Not sure if it time to replace my hot water heater... but it is starting to act up or do strange things...

Example: Sometime, now more often than not, the first shower of the day is warm at best.. but later in the day you can get a shower that will burn you if you are not careful...

Is this a sign that the Hot water heater is ready to be replaced or is there some maintenance that needs to be done to eliminate this symptom?

Is it gas or electric, Steve?

Gas

Why are you heating hot water?


How old is the water heater? Sometimes sediment bulids up in the bottom of the tank. There should be a drain valve you can hook a hose to on the bottom of the tank and flush some of the sediment out. Mine does the same thing. If you don't use the hot water for several hours it cools off, and I guess with out enough circulation the thermostat doesn't sense properly until you use some of the hot water.

I ask the age, because on mine which is about 5 years old, they claim it flushes itself with the incoming cold water.

My next one will be a gas fired on demand unit.

It's about 15 years old......I'll try draining the thing and see if that helps

It sounds like the thermowell, the temperature sensor/probe on the back of the control that screws into the tank is encrusted and not getting an accurate reading or the calibration on the thermostat is going bad. At 15 years, you've gotten your moneys worth from it.

+1. At 15 years, it might be too late for a flush to help. It's lead a good life, it might be time to put her down.

I'm not sure if it's on the market yet, their website doesn't give much information, but this sounds interesting to me:


Microwave water heater