How to Handle a Lack of Hot Water

What to Do If You Don't Have Hot Water Cooking, doing the dishes, running the dishwasher, and taking a shower—it's easy to take it for granted that you'll always have the hot water you need to do these commonplace tasks. The water heater that performs this crucial function is typically overlooked—until you are startled by an icy shower.

For water heaters, a checklist

If the pipes in your Northern Virginia house aren't warming up, pay attention to the warning signals; it might be time for professional service. Here are some things to start looking for:

Age

What exactly is the age of your water heater? When was the latest maintenance performed on it? If you can't find the solution in your filing cabinet or don't know the answer, it's time for retirement. Even though a tankless system has a 20-year operating lifespan, the average unit lasts between eight and twelve years. Whichever one you own, your next move should be to arrange a professional inspection if it is getting close to the 10-year mark. It will then be possible to determine the exact issue and whether a repair or replacement is necessary.

Size

Is the size of your water heater suitable for your family's needs? Smaller units (about 50 gallons) are suitable for homes with two or three occupants. Larger families, in contrast, need apartments that are around twice that size. If you suddenly discover that you don't have enough hot water for your household's needs, your water heater may need to be replaced.

Temperature

Has your water heater been turned down too far? It's best to keep things between 122 and 140 degrees. Even though maintaining it lower will save you money, going below this range increases your chance of getting lukewarm showers and dangerous bacteria. Consider a situation when your water heater's temperature isn't set correctly. If this is the case, a slight adjustment should have the hot water running in an hour.

Issues with Operations

The water can occasionally be icy due to a malfunction. You can check a few things out for yourself first, like:

• One more time, the pilot light

• Keep an eye out for circuit breakers that have tripped.

• Check the gas line.

Always exercise extreme caution, especially while working with gas. Make the first call to a plumbing professional if you are in a complex scenario or need help deciding how to proceed.

Count on the HVAC Repair Guide for Water Heater repairs

Give your water heater the attention it deserves because it's one of the items in your house with the most complicated design. The HVAC Repair Guide provides everything you need, whether you need to maintain, fix, or replace your water heater.