I live mostly alone. I have a Sears Gas hot water heater that was put in in 1996. I was away for a couple of months and turned the setting down so as to save on costs. I have been back over a week and have turned setting back to where it was - but the water is not nearly as hot. I have not done any kind of maintenance on the hot water heater. Is that the problem? What do I need to do and how often? thank you.

When it is new a water heater can be flushed out every month or so. You do it by connecting a hose to the faucet at the bottom of the heater and then turning on the faucet, leting out several gallons of water, if there is any loose sediment in the bottom of the tank this will sometimes wash it out.

With a gas heater you should be able to turn the thermostat up to get hotter water. But if you are getting hot water for a little bit but it cools off to soon it is possible that you need to replace a thing in the heater called a "Dip Tube" this is a plastic tube in the cold water side of the heater that carries the cold water to the bottom of the heater. If the dip tube has broken off the cold water comes into the heater at the top and mixes with the hot water making it get to be just warm water in a hurry.

To replace the dip tube you have to take the cold water loose at the top of the heater.

I agree but also wonder if the hot is not so hot at every faucet or just one or two. Do you have any that are hot like before?

I have not done any kind of maintenance on the hot water heater. Is that the problem? What do I need to do and how often
For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by FLUSHING NOT DRAINING on a regular schedule. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) followed by white or yellow grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures that are affected . Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back together the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my answer, Tom