gas fired hot water heater needs coffee?

Question

Hi all,i've got an older gas fired water heater in my house - came with thehouse, I guess it's probably about 20 years old.  It works fine, but Ido have one issue with it.  If I am the *first* person to take ashower in the morning, I leave the valve on full hot, and I have asomewhat acceptably warm shower, but not quite as hot as I'd like.  Ifsomeone else showers first, they experience this same effect, but bythe time they've left the bathroom and I go in to take *my* shower, Iam rewarded with steamy hotness.  It's like the hot water heater willmaintain a certain temperature if it sits overnight, but once someonestarts drawing off hot water it heats the water up even hotter.I tried simply increasing the temperature setting on the HWH, but thatcaused the pop off valve to activate a couple of times.Any ideas if there's an easy adjustment I can make, or what theproblem might be?  I can't really afford to buy a new hot waterheater, although I know that it's old enough that I will have to if itever stops working for any reason.thanks,nate

Speedy Jim · Accepted Answer

The gas control (thermostat) on water heaters is purposely built with a wide "differential" between on and off points.

Overnight, the tank temp drifts downward very slowly and doesn't quite trip the control on again until water is used.

There is no adjustment for this. A new control

*might* cure it, but not worth investing on an old tank.

BTW, when you get a new tank installed, ask about a "thermal expansion tank". It's a small bladder tank added to the piping and will help prevent "pop-off".

Jim

Mark Danko · Answer

You can wrap the water heater  with an insulation blanket...will save money and may help the temp problem. If possible do laundry or run the dishwasher later at night.

Art Todesco · Answer

Is this really true? I have a new water heater (< 1 year) and it does the same thing. My old one did it also, but it sedimented up pretty bad. I was disappointed with the new when when there were such wide swings. BTW, the water heater 2 back in time, didn't do this!

Speedy Jim · Answer

It's a crap shoot.  The controls are fairly crude   mechanical devices and the tolerances quite loose.   Sorry, I don't have any "easy" answer for this.Jim

cavedweller · Answer

Rotten dip tube?

greg6755 · Answer

My tank water heater did the same thing.If I came home and saw my wife had done laundry I knew I would get anice hot shower.

Mark Lloyd · Answer

Would better insulation on the tank help?

gas fired hot water heater needs coffee?

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