When turning hot water on in shower, it takes up to 3-5 min to get hot water, do I need a new water heater?

Question

I have a new addition, and this problem seems to have gotten worse since the build. all pipes are copper and less than 8 years old throughout the house. I don't like wasting water, especially in a drought.

Answer 1

There is always going to be a minimum amount of time if your hot water heater is a considerable distance from the shower.  No matter how good your pipes are.  I have a shower right next to the water heater which I get hot water right away from.  However, the shower upstairs takes about 2 minutes to get hot.

Answer 2

It may be just the length of pipe from the heater to the shower.

See how long it takes if you use a faucet close to the tank.

Answer 3

Carlos, Hes right you need a recirculating pump. Mass code requires one if the heat source is 150 ft or more. It will cure your problem.

Answer 4

Some of the posts like dr felt have a point. The only thing you have changed is the distance from the hot water heater to the new shower and a new low flow shower head probably. Do not adjust the water temperature at the water heater if in general it was ok. The low flow shower head is also a good idea generally but you now know the downside with one. And last but not least if you can remember how the plumber hooked up the hot feeds to the shower. It may have to have been long and circuitous or he may have the lines feeding from two different sources. Unusual but with the five minute wait for water it could happen. The way to test this is to run the shower only in the hot position and then when the water is good and hot go around the house and test the other hots for time to get hot and also the colds. It may sound stupid but it has happened before that something has gotten cross connected and it is a devil of a time figuring out. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

If you get hot water (even if it takes awhile) then your hot water heater is working.

The water left in the pipes is what turns cold and has to run out when you turn the hot water on.  If it is taking a long time, it could be the distance from the hot water heater to your faucet.  You might need a second, closer hot water heater located near your new addition rather than one placed far away.

Answer 6

If the water does eventually get to a normal temperature then it probably isn't the water heater. Since you said it's has gotten worse since an addition on the house I'd suspect that the long pipe runs have as much to do with it as anything. However the best bet is to put a thermometer in the water, at the faucet, and see what temperature it is achieving. Even then it may be that your water heater's thermostat just needs to be adjusted.

Answer 7

its probably old so its okay that happens to me the water heater is 20 or more years older i live in a really really old house

Answer 8

Sounds like the shower is a long way from the water heater.

3-5 minutes is wayyyy too long, however....

When you say that it has gotten worse, though- It gets me

thinking that perhaps your water heater needs a good

flushing.

Turn off the:    a.) electric   or   b.) the gas

Then turn of the water supply valve.

Then hook a garden hose to the bottom valve on the

water heater do drain the water somewhere  other than

on the floor. Open her up- if there is no immediate water

flow into the hose, you may have some serious crud

buildup at the bottom of the tank. Take off the hose

and stick a coat hanger up in there to loosen things

up. You might get a bunch of rust and/or mineral

deposits come rushing out (use a tray or pail).

Then hook the hose back up and drain out the crud.

Answer 9

We had the same problem and installed a device in the piping that allows the hot water to be available when the shower is turned on.  I think it's called a tempering valve.  We also insulated the pipe between the water heater and the bathroom.  It works great now, turn on the shower valve and yipee! hot water.  In looking at the invoice it seems the valve is made by NIBCO.  You may want to try your local plumbing supply store because the big boxes may not carry this.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

amazing answers here.  as stated, the distance is killing your temperature.  you should have had the plumber put in a hot water recirculating system so your water will remain hot at all times and you will not have to wait quite so long.

a recirculating system brings hot water from the the problem bathroom back to the water heater in a constant loop.  it keeps circulating and stays hot.

Answer 11

I don't think the problem is the water heater, as it does actually heat the water. The problem is that the hot water resides in the hot water heater. This water is then piped out to your sinks and showers. When you turn on your hot water at the shower, you are getting out the water that has been sitting in the pipes first. That water was sitting long enough to lose its heat to the surroundings. Then when you turn off the shower, you leave hot water in the pipes that will sit and then get cold.

Three to five minutes sounds pretty absurd. you see that it has gotten worse since the addition. How bad was it before? You sound to be suffering from poor plumbing layout.

Answer 12

The hot water has to travel the distance from the waterheater to the shower or tap 3-5 minutes is a bit much. Maybe turn your waterheater up or if it's an older model, maybe replace it with a new unit.

Answer 13

The obvious answer is to check the temperature setting on the hot water heater.  Most of my hot water lines are exposed in the ceiling of my unconditioned basement.  I insulated the bare pipes and it took less time for the shower to warm up.  

Good Luck

Answer 14

You may need a new water heater, or you may need to turn up the heat on the water heater itself.  Look at it yourself and see if the temperature gage is set around 120 degrees.  If it is, you may need a newer unit.  If it's turned down, adjust it and try for a few weeks and see if you notice a change.

Answer 15

depends if it's the distance that causes it to take so long or something else.

has it always taken this long? if the water eventually getting there is hot, you might need to insulate your pipes better.

you didn't change to a low flow showerhead did you?

Answer 16

If you can get a Tankless water heater, that will solve the problem and save you so on your gas bill.  

Answer 17

when turning on your shower all the water in the hot line between the water heater and the valve have cooled due to sitting for a period of time. so until that is flushed through and the hot water from the tank gets to the shower outlet.you will have cool water.On the other hand if your shower is right next to the water heater or this is a new problem that you haven't had before at this residence you may want to call a plumber and have it checked out.

Answer 18

A recirculating pump is your answer.  It is very easy to install.  There are different models, one has the pump at the water heater, the other has the pump, under the sink that is farthest from the heater.  Either one will work just fine.  The pump has a temperature setting, and a timer, so it doesn't run 24/7.  Set the desired temp., and set the timer to come on before you wake, if you shower in the morning.  This way, the water will be hot and waiting for you, and not vice versa.  Good luck!