Water Heaters - Electric Water Heater losing hot water gradually

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lizzg
11-01-05, 09:12 AM
My electric water heater in my house is about 4 years old (as old as the house is) and I am the second owner of the house. Gradually, in the last three months since I have moved in, the water heater is producing less and less hot water than when I first moved in. And now, after about 10 minutes, the water starts to get less and less hot, until its lukewarm and then cold. After about 10 minutes of not running any water, it is mostly hot again but then runs out after about 10 minutes.

The second thing, the hot water takes a long time to travel up to the second floor where the bathrooms are used most often. The downstairs bathroom and kitchen, the hot water travel time is a lot faster. Just a side note.

Thanks in advance!

594tough
11-01-05, 05:35 PM
It is normal for the second floor to take a while for the hot water to get there. You could help this with a retrofit recir. pump.

Your other problem: If your heater is from approx. 1992 to 1996 vintage, it could be the famous dip tube problem. ( google on 'dip tube' to find out more than you ever wanted to know) Otherwise, you have elements or thermostats going out or gone. These are fairly easy for a plumber to trouble-shoot and replace.