Goffstown, NH Homeowner Looks for Help
When your hot water is no longer as hot as it once was, the most obvious check is the temperature setting on the hot water heater. This may have been accidentally bumped, inadvertently changing the temperature. If the setting is still correct, the problem is likely with the hot water heater itself. One of the most common causes for hot water that is no longer hot enough is a faulty heating element. This can become covered in sediment build-up over time, preventing it from adequately heating the water in the tank. Years of regular use can also cause the heating elements to become damaged and no longer work properly.
A Goffstown homeowner was experiencing problems with the hot water in his home. His usual temperature setting was no longer nearly as hot as it had once been. Concerned, he contacted the team at Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. for advice.
Common Problems that Cause a Lack of Hot Water
A broken dip tube can lead to water that isn’t as hot as normal. The role of the dip tube is to push cold water to the bottom of the tank where it is heated. A broken heating element may also be to blame for the decrease in water temperature. Electric water heaters have two heating elements. If one is not working properly, the other must work twice as hard and is unlikely to be able to keep up with the demand. Sediment in the hot water tank may lead to problems with water temperature. The water entering may have minerals, sand particles, and other debris. Over time, this can collect in the bottom of tank affecting its overall efficiency.
Don’t Just Adjust the Hot Water Heater Temperature Setting, But Identify the Problem
It can be tempting to just adjust the temperature on the hot water heater. However, exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit can put you at risk for scalding from the very high temperature. When your hot water heater stops heating the water properly this is a sign of a bigger problem, simply adjusting the thermostat to accommodate for this will not fix the underlying issue.
The best course of action is to have an HVAC technician troubleshoot the hot water heater. Depending on the age of the unit, it may be time to replace the heater or do some maintenance to get it working properly again.
The homeowner in Goffstown had a Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. technician service his hot water heater. He is now seeing the same hot water levels that he was used to in the past.
