Running out of hot water

[niel william]

Ive just installed a new 50 gal gas water heater rated to 35,000 BTU. Listed first hour capacity is 76 gal. When I take a shower, the water begins to grow cold after only about 15 min. I think our shower flow is about average, not exceptionally high. Any ideas why so little hot water?

[Stevep]

Take a one gallon pail and fill it with the shower head (normal flow). Time the amount of time it takes to fill the pail. Then convert 1 gal/x=number of seconds to x=# of gallons/60 seconds or one minute. Multiply # of gallons per minute by fifteen. If the total is around fifty, then it takes fifteen minutes to drain all or most of the hot water from your hot water tank. Install a restrictor in your showerhead so it will take longer to exhaust the hot water supply……….Lou

[Stevep]

The first hour capacity does not mean much unles you are going to use the hot water for an hour and jsut need 75 gallons, (and 25 gallons per hor after that). A 3 g.p.m shower head will drain a 50 gallon tank in 15 minutes, and the last water will be tepid due to the new water entering the tank, cooling the hot water in it.: Ive just installed a new 50 gal gas water heater rated to 35,000 BTU. Listed first hour capacity is 76 gal. When I take a shower, the water begins to grow cold after only about 15 min. I think our shower flow is about average, not exceptionally high. : Any ideas why so little hot water?

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