Not Enough Hot Water? How To Do a Water Draw Test

[@Twoface0233]

I’m a plumbers apprentice and have never seen this test done before. It’s nice to see an actual diagnostic versus “Ma’am, you need a new water heater” 🤣

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Yeah.. More money is made with a new water heater. Unfortunately that's what most companies push for.

[@special_k-hvac]

Get a 5 gallon bucket from a hardware store and run straight hot water from a bathtub spigot. That and a thermometer, digital preferred. Fill a bucket until the initial temperature drops under 110. 5x how many buckets is your hot water capacity. Bathtubs fill much faster and more people have that compared to a laundry sink

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Thank you for the suggestion! I agree, that is probably the better way to go about it!

[@jaycolon4772]

All right so I watch this informative video and I figured I ask the community here for advice. I have a 50-gallon water heater at home. I have lived in this house for 12 years. I have never before run out of hot water while taking a shower or my wife after she showers for a while. In the last 6 months if I am taking a hot shower I noticed that I am only getting 18 minutes of hot water. At 18 minutes I can start to feel the cold water coming in. I checked the elements and they were good but I replace them anyway. I put in new thermostats. I got all the sediment out. The problem still persists. The water heater is very old and in my last house when this issue was happening I concluded it must be the dip tube, so I replaced the water heater and never had any more issues in my older house. So I decided to buy a new 50 gallon electric water heater from lowes. The only difference is the new is 4500w and the old was 5500w. The installation of the new one went well and followed all the instructions to the "T". When I took a hot shower once again I am only getting 18 minutes of hot water. I checked the power coming into the water heater and I have 240v. I did not check the elements yet but I am at a loss here. I can't figure out what is wrong. This is only one shower head and like I mentioned in the past we never ran out of hot water... It is almost like the power is cutting off or there is a leak which I do not see. It is frustrating because I feel I bought a water heater for nothing although the old one probably needed replacement. I am not aware of any timers that shut the power or so and the breaker is not tripped. I just find it hard to believe that a 50 gallon electric water heater will only produce 18 minutes of hot water. Any one can suggest something else? thank you!

[@jimdavidson5208]

Good video I must say. Like stated can confirm your dip tube.

[@geneballay9590]

thank you very much for sharing

[@Ajk71plumber]

Good video. Not to many professional plumbers will do this. A couple of points, never use a glass cup. If you talk to any of the manufacturers of water heaters or point--of-use units, they will tell you to 1st use a Styrofoam cup. If that's not available then use a Porcelain coffee cup. The styrofoam cup will keep the radiant heat in. And give you a more accurate temperature. 2nd advise your customers never raise the temperature above 125 degrees. The risk for 2nd or 3rd degree burns rises the hotter it is. Plus your just waiting gas at that point.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Thank you for the additional pointers!

[@milkyway808]

Super useful video,my inspector said our water heater at work is she suspect not working,but bec.of this video I can explain to her now way better,I don’t think she knows what she doing 😂 they need to research more or go back to school then get a job.they driving people crazy.

[@MA-lm1ql]

Thanks, If we only have mixing valve sink fixtures, can we detach a supply line and do this test by timing the gallon up through the supply line hoses?

[@whasumara73]

Very educational video, and I appreciate it. I just replaced my water heater a month ago. This is the third one that I've replaced. I have hard water, and I don't have enough room to install a water softener. Do you have a video on the importance of draining a bucket or more of water every month in order to prevent sediments? I've read pros and cons on this practice. If you have a video, please lead me to it. Thank you.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

There is no harm in flushing your water heater (besides maybe the drain valve starting to eventually leak a little, you can just cap it though). So if you are having that problem, I don't see why not just try doing that. I don't have any videos like that sorry. The closest video I have to that is where I drain/flush my water heater: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJaQp52IZs1kr9k

[@whasumara73]

Thank you.

[@sajidkalim2554]

Hi. Thanks for good information, in my home it has less hot not the quantity

[@Gurucwd]

The video is clear and informative. I had some questions. Are you not assuming similar water flow though the entire system? I get a whopping 6 gpm cold line and 4 on the hot. At the showerhead it’s restricted at 2.5 gpm. So the demand differs at each point e.g. shower versus dishwasher or even faucet which is more restricted. Based on my shower head at 2.5 gpm the new heater does not work as advertised with no other demand. At 14 min there is a 10 degree drop. Ao smith suggests at 2.2 gpm incoming temp at 40 F a 26 min window for the temperature drop.

[@Gurucwd]

Step 1 At the faucet nearest to the water heater, time (in seconds) how long it takes to fill a 1 gallon bucket (flow rate). Gallon per minute (gpm) = 60 seconds / seconds to fill a 1 gallon bucket If the bucket fills in: 10 sec = 6 gpm 12 sec = 5 gpm 15 sec = 4 gpm 20 sec = 3 gpm 24 sec = 2.5 gpm Step 2 Turn thermostat dial on the water heater so the arrow points to “A” position. STEP 3 Run about 15 gallons of hot water from the nearest faucet. Shut water off. STEP 4 Water heater should complete heating 15 gallons in approximately 20-35 minutes. Step 5 At a nearby faucet using a candy thermometer, measure the hot water temperature. STEP 6 The temperature should fall between 120°F to 140°F. STEP 7 Continue running the hot water until 60% of the tank capacity is depleted: 30 gallons 40 gallons 50 gallons 75 gallons 100 gallons 18 gallon 24 gallon 30 gallon 45 gallon 60 gallon Step 8 At the same faucet using a candy thermometer, measure the water temperature. Step 9 The temperature should be about 30°F below the temperature in step 6. Fix: Step 6 - if the temperature was not within range, check the thermostat. Step 9 - if more than 30 °F was lost, check the dip tube.

[@JohannnesBrahms]

Have you ever examined the inside of your heater tank by viewing it through the temp-relief valve opening?

[@WordofAdviceTV]

I actually have not. I totally should have done that yesterday when I had the anode rod out! Eh.. Didn't think about it. Judging by the condition of my anode rod (just the wire left) and the build up below the threads, I am pretty sure the inside of my tank is in pretty bad shape. When the day comes to replace it, I will try to cut it open and make a video :)

[@JenBrumley-p9g]

What do you do if you don't have a faucet with separate hot and cold handles?

[@edwinretamar2847]

Good stuff thanks

[@martaalvarez7478]

You’re really good! Thanks 🙏❤️

[@haytijr5823]

Great video as always my brother. Can you do a video on wiring diagrams? I have difficulty reading them. Thanks

[@WordofAdviceTV]

That's a good video to make! Thanks for the idea. I can't say I am an expert at them either but I suppose I know enough to be able to make a video heh :) Some are easier to read than others..

[@haytijr5823]

@@WordofAdviceTV thanks

[@staytight6340]

Thanks for another great instructional video ☺

[@vOOvit]

Thank you

[@publicmail2]

It would make a difference if incoming water temp is 40F vs 80F and 1.75-2.5 GPM in shower vs 5 GPM at tub sink without aerator for example. It should be done in shower for correct GPM.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

A D, the man who knows his stuff! :) I totally forgot about that! That's right, we have that problem just about every year here in Minnesota! Towards the end of winter if the frost line reaches the pipes underground, we start getting a bunch of calls of "not enough hot water" since the water coming into the tank is much colder than usual. Thank you for the pointers! By the way, I am planning on finally trying to replace my anode rod today. Depending on how that goes, that might be my next video heh

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

Word of Advice TV I hope it comes out easily. Please be sure to tell us it's age.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Ma Ma Thank you! :) It's 2003 and surprisingly it came out relatively easy! I hope to post the video in the next couple of days.

[@brianmutascio8325]

Very Informative !!!

[@kevinmurray3945]

Thank you for calling it a "water heater" rather than the common error of "hot water heater." (You did slip up once @0:40 but we'll overlook that one because you were correct so much of the time!) Technically the appliance should be called a "cold water heater." A dishwasher, on the other hand, is an actual "hot water heater." Maybe it's splitting hairs, but if you plumb one with cold water your dishes won't get as clean.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Haha you definitely paid attention! :) I thought I don't say "hot water heater" but turns out I do!! :O Customers call it that all the time so I just started going with the flow. Same with refrigerant and freon. I just call it freon now when I talk to customers simply because they understand that better. Thanks for the additional pointers about the dishwasher too!

[@torreslover456]

Do you have any recommendations about ideal water heater temp? I usually say 120 F but I’ve done reading that maybe older dishwashers need at least 130 F?

[@WordofAdviceTV]

I usually tell people that a normal setting is from 120-140 degrees. If there are small kids or elderly in the home, then I would recommend setting it to 120-130, no higher. As for the dishwashers, it's best to turn on the kitchen sink faucet to hot and let the water run until it starts to get nice and hot. Only after that is done, turn on the dishwasher. The reason for that is because the dishwasher does not fill up with a lot of water. So almost half of it will be cool water if the hot water faucet is not turned on beforehand.

[@Ajk71plumber]

We have our technicians only raise the temperature to 120-125 degrees. The risk of 2nd or 3rd degree burns is to great.

[@JohannnesBrahms]

Did you ever change the anode rod in your water heater?

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Johannes! Always nice to see a familiar name in the comments! That is my project for today.... Wish me luck! :) Depending on how it goes, that may be my next video.

[@JohannnesBrahms]

@@WordofAdviceTV I will be surprised if it goes smoothly. The hard part is removing the old rod. Once that is done, you are home free.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

It wen't O.K. and I successfully got it replaced! But with anode rods it rarely ever goes smoothly like you said so that was to be expected. I hope to post the video in the next couple days.

[@kinley1840]

My geyser has 40 litres of capacity however it is dispensing hot water only up to 1 to 2 litres after its being warmed up for more than 2 to 3 hour. The issue is that after dispensing hot water for 1 to 2 litres, it completely stopped dispensing water (both hot and cold water). what could be the reason behind? and moreover cold water is dispensing continuously if it is not heated.

[@beastboy0078]

Thank you. I know have home work to do

[@stanskarbek13]

Thanks!

[@kumbackquatsta]

dip tube video please

[@mudaferalshalal5022]

HI MY WATER HEATER WORK FINE I SEE THE FIRE WORKING BUT NO HOT WATER? IS BRAD NEWW

[@antoniodefilippis323]

your tempature dial is most likley not set right

[@Eddy63]

Good info Jay ... Much appreciated ...

[@haitham129]

Nice video

[@Famoisclips]

Good video

[@masonlovesroblox]

I replaced a Rheem 50 gallon 4500watt/3800watt water heater made in 2005 with a new Rheem 50 gallon 4500eatt/3800watt water heater a couple of weeks ago. With this new water heater, I can’t give my two kids back to back baths like I could with my old water heater. I don’t know what could be the difference between the two water heaters.

[@StagArmslower]

I bet for safety reasons producer reduced maximum temperature on the heater thus reducing hot water capacity.

[@wysetech2000]

I like that test procedure. You should mention that this test won't work on a tankless water heater.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Ah yes, you are right! Thanks for pointing that out!

[@benjamindyson243]

😂

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!!!

[@nftcoin9899]

Thanks heaps

[@computercrisisohio]

Hey bro i really appreciate your videos! So our issue is the wife goes to fill the bathtub, but its not as hot as she wants or like it used to be, the temperature on our gas water heater is turned up all the way but not sure what would be causing it, going to try this when we go home to gather more info but trying to figure this out on my own but ya im a noobie

[@jaysmilez3118]

Did you figure out the issue?

[@tombaker3794]

Nice video with good instructions, but what do I do if the test shows my temperature is dropping more than you said it should? - flush it?

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Flushing it would be a good start. But if you have no "hot water runs out too fast" complaints then I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[@juhs]

This is freakin genius

[@Zendail]

Video is incomplete, no mention of what to do if it’s less

[@cotick]

How much water did you waste?

[@WordofAdviceTV]

28 gallans

[@donaldking8819]

How do you know when the Dip tub is bad

[@frankpirrone6032]

I’m at a loss. I replaced my thermostat, dip tube and burnt out element. I also drained the heater and flushed any sediment, I still only get about 5 minutes of hot water. I can’t figure out what else could be wrong 😑

[@walterbordett2023]

By now you have probably figured this out, but it may help someone else. In order for an electric water heater to work right, four things have to work together. Upper thermostat and upper element, and lower thermostat and lower element. The elements are never on both at the same time. When the upper thermostat is satisfied, the upper element is switched off and power is sent down to the lower thermostat and element. Make sure that power gets to the lower element through the upper thermostat and the lower thermostat. When the lower thermostat is satisfied, both elements will be off, and the tank should be 70% full of hot water.

[@pablogaviria9265]

Could be the Thermostatic Mixing Valve, if you have one.

[@saulparraga6021]

ok how do i fix it?

[@pennybaker1395]

Please help. Desperate. We have not had hot water for one month. Please help. The water heater is in the attic. My husband replaced the thermocouple, and the burner assembly. He cleaned the air register. The pilot light will stay on forever when the burner is not on. When you turn the burner on and off the pilot stays lit. But when you leave the burner on both the pilot and the burner goes off after about 15 minutes.

[@milkyway808]

Our water heater is 80 gallons,I’m trying to calculate now

[@dreamboy2053]

You made an error on the thumbnail photo with spelling "HOT".. Just an fyi for you to correct and change the photo.

[@TomGlander]

Bummer. Will have to upload the video with the change again.... making TWO vids on the same subject. I'd just leave it alone.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Thank you Mr. Smiley!! I totally missed that! All corrected now ;)

[@WordofAdviceTV]

@@TomGlander Thanks Tom, but if I am only changing the thumbnail, I don't have to re-upload the video :)

[@xiaojies6953]

My hot water only 5mins long😅

[@barryward8617]

Second