We keep having a problem often where in the AM we have to get two showers done and there isn’t enough hot water for both. Our tank has the capacity because there are times we can do 3 showers back to back and there’s just enough. But there are these other times we don’t.
Can some kind of timer be put on a Nat. Gas HWH to ensure that come 6:30am the tank is up to full temp?
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Replies
Sounds like the t'stat is on it's way out.
You can also raise the temp and add a mixing valve to protect people from burns.
Would be difficult/expensive to retrofit an existing standard WH to do this. Probably the simplest solution is just to change out the heater for the next larger size. If you pick a higher efficiency model you may come out even, energy-wise.
Or, as was suggested, you can turn up the temp and add a mixing valve.
I remember seeing one once that was a strap on that covered the thermostat, and would turn it each up and down. Not sure if it worked well or not. That was probably 10 years ago, and the box looked like it was 20 years old when I saw it, probably dated from the 70's and the fuel crisis.
Since I haven't seen any since, I'd say they either aren't made any more, or aren't that popular.
I'd agree with the above, and check the thermostat.
See if you have a high/low on the thermocontrol. Sounds like the low needs turned up as it is letting the water cool to much before kicking in.
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From my understanding of water heaters, they're always "up to temp." Are you suggesting that you'd like it to be above temp in the morning? Problem with that is you might have the first in the shower subjected to potential scalding so that the later ones have enough hot water. So, who's taking the long showers that deprive the rest of hot water? Never let a teenager be the first one in. They never consider that there's a limit to hot water. Consider Navy showers, where you have a valve on the shower head that shuts the water off between soaping and rinsing. Or one of those tankless models advertised on the radio that promises ever lasting hot water, though that sounds too good to be true.
Edited 2/12/2009 10:39 pm ET by BARMIL
We have a "tankless" , going on 8 years now and you could have a 24 hour shower if you wanted!
True story, my son like to shower till the water went cold. After the tankless went in, my daughter comment was "There's still hot water!"
She was thrilled!
I fill the hot from it when changing the water.
Your tank has sleeping sickness. Legitimate term.
The differential between off and back on can be 20 degrees or more and it is a fixed differential.
So if you keep the tank at 120, it may cool down to 100 overnight, which won't be enough for multiple showers. The key to the complaint is there is not enough hot water in the morning but there is in the evening.
Usually we find that things like washing dishes and doing laundry are using enough water to have the tank turn back on so there will be a full tank of hot water when everyone has a shower.
Some times, a new gas valve will be enough or just turning the temp up a little will be enough.
If it is a standard water heater, no timer.
I don't know gas units, but do they have adjustable high/low settings?
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I've only ever seen them with one temperature adjustment, though some may have an adjustment screw hidden on the valve for the band adjustment.
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Not usually. Most water heater gas valves are not adustable.
Not sure about a retro-fit, but just had one put (in-line) out in Calif. New heater, the plumber used a Grundfros (circulator) with timer attached. On at 6AM off at 9PM, incase someone wanted to use the masterbath tub. Humongus. 75 gal. tank.
About the only thing you can do is as you get up and are going to the coffee pot, stop by the water heater and turn up the thermostat so it comes on, then turn it back to your 120 degree setting. By the time you're ready for your hot shower, it'll be ready.... Had to do that on a 12 year old one before Lowes sloppy installation of their new one...
Also consider wrapping your tank with an extra thermal blanket to help keep in the heat over night.
I believe that there is a way to do this.
There are add on vent fans that can be used with conventional water heaters.
And they have to interlock the burner.
Not sure how they do it. Maybe they replace the gas valve.
Or replace the WH with a power draft unit.
They clearly the electrical controls needed to do this.
But not inexpensive.
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The low tech and more green solution is to shower together:-)
Can some kind of timer be put on a Nat. Gas HWH to ensure that come 6:30am the tank is up to full temp?
Yes, but you need to have an electronic ignition water heater.
If you do have one, a simple plug in timer that shuts off at night & powers up in time to heat the tank up to temp.
Now the bad news with that, having the water heater start from cold every day will shorten the life of the unit.
Having a tank get cold without reheating in normal cycles will use more gas.
What temp is your set out put right now, I would check that. I have seen more than my fair share of heaters that were set at 115 degrees.
Does your dishwasher have a time delay. If so, set it to run last nights dishes about 6 a.m. which will trigger the thermostat and bring the water up to max temperature. Helps with the budget too since now you know that if go out to eat, you will get a cold shower the next morning.
Our gas water heater is in our unheated garage, so in the winter, we have the same problem. I go into the kitchen in the a.m. just as soon as I wake up, and run the kitchen faucet on hot until the water heater kicks on. (usually about 3-4 minutes )Then, I make coffee, treadmill, read paper, whatever for about 25-30 minutes, then get in the shower. It's kind of wasteful, but I love my long, hot shower in the mornings.
Tracy