On Feb 16, 8:52 pm, "Pattycake" wrote:
I have a 4 year old natural gas 30 gallon Rheem water heater. Since last
week, we have had 90-110 degree water at night (which is really the only
time we use it). The tap water is coming in at 45 degrees. I live in a hard
water area.

I live in the mountains and I am wondering since it has warmed up here that
maybe our water supply is coming from some snow runoff and that could be the
culprit?

I have maxed out the thermostat. Time for a new water heater? What do I need
to check before I go spend $600+ for a new water heater installation?



Draw enough water to get the WH to fire up. Then shut off the water
and wait for the WH burner to go off. If it's then only 90-110 with
the WH temp control set way up, then with a 4 yr old unit, I'd say
it's most likely the thermostat/valve control assembly is shot. They
can be replaced for around $60 or so part cost.

If it reaches full temp, but then goes way down when no water is drawn
for a long time, like overnight, that would also indicate a bad
thermostat assembly, where there is too big of a delta between on/off.

This also assumes you don't have some strange long hot water pipe run
through a cold slab, etc.