What is the Duration for A Hot Water System To Recover?

The recovery rate for a water heater is based on factors like tank size, temperature rise, first-hour rating and fuel type. But if the time exceeds 2 hours, then hot water repair is a must.

In the midst of taking a nice warm shower, imagine the water turning icy cold! What a distinctly unpleasant sensation it could be. But when should the hot water come back? But what about it becomes a constant pattern, then can you find out the causes?  The water heater's recovery rate is the determinant factor. It means by when will the water tank reheat once it has depleted. 

Averagely, an 80–gallon tank of water is likely to recover between 1 – 2 hours. If not then you will have to call up the hot water repair technicians providing their services in Perth. Nevertheless, it is only a ballpark figure. You better gauge a more precise estimate for how long will your water heater take to recover has been clearly discussed in this article, with reference to –  

• Average recovery times of water heater 

• Key influential factors of water heater recovery times 

• Common problems slowing down the recovery times 

A. Average Recovery Times of Water Heater 

What is called the “quick” recovery of a water heater is the average water heater recovery time that helps to identify whether your water heater is taking significantly longer time than usual. Then you can know whether you should call up the technicians for hot water repair services. 

For instance, an 80-gallon water tank with an incoming water temperature of 62 degrees has an average recovery time of – 

• 60–70 minutes – if it is a gas tank water heater

• 120 minutes – if it is an electric tank water heater 

Gas water heaters heat the water much faster. The reason why heating is faster is that the gas water heaters use burners which reach the higher temperatures much sooner than the heating coils contained in the electric water heaters. 

Well, these are only quick comparison averages. A list of factors creates an impact on the water heater system's recovery time. So, the recovery rate could be higher or lower than the average. 

The Key Factors Influencing  The Recovery Time of Water Heaters 

Tank size, fuel type, first-hour rating and temperature rise significantly to create an impact on the recovery time of water heaters. We shall now talk in some detail.

1. Tank Size

Generally, recovery time is more for the larger water heater tank. Most residential water heater tanks have the capacity of holding 20 to 100+ gallons. For the larger water heater, the burners or heating elements will take more time for heating the water. 

Once the tank has neared the end of its supply, then the recovery times go high for larger tanks. With colder water flowing in, the temperature greatly reduces for the existing hot water in the tank. 

2. First-Hour Rating

Tank goes on replenishing its water supply so every tank water heater contains a "first-hour rating" that reveals how many gallons of water the water heater unit can supply in one hour when it begins with a full hot water tank. 

First-hour ratings are dependent on key factors such as the heating source, burner size and more such elements. Nevertheless, as the rule of thumb says, the higher the first-hour rating, the faster is can the water heater recover. The Energy Guide Label on the water heater shows the first-hour rating. 

3. Fuel Type

The electric water heaters take roughly twice longer time than the gas water heaters to recover. The reason is that the gas water heaters use gas burners that reach a higher temperature faster compared to the electric heating coils. 

Maybe the gas water heaters are expensive to install, but they are incredibly energy–efficient and will contain hot water for a long time. It is worthy of investment when the fast demand for hot water is high. 

If the gas lines are already installed, then the installation costs automatically go down. Gas water heaters cost much less when the lines are already installed. Even maintaining the gas water heaters is more affordable than electricity as a fuel. 

Bosch Hot Water Repair

The temperature of the area's water varies according to the climate you are living in. The "temperature rise" is the factor to be taken into account while calculating the water heater's recovery. Temperature rise means the difference between the incoming water temperature and the temperature at which water should be. The bigger the difference between the two, the longer will be the water heater's recovery time. 

Here is how the temperature rise can be calculated –  

The Needed Hot Water Temperature – Incoming Water Temperature = Rise In Temperature 

So you have a full note on the hot water recovery times. You can now understand when will the water turn hot after the tap has given out cold water. But after two hours have passed but the water is still cold, then it is time to call the hot water specialists to repair the disturbing water heater.