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Hot Water System Issues
Do you often wonder why your hot water is only lukewarm, no matter how high you turn up the temperature on your water heater? You're not alone. This is a common problem that several different factors can cause.
In this article, we'll explore some of the most common reasons your water is only lukewarm – and what you can do about it. We'll provide some tips on troubleshooting this problem so that you can get your hot water back as soon as possible.
Reasons Your Hot Water Is Only Lukewarm
Sediment build-up in the tank
One common cause of lukewarm water is sediment build-up in the tank. Sediment build-up is popular with old water heaters. For new water heaters, sediment build-up may not cause lukewarm water problems as new heaters have not been used long enough to lead to build-ups.
Sediments can be from debris in the water, such as pet hair, hard water, sand, and others. When the debris collects at the bottom of the tank, it makes it difficult for the water heater to heat effectively, leading to lukewarm water. To know if sediment is the cause of lukewarm water, open the drain valve and try draining the water from the tank.
If it does not empty, then it's due to the debris. To remove the sediment and get your water back to its normal temperature, you can use a water filter or boil it for a few minutes. If this doesn't work, you may need to get a professional to replace your hot water tank.
The thermostat is broken
It's cold, but your hot water heater isn't producing enough hot water to keep the house running. Perhaps the thermostat is broken! Your water heater will heat the water to erroneous temperatures if the thermostat is damaged. Because the thermostat cannot reliably read temperatures, you will receive lukewarm water.
To ascertain whether or not your thermostat is broken, turn the thermostat up and check if the heater comes on to see if the thermostat is defective. The thermostat is probably broken if it doesn't start heating up in response to the higher temperature.
Usually, only older water heaters experience this, but if routine maintenance is neglected, it may also occur in a new water heater. You'll need to get the thermostat changed to resolve this problem.
The thermostat is set too low
If you're experiencing lukewarm water, it may also be because you set your thermostat too low. Many households save money and energy during summer by setting lower temperatures on their water heaters.
Fixing this is simple. Before you think of replacing the thermostat, be sure to set the proper temperature. Never exceed 120 degrees Celsius (248 degrees Fahrenheit). If the water is still lukewarm, it's time to look for another reason.
The tank is leaking
If you're having problems with your hot water tank, it's probably time to take it apart and check for any damage or leaks. If that doesn't solve the problem, maybe it's time to replace it!
However, if all else seems to fail and you're still experiencing lukewarm water, there is one sure-fire solution – repairing the leak! This might seem tricky, but fixing a hot water tank leak can be a relatively easy task if you have the necessary skills.
Broken gas valve
If you're experiencing lukewarm water and all of your taps are flowing warm water, there is a good chance you have a broken gas valve. You can easily fix this by calling a professional plumber who will come and fix it for you.
It is crucial to know that if you notice a rotten egg smell or an unpleasant smell of trash, the gas valve may be leaking. In this case, it's an emergency that requires emergency plumbing. Make sure to turn off any taps in your home before the plumber arrives to avoid messes.
Your water heater is getting old
When your water heater is nearing the close of its lifespan, its performance tends to diminish. A water heater can last approximately 10 to 15 years, on average. Electric water heaters are more durable than gas water heaters.
Rinnai tankless water heaters can last for over 20 years. With time, your water heater will not warm water as efficiently as it did in the past. This is the right moment to begin shopping for a new, efficient water heater to replace the one you have.
Tripped breaker
There are occasions when the issue isn't with the heater itself. Therefore, it is recommended to look at all possible causes. One possibility would be the breaker. A tripped breaker could cause the water heater in your home to stop functioning.
This could be the reason for having low-temperature water heating. Repairing this issue is often as easy as switching the breaker back to an ON setting or replacing a blown fuse.
After that, verify whether the heater is beginning to function correctly and has started producing hot water. If the breaker is triggered repeatedly or the hot water tank does not start, an electrical engineer must address the problem with the home's electrical system or the hot water tank.
The pilot light is off
The gas-powered water heater includes an indicator light that ensures the burners are turned on. If the pilot light goes out, so will the burner. The thermocouple allows for this. The thermocouple is positioned near the piloted lamp, and the other end connects to the gas valve.
The heat produced by the pilot light generates an electric current within the thermocouple, which causes springs to open the gas valve, allowing gas to flow to the burner. When the pilot light is turned off, the thermocouple's voltage drops, and the gas valve closes, preventing gas from entering the burner.
The water will be lukewarm and frigid in this instance unless the pilot light is turned on. A strong wind might also turn the pilot light off. It could likely be due to a dirty pilot light or a faulty thermal switch that cuts off the power supply to the pilot when the chamber becomes too hot.
Clogged pipe
There are instances when the issue doesn't have anything related to the heating unit. The faucet at your home may produce lukewarm or cold water because of a blocked pipe that prevents most of the hot water from reaching its final destination.
Check the other faucets that produce hot water, except for one tap. If that happens, the issue is most likely an obstruction in the pipe. To resolve this issue, you will require the assistance of an experienced plumber.
A plumber will identify the obstruction inside the pipe and replace that pipe section or snake the pipe to clear the blockage. After this, the hot water inside the heater will start to flow at full blast, and you will have the hot water you need.
One immersion heater is not working correctly
The majority of the time, the cylinder has two immersion heaters. If one of these heaters fails, the water will not be fully heated. As a result, the heater may be providing lukewarm water.
The operational second immersion heater is still heating the water. It will not, however, supply sufficient hot water for the entire household. Find a professional who can repair or replace the faulty heating element.
Safety shutoff
Water heaters include a safety shutoff feature. Safety shutoffs are designed to turn off heating elements if they become too hot. This feature is put into heaters to protect user safety as well.
However, they usually don't have a way to turn it back on unless you can repair or troubleshoot it yourself. Most of the time, when you turn off your device, the entire component must be removed or replaced.
Excess hot water demand
The demands of the family are one of the most prominent elements that influence the temperature of the water. If you had a burst of energy, did loads of laundry, loaded the dishwasher, and then went to the shower to decompress and unwind, the amount of hot water you're attempting to use is probably more than the tank can handle.
If this is a frequently occurring problem in your home and you are unsure, it may be wise to invest in an electric water heater that can heat water as needed. Remember that when the hot water heating tank is too tiny for the room, you will constantly have hot-water problems.
If your water heater can dependably deliver hot water to appliances and plumbing fixtures throughout the house, but the amount of hot water provided is insufficient to satisfy the needs of your household, consider upgrading to a larger heater or replacing it with a tankless heater.
Cross-connected pipes
This plumbing is commonly seen in older homes that have not been renovated in a long time. To adjust the temperature, hot water is allowed to mix with cold water in cross-connected pipes. If you have cross-connected pipes, you may see cold water coming from the hot water faucet and vice versa.
A residence with interconnected pipes necessitates the services of a specialist to resolve the issue. If you utilise a mixing valve instead of a pressure-balancing valve on your faucet, the valve may break, and cold water may begin to push back into hotlines.
No fuel
If you shut off the gas at your home, the propane water heater will also turn off. This allows the temperatures of the water in your heater to drop slowly. If your heater creates lukewarm or warm water, first check if there is still gas in the tank.
If there is, you must ensure you have a water heater that can supply enough gas. After that, switch the heater on. The pilot light on your heater will tell you whether you have gas in the system or not.
Routine Maintenance Is Important
It is important for you to maintain your hot water system and ensure it works efficiently. The tips outlined here will enable you to do just that. However, you may need to contact a plumber if it is not convenient for you to make any of the above changes to your tankless water heater or another water heating type you own. Many fixes can only be handled by a professional plumber, so it is best to leave this to them.
Need an Experienced Plumber?
Tropical Coast Plumbing's team of experienced plumbers are here to offer you the best in residential and commercial plumbing solutions. Whether it be gas plumbing, emergency plumbing, blocked toilets, hot water installation or general plumbing, our plumbers know how to get the job done right.
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