Hot Water Heater Draw Test Results?

[Al Franz]

Have a 50 gal hot water heater that was not producing much hot water. I replaced the Dip Tube and still not much improvement. The manufacture told me to do a draw test, measure the temperature in 7 consecutive 5 gallon buckets drawn from hot water.

The results were: 105, 111, 106, 101, 99, 96, 93

What could this mean, have not called the manufacture yet but would like to get other opinions. Dip Tube installed improperly, would a hot water heater go bad like this, any information would be helpful, thanks!

[Al Franz]

But would the temperature drop like that even if it was set too low, shouldn't it be more constant?

[Paul Franklin]

Gas or Electric? If Electric, have you tested both upper and lower elements?

A build-up of sediment can also cause this, as it acts as an insulator between burner/element and the water. Have you flushed it recently?

Paul F.

[Al Franz]

Gas

I have run water out of the drain valve and did not see much sediment. Other then that have not done anything to it. Recently moved into the house.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Flush it and set the 'stat little hotter than normal setting, that's what I do. Even if you have softner, I flush the tank twice a year.

[Pat]

The drop seems normal.

[nick hull]

Sounds like your thermostat is set too low

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