In the middle of a cold spell, no one wants to take a horrible cold shower. “How long does it take hot water to come back” after you’ve drained the water heater through use or maintenance?
With some studying, there are a few answers regarding recovery based on the type and size of the water heater and your water’s incoming temperature. In our guide, you’ll find the average size of heater is around 40-gallon, so how long does it take to fill a 40-gallon water heater?
By the end, you’ll see that if everything works as it should, then you should fill a hot water tank of 40-gallon in around 30 minutes. It may mean you have a warm shower rather than fully heated water, yet this is better than waiting or taking a cold shower. (Learn How To Seal Around Furnace Vent Pipe)
How Long Does It Take To Fill Up A Hot Water Tank?
When hot water is drawn out of the sink, shower, faucet, and other plumbing devices, the water level drops.
Your water heater automatically replaces the tank with cold water, and the cycle to heat it starts again.
However, a water heater that takes longer than typical or does not fill at all may have a leak, airlock, or clogged pipe problem.
The indicators that show your water heater tank isn’t filling are:
- The water around your water tank.
- Low hot water pressure.
- There is a limited supply of hot water.
- Your tank makes a whining or grinding noise.
How Long Does It Take For Hot Water To Come Back?
A few factors determine water heater recovery time:
Tank Size
The larger the water tank, the longer it will take for more water that is hot to be available.
- 30-40 gallons – 20- 30 minutes for up to 2 people
- 50 gallons – 50 minutes for 3-4 people
- 60 gallons – 1 hour and 20 minutes for around 5 people
- 70 to 80 gallons up to 2 hours for 6 plus people
First Hour Rating
This is the amount of water your water heater can heat in an hour in gallons or liters. The longer it takes to warm water, the lower the first-hour rating, and vice versa.
Difference In Temperature
The temperature differential between the new water and your ideal temperature is referred to as this. The faster the hot water is discharged, the less the temperature differential is.
Heater Type
Different heaters use different fuel, which influences the time to recover.
A gas water heater uses a burner at the bottom of the tank to warm water. As a result, gas has the shortest recovery time since it heats fastest, making it the most efficient. For example, it takes about an hour to warm an 80-gallon water tank. (Learn How To Clean A Hot Tub That Has Been Sitting)
Gas water heaters take half the time to heat as an electric unit, thus cutting down your electricity bill. For example, an 80-gallon water tank takes around two hours to heat.
- 60-70 minutes – gas tank water heater
- 120 minutes – electric tank water heater
It saves energy because the thermostat only turns on the heating system when the water temperature dips below a certain level.
Tankless water heaters are the most convenient since they provide infinite hot water instantly. It is, however, primarily reliant on electricity. Because it is tankless, there will be no hot water available if the power goes out.
Most electric water heater types have been updated to heat pump water heaters. However, these have a more extended recovery period despite the improved setting.
To reduce the recovery time by 60-80 minutes, you must set them to an advanced level, which can cause a notable increase in your electricity cost.
How long does it take to fill a hot water heater when it is in continual use?
A shower uses at least 17.2 gallons of hot water on average. If your water heater has a tank capacity of 50 gallons and four people in your home, your water heater can supply enough hot water for five 15-20-minute showers every day.
If the warm water does not stay hot for long periods, you may have a broken dip tube.
This plastic inlet directs the incoming water to the tank’s bottom to be heated. However, corrosive factors can cause it to crack, allowing cold and hot water to mix.
Warm water rises to the top, where it is sucked out by the discharge tube and used to supply water to the home. Because the dip tube is broken, cold water ends up on top of the hot water instead of at the bottom, resulting in lukewarm water.
Hot Water Runs Out Fast?
If your hot water runs out sooner than usual, it’s time to have your water heater inspected. The following are the most common causes of this issue:
Mineral Or Sediment Build-Up
Incoming water often contains calcium and magnesium, which settle on the tank bottom. As a result, they can layer and displace water, minimizing home water amount.
Sediments might reach 15 gallons. If you have 40 gallons of water, you’ll receive 25 gallons of hot. A hissing pressure relief valve and particles in hot water are symptoms of sediment buildup.
The problem is usually solved by draining a couple of buckets of water from the drain valve until no visible particles remain.
Broken Gas Valve
Old, properly-maintained gas valves can break. Broken gas leaks make it smell like rotting eggs.
Faulty Lower Heating Elements
A water heater has two heating elements: lower and top. Once cold water enters the tank, the lower heating element does the majority of the heating, while the top one maintains the hot water temperature.
Water temperature will decline if the lower heating element breaks. This is usually caused by a silt buildup or wiring short.
Thermostat Problem
When the temperature drops, this ignites the water heater’s heating system. The heating system won’t warm the water if the thermostat isn’t working correctly. First, raise the temperature. If it doesn’t work, reset it.
How Do You Know When A Hot Water Tank Is Full?
Once the water is entirely clear, close the drain valve. Fill up your water tank, and when the hot water tap runs normally, your water tank is full.
Now that you have a better idea of how long it will take to fill your 40-gallon water heater, it is time to learn how to fill it. (Learn How To Fill Chipmunk Holes)
It may sound easy, but it is a bit trickier in operation. Here are the steps on how to fill your water heater safely and efficiently:
1. Safety First
When performing any maintenance or repairs on your 40-gallon water heater, safety should always come first.
- Make sure your water heater’s power is turned off, even if it sounds like common sense.
- Because water is a natural electrical conductor, touching water that has been infused with electricity is extremely dangerous.
- Turn off the gas valve if you have a natural gas water heater before continuing.
2. Drain Remaining Water
Even if you think your electric water heaters drained thoroughly, leftover water may remain. It is a good process to remove this before refilling the tank.
- Make sure the cold-water valve is closed and know how long it takes to fill the water heater.
- From here, connect the hose to a drainage valve. This drains any remaining water in the tank outdoors or down a drain.
- This element prevents water supply and water heater issues.
- Always flush the water heater after refilling, which helps your water heater’s longevity.
- Close the drainage valve and put the hose back in place.
3. Filling with Cold Water
When you’re sure the old water is gone, proceed. First, open your hot water faucet.
This step relies on water pressure in your home. Check the water pressure before filling gas water heaters or your electric water heater.
4. Turn On The Power
Turn on the power (or gas) when the water heater is full. Then, connect any sure plugs or wires to begin the restoration process to heat water.
You can do this whenever you want, and because of the long recovery time for a sizeable multi-gallon water heater tank, this water heating process is best done overnight.
5. Check Drainage Valve
People forget this last step, so don’t assume your electric or gas tank water heater recovery will be fine after refilling a full tank. After restoring power, check the drainage valve’s operation.
Ensure your water heaters’ drainage valve is tightened correctly to avoid leaks.
Why does my new water heater run out of hot water?
Sediment is a collection of loose minerals that have settled at the bottom of the hot water heater tank, causing you to run out of hot water.
You may have a faster hot water heater recovery and your hot water heater to fill faster because sediment reduces tank space. However, sediment insulates the water from the heating source; thus, you use more electricity to get water ready that is never hot. (Learn How To Fill A Pond With Water)
What is the recovery rate for a water heater?
The amount of hot water (gallons) that a tank water heater can heat in one hour after being drained and replaced with new cold water is known as the “recovery time.”
The recovery rate measures how quickly a water heater can heat water.
