If you’re like most people, you barely use any hot water during the week. But when the weekend comes around, and you want to take a shower or run the dishwasher, there’s never enough hot water left. So you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do to get more hot water from your water heater. Luckily, there are a few things you can try. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some most popular ways to get more hot water from your water heater. We’ll also cover how each method can help increase your hot water supply.
How to get more water from your water heater with a mixing valve
If your home has a mixing valve, you can use it to increase the hot water supply from your water heater. A mixing valve is a device that mixes hot and cold water to create the desired temperature. Adjusting the mixing valve can increase the amount of hot water mixed with cold water. This will give you more hot water overall.
The hot water mixing valve comes with three components:
- Cold water supply valve
- Hot water mixing valve
- Cold water transfer valve
All three of these components install directly on top of the water heater.
Step on installing it
Step Number-1
First, you’ll need to turn off the water supply to your home. Next, open all the faucets in your home to relieve pressure from the pipes.
Step Number-2
Once the water is turned off and the pressure is relieved, you can begin installing the cold water supply valve. The cold water supply valve connects to the cold water pipe coming into your home.
Step Number-3
Now you can install the hot water mixing valve. The hot water mixing valve mixes the hot and cold water to create the desired temperature. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing this valve.
Step Number-4
The last step is to install the cold water transfer valve. The cold water transfer valve connects the cold water pipe to the mixing valve. This valve allows cold water to enter the mixing valve and mix with the hot water.
After you’ve installed all three valves, you can turn the water back on to your home. Once the water is turned on, you can adjust the mixing valve to get the desired amount of hot water.
Now you can increase and decrease the water temperature from the mixing valve. You can see the red arrow and blue arrow. Turning to the right for the temperature down and turning left to increase the temperature.
That’s it; Now you can enjoy 25 percent more hot water.
There are other methods to get more water from your water heater
Lower the thermostat on your water heater
If you have a water heater with a built-in thermostat, one of the easiest ways to get more hot water from your existing system is to lower it. When you turn down the thermostat on your water heater by as little as two degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll see an increase of up to 30% in energy savings per hour.
You will save money on energy bills, get more hot water on demand (great for washing dishes), and prevent scalding from running out of hot water.
Insulate your water heater
The easiest way to get hot water from your water heater is to insulate it. Insulating the exterior of your heater will help keep heat in and reduce the amount of energy it uses. If you have an older water heater, consider replacing it with a newer model with built-in insulation.
For maximum efficiency when insulating a tankless (or tanked) water heater:
- Insulate the pipes leading into and out of your unit. Replace any existing pipe insulation (such as flexible rubber or foam) with pipe insulation made specifically for hot-water lines.
- Cover exposed pipes under sinks with old towels or blankets before covering them with plastic wrap or duct tape. This will keep them warmer for longer.
Insulate your pipes
The pipes in and around your water heater are likely made of metal, which means they can be a significant source of heat loss. By insulating them with foam pipe insulation, you’ll reduce the heat that escapes from them into the surrounding air.
A pipe sleeve is another approach. This sleeve fits over individual water pipes and acts as an insulator without requiring extra space or material. It’s easy to install, inexpensive, and available in different colors to match your decorating scheme. A third option is to use a pipe wrap.
This wraps around each exposed section of pipe and can often be covered by wallpaper or paint if desired (some are designed so they can’t be painted).
Use a low-flow showerhead
- Install a low-flow showerhead.
- Use a timer to limit the length of your showers.
- Using the right amount of water for your body type and choosing shower heads with the right flow rate will help conserve water. (One gallon per minute is enough for most adults.)
- If you like to take baths, use bath mats or tub mats so you can flip them over when they get dirty and not worry about slipping in the tub.
- A drainage system will keep those hard-to-reach places clean while keeping your floors dry.
Limit long showers to one per day
If you’re like me, you may need to remind yourself to get out of the shower after five minutes. If this sounds like a problem for you, try using a timer. They can be purchased at most hardware stores or online for less than $10 and help keep track of how long your shower lasts.
Another great way to save water for showers is installing a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom(Already talking about it). A good rule of thumb is that if it doesn’t feel like warm rain hitting your skin, it’s probably too hot for comfort and not saving as much energy as possible.
How do I make my water heater last longer?
By following a few simple tips, you can extend the lifespan of your water heater and enjoy many years of hot water.
1. Be sure to set your water heater to the proper temperature. The ideal setting is between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the model. Regularly checking and adjusting the thermostat can prevent premature wear and tear on your unit.
2. Keep an eye on the anode rod. This component helps protect against corrosion, but it will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Regular inspection of the anode rod can help you stay ahead of any issues.
3. Flush your tank regularly to remove any sediment that has built up inside the manufacturer’s instructions for the best way to do this.
Finally, don’t forget about routine maintenance. Like any other appliance in your home, your water heater needs regular care to function at its best. Hiring a professional to service your unit every few years can help prevent problems.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. How do I get hotter water in my whole house?
You can do a few things to get hotter water in your house. One is to install a tank water heater booster. This will help increase the temperature of the water in your tank and make it hotter when it comes out of your taps.
2. How do I make my water heater hotter instantly?
If you need hot water right away, try running the cold water faucet nearest your water heater for a minute or two before using the hot water. This will help clear out any cold water in the pipes and give you access to hotter water more quickly.
You can also try insulating your pipes to help keep the heat in. Installing pipe insulation is relatively inexpensive and easy, and it can help reduce heat loss from your pipes so that you have more hot water available.
3. Does turning the hot water heater up give you more hot water?
Yes, turning up the temperature on your water heater will give you more hot water. However, it’s important not to turn it up too high. Water that’s too hot can be dangerous, so finding the right balance is essential. Temperatures between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit are recommended for electric water heaters.
4. What is the best temperature to set your water heater?
The best temperature to set your water heater depends on your needs. For example, suppose you want to save energy, set your water heater between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you need hot water for tasks like washing dishes or taking a shower, you may want to set it to a higher temperature.
5. How long does water stay warm in a hot water tank?
Water stays warm in a hot water tank for as long as it takes to heat the water. However, if you’re looking to save energy, it’s best to set your water heater to a lower temperature so that the water doesn’t stay warm for too long.
6. How to increase hot water capacity?
You can increase hot water capacity by increasing your water heater’s size or adding a tankless water heater.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for ways to get more hot water from your current water heater, we hope the tips in this post have given you some ideas. While each of these solutions may not work for everyone, trying a couple of them could help conserve energy and increase your hot water supply. Have you tried any of these methods? Let us know how they worked for you in the comments below.
