As temperatures drop during the colder months, you will start to notice your hot water takes longer to reach the faucet. In Idaho, this tends to start in November when the temperatures start to plummet.
While this might seem like a minor inconvenience, it can be frustrating when you’re standing at the sink or waiting to hop in the shower, have family visit for the holidays, etc.
Below are a few reasons why this is normal each year:
1. City Water Coming into Your Supply is Naturally Colder
In winter, the water entering your home from municipal supplies or a well is significantly colder than during warmer months. Depending on your location, groundwater temperatures can drop by several degrees, making the starting point for heating much lower. Your water heater has to work harder and take longer to raise the water temperature to your desired level.
2. It Takes Longer for Your Water Heater to Heat Water Due to Incoming Water Being Colder
Since the incoming water starts colder, your water heater requires more time and energy to heat it to the set temperature. This is especially true for tank water heaters, where the entire tank must reach the specified temperature before hot water is delivered to your pipes.
Tankless water heaters are also affected, as they need to work harder to heat the water instantaneously. This additional workload can lead to a delay in the delivery of hot water to your faucets.
3. Pipes Will Naturally Lose Heat in Colder Months
During winter, the pipes that carry hot water from your heater to your fixtures are colder, particularly if they run through uninsulated or poorly insulated areas like basements, crawl spaces, or exterior walls. As the hot water travels, some of its heat is lost to the surrounding environment, cooling the water before it reaches your faucet. This means it can take longer for genuinely hot water to arrive.
4. People Tends To Use More Hot Water During Colder Weather
In colder months, people tend to use more hot water—for longer showers, additional laundry loads, and washing dishes. This increased demand can put extra strain on your water heater, potentially causing delays in recovery time (the time it takes for the heater to refill and heat water after use).
5. System Design and Distance of Your Faucets to the Water Heater
The design of your plumbing system also plays a role. The farther your faucet or shower is from the water heater, the longer it takes for hot water to travel through the pipes. In winter, the colder starting temperature of both the pipes and the water makes this delay even more noticeable.
Here Are A Few Tips on Minimizing Delays in Hot Water Delivery
If waiting for hot water has become a persistent problem, here are some solutions to improve the situation:
- Insulate Your Pipes: Adding insulation to your hot water pipes helps retain heat as water travels, reducing the time it takes for hot water to reach your faucet.
- Install a Recirculation Pump: A hot water recirculation system keeps hot water circulating through your pipes, so it’s readily available when needed.
- Upgrade Your Water Heater: If your water heater is old or undersized for your household’s needs, consider upgrading to a more efficient model or a tankless water heater with higher flow rates.
- Lower Your Hot Water Usage: Staggering hot water use across the day or using low-flow fixtures can reduce strain on your system.
- Adjust the Water Heater Temperature: Increasing your water heater’s temperature setting slightly (but keeping it below 120°F to avoid scalding risks) can help water heat faster.
While it’s normal for your water heater to take longer to deliver hot water during the colder months, understanding the reasons behind the delay can help you manage the issue. By making small adjustments to your system or upgrading your equipment, you can ensure consistent hot water delivery—even when temperatures outside are freezing.
If the problem persists or becomes severe, consulting a plumbing professional can help diagnose and address underlying issues. After all, a warm shower on a chilly day is one of life’s simple comforts, and it’s worth ensuring your home delivers it efficiently.
Having issues with your water heater? Contact our team to schedule a service call!
