Water heater slow to kick in. UPDATE

[JB]

This time of year the water coming into my house is pretty warm. Like the joke says, we get hot water from both faucets.

The problem is my water heater. I have to use up almost all of the "hot" water to get it to kick on. Then it gets up to the 140* I want for showers, wash, dish washer, etc.

The heater is propane fired.

But then it cools too far. I get water not much over 100* unless I run it all out.

Is it likely that the temp of the incoming water is causing this? What can I do about it?

Water is pretty precious around here. I don't want to waste any.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Absolutly no expert here, but that sure sounds like a thermostat type issue

Incoming water temp shouldn't matter at all. If the kickon is say 120, then 100 degree water will still be cooling the system and eventuall you have to kick on.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

I agree ,thermocoupling or thermostat.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Normally if the termo couple goes it won't work at all. I would bet it is the thermostat, try turning it up all the way to hot and see if it kicks in. It should start up a few seconds after turning it up. I presume this has a pilot light and not an electronic ignitor? If it is the electronic type ususally the ignitor either works or it doesn't. Make sure no spiders have spun anything in the air inlet also, this is on the fuel line out of the control valve.That can cause all kinds of frustration. Good luck! I hope you get some rain from the hurricane down there.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Try turning your stat up a bit JB. The incoming water may not be cold enough to kick the stat back on. Turning it up may help. If not, probably the stat which usually in most cases is built into the gas valve is going on its way out.

I agree with the rotten one, the thermalcouple is to provide proof of pilot for the rest to work. If it was the tcouple, you would not be able to keep the pilot lit.

 

[kengladd]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

thermostat sensor could have corrosion (bimetal) and be slow to react to temp changes

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Could be several things. First, as was mentioned the thermocouple is a flame sensing device that holds the gas valve open. If the pilot goes out, it shuts off the gas valve.

As to water temp, it could be low thermostat setting, faulty thermostat, (which is part of the gas valve and cannot be replaced seperately), sediment buildup in bottom of tank, dirty burner/oriface, low inlet gas pressure, partially or fully broken dip tube, corroded inlet/outlet fittings choking off water flow. Has the heater ever been professionally serviced? Gas fired HWT's (especially propane) DO require checkups/maintainance to operate properly and safely.

Colin
gasfitter/HVAC tech

 

[KRS]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

I wonder if your fill pipe came loose and it's filling the top of the tank rather than the bottom, so you are draining the newly added water that hasn't heated yet.

Just a thought.

 

[DJ]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

JB,

I have the same issue. My water heater sits in the garage which is easily 100+degrees and the water (cold) is always 95+ coming into the house, in the summer.

As you mentioned. We have no cold water from May through September.

The water heater never really sees cold water so the flame does not kick on until the water in the tank is nearly all used.

We rarely use enough hot water, in the summer, for it to be an issue. However, we do have a large tank-50 gal.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Incoming water temp has no bearing. It has to be the thermostat or as KRS stated, the fill tube has come loose. This isn't rocket science, it's 19th century bullet proof technology.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

same here, had gas hot water for 30 years, in the summer we have to run some water so it will kick in, after that in about 20 min we have hot water, this is the second heater and does the same

 

[KRS]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Well.... what is it? Any luck yet?

 

[JB]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Re: Water heater slow to kick in.

Well, it is now December and the water entering the heater is down to maybe 50-60*F.

I now get HOT water all the time.

I'm not saying that my original theory was correct, but as far as I know it is the only thing that has changed.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Water heater slow to kick in. UPDATE

So as long as it's cold out, it's fixed....That's a hard fix in texas....8) Thermostat is toast....