The first thing that I would check is that the in and out plumbing is correct; cold water supply, from the street or well, should be connected to the port marked "COLD", and lines carry hot water to the points of use should be connected to the port marked "HOT".
New water heater, hot water doesn't last long.
I just replaced my 50 gallon gas water heater with a new GE 50 gallon gas water heater. I had to turn the thermostat all the way up. When I start a shower, the water is nice and hot. Less than 2 minutes into the shower, the water slowly gets cooler and I have to shut off the cold valve completely in order for the water to stay some what hot/warm. I called the technical service phone number and they're telling me that it sounds like it's operating correctly. My old water heater used to put out very hot water for a very long time and the thermostat was only half way turned up.
Any suggestions on what might be wrong??
Any suggestions on what might be wrong??
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That was the first thing I checked. They are connected correctly.
Who installed it?
Does this happen only at the shower, or does the hot water run out fairly quickly at all the fixtures? Run the shower and wait for it to get cool, then check the sink (hot only) in the same bathroom.
Does this happen only at the shower, or does the hot water run out fairly quickly at all the fixtures? Run the shower and wait for it to get cool, then check the sink (hot only) in the same bathroom.
If you have a thermometer that can read between 100-200 degrees F: Get a temperature of the water coming out the hot side only.
Are you sure you didn't turn the thermostat the wrong way? :laughing:
Are you sure you didn't turn the thermostat the wrong way? :laughing:
I installed it.Who installed it?
I'll check the temp with a thermometer when i get home from work. Pretty sure i turned the thermostat the right way, the arrow is pointing on the label that says "VERY HOT" :furious::laughing:If you have a thermometer that can read between 100-200 degrees F: Get a temperature of the water coming out the hot side only.
Are you sure you didn't turn the thermostat the wrong way? :laughing:
I installed it. seems like it's only happening in the shower, but then again i don't think i've left the hot side of the sink on long enough to find out. i'll try that when i get home from work and see what happens.Who installed it?
Does this happen only at the shower, or does the hot water run out fairly quickly at all the fixtures? Run the shower and wait for it to get cool, then check the sink (hot only) in the same bathroom.
Sometimes when you install a new water heater, scale and rust can flake off the inside of the pipes (where you're working) and find it's way into things.I installed it. seems like it's only happening in the shower, but then again i don't think i've left the hot side of the sink on long enough to find out. i'll try that when i get home from work and see what happens.
Is it natural gas or propane?
It's natural gas.Sometimes when you install a new water heater, scale and rust can flake off the inside of the pipes (where you're working) and find it's way into things.
Is it natural gas or propane?
Was thinking of checking the dip tube, but that should not be a problem considering it's a brand new water heater.
Efficiency
Is this a high efficiency heater, vented to PVC pipe with a blower on top, or just a standard hot water heater, vented into a chimney flue? Nice if you give enough info to attempt an assessment.
Is this a high efficiency heater, vented to PVC pipe with a blower on top, or just a standard hot water heater, vented into a chimney flue? Nice if you give enough info to attempt an assessment.
Sorry. Nothing vented to PVC. It's vented into a chimney flue. GE Model #: PG50T09AVHIs this a high efficiency heater, vented to PVC pipe with a blower on top, or just a standard hot water heater, vented into a chimney flue? Nice if you give enough info to attempt an assessment.
Thanks D. I was planning on checking that out first thing after work today. Hopefully that's all it is. If not, it's under warranty so I'll let GE handle it.This would be my bet.
It wouldn't be the first one to have a bad dip tube right out of the box.
It very simple to replace.
I also vote on a bad or missing dip tube.Thanks D. I was planning on checking that out first thing after work today. Hopefully that's all it is. If not, it's under warranty so I'll let GE handle it.
The only thing GE will do under the guarantee is give you a new water heater. You will have to remove the old and install the new.
I removed the cold nipple, the dip tub was not connected to it. But it was in place with a rubber grommet around it, so I'm not sure if that was the problem. Either way, I removed the dip tube and will get a new one tomorrow and see what happens. If that doesn't work, I'll be calling GE for a replacement water heater.
Dip Tube
You did not solder down close to the top of the water heater on the cold in line did you? You need to solder up a short length of pipe with a transition fitting, a short length (12-16 inches) and a Ball valve in your vice, let it cool and then thread it onto your cold-in nipple if you are using copper, or you will melt the dip tube. Did you know this? Just wondered.
You did not solder down close to the top of the water heater on the cold in line did you? You need to solder up a short length of pipe with a transition fitting, a short length (12-16 inches) and a Ball valve in your vice, let it cool and then thread it onto your cold-in nipple if you are using copper, or you will melt the dip tube. Did you know this? Just wondered.
Didn't use solder/sweat. I used flex stainless hoses coming from the copper pipes.You did not solder down close to the top of the water heater on the cold in line did you? You need to solder up a short length of pipe with a transition fitting, a short length (12-16 inches) and a Ball valve in your vice, let it cool and then thread it onto your cold-in nipple if you are using copper, or you will melt the dip tube. Did you know this? Just wondered.
If a dip tube is functioning correctly, water drained from the drain valve will initially be hot but rather quickly turn cold.
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