Water heater repair & replacement experts have heard more than their fair share of myths. While many are founded on genuine concerns and experiences, the truth goes deeper than the surface. In most cases, the myths are a misconception of an issue that can be remedied with a residential plumber’s assistance.
The Myth: Water heaters don’t supply enough hot water
You might’ve heard it mentioned on TV or in a daily conversation. Someone warns another person to take a quick shower so there’s enough hot water left for them. While that definitely happens in some households, it’s not a fact of life that you should accept. The majority of households with a low hot water supply have the wrong size of water heater.
The Truth: There’s enough water if they’re sized appropriately
The fact is you won’t run out of hot water if you have a storage tank or tankless water heater that can meet your usage requirements. Take a look at your water heater size or capacity, then match it to the guide below for a recommended size. If your unit is of a larger size, there’s a chance you have a different problem and will need water heater repair & replacement.
A household of 1-3 people needs a tank of 40-50 gallons
A household of 3-4 people needs a tank of 50-60 gallons
A household of 4+ people needs a tank of 60+ gallons
Large households might need two tanks that add to up to their desired capacity (e.g. two 40 gallon tanks)
The Myth: Water heaters supply instant hot water
There’s no such thing as instant hot water. No matter where you are in the house, the hot water takes time to travel from the tank or the tankless unit to the faucet.
The Truth: Some water heaters are quicker, but the water still needs to travel to the faucet
The closer the faucet is to the tank/unit, the quicker the travel will be. Many people replace their storage tank with a tankless unit thinking they’ll get immediate fast water, but that’s a misconception. There could be an uptick in speed, but you’ll still have to wait a few seconds before the water reaches the heating unit, then continues to the faucet.
The Myth: Water heaters have set temperatures
Some people think they’re stuck with their water heater’s setting, so if water comes out too lukewarm or close to scalding, they’ll have to deal with it. That’s far from the truth, as water heaters can be adjusted without the help of a residential plumber.
The Truth: You can adjust the temperature to fit your preferences
All water heaters have a thermostat that dictates how hot to warm the water. The preset setting and recommended temperature by the U.S. Department of Energy is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Some water heaters have two thermostats, one at the top and bottom of the unit. Both should be at the same temperature, though some professionals recommend keeping the top unit at a slightly higher temperature. The highest your thermostat should be is 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Any higher and you have a serious risk of burning yourself or another person.
