Whether you’re renting your property or you own it, there’s a good chance that your property will have a water heater, which means that it’s a good idea to learn more about what they do, and how long they take to work.
Water heaters are an essential part of day-to-day life in most, if not all, homes.
Whether you’re looking to heat up the water in order to take a bath or shower, do your dirty laundry, or even just wash the dirty dishes, all of these tasks require hot water, which is exactly why a water heater is so essential.
One of the questions that many people ask about their water heaters is “How long does it take for a water heater to heat up?”
Well, in this guide, we’ll take a look at all of the information you need to know about your water heater, how long it takes to heat up, and what factors that can affect the speed at which it heats up.
So, let’s get started.
Understanding The Different Types Of Water Heaters
Before we can take a closer look at the general time it takes for water heaters to warm up, it’s first important to understand the different types of water heaters, which should allow you to get a better understanding of whether your water heater at home is slow or fast in comparison.
There are a variety of different water heaters out there, which can include both tank and tankless heaters, as well as heaters that run on gas or electricity.
Tank heaters have what is called a “Dip Tube”, which is used to draw the cold water into its tank.
On gas water heaters, the cold water is then heated up thanks to a flame in the center of the tank itself, creating exhaust, which is later expelled through the roof in your property.
Meanwhile, electric heaters will feature a heating element, and will typically work in the exact same way.
It is worth noting though that electric water heaters require no ventilation, as they don’t produce any exhaust as gas heaters do.
Tankless heaters, regardless of whether or not they are gas or electric, will work in the same way.
However, while tank heaters will have hot water stored and ready for use, tankless heaters will warm the water up on demand.
How Long Does A Water Heater Take To Heat Up?
Now that you know more about the different types of water heaters, we can take a closer look at how long the different types of heaters can take to heat the water up.
Gas heaters will typically be able to heat water up within 30 to 40 minutes, where the water will then be completely heated, and ready for use.
While this might sound like it takes a long time, it’s worth remembering that this heated water is stored in the pipes until you need it.
Therefore, unless you’re looking to run hot water all day and night, then you shouldn’t encounter any issues.
How long it takes to reach the point you need can all depend on how well your pipes are insulated, and the proximity of your faucet or shower to your heater.
On the other hand, electric heaters take a lot longer to heat up than their gas counterparts.
In fact, electric heaters are known to typically take twice as long as a gas heater would, which means that it could be over an hour before the tank has been heated up completely.
As we established, tankless heaters work slightly differently, but because the water is heated up on demand, it means that unless you’re trying to run hot water in a number of different places in your house, you should have no issues getting hot water to you within just a minute.
Why Is My Water Heater Taking So Long To Heat Up?
If your water heater is taking longer than the times we discussed above, then there are a couple of reasons why this might just be the case.
Firstly, it could be that your shower or faucet is further away from the heater’s tank than you think, and the further away it is, the longer it will take for you to get water.
Your heater might simply be too small for your property, and if you’re constantly waiting on hot water, you might want to think about upgrading your water heater tank.
It could also be due to your appliance having a low-volume restrictor fitted, which is designed to restrict the flow of water to prevent excessive bills.
If you think this is the reason your water is being delayed, then it might be worth contacting a plumber.
Another reason why your hot water is being delayed could be due to sediment buildup, which can happen in water pipes and tanks over time.
This sediment will prevent the transfer of heat in the tank, but can be resolved by calling a plumber, and having them flush the tank.
Finally, the last reason for your heater tank taking so long is simply because it’s too old.
Water heaters have a lifespan of around 10 years, after that, it’s time for you to replace them.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you’ve been able to find this guide to water heaters helpful, and that you’ve been able to find out the information you needed about how long it takes a water heater to completely heat up.
Remember, if you have concerns about your water heater, and the time it takes to heat up, then it’s always worth contacting a professional plumber, who will be able to diagnose the issue, and provide you with an appropriate solution.
Hi everyone! My name is Jason, and I am the founder of HeaterWise.com. Having run my own business as a Heating Engineer for 21 years, I have picked up a few things along the way.
I wanted to create Heater Wise as a place where anyone could come, from far and wide, to find the information that they need.
I hope you will join us here at Heater Wise, to get started on your own journey, to expand your knowledge, and make the best heating choices for you and your family.
