Why Does My Water Take So Long to Heat?

Waiting for hot water to arrive while washing dishes or taking a shower can take up a lot of time. Waiting for hot water wastes time and money in terms of energy and water bills.

Therefore, understanding the factors that affect your hot water supply and what options you have to improve the supply is essential.

The following are some main factors affecting your home's hot water supply.

Faulty Water Heater

Water heater malfunctions may lead to slower hot water delivery to your fixtures or running out of hot water faster. A water heater's lifespan typically ranges from 8 to 12 years . As your water heater reaches the end of its lifespan, it could have some difficulty doing its job or even break down completely.

When your water heater seems less efficient than before, call a service professional to examine it and diagnose the problem. The heater may require maintenance, or the professional may recommend replacing it.

Sediment Buildup

Your home's water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Mineral content in water is normal. Other things like sand and grit can also find their way inside your water heater tank.

Over time, the minerals and sand can build up inside the water heater tank. The buildup forms a layer of sediment close to the burner or electric heating element at the bottom of the tank. The sediment layer in the tank will slow heat transfer from the heating elements to the water, resulting in poor water quality and irregular hot water delivery.

You can flush your water heater tank to remove the sediment causing it to slow down. You can flush the water heater yourself, but many prefer to leave the task to a technician who can monitor water flow carefully to avoid problems.

Pipe Length and Size

Before heated water can reach the faucet, you must use the water at rest in the pipes. The longer the distance between the receiving faucet and the water heater, the longer your running water will take to reach a comfortable temperature. The inconvenience results in wasted water as well.

Your pipes' width is also significant. For water to flow through, it needs to fill the pipe's diameter. A larger diameter water supply line will, therefore, hold more water. Hence, you will have to wait for some time for your pipes to get adequate hot water to your faucet.

Hiring a plumber to replace or repipe your water supply lines can allow the faucet or fixture to get hot water quickly. Alternatively, you can opt for a recirculation pump that pumps hot water through your pipes and back to the water heater, creating instant hot water when necessary — and distance is no longer an issue.

Water Heater Tank Size

The capacity of most water heater tanks is between 20 and 120 gallons. If your tank has a larger capacity, the heating elements will take more time to heat the water in the tank.

A tankless water heater unit might be a good solution if you're tired of waiting for hot water. With a tankless unit, you'll get hot water within 15 seconds , thanks to a heat exchanger that heats water on-demand.

Volume Restrictor

A volume restrictor reduces the amount of water flowing through a fixture. A volume restrictor is common for fixtures like faucets and showerheads. Although the restrictors effectively conserve water and save money, they can delay water delivery to the fixtures. The slower the water comes through, the longer the wait for hot water.

You can choose to remove the flow restrictor or upgrade to an adjustable one so that you can control water flow, volume, and temperature.

Everyone deserves to have a shower at the right temperature, so don't let a poor hot water supply stand in your way. Call in a professional to check on your hot water problems.