There’s nothing worse than going to have a hot shower on a cold winter’s morning and having the water run cold after a couple of minutes. Fortunately, there are a few ways to prevent against this irksome problem, so you can keep looking forward to your morning shower.

hot water system

Consider your usage

If you’re consistently enduring cold showers, the first thing you should do is monitor hot water usage throughout your home. Aside from the obvious resolution to “just take shorter showers”, consider things like peak usage times and see whether it’s possible to stagger your family’s usage throughout the day to ensure no one misses out. It’s also a good idea to invest in low flow/water saving shower heads and to run your showers at a slightly cooler temperature, as both these changes will help your hot water last for longer.

One appliance at a time

Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers use a significant amount of hot water, so it’s a good idea to wait a few hours after using such appliances before taking a shower. Another solution to this problem is to prioritise your hot water use by running these appliances on cold cycles wherever possible.

Inspect your hot water system

If there’s nothing excessive or abnormal about your hot water usage, there may be a fault with your hot water system. Check your hot water tank for signs of leakage, including any dents, seam damage, and rust, and if you spot anything unusual, call a professional plumber. Another possible cause for wasted hot water is your safety relief valve (sometimes called the temperature pressure relief valve). This valve is designed to relieve pressure on your hot water system by releasing a small amount of water during heating, however it can malfunction and release too much.

Invest in an energy efficient hot water system

If you can’t find any physical faults with your hot water system, it may just be that your system is old and inefficient. Talk to your plumber about installing an energy efficient hot water system, and while you’re at it, consider insulating your pipes to further conserve energy.

If you find any faults with your hot water system, or you’ve decided it’s time to install a new one, don’t hesitate to call the professional team at JPG Plumbing on 0400 978 442. JPG Plumbing are your local plumbers in Melbourne and can provide you with a comprehensive range of plumbing services including general maintenance, installations, and emergency services.