Nothing is worse than waiting for your water to heat up when you only want a soothing, hot shower. Most people experience their shower taking forever to heat an issue, especially in the year’s colder months. When the hot water runs through the cold pipes, the temperature changes and it takes time for hot water to arrive at the faucet.
It can be a frustrating start to your day when your shower doesn’t get hot, and whilst you may think it is just how your plumbing is, there are reasons behind your colder-than-usual showers.
So you may ask, “Why’s my shower heating up slowly?” We can investigate why this problem occurs and suggest what you can do to get the hot water supply working faster.
Why Does It Take A Long Time For Water To Heat Up?
Listed below are the four main reasons your hot water may not be working:
- Water pipes are too wide
- Hot water heater is a long way from your bathroom
- Pipes pulling heat from the water
- The showerhead pressure is too low
1. Water Pipes Are Too Wide
The size and diameter of your pipes will affect the water flow and the amount of water that gets into your shower. Wider pipes have more space for the hot water to flow through.
This can make the travel time to your fixtures take longer. A general rule of thumb is that water moves faster with a pipe with a small diameter.
Check the size of the pipes under your sink to determine their diameter. Residential pipes are typically between 1/4 and 2 inches in diameter, which you can measure using the string method.
Also, poor pipe fittings at the top or bottom of the hot water heating system interfere with the smooth flow of heated water.
2. The Hot Water Heater Is A Long Way From Your Bathroom
The farther away your water heater is from your bathroom, the longer it takes for the heated water to reach your fixtures. With only one tank delivering hot water to your home, you may struggle to receive efficient heat, particularly if you have a larger property.
Water heaters on the opposite end of the washroom tend to take longer to deliver hot water.
And with the installed piping, they are rarely connected in a straight line. The flow rate will decrease from the position of the water pipes and how they are laid out for
The closer your bathroom is to the heater, the quicker hot water will be delivered.
Use a hot water recirculation pump and reduce the distance between your water heater and the faucet.
Suppose you are not using an instant water heater, electric water heater, or tankless water heater (with an unlimited supply of water, tankless water heaters don’t use tanks to store hot water or heat water). In that case, chances are high that you may be overusing hot water. Some hot water tanks are small and can only hold a particular quantity of hot water at a time, so they can’t produce hot water as quickly. This tends to happen when the number of people showering increases simultaneously.
3. Pipes Pulling Heat From The Water
When the pipes leading to your shower are unused, they become cooler. The colder the pipes, the more heat they absorb from the water as it passes through them.
Copper pipes retain more heat than PVC piping. The material of your water pipes and the area’s temperature can affect the time it takes for your shower to get hot.
4. Showerhead Pressure Is Too Low
You can check your shower faucet for gallons per minute (GPM). This refers to the flow rate of water going through your shower head. If the flow rate is low, it takes longer for cold water left behind from your last shower to be pushed out.
Cold water can stay stagnant in your pipes after a shower.
Since 1992, 2.5 GPM has been the mandated flow rate for most standard shower heads. That’s 25 gallons for an average 10-minute shower.
How Can I Get My Shower To Heat Up Faster?
You understand the cause of a cold shower and know we can suggest solutions. Here are some solutions to the main contributors that take a long time to heat up.
High Flow Showerheads
You can ask your licensed plumbing professional to suggest a high-flow showerhead. This upgrade will increase the water flow and reduce the time it takes for the hot water to reach the fixtures. However, remember that you may risk increasing your water and heating bills.
Insulation Of Your Shower Supply Lines
Pipe insulation can protect pipes from the cold air in the atmosphere, particularly long pipes in your exterior wall. It also keeps your pipes warm and doesn’t absorb much heat from the travelling water. If you are unsure, speak to your local plumber about insulated pipes.
Need a Plumbing Service?
Install A Demand Hot Water Recirculating System
A recirculation system connects to your water plumbing and ensures a constant flow of hot water through your pipes and fixtures.
A recirculating system (or tankless water heater) reroutes the cold water in your pipes. The recirculation pumps take the’ run off’ water back to your water heater, so you turn your hot water tap on and don’t get the leftover cold water sitting there from the last shower.
Calling a licensed plumbing team is best to install a hot water recirculation system, find the cause, and solve the frustrating problem of a slow-heating shower. Your local and trusted plumber will have the experience and the equipment to keep your water temperature as you like.
Fixed Today can diagnose your shower issue and provide permanent solutions. So, if you need a plumber in Sydney, call us today!
