It is easy to take your water heater for granted. You may not notice when it is running, and you might even forget that it exists at all! But this piece of equipment can play an important role in your home’s efficiency. Like most homeowners, you probably want to know how often does a water heater run.
How Often Does A Water Heater Run?
You may find that your water heater runs quite often. This is especially true if you have a family or roommates since more people in the house can mean using more hot water. If this sounds like something you’re facing regularly, then it might be time to do some investigating!
There are several reasons why your water heater may need attention. These include:
- Low Water Pressure
- Leaking Pipes
- A Faulty Thermostat
All of these issues can be serious! If it is not dealt with promptly, you could face major problems like flooding in the home.
So how often does a water heater run? If you believe that your home is experiencing more hot water usage than usual, it would be best to investigate the problem. Call a plumber right away for any potential issues with your equipment!
Reasons to Pay Attention
There are many reasons why your water heater might frequently be running. It could mean that you need a new one, and there is also the chance of having leaks or other problems.
Reasons You Need a New Water Heater
The average life expectancy for a hot water tank is between eight to twelve years, depending on its size and how often it is used. This means, if your water heater is older than this, you may need to get a new one soon.
Leaks and Other Issues
If there are any leaks or other problems with the tank, it will require more energy use to maintain proper temperature levels. It would help to check for corrosion since this can cause rust that will need to be drained from the tank on occasion.
Cracks on the pipes
Cracks on the pipes can also result in increased use of energy. Sometimes, it can be difficult to spot these problems since they are not always visible to the naked eye unless accompanied by rust or other damage that is easy to see.
Low Water Pressure
If you have low water pressure, your hot water tank will also require more energy to provide enough for the entire house.
If you realize low water pressure, you may need to get both your water heater and the pressure regulator checked.
A professional plumber will be able to help you pinpoint the problems with your equipment. Be sure to get an inspection if it is often running and ask about water heater maintenance tips that can help keep things running smoothly!
A Faulty Thermostat
A faulty thermostat may also be responsible for how long the water heater runs. This is because the heater will not automatically shut off when it reaches its target temperature. It may continue to run until you manually turn it off or notice that there is no hot water available at all!
These issues can be serious, so reach out to an expert if your equipment seems like it’s often running. Call a plumber right away if you notice any leaks or other problems with the tank. Be sure to ask about water heater maintenance tips that can help keep things running smoothly!
How Often Should A Water Heater Run?
If you are wondering how often a water heater should run, the answer depends on several different factors.
How Often It Runs
You should consider how many people live in your home and what types of activities they do since this will affect hot water usage. If there are more mouths to feed or bodies to bathe, then you can expect your water heater to work harder.
If You Are Using More Hot Water
You may want to look at how much hot water is being used in the home since this could indicate problems with leaks or other issues. If there are no major changes made to family members’ routines, then it should not result in more usage.
Reasons to Get It Inspected
If you notice any major changes to hot water use, then it is best to get the equipment inspected right away by a professional plumber. They will be able to pinpoint potential problems and let you know why your hot water tank may often be running. Be sure that you get a water heater inspection if you have started to notice leaks or other problems with the tank.
Contact Us!
If you are wondering how often should a water heater run? Then contact us today for more information about this topic and others related to home efficiency! We will help keep your hot water running smoothly.
FAQs: How Often Does a Water Heater Run
How often should you replace your water heater?
There are lots of things to do around the house, but replacing a water heater is not one of them. If you have a gas water heater, then it is time to replace it if the unit starts leaking or making sounds that indicate issues with the tank.
How often should you replace an electric water heater?
If your tank is over ten years old, it is probably time to think about replacing the unit. Electric water heaters typically last between ten and fifteen years, but they can sometimes last longer or fewer depending on the quality of the unit itself.
How often does the water heater run on propane?
If you have a gas-powered unit, it runs every time you turn on the hot water. A propane unit runs for approximately two minutes every time you turn on the hot water, so it does run frequently.
Conclusion
Research has shown that the average water heater runs for about 14 hours per day. This can add up to a lot of energy and money spent on your utility bills each month if you don’t take steps to conserve it!
You may want to consider replacing an older unit with new technology, which could save you more than 30% in annual operating costs. To learn how this might be possible, contact us today.