I don't suppose anyone here knows about hot water heaters?

[Free Bagel]

I started having problems with my hot water heater a month or so ago. Basically, the hot water would just run out much more quickly than before. I had someone out to look at it and they tried replacing the thermostats and it only made things worse. The tank was about 20 years old so I just went ahead and replaced it with a (slightly larger) tank.

However, my problems now are still worse than they were before. Basically, in order to get the water hot enough to take a shower (and I don't take really hot showers) I have to turn the knob about 80% of the way towards the hot side, whereas before I only had to turn it about 50% of the way. Then, once it's there, the temperature only stats constant for about 2 minutes until it starts getting cold and I have to turn the knob further towards hot. Needless to say, I hit the end fairly quickly and spend most of my shower in lukewarm (at best) water. With my old hot water heater (and every one I've ever used before), the water temperature would stay constant for about 15-20 minutes before I would have to adjust the knob at all if it took that long (this was pre-problem). The new tank is also 10 gallons larger than the old one, so it doesn't make sense to me that it would produce so much less hot water.

I checked the thermostats and they were set on 115, which seems low compared to what I've read online. I cranked both thermostats up to 135 and it helped a little bit, but not much. I know when I call them they're going to give me the "well sir it's only a 40 gallon tank it's not going to give you hot water for an hour" run-around, so I was wondering if any of the knowledgeable folks around here had any insight on the matter?

[treat24]

I have a water heater... don't know why you need to heat "hot water" ... hehe ... I'm just kidding... I just find it's funny whenever people use the term "hot water heater" instead of "water heater" it just seems silly to me and makes me giggle a little.

To answer your question though... If it's not the thermostat... are you having pilot light problems with it? The pilot light could be going on and off causing the water to cool...

[RiffRaff]

Is it an electric or gas water heater?

[RiffRaff]

If it is a gas water heater it may be as simple as taking some steel wool and sanding the crud off the heating element. I have a water heater that is less than 10 years old, but I have stupid cats and that crap gets on the heating element and I've had to scrub that thing a couple of times.

Give me the sequence of blinking lights on the unit and the model number. That could tell me what is wrong also.

[Metroid]

Get a new water heater.

[deluxe_247]

treat said what i was thinking...the pilot light can be an issue. happened to one of my friends last month.

[Free Bagel]

It is an electric heater.

What is a pilot light?

[Metroid]

It is an electric heater.

What is a pilot light?

If it was gas it would have a small little flame under it called a pilot light that ignites a larger flame or heating element which heats the water.

[treat24]

It is an electric heater.

If it is a gas water heater it may be as simple as taking some steel wool and sanding the crud off the heating element. I have a water heater that is less than 10 years old, but I have stupid cats and that crap gets on the heating element and I've had to scrub that thing a couple of times.

Give me the sequence of blinking lights on the unit and the model number. That could tell me what is wrong also.

I'd talk to raff about it then since he has an electric...

[knapplc]

Bagel, what do you mean when you say you replaced the tank with a larger tank? Did you replace the old, malfunctioning heater with a new (or new to you) heater? If you did, and you're still having the same problem, that wouldn't be the water heater causing the issue.