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Hot water runs out in 5 minutes |
 Inspect anode each 2-5 years Anode rod prevents tank from rusting Buy: Anode rods at Amazon Resources: Replace anode rod How to maintain water heater |
 Pressure gauge/ attach to water heater drain valve Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing Buy: Water pressure gauge Temperature-pressure gauge Resources: Identify water heater valves Troubleshoot water pressure |
 Electric water heater thermostats Thermostats stick melt and come out of calibration... replace thermostat Symptoms: Cold water, uneven temperatures, reset tripping, TP releasing water Resources: How to replace electric water heater thermostat Add another thermostat to water heater How to wire thermostats Marathon water heater thermostats Two water heaters Troubleshoot electric water heater |
  Gas water heater thermostats If tank is overheating or not heating correctly, replace thermostat Symptoms: Cold water, uneven temperatures, TP releasing water Resources: How to replace gas water heater thermostat Add another thermostat to water heater Troubleshoot gas water heater |
| Draw-down or delivery test: is the tank producing enough hot water to match size of tank? "Residential water heater can deliver 70% of tank capacity at the thermostat setting minus 20 degrees. What does this mean? If the thermostat is set on 120 degrees, the unit should deliver 70% of tank volume at a temperature between 100 degrees and 120 degrees." Steps: Turn off heater. Connect hose to drain. Run hose into 5 gallon bucket. With a 50 gallon tank. Expect minimum 70% or 35 gallons of hot water before it starts to cool. Run water fast before it cools. If result shows correct amount of hot, then tank is functioning, and plumbing becomes a suspect. |
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shower in morning does not get very hot water. This might be 'deadband' issue caused by a variation in thermostat calibration. Deadband is temperature difference between burner shut-off and when water has cooled enough to come back on. Typically the problem of thermostat calibration is considered 'normal' by water heater manufacturer's. Spec sheets say water temperature inside lower part of tank can drop 20-30°F before thermostat turns on burner, and during periods of usage, the top of tank generally stays hot and the calibration is not noticed. However, if no hot water has been drawn from tank for several hours, the entire tank can cool down. Result: first usage in morning seems cool by comparison. Resources: Replace thermostat on electric water heater Replace thermostat on gas water heater |
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Electric ✔ LESS hot water: Tank has some hot water a) If tank has some hot water, then following suspects are eliminated: Red reset button is good, upper element is good, Circuit breaker is not tripped on one leg. Quick answer: Turn power OFF: Test/replace lower element: How to test element Replace element Power is OFF: Replace both thermostats How to replace thermostats Causes include: 1) Check for under-voltage. Action: Test across top two screws on upper thermostat for 208-240Volts How to test water heater circuit Water heater will work with any voltage, but will heat slower with undervoltage. Read more Calculate recovery 2) Temperature needs to be set higher, especially on lower thermostat. Action: Adjust temperature 3) Bad upper or lower thermostat. Actions: Replace both thermostats 4) Leaking tank has caused rusted parts. Inspect elements. Check for leaking. Leaking water heater 5) Water leak running hot out of tank. Turn off all taps and put ear against hot pipe 6) Bad lower element and sediment build-up. Action: How to test element. How to replace element and clean out sediment. 7) Loose wires. Action: Look for signs of burning and high heat. Cut back wire & Test wire for continuity as shown in next step. Replace part connected to burned wire. 8) Defective wire between upper and lower parts of tank. Action. Replace both wires from top of tank. How to wire thermostats 9) Broken dip tube letting cold water enter upper tank. Actions: Remove cold water nipple and pull out dip tube for inspection. Look for bits of plastic in aerator. Read broken dip tube 10) TP valve is running hot water out of tank, leaking faucet, broken pipe. Action: Turn off all water. Listen for sound of running water. How to test and replace TP valve 11) Bad single-handled faucet cartridge or check valve Test for crossover 12) Family consumption is higher than before Ways to increase amount of hot water 14) Direct-return Recirculation system doesn't not have check valve. recirculation system |
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Gas ✔ LESS hot water: Tank has some hot water 1) Low gas pressure. Observe other gas appliances Check gas pressure 2) Thermostat out of calibration Troubleshoot gas control valve How to replace thermostat 3) Temperature needs to be set higher, especially on lower thermostat. Action: Adjust temperature 4) Broken dip tube letting cold water enter upper tank. Actions: Remove cold water nipple and pull out dip tube for inspection. Look for bits of plastic in aerator. Read broken dip tube 5) Water leak running hot out of tank. Turn off all taps and put ear against hot pipe 6) TP valve is running hot water out of tank, leaking faucet, broken pipe. Action: Turn off all water. Listen for sound of running water. How to test and replace TP valve 7) Bad single-handled faucet cartridge or check valve Test for crossover 8) Family consumption is higher than before Ways to increase amount of hot water 9) Dirty combustion parts Clean combustion chamber 10) Direct-return Recirculation system doesn't not have check valve. recirculation system |
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