My hot water runs out after just 5 to 10 minutes of showering. It used to last much longer. What changed?
If your hot water duration suddenly decreased, the most common culprits are a failing heating element (electric heaters), a broken dip tube, sediment buildup, or thermostat issues. For electric water heaters, one of the two heating elements may have burned out. The lower element heats the majority of the water — when it fails, you only get hot water from the upper element which heats a much smaller volume. Test elements with a multimeter or have a plumber check. A replacement element costs 10 to 30 dollars. For gas water heaters, check if the flame is blue and steady. A yellow or flickering flame indicates a burner problem. Sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank insulates the water from the burner or element, reducing heating efficiency. Flush the tank by connecting a garden hose to the drain valve and running it until the water is clear. A broken dip tube (the tube that directs cold incoming water to the bottom of the tank) lets cold water mix with hot water at the top, reducing effective hot water volume. If your heater is over 10 years old and losing capacity, it may be approaching end of life.
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