Having a heater that is taking too long to heat is always a frustrating issue. Having these issues can cost you money in the long run. Putting your water heater under unnecessary strain causes further costs down the line with the cost of increased energy consumption, parts, and professional repairs.
In this post, we are going to cover some ways you can give your water heater a helping hand to ensure it is operating safely and efficiently.
Trouble in the Pipes
If your water heater isn’t working the way you want, and you find your showers are more on the chilly side, you may want to consider looking to your pipes to stop yourself banging the heater with frustration.
In the winter, sometimes heat can leak from uninsulated pipes, causing the water temperature to drop and you to suffer from tepid water temperature. This can be easily fixed by buying some insulation and wrapping those shivering pipes up. The insulation will help your pipes maintain the heat and keep the water flowing through your pipes at a consistent temperature.
The thickness of the pipes is also something to consider. The thicker the pipes in your house, the more opportunity they have to sap heat from the water passing through them. With the installation of thinner pipes, you may be able to reduce the amount of heat lost in transition.
Having pipes that are set too far away from your main boiler is another common issue with the loss of heat through your house. The distance water has to travel is crucial to how effective the heater is. The water may leave the heater in a very hot state, but if the water has to travel through miles of pipework to get to your shower, it will inevitably lose heat.
What’s the Fix?
A handy way to keep the water flowing in your house at a consistent temperature could be the installation of a hot water circulation pump. These pumps essentially recycle the unused hot water from the system and keep it flowing at a constant rate around your home. This will lead to the hot water coming through without having to be heated at the heater then transported, only to get cold when it reaches your shower or faucet.
A Compromise in Water Flow
You may not think it, but your showerhead could be the solution to your water flow issues. If you are having slightly chilly showers at the moment and are trying to figure out a way to get the water from the heater to the shower faster, then switching out the fixtures may be a viable option.
Low flow fixtures will save you money in water consumption, provided that your shower and heater system is working currently. However, this may come at a cost in the long run. You could decide to switch to a higher rate of flow fixture, which will allow you to regulate the flow of water at a higher rate, increasing the speed at which the water is brought from the heater to the shower or faucet. This is essentially moving the water more quickly so that it doesn’t have time to lose the heat it’s carrying.
Regular Servicing
Another way you can prevent any heat loss is to have your heater regularly serviced by a professional plumber. This maintains your heater to a high standard and the plumber will be able to point out to you if there are any issues. In the process he will recommend the fix and complete the service or repair before it becomes a problem. Always remember that these kinds of issues always happen when you least expect them.
While the plumber is at your house, you could consider asking them to check if there is sediment in the bottom of your heater. Water is jam-packed full of minerals. Some of these minerals are too heavy and sink to the bottom of your water heater when it isn’t in use, causing a build-up of sediment in the bottom of the heater. Also, the plumber will check the flow coming from your faucets for sediment build-up. Black sediment is a trademark sign that your water heater is corroding from the inside-out, and needs to be replaced.
It’s Time
We have covered a wide range of issues in this article and some handy fixes for the various problems. That being said, sometimes your heater is simply due for being replaced. This is not going to be as bad as you imagine. Yes, the cost upfront may seem a little shocking, however, the cost of the water heater, in the long run, will far outweigh the cost of the energy and water you have spent waiting for the shower to heat up or the sink to fill.
By spending a little extra on a new water tank or tankless water heater, you can save on repair costs, maintenance costs, and water bills, in some extreme cases it’s a no-brainer. Our experts are here to assist you with any questions and enquiries you have regarding a new boiler.
In Conclusion
Having no hot water is a nightmare. It can be costly and make a lot of us very unhappy if it’s not fixed in a timely manner. The professional plumbers at Always Plumbing & Heating are here to help with all of your water heater maintenance, repairs, and replacements. For more information on water heaters, go to our website or contact us for friendly expert advice.
