When you’re ready to take a shower, how long does it take for the water to heat up? Many things can slow down the delivery of hot water in your home. Here are a few reasons:

  • Water already in the pipes – and that water might be chilly or at room temperature.
  • Distance from the water heater – the farther away your fixtures are from your water heater, the longer it may take for the hot water to get to you.
  • Older water heater – if your water heater is nearing the end of its “lifespan,” it may take longer to warm the water.
  • Sediment in your water heater – while typical for some build-up to occur, too much sediment may compromise your water heater’s ability to heat water quickly.
  • Outside temperature – the delivery of hot water may be a little more difficult if it’s cold outside.
  • Volume or flow restrictors – even though they may help you save on water costs, they may also cause a delay in hot water delivery.

How Can You Get Your Hot Water Faster?

While there are many reasons for a delay in getting hot water, here are some solutions you can try:

  • Conduct routine water heater maintenance. It’s a good idea to have a professional come out to look at your water heater regularly to catch issues early and tune it up if necessary. Or you may need to replace it entirely before entering the cold weather season.
  • Install a hot water recirculation pump. Using this pump, unused water will circulate back to the water heater and then send it to where you need it faster.
  • Insulate your pipes. If you have long pipe runs or pipes located in an exterior wall, you may want to insulate them somehow. The warmer your pipes are, the less heat they absorb from the hot water traveling through them.
  • Upgrade to a tankless water heater. If you need a new water heater, consider installing a tankless model. These water heaters don’t store hot water. Instead, they heat water as it flows through the system. That way, you get a constant flow of hot water.

If you need to heat your water faster, give us a call at 770-451-6765. We’ll recommend the best option (or options) for your circumstances.