Why does my water take so long to get hot

Distance from the Water Heater

The most common reason for delayed hot water is your faucet’s distance from the water heater. If a single water heater supplies all the hot water for your home, the faucets that are furthest from your heater will naturally take longer to warm up. Although you can’t move your faucets closer to your water heater, there is a way to get hot water closer to your faucets.

By installing an on-demand hot water recirculation system, you can enjoy quicker hot water without worrying about your faucet’s distance. These systems rely on a pump and water loop that quickly extracts hot water from the water heater and pushes it through the pipes while sending the cooled water that’s been sitting in the hot water line back to the water heater to be reheated. This solution isn’t without some potential drawbacks. Adding more plumbing lines, which is required for this option, increases the risk of leaks. And, because they continuously push unused water back to the water heater to be reheated, these systems are not very energy efficient. 

Pipe Material

Metallic piping, like copper and galvanized steel, conducts heat. Because of this, heat from the water inside the pipes will transfer to the air surrounding the pipes.

Using more modern plastic piping, like pex, will not only transfer heat from the water more slowly, but also resist damage that may occur if the pipes freeze. Pex is a good option for any water lines in the attic or crawl spaces in a home.

Inadequate Pipe Insulation

Regardless of size, pipes that are poorly insulated will lose heat quickly, especially in the winter. This is because the excess heat is escaping from your pipes instead of keeping the water warm. 

To solve this problem, you’ll just need to wrap your pipes with pipe insulation. Pipe insulation can be found at your local hardware store and is relatively easy to install. This is also a service offered by North East as it can be labor intensive depending on the location of your pipes. 

Sediment in Your Water Heater Tank

If your area has hard water, as San Antonio does, the bottom of your water heater tank may be filled with sediment like lime, calcium, or other mineral-based buildup. This can prevent the heater from holding and heating to its full capacity. While this will not affect the amount of time it takes to get hot water to a faucet, it does affect how much hot water can be stored in the water heater’s tank.  This can lead to shorter hot shower times if the calcium buildup is severe.

Depending on the severity of the buildup and type of water heater you have, you may be able to flush your tank yourself. However, in some cases, you may require professional help or even a total replacement.

Conclusion 

Whether you’re still not sure what’s causing your hot water woes or you want to discuss your water heating options, look no further than North East Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. As a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company, we service homeowners and business owners in San Antonio and the surrounding communities, and we’re happy to discuss your plumbing needs at any time. Just give us a call at (210) 658-0111 or

Turning on the faucet or shower and having to wait minutes for hot water to come through can be a frustrating experience. It’s also wasteful and leads to higher water bills.

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Aside from installing an on-demand water heater, what can you do to prevent this problem? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Does It Take So Long for Hot Water to Come Out of the Faucet?

1. There’s Water Sitting in the Pipes

If you experience slow hot water flow in one area, such as your kitchen hot water tap running slowly, it may be that there is water sitting in the pipes. This water must be displaced before hot water can come through.

2. You've Got Small Pipes

The pipes may also have a small diameter, restricting the flow of water. And thicker pipes can leech heat from the water as it travels to appliances.

3. The Pipes are Low-Flow

Some appliances may have a volume restrictor installed. These are in place to conserve water and lower costs, but they could cause hot water delay, especially when paired with another issue.

4. Your Water Heater Is Far Away

The physical distance between the water heater and water fixture can cause slow hot water flow. If the water heater is in the basement on the east side of the house, it can make the hot water slow to reach the shower two floors up on the west side of the house.

5. The Water Heater’s Dirty

There may be other issues with the water heater — the most common being sediment buildup. This is caused by minerals in hard water building up in the tank and restricting the space for hot water.

More Related Articles:

• How to Turn Off Your Water Heater — and When It May Come Up
• Your Guide to Draining a Water Heater
• How to Replace the Anode Rods on Your Water Heater
• How to Install a Tankless Electric Water Heater: A 10-Step Guide
• How Do I Turn My Water Heater On?

5 Ways to Make Hot Water Come Out Faster

1. Insulate Your Pipes

If your pipes are causing the issue, one solution is to insulate your pipes, preventing them from pulling heat from the water as it travels. Insulation can keep the temperature of the water up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) higher.

2. Install a Hot Water Recirculation Pump

A hot water recirculation pump can cycle the cold water in your pipes back to your water heater and replace it with hot water ready where you need it. This can be a great solution to hot water issues, especially in newer homes.

3. Replace Fixtures

If one particular appliance or fixture is slow, you can replace the model with one that has a higher flow rate. Be aware lower flow rates are designed to prevent high water consumption. However, if you are using up gallons of water waiting for the water to heat up, this may be a cost-effective option.

4. Fix Your Water Heater

Sometimes, adjusting the setting on your water heater can fix the problem. Try turning the temperature up first.

You may also want to clean your water heater. Turn off the water heater and drain it. Draining the tank and flushing it with cold water can remove a lot of the sediment buildup and fix your slow hot water problems.

If these solutions don't work, you will need to call a plumber to diagnose the problem or consider a replacement.

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