ProxyBox
Member
We own a 10 year old Rheem 40 gallon natural gas water heater that is behaving inconsistently. On certain mornings the hot water runs out near the end of the first shower. The thermostat dial temperature has never been changed and we started noticing this behavior about six months ago. Some mornings we have hot water and others we don't. On those occassions where it is luke warm, the water heater recovers normally and we have hot water at the faucets about 20 minutes after. It appears that the tank is not holding its temperature overnight. I have eliminated the following causes:
1. Dip Tube - About 5 years ago, my first one went bad and I was able to replace it with the newer non-degradable type. I confirmed that this wasn't the problem by taking the temperature from the heater's drain valve and measuring it against the nearest water faucet in the house. The water faucet was considerably hotter than the drain valve. If the dip tube was busted, the faucet water would be luke warm and the drain water would be hot.
2. Thermocoupler - The pilot is always lit and the heater is able to fire up when the thermostat dial is set higher.
Is this a fault thermostat?
Thanks,
Jon
Los Angeles, CA
1. Dip Tube - About 5 years ago, my first one went bad and I was able to replace it with the newer non-degradable type. I confirmed that this wasn't the problem by taking the temperature from the heater's drain valve and measuring it against the nearest water faucet in the house. The water faucet was considerably hotter than the drain valve. If the dip tube was busted, the faucet water would be luke warm and the drain water would be hot.
2. Thermocoupler - The pilot is always lit and the heater is able to fire up when the thermostat dial is set higher.
Is this a fault thermostat?
Thanks,
Jon
Los Angeles, CA