Normally It will cycle every time you use a few gallons of hot water, if it is cycling dramatically more than that it is possible that you have a hot water leak somewhere. Often enough to keep the water in the tank at the desired temperature. There is no specific number of times that the appliance will cycle.
A basic water heater will run three to five hours a day to keep its tank heated 24/7.
Cycling occurs when the demand load on the heater is less than the minimum firing rate of the water heater. In other words, if the BTUH required to bring the water temperature up to the set point is less than the minimum BTUH that the water heater can operate at, the heater will keep turning on and off.
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.
If you have several users and the hot water runs out, set the timer to run before and during bathtime. Let the timer go off afterwards. There is likely to be enough stored hot water to last all day. If your daily usage is less than the cylinder holds, just run it once a day for about half an hour.
It's better to leave the hot water heater on all the time, rather than turning it on and off. This is a very common energy saving myth. But in fact, you really don't need to be heating your water all the time. Your immersion heater or boiler will heat up hot water which is stored in a tank.
As long as the tank has a good insulating jacket, it will keep the water hot all day. Experts at the EST say: 'If you have a gas, oil or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) central heating system, the experts say it will always be cheaper to set the system timer so the hot water comes on only when required.
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.
Common reasons why a water heater's reset button trips
Faulty thermostat – If the thermostat fails, a heating element can get stuck on, leading to extremely hot water. It's also possible that the thermostat is still on but not reading the temperature accurately. Obviously, this can impact the water temperature.
Problems with your dip tube.
The dip tube is a part of your water heater's tank. The dip tube is responsible for bringing cold water into the tank from the water line, but when it's cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged, that cold water can leak out and mix with the hot water, lowering the temperature.
Too Little Air in the Reservoir Tank
These tanks depend on air pressure within to regulate the pressure switch. If the inside air pressure drops, the tank will not trigger the pressure switch correctly, causing the pump to switch ON and OFF erroneously.
Regardless of what type of water heater tank you have, every system needs regular maintenance. Usually, you need to check your water heater once or twice per year. Gas, electric and tankless water heaters need to be flushed every 6-12 months. This prevents the buildup of sediment, rust and corrosion.
The best way to keep your hot water heater operating at its best is to flush and clean it on a regular basis. Flushing and cleaning your hot water tank is a relatively simple task that can be completed in less than one hour.
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.
Don't worry, there is nothing wrong with your heater. It's just dirt build-up. The Pilot tube supplies gas to the pilot light for combustion. The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris.
It depends on the size of the tank, but with any unit, you should be able to get in a hot shower with gas water heaters within 30-40 minutes and with electric tanks, about 60-90 minutes.
When might you need to replace your water heater? Pete's professional advice on replacing your water heater is as follows: “If you are only getting 5-7 minutes of hot water for showers, and you can't fill the tub up with hot water, then it's likely the dip tube in your hot water tank that needs replacement.
The most common part that gets damaged is the “Dip Tube”. When it gets worn down, it leads to the mixing of cold and hot water. So, you feel as if the hot water runs out after 10 mins. The Solution – A damaged dip tube has to be replaced.
If you're looking for a short answer, it's 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 49 degrees Celsius). Many water heaters are set to 140 degrees F per factory specifications, but lowering the temperature can lead to energy savings of 4% to 22%, and up to $400, according to the Department of Energy.
Here's the catch: Modern water heaters are well-insulated meaning there is very little heat loss. Although electrical rates vary, the experts say turning off the water heater at night will likely save about two dollars a month.
Keeping your central heating on low vs turning it on & off
According to the experts at the Energy Savings Trust, the idea that you can save money by keeping your central heating permanently on low is a myth. This is mainly because of problems with home insulation.
If you place your water heater on a higher setting, the water coming out of it will be hotter, and you won't need as much to reach that same temperature. Raising the temperature setting on your water heater ultimately makes your hot water supply last longer.
To flush your hot water tank, simply turn on the cold water spigot leading into your hot water tank. Let it run for a few minutes until the water exiting your hose runs clear. This may take a bit.