Why Is Your Water Heater Producing Warm (But Not Hot) Water?

Water heaters can fail for numerous reasons, but it's somewhat less common to experience partial failures. Often, a water heater failure will mean waking up to a cold shower in the morning. However, some issues may result in the heater failing to reach its set point, producing water that may be lukewarm or cool but still warmer than your cold water tap.

In these cases, you may notice that turning up the thermostat on your water heater has no effect or that the water seems to get gradually colder over time. You may also run out of hot water more quickly than usual. While there are several reasons your water heater's efficiency may fail, these are three of the most common culprits.

1. Faulty Heating Element

Electric water heaters typically have two separate heating elements, although some designs may use additional heaters. Electric water heaters are relatively simple devices, but the heating elements can fail over time. They may also overheat due to sediment build-up or other issues, causing them to wear out and fail.

If a heating element on your water heater goes out, the unit may struggle to maintain its thermostat setpoint. While it will still run and heat the water, it may never reach the appropriate temperature. Not only will your water be lukewarm, but you'll waste substantial amounts of energy due to the heater running continuously. The other burner will also likely fail due to its drastically increased duty cycle.

2. Combustion Issues

Gas water heaters use burners instead of heating elements. Still, combustion issues can reduce the efficiency of the burners and, in turn, their ability to heat the water in your tank effectively. Combustion issues may arise due to insufficient gas supply, clogged air intakes, and dirty burners. In some cases, cleaning the burners or adjusting the gas supply may be the only repair required.

Combustion issues in a gas water heater can produce similar symptoms to faulty heating elements in an electric water heater. As with a faulty heating element, pay attention to a sudden increase in your utility bills that accompanies your loss of hot water. Since working with gas can be extremely hazardous, leaving these repairs to a professional is best.

3. Thermostat Problems

The thermostat on your water heater helps you maintain the ideal temperature for hot water in your home. Like your HVAC thermostat, your water heater's thermostat monitors the temperature of the tank and calls for heat as necessary. Without a functioning thermostat, your water heater may heat your water too much, too little, or by a seemingly random amount.

Thermostat problems are a common reason for incorrect temperatures. If you can adjust the thermostat and notice no difference, there's a reasonable chance your thermostat may be faulty. A plumber can help you confirm this diagnosis and, if necessary, replace the thermostat to get your water heater functioning again.

For more information, reach out to a local service, such as Weiand Plumbing.

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