Hot Water Suddenly Gone? What to Do When Your Hot Water Cylinder Runs Out in Your Kiwi Home
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Sometimes, even when you have a properly working hot water cylinder, you turn on the tap and… only cold water comes out. It’s basically a situation where the hot water that was stored has been used up in a short time and the cylinder hasn’t had time to heat or fill again. The main reasons for such situations are: a long shower, several appliances using hot water at the same time (dishwasher, washing machine, baths), or a hot water cylinder that is too small for your household’s consumption.
Other causes might be: the thermostat being set too low (so the water is not heated to the required temperature), leaks in the cylinder or the associated plumbing that cause the loss of hot water, or a defective heating element or a faulty thermostat that stops the water from being heated again.
Quick Steps to Get Hot Water Flowing Again
If you discover you’re out of hot water, here’s what to do before calling a plumber:
- Check recent usage — recall if multiple hot-water tasks were done back-to-back (showers, laundry, dishes). If so, simply wait: the cylinder may just need time to recover and reheat more water.
- Inspect temperature settings — ensure the thermostat is set high enough (in NZ, around 60‑65 °C is common) to deliver sufficiently hot water — not all households need boiling water, but too-low settings reduce usable hot‑water volume.
- Look for leaks — check around the cylinder and plumbing for dripping, dampness or puddles. A leak can drain hot water stored in the tank.
- Check heating components — if the cylinder feels cold (or lukewarm) even after giving it time, the thermostat or heating element might be defective. At that point, better to call a qualified technician.
Long-Term Solutions: Upgrade or Maintenance
If running out of hot water becomes frequent, it could mean your cylinder is undersized for your usage. Consider upgrading to a larger-capacity cylinder — especially if you’ve added bathrooms or your household size has grown.
Regular maintenance also helps extend cylinder life and avoid unexpected “cold‑water surprises”. Important maintenance tasks include: flushing the tank to remove sediment buildup, checking & replacing sacrificial anode rods (to prevent corrosion), inspecting pressure‑release valves, and insulating pipes and cylinder to reduce heat losses.
Why It Matters to Have a Reliable Cylinder
A hot water cylinder is more than just a convenience — it’s central to everyday hygiene, comfort, and household functioning. A reliable supply of hot water ensures efficient cleaning, laundry, bathing, and safe water temperatures (e.g. hot enough to limit bacteria risk, but not so hot as to scald).
Frequent cold‑water problems can also signal deeper issues: sediment buildup, component failure, or even internal corrosion — all of which may mean a replacement is overdue.
How The Cylinder Guys Can Help You
If you ever run out of hot water or suspect your cylinder underperforms, The Cylinder Guys can:
- Assess your household’s hot water usage and advise if the cylinder size fits your demand.
- Inspect cylinder components — thermostat, heating elements, valves, insulation.
- Perform maintenance (flushing, anode rod replacement, pipe insulation) to restore performance and extend life.
- Recommend and install a new cylinder if required — helping you avoid frequent “out‑of‑hot‑water” events.
Contact us today for a full hot‑water system check — we’ll help you get back to reliable, continuous hot water without surprises.