Hello there,

I have a hot water heater that will not keep the water hot. No matter which bathroom in the house, the hot water will last for a few minutes and then go to warm and eventually get cold. The heater has a 52 gal. capacity it is a 4500 upper and lower elment with a 4500 watt max limit.

How would I know if it is an element that needs to be replaced vs. a new water heater?

Thanks!

You check elements with an Ohm meter. Elements easily replaced. Biggest difficulty may be draining if you haven't flushed water heater regularly.

If you have a bad element it will be the lower element. The lower element doesn't come on until the upper thermostat is satisfied. You have some hot water so you know the upper is working.

Your symptoms could also possibly be indicating a deteriorated dip tube.

Ten minutes with full flow shower head - and in winter time - is just about all you get...

I would make sure both elements are set at 125 F and working. Also, insulate your hot AND cold water lines. Thermal blanket installed on water heater will help keep hot water from cooling too fast, too.

Math: Full flow shower head has 4gal per minute flow. Ten minutes x 4 gallons = 40 gallons of hot water. In the meantime, cold water is entering hot water heater to replace used hot water. Therefore, existing hot water will become less hot because it is being mixed with cold water...

Hope that helps / Milo

I did not think about the fact that it is winter time.

I will find someone who can check both elements, make sure are set at 125 and working.

Thank you so much.