3 Reasons Your Hot Water Is Running Cold
Your hot water can seem to run out at the most inconvenient time. There are several common problems with your water heater that will necessitate simple fixes. Fortunately, most issues with water heaters can be resolved quickly.
The Pilot Light
If you have a natural gas water heater, you may experience episodes where you no longer have hot water simply because the pilot light has blown out. In most instances, you can fix the problem yourself if you can locate the pilot light. When the problem becomes redundant, the next consideration may be air coming in near your water heater. If your water heater is located in a drafty place, such as a basement, you may need to investigate to determine if there are cracks that allow air inside. Other issues, such as buildup or low gas flow, will need to be handled professionally. Buildup may prevent the pilot light from holding a flame or if there is not enough gas flow, the water heater may never ignite.
Consumption
People who have a traditional water heater may experience sudden surges in usage and the water heater simply cannot keep up. If your hot water runs out, but hours later the hot water returns, you are overburdening your system. When you temporarily have higher demands in your need for hot water, such as overnight guests, multiple loads of laundry, or running the dishwasher often, you need to be more mindful about scheduling different activities. You may want to wait until night to run the dishwasher or washing machine, since your water heater should have plenty of time to heat more water for morning showers.
Lack Of Insulation
The lack of insulation around your water heater can be more obvious if you live in a colder climate or are experiencing an abnormally cold winter. This can be difficult to determine without speaking with a repair person. Once they have investigated your water heater and have not found anything wrong, they may recommend insulating your water heater. There are special forms of insulation that resemble blankets, which can be wrapped around your water heater to minimize heat loss. Not only will this maintain your supply of hot water, but it will place less of a burden on your water heater. Another suggestion a repair person might make is insulating the pipes that deliver hot water throughout your home. This can minimize temperature decreases as the water leaves the heater and travels throughout your home so you can avoid turning up the temperature on your water heater.
Running out of hot water suddenly may be frustrating, but the solution is often simple. In most instances, your water heater repair service person can have the problem addressed quickly, without the need to replace your water heater.