Plumbers chime in

[Mike Gayner]

We've lived in our new house for just over 2 months now and I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with our electric water heater. The pressure is very high (which I like), but the temperature isn't high enough - you can easily stand to have you hand under the hot water from a faucet. The hot water also runs out too quickly, which we haven't experienced in other homes.

More annoyingly, we've had our first two power bills and it's using WAY too much electricity - about twice as much as it should. I would have thought these two issues were mutually exclusive, but I know nothing of how water heaters work.

What is likely to be the issue? What other diagnostic stuff can I do before calling the plumber?

Notes: It's a decent sized water heater big enough for a family, but there's only two of us here. We don't use much hot water and there's no way it should be running out at all. I don't know how old it is, but the house is about 13 years old.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

All water heaters have a thermostat on them to adjust water temp. Given that you live in the butt end of the planet, I suspect you're cranking up the heat to fight off those Artic winter temps of 60 F. so, that might be responsible for the increase in power usage. Do you know how old the water heater is?

 

[Rastus]

Electric hot water heater elements can get coated with hard water deposits which reduce the temperature. Turn the thermostat up and see if that works. If it's already maxxed out, replace the element.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Electric hot water heater elements can get coated with hard water deposits which reduce the temperature. Turn the thermostat up and see if that works. If it's already maxxed out, replace the element.

and the sacrificial node.

 

[Mike Gayner]

All water heaters have a thermostat on them to adjust water temp. Given that you live in the butt end of the planet, I suspect you're cranking up the heat to fight off those Artic winter temps of 60 F. so, that might be responsible for the increase in power usage. Do you know how old the water heater is?

Sorry I'm not familiar with caveman units, but it doesn't get very cold here. This sin't exactly my first winter either, so I know what kind of electricity usage to expect, and we're using way more than we should. In any case, our water is metered separately from our general electricity, so I can tell from the readings that our general usage is fine, but our hot water is way too high.

I'll see if I can find the thermostat, but I didn't see anything adjustable on the water heater. And no, as I said, I'm not sure what the age of it is.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Electric hot water heater elements can get coated with hard water deposits which reduce the temperature. Turn the thermostat up and see if that works. If it's already maxxed out, replace the element.

Wont turning up the thermostat cause it to use MORE electricity?

 

[deadlyapp]

Wont turning up the thermostat cause it to use MORE electricity?

Yes, which is why the heating elements may be in bad shape if it's already using a fair amount of electricity.

Edit: Can you quantify how much electricity it is "actually" using (kWh?)

 

[iGas]

It could be that one of the 2 heating element failed.

Could be a defective element, or hard water coating the heating element, and it is possible that the tank is failing/failed as well. Check tank for leaks/weeping.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Yes, which is why the heating elements may be in bad shape if it's already using a fair amount of electricity.

Edit: Can you quantify how much electricity it is "actually" using (kWh?)

If I'm reading the invoice correctly, it has used 690kwh in the last 2 months.

 

[Mike Gayner]

It could be that one of the 2 heating element failed.

Could be a defective element, or hard water coating the heating element, and it is possible that the tank is failing/failed as well. Check tank for leaks/weeping.

Definitely no leaks which is good.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Sorry I'm not familiar with caveman units, but it doesn't get very cold here. This sin't exactly my first winter either, so I know what kind of electricity usage to expect, and we're using way more than we should. In any case, our water is metered separately from our general electricity, so I can tell from the readings that our general usage is fine, but our hot water is way too high.

I'll see if I can find the thermostat, but I didn't see anything adjustable on the water heater. And no, as I said, I'm not sure what the age of it is.

50 F. is ~ 16 C. for the great unwashed. The water heater will have a plate on it usually with raised letters and numbers giving the basic info about the particular unit. Some cheap water heaters only have a small grey knob with minimal or no markings located on the controller box at the base of the unit. That's the thermostat.

If the water heater is contractor grade and at the end of it's life (see info plate) which is roughly 15 years or less if the water is particularly hard, get a new one. A heater blanket can also help reduce how often the heater cycles on and off by insulating the tank. You can find an inexpensive one at any home improvement store or large hardware store.

 

[drebo]

Natural gas ftw.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Natural gas ftw.

Yeah I agree for the most part. Unfortunately mains gas just isn't that common round these parts.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

If I'm reading the invoice correctly, it has used 690kwh in the last 2 months.

That's definitely too high. The average number I always use is 220 kwh for a months usage when I'm doing quick and dirty calculations.

 

[Mike Gayner]

That's definitely too high. The average number I always use is 220 kwh for a months usage when I'm doing quick and dirty calculations.

Yeah by my calcs it's about double what we've used in the past.