Long waits for hot water are a common homeowner complaint and may be caused by factors such as tank size, sediment buildup and faulty parts. If it seems like your water heater runs out of hot water quickly, it’s worth investigating why. Use our quick guide to learn how long it should take for a water heater to heat up and why yours might be slower. We’ll also share tips on what to do if your appliance isn’t keeping up with your household’s hot water demands.
How Long Does It Take for a Water Heater to Heat Up?
A few factors affect how long it takes a tank water heater to heat up, including capacity. Conventional storage water heaters hold between 30 and 80 gallons — the more water in the tank, the longer it takes to heat. Gas models also heat faster than electric ones.
Gas models recover at about 40 to 50 gallons per hour, compared to 15 to 20 gallons per hour for conventional tanks. This means if you’ve used up the hot water in the tank, you can expect the following recovery times:
- 40–50-gallon tank
- Gas models: 30 to 40 minutes
- Electric models: 60 to 90 minutes
- 75-80-gallon tank
- Gas models: Around 1 hour
- Electric models: Around 2 hours
Recovery times also depend on how powerful your water heater is. A typical water heater might have a 40,000-BTU gas burner or a 4,500-watt electric element. The higher the BTU or wattage, the faster you can expect your water heater to recover.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless or on-demand water heaters don’t store water — they rapidly heat it as you need it, so you don’t have to wait for the water supply to replenish. They come in different sizes based on flow rate or how many gallons per minute of water they can heat.
Reasons Your Water Heater Is Running Out of Water Quickly
Now that you know what to expect from your water heater in terms of recovery, let’s look at why it might seem to be heating too slowly.
Incoming Water Temperature
The temperature of the water flowing into your water heater fluctuates depending on the time of year. In the middle of an Ohio winter, the water could be as cool as 45 degrees, making your water heater take much longer to bring it to the right temperature compared to warmer months.
The water stored in the tank will also lose heat faster during the winter. This can be inefficient as your water heater will work harder to keep it warm. Insulating your water heater can help reduce heat loss and improve efficiency.
Sediment Buildup
Calcium, magnesium and other naturally occurring minerals in water can separate and settle in your tank, especially in Cleveland, which has moderately hard water. This buildup can interfere with heating, causing the water to take longer to get to the right temperature. As part of regular maintenance, water heater tanks should be flushed annually to remove sediment and avoid straining the system.
Tank Size
Once the water in a conventional tank is fully heated, it stands by, ready for use. As you draw hot water, cold water flows in to replace it and the system starts heating the water back to the desired temperature. Issues arise if you’re using hot water faster than it can be heated.
Your water heater should have enough capacity to meet your household’s needs during peak times while maximizing efficiency. For example, if the last person to shower in the morning constantly runs out of hot water, Anderson’s plumbing experts can help determine whether you could benefit from a larger tank water heater or an appropriately sized tankless water heater.
Thermostat Setting
Most water heaters are set to 120 degrees, which ensures water is hot enough for routine tasks. If you’ve just moved into a new home and the water doesn’t seem to get warm enough for your needs, check the temperature on the water heater.
Failing Components
Your water heater works hard every day. Over time, insulation, heating elements, valves and other components can wear out, affecting performance and efficiency. A licensed plumber can repair faulty parts or recommend a water heater replacement if needed. On average, a well-cared-for tank water heater can last 10 to 15 years. Tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years.
You don’t have to live with a water heater that runs out of hot water too quickly. Anderson HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical provides expert water heater services in the Greater Cleveland area. Our knowledgeable, friendly team can inspect your system, diagnose the issue and recommend a solution so you can get back to comfortable, reliable hot water whenever you need it.
