Water Heaters - Outside temp effect water temp?

OK, this is probably a stupid question but I have tried everything I can think of at this point - which is not saying much considering bob Vela I'm not but...

Anyway, last night I drained a few gallons out of my water heater and for the first few seconds the water was brown. I also found what I assume to be a "reset" button (red push button) by the top element and hit that as well (both with the elec. off).

I then put everything back together and turned the elec. back on - it seemed to work. Water was hotter then it has been for days.

We are getting warm water, just not as hot as it used to be. The problem started out of the blue on morning...

Any thoughts. It is 8 years old - should I replace the elements? How do I test them?

To test the elements, shut the electric off and remove both upper and lower element panel covers. You will then see 2 wires attached to each element. Remove both and use a continuity tester, you are trying to figure out if the loop is in tact. If it is, the tester you have will light up, just very dim. If if it is a dial indicator, then the dial will peg to the right if there is continuity.

Outside temperature will dictate how the core temperature of the ground is; if the ground temperature lowers, naturally this extends the heating cycles needed to satisfy the thermostat setting requirements. Incoming cold water is at a lower temperature, thus the longer heating cycle.