There are few things worse than wanting a nice, hot shower — and ending up with nothing more than lukewarm water. 

For years, much animosity has formed within households everywhere over the lack of hot water. If the tank isn’t big enough to ensure everyone is privy to a hot shower or if someone likes to bathe a little too long, the hot water can run out. Fast. 

It is no surprise that when tankless water heaters grew in popularity, many homeowners invested in them with the hope of endless hot water. And while it definitely gives you a longer-lasting opportunity at a hot shower, it may not last forever. 

Here is what to do if your tankless water heater is running out of hot water. 

How Tankless Water Heaters Work

In a nutshell, tankless water heaters are, well, tankless and do not store water. They are commonly stored outside, but may be found in the garage or inside the home. It all depends on the type and its need for proper ventilation. 

Below is a very general description of how a tankless water heater works as soon as you turn on the hot water faucet in your home. 

  • The cold water comes running through the tankless water heater. 
  • A sensor will kick on the heating elements. 
  • The heat exchanger heats the water. 
  • The water moves straight to you. 

All of this can take place in a matter of seconds — it is no wonder why it is referred to as on-demand water heating. Once the faucet is turned off, so is the heating element in the water heater. 

Is Your Tankless Hot Water Heater Running Out of Hot Water?

While it doesn’t always happen, there are different reasons why a tankless hot water heater may run out of water. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common – and what you can do about it. 

High Demand

A high level of demand is going to put a lot of pressure on the tankless water heater. When too many people are using faucets or showers trying to get hot water, it may not be able to keep up with the demand. And, in some cases, it may shut itself down. 

Believe it or not, you may have high demand more often than you’d think. For instance, let’s say your productive evening consists of putting your dirty dishes in the dishwasher, starting a load of laundry, and filling the bathtub with water for your kid. All three – your dishwasher, washer, and bathtub – are wanting hot water at the same time.

This is too much and something will end up with cold water. 

Just as there are different size traditional water heaters, there are different size tankless water heaters, too. It is important to do the calculations and ensure you have invested in one that is a good fit for your home. Depending on the size of your property, you may even require two units. 

The fix? Working with what you currently have, space out your demand. 

Slow Water Flow

In order to kick your tankless water heater into high gear, you have to have a flow of water into your home. Slow trickling water out of the hot faucet is not going to meet the flow rate and, as a result, will not signal the heater to kick on. 

So, if you are not turning your faucet on high enough, you may not have hot water. Adjusting the flow may be all that is needed.

Error Codes

A tankless hot water heater can stop working if it encounters any type of error. Usually, this will result in beeping and a digitally-displayed error code on the unit itself. 

Sometimes this may be a simple fix that can be addressed by looking at the error code in the manual that came with it and following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

However, if the thermostat needs to be replaced, the gas has stopped flowing to the unit, it needs to be flushed, or another invasive repair, you may require the help of an experienced appliance technician. They will be able to clear the code and get your hot water up and running once again. 

Get Your Hot Water Back with America’s Appliance Repair

At America’s Appliance Repair, we understand the value of hot water – and we know you do, too. So if your tankless water heater is not functioning properly, turn off the cold water and let us help you. We have experienced and trained technicians that can address and correct your hot water issue quickly and efficiently. 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.