Dan wrote:
If my electric water heater is not providing adequate hot water for a 20
minute shower anymore is it time for total replacement or just replacing
the thermostat? TIA, Dan


Might be as simple as an inlet dip tube which has fallen off, or maybe
one element in a two element heater is burned out, or as you suggest one
(even possibly two) thermostats bad.

You'll need some diagnostic assistance and a decent VOM (volt-ohm
meter)to learn what's wrong.

If it isn't leaking, it CAN be returned to normal operation by finding
and replacing defective parts at less cost than buying a whole new heater.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.98*10^14 fathoms per fortnight.