Frequently Asked Questions - Hot Water

Q: Where's the hot water?

A: When there is no hot water, one of three things is probably wrong with your water heater: (1) If there is no loss of water pressure, but the water supply is cold; it's probably a burned out pilot light or a blown fuse. Check a gas-fired unit to see if the pilot light is off. Follow the unit's instructions to relight. For an electric unit, check the fuse panel and flip the correct circuit breaker to "on". (2) If there is a reduction in water pressure, check your water heater for leakage. If leaking, turn the valve on the top of the unit off. Next, shut off the fuel. Turn the gas control valve off for a gas-fired unit, or flip the circuit breaker off for an electric unit. (3) In gas-fired units only, the gas valve or thermocouple could fail. If this is the case, call Midway Services.

Q: Why doesn't my old water heater make as much hot water as it used to?

A: You might have sediment buildup in your tank. As water heaters age, they tend to accumulate sediment and lime deposits. If the heaters are not cleaned periodically, the sediment may rise to a level that will act as a barrier between the burner and the water, making it harder to heat. An article published in a national ASPE plumbing journal states: "for every half inch of sediment on the bottom of a gas fired water heater, it requires 70% more fuel to heat the water."

Also, the dip tube inside the heater may be rusted off and gone. That is the tube which makes the cold water going into the heater go right to the bottom of the tank instead of entering the top of the tank where hot water is exiting. This results in a mixture of hot and cold water leaving the tank and the hot water below just staying in the tank.

Electric water heaters don't suffer this problem; however the heating element can also accumulate calcium and reduce the heat transfer rate as well. Removing the heating element and soaking it in an acid solution can remove the calcium buildup and prevent failure of the element due to local overheating.

Q: Is it necessary to install a drain pan under my hot water tank?

A: A water heater should be placed in an area that will prevent damage to floors, ceilings and furniture if the heater leaks. When this is not possible, a drain pan must be installed under the water heater. Since a typical drain pan doesn't hold that much water, it must have a pipe to a drain or other outlet for the water. When installed properly, a drain pan and pipe will keep any leakage under control and protect your belongings from water damage.

Q: How does the valve on my hot water tank operate?

A: Gas water heater controllers are designed to have a "hysteresis" effect in their start-stop temperatures. If your control valve is set at 130 degrees the heater will probably not come on until the water drops to 115 degrees or so, and then heats water until it rises to over 130 degrees. The reason for this differential is efficiency - when a burner first starts it is not fully efficient, and it is desirable to minimize the start-stop cycling of the burner.

Q: Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips

A: The next time you pay your utility bill, try one simple calculation. Divide the total amount by seven. The result is the amount you spend to heat your water. (If you receive separate utility bills for gas and electricity, use the gas bill for this calculation if you have a gas water heater; use the electric bill if you have an electric water heater.) Of course, you may think this cost is a small price to pay for the convenience of a hot shower. But during the course of a year, this cost adds up. And when you consider that over 100 million households in this country pay the same percentage, it is easy to se how much money --and energy--is used to heat water.

Several measures can help you decrease water heating costs in your home. Some specific actions include reducing the amount of hot water used, making your water heating system more energy efficient, and using off-peak power to heat water.

Q: How do I reduce the amount of hot water used?

A: Generally, four destination points in the home are recognized as end uses for hot water: faucets, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines. Now, you do not have to take cold showers, dine on dirty dishes, or wear dirty clothes to reduce your hot water consumption. Less radical measures are available that will be virtually unnoticeable once you apply them.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Simply repairing leaks in faucets and showers can save hot water.
• Turn off the hot-water faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Limit the amount of time you spend in the shower.
• Installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators can save significant amounts of hot water.
• Turn water off while washing dishes by hand and rinse only when necessary.

Taking these steps will help you decrease your water heating costs and contribute to the overall conservation of our most precious natural resource.