Having hot water is a luxury many take for granted, but it can be frustrating when the water takes too long to heat up. A lag in hot water temperature can be due to many factors, including uninsulated pipes, lower water temperature settings, or something as simple as not realizing the knob isn’t turned all the way. No matter the case, anyone’s patience can grow thin when waiting on hot water, especially when they desperately need the pampering of a relaxing bath or shower.
Before frustration sets in and you take a hammer to the tap, here are three common culprits preventing your water from getting hot enough, fast enough!
THE WATER HEATER IS SET TO A LOWER TEMPERATURE. Most water heaters have adjustable control settings (except for heaters in rented spaces). However, for most homes, changing the heat to a higher setting only requires manually adjusting the temperature to the desired degree. Also, consider the time it takes for the hot water to reach the tap. You may set the temperature to a specific degree, but it may be a few degrees cooler when it reaches you. THE WATER HEATER IS TOO FAR FROM THE SHOWER. Ideally, water heaters are placed centrally in a home, but that isn’t always the case. Basements and laundry closets are common areas for water heaters, and in many instances, they are a good distance away from the kitchen or bathrooms. When this is an issue, it can take some time for the water to heat. THE PIPES AREN’T INSULATED. Areas like an unfinished basement or crawlspace can be the culprits for slow- heating water. As the warm water passes through the pipes, the pipes warm up, but that can take time. Depending on the location of the pipes, you can insulate them, but if it’s not worth the time or effort, it’s best to have a little more patience with your water heater!
Why Does My Water Take So
Long to Get Hot? Common Reasons Your Shower Is Cold
Small Changes, Big Savings CLEVER WAYS TO LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL RIGHT NOW
We’ve recently seen costs go up everywhere, from groceries to gas. This has led many to find new ways to cut costs elsewhere, with some even making extra efforts to lower their electric bills. Even if you’re not worried about saving a few dollars, making energy-efficient adjustments around your home can help your appliances last longer and perform more effectively. Here are three energy-efficient actions you can take right now to lower electric bills and better protect your appliances. TURN OFF YOUR CEILING FAN. Many people run their ceiling fans all day, thinking it will help keep the room comfortable, but that’s not necessarily true. Ceiling fans produce a wind chill effect that can make the space feel cooler
when we’re in the room. However, this effect does not bring down the temperature. Ceiling fans are designed to cool down people, not rooms. Any fan running all day in your home could add $7 to your monthly electric bill. Do this with multiple fans, and it adds up quickly. BE EFFICIENT WITH YOUR LAUNDRY. How often do you change the settings on your washer and dryer? Do you run every load through the same cycle? If so, you could be wasting a ton of water and energy. Adjust the water level to match the load size and choose cold water whenever possible since hot water requires much more energy. Your water heater typically uses the most energy in your home. Keep in mind that it requires just as much energy to run a full load as it does to wash one item. Clean out your lint filter
before every load and use the auto sensor function, if your dryer has one, to dry your clothes faster and conserve energy. FIND THE ENERGY THIEVES. Some electronics in your house may draw power throughout the day, even if they appear to be off. Instead of plugging electronics into your wall outlet, plug them into a surge protector. That way, you can easily turn off the surge protector when you’re not actively using the items connected to it.
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