Why Isn't My Water Getting Hot? | Excalibur Plumbing

Whether it’s in the middle of the summer or the winter, there is nothing like having HOT water. While we may not need or want to take the warmest showers or baths in July, we still need hot water to do our dishes and wash towels, whites, and sheets year-round.

Like most appliances, water heaters don’t last forever and sometimes they fail. One of the most common complaints in regards to water heaters is that the water heater ceases to heat the water. This quickly becomes a drag when your family needs to take showers.

If your water heater isn’t getting hot enough, the first thing that you want to do is turn up the temperature dial on the unit. It should be set at about 150 degrees F.

Once you do this, wait an hour or so, and then check the temperature of the water by turning on a faucet. If the water still won’t heat up enough, it could be another issue.

Potential Causes for Cool Water

One possibility is that you have an undersized water heater, especially if you never seem to have enough hot water.

If this has been a chronic problem, or if you have been using more hot water lately because more people are living in your home, or because you installed a high-flow shower head – you may simply need a bigger water heater that can meet your demands for hot water.

If you are in the market for a new unit, we recommend looking into a tankless water heater, because these types of units never run out of hot water, which is great if you happen to have a large household.

On the other hand, if you’ve never had an issue with hot water until recently and all of a sudden your water isn’t getting hot enough, check the dial on the water heater as we mentioned earlier.

Weather Can Be the Culprit

As the outdoor temperatures cool down, your water heater has to work harder to heat up the water, plus the water in your home cools down as it travels through unheated parts of the house.

When temperatures drop significantly in the autumn and winter months, you may need to adjust the water heater’s dial slightly so it’s hotter.

If you currently have an issue with cool water, check to make sure the unit isn’t leaking and check the dial so it’s set around 150 degrees F.

If it is not leaking and the tank is not too small for your household, you may need to flush out the water heater tank if there are mineral deposits that are making the unit less efficient.

If you need your water heater inspected or serviced, contact Excalibur plumbing today!