioning temperature control. When dealing with these problems it is always best to call in the plumbing professionals.
For instance, a typical shower uses about 10 gallons of hot water. So, if you have a 40-gallon hot water tank, you should be able to get four average-length showers out of your hot water tank. This also depends on how much hot water you use for other things.
Yes, it's very bad to turn your water heater all the way up. To do so will reduce its life, increase your electricity bill and could possibly cause scalding—particularly if you have young children or an elderly relative living in your home.
With a standard showerhead, around half a gallon more water will emerge each minute, so a 10-minute shower would use somewhere close to 25 gallons. *1 gallon = 4.54 litres.
The duration for which water stays hot in a tank depends on several factors, primarily the quality of insulation and the size of the tank. Well-insulated water tanks can maintain hot water temperatures for an extended period, often between 24 and 72 hours.
If your shower valve is malfunctioning, you may need to simply tighten it. Worse, you may need to replace the valve or the entire shower faucet.