When you lead a busy lifestyle it is important that your appliances can keep up. Nothing is worse than jumping into a shower when you are rushed, just to find out your kids used up all the hot water. In order to stay on top of your daily routine, it is important that your water heater can keep up in order to allow you to do the dishes, take a shower, etc.
What is Recovery Time?
Recovery time is the amount of time it takes for your water heater to replenish hot water into the tank after it is used up. This time is dependent on many factors such as the size of the tank, how old the water heater is, and the type of water heater.
How to Improve it
Here are a couple of different ways to improve the recovery time of your water heater.
Tank Size
Your first option is to get a water heater with a bigger tank. A 40-gallon tank may work fine when there are only two people in the household, but you may want to think about a 50-gallon or 80-gallon tank when this number increases.
Recirculating Pump
Another option would be to upgrade to a hot water recirculating pump, especially if you have an older plumbing system. These pumps work by bringing water in hot water pipes back into the heater so less water is wasted while waiting for your hot water. This can save you lots of money in the long run, especially in a home that has a far distance between faucets and the water heater.
Insulate
Another quick option is to insulate your pipes and water heater. This step will make the water heating process more efficient by preventing energy loss.
Is it Time to Consider Tankless?
If you are willing to make an initial investment, a tankless water heater is the way to go. These water heaters heat the water quickly and as needed, and have many other benefits. They can initially be a little spendy, but they can be up to 35 percent more efficient than a regular water heater. They are also smaller units, making tankless more practical for smaller homes.
If you are interested in installing a tankless water heater into your home, contact Knight Plumbing today! We are here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have with your water heater and all things plumbing!
