"Pattycake" wrote in message
. ..
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?

A 4 year old water heater should not go bad . It might be just need some
new parts. One of mine gave out and it was old I was going to replace it
and someone suggested putting a new Thermocouple in it. Less than $10
dollars I was running hot again. This might help a little
http://www.rd.com/content/openConten...ontentId=10816. Also when I
bought this house the owner said the water heater was broken she just had
Luke warm water. On moving I had a new water heater, the old tank control
was set on Pilot any way took the new one back. Before you ask the owner was
operating on Gin fumes