NWP-Ask a Plumber Water Heater

State Select Residential Gas Water Heater

Rheem Fury Residential Electric Water Heater

Water Heaters

Water Heater Preset

Most water heaters are preset by the manufacturer at a safe setting of approximately 120-degrees F. This is mainly for the safety of you and your family. According to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA), it is unsafe to increase the temperature, as it takes 4 minutes to be scalded at 120-degrees F but only 1 second at 140-degrees F. Based on these concerns, NWP will not change the temperature setting on the water heater and recommends homeowners leave the manufacturer's setting. For more information, consult the manufacturer's guide on the side of your water heater or contact the manufacturer directly.

The amount of hot water that is actually delivered from a water heater is affected by numerous factors such as:

Water Replenishment

The cold water entering into the supply side of the water heater will reduce the overall temperature of the water in the tank and the actual amount of hot water available. By the time the cold water mixes with the hot water remaining in the tank as water is removed, the output will be reduced by at least 25%.

I.e.: A 40-gallon water heater will produce only 29 gallons of hot water when in use. The amount will be less in the winter months since the cold water entering the tank is colder.

Location of the Water Heater

Another factor is the location of the water heater in the house relative to the location of the fixtures. The longer the hot water distribution line to the fixtures, the more heat loss there is from the hot water. When a bathroom is located upstairs on the opposite side of the house, the water will be colder by the time it reaches the fixture. This is also true with the time it takes for hot water to get to a particular faucet. The further the faucet is away from the water heater, the longer it takes to receive hot water. This delay in getting hot water is also affected by the Federal regulations restricting the flow rates of faucets. In the past, faucets could flow at 7+ gallons per minute (GPM), which would allow the cold water to drain from the lines faster and pull the hot water to the faucet more quickly. The maximum flow rates at this time are 2.5 GPM on showerheads, 2.0 GPM on bathroom faucets, and 2.2 GPM on kitchen faucets.

How to Get More Hot Water Out of Your Water Heater

Each family's habits are different, making it very difficult for a contractor to establish a standard for all homes. In order to maximize your hot water in your water heater, it may be necessary for your family to devise a schedule that suits your own personal needs such as:

Timing Showers

Scheduling Dishwashing

Scheduling Laundry Washing

Washing clothes in cold water instead of hot

Do-It-Yourself Home Water Heater Test

Steps for an easy do-it-yourself home water heater test to check the water heater:

Go to your kitchen sink

Take a gallon pail or a milk jug and measure the time it takes to fill a gallon

It should take approximately 30-45 seconds to fill

If the jug fills in 30 seconds, then your faucet is operating at a 2.0 GPM

Now, with the water heater full of hot water (only the pilot burning), turn on the hot water and let it run, periodically holding your hand under the running water

Once the water starts to get warm, start timing the water as it runs.

You should get hot water for 15 +/- minutes, before it begins to run cool again.

Electric Water Heater Preventative Maintenance

Properly maintained, your water heater will provide years of dependable trouble-free service. It is suggested that a routine preventative maintenance program be established and followed. It is further recommended that a periodic inspection of the operating controls, heating element and wiring should be made by service personnel qualified in electric appliance repair.

Most electrical appliances, even when new, make some sound when in operation. If the hissing or singing sound level increases excessively, the electric heating element may require cleaning. Contact a qualified installer or plumbing contract to inspect. At least once a year, lift and release the lever handle on the temperature pressure relief valve, located near the top of the water heater, to make sure the valve operates freely. Allow several gallons to flush through the discharge line to an open drain.

A water heater's tank can act as a setting basin for solids suspected in the water. It is therefore not uncommon for hard water deposits to accumulate in the bottom of the tank. It is suggested that a few quarts of water be drained from the water heater's tank every month to clean the tank of these deposits. The anode rod should be removed from the water heater's tank annually for inspection and replaced when more than 6" of core wire is exposed at either end of the anode rod. Make sure the cold water supply is turned off before removing the anode rod.