[SteveFromNY]

I'm not really sure how this couyld be changed, besides centrally locating the hot water heater in the house. The pipes have water in them, and if they haven't been used in a while, the water will be whatever the ambient temperature is around the pipes. This translates into "cold" water in the pipes. The hot water is in the water heater and probably a few feet up the outgoing pipe of the heater. Like waiting on a line, the people in front move first, and they all have to get out of the way before it's your turn. The longer the line, the longer the wait. The hot water is the same way. In my house, (a Gardenia) the master shower is literally on the other side of the wall from the HWH. So it takes only seconds to get hot water to that shower. The second bath is on the opposite side of the house, and it takes some time to get the hot water there. Anything that would keep the hot water hotter or circulating will use BTU's to keep it warm, so instead of wasting water you'd be wasting gas.
What I do to partially reduce this water waste is brush my teeth (with "hot" water) while I wait for the hot to arrive in the bathroom. Once it's on that side of the house, the shower will get hot quick.

[Russ_Boston]

I think Steve is correct. I don't see how this 'problem' has anything to do with TV alone. It's basic math isn't it? You have X amount of water in the pipes between you and the hot water tank. All that water has to drain before the hot water can get to the shower.

Here in MA I run the hot water from the shower and the sink at the same time (brushing my teeth with the sink water while it's still cool) and the wait is reduced because the volume is double.

[golfnut]

Like previous posts from russ and steve, I find it hard to believe this is a TV issue, it's a location issue no matter where you are, the closer you are to the hot water heater the sooner you get the HOT water, next topic please!

[punkpup]

Golfnut is correct... it has everything to do with proximity to the hot water source. As a service tech for Keyspan/National Grid Energy Delivery (Natural Gas Division) I am often asked about this issue in respect to gas usage and water conservation. Obviously in the day and age of fast rising energy costs and drought any way we can conserve precious resources and save money is a plus!

In my quest to find solutions to offer my customers I've found a few things which may be of interest.

Energy saving hot water recirculating pumps from Grundfos, (newer technology is more energy efficient than older products):

System for standalone hot water tank: http://www.grundfos.com/web/HomeUs.n...ag/PAVA-56TMVA http://www.rewci.com/whhohotwaci.html
NOTE: SEE THIS SITE FOR IMAGE OF NEW STYLE VS OLD (SCROLL DOWN) STYLE!!!! :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=013

System for tankless hot water: http://www.bigbrandwater.com/rcp96.html

A great way to conserve water by using bathroom sink drain water to flush toilets: http://www.aridsolutionsinc.com/cata...92/4156855.htm
http://www.watersavertech.com/AQUS-System.html

More ways to conserve water:
1. A way to use water from showers, washers and washtub:
http://www.greywater.com/treatment.htm
http://greenwoodlands.net/plumbing/greywatersystem.html
2. Some ways to use rain water; I particularly like the NINO multi purpose rainbarrel:
http://www.desertplastics-abq.com/waterharvest3.html

On demand tankless hot water heaters: http://www.stefanoparis.com/efficien.../aquastar.html

[Villages Kahuna]

This suggestion is very much effected by the water piping layout in each house. But a tankless water heater may be the answer for both quicker availability of hot water as well as a lower gas bill.

I've owned three tankless heaters--one in our former primary residence in north suburban Chicago and two at our current "up north house" in southwest Michigan. I would never again buy a tank water heater. The tankless models that would very adequately serve any house in TV are about 2 feet wide by 3 feet high by maybe 8-9 inches deep. They can easily be hung on a wall or placed elsewhere out of sight. I have one in MI that's in an interior closet and vented up thru a roof chimney. The second unit is actually under a seat in a large shower and is vented out the side wall of the house.

The key to minimizing the cost of installing one is having connections nearby for incoming unheated water, outgoing hot water, the natural gas used to heat the water and a standard 120 volt duplex outlet to power the unit's computer controls. I live in a Lantana and I could place it in the garage where the existing tank heater is located. Or I could easily hang it on the laundry room wall or even in the master closet adjacent to the master bath. Tankless heaters are clean and quiet--absolutely silent most of the time when no hot water is being used.

Just a thought.

[Bubbalarry]

Originally Posted by chuckinca

You shouldn't have the hot water heater on high - medium setting should be plenty warm.

Remove the flow restrictors - they are there to save water but if you have to run it for 5 minutes they aren't working.

Open the faucet all the way.

Make sure that the hot water supply doesn't have a partially closed valve at the heater.

I have had the time measured to 4 min and 38 seconds. Now I didn't realize the fact of flow restrictors on the sinks in master bath. I only removed the shower head. Upon return I will remove them from the house period. I need the hottest water for personal issues so the electric hot water heater has to be set on high. For the winter months I am at the house wont harm the unit. Upon departing I turn off the circuit breaker for it and the water valve outside.

Never thought of checking the hot water valve at the heater. I am used to a gas unit and now that this house is without any gas and uses a heat pump and only electric, must get reacquainted with it.

All in all a circulating pump will fix all. Just need many residents to call the warranty dept of TV, or form a group and go to TV to resolve this without our costs.

[another Linda]

Is there any such thing as an electric tankless hot water heater? I don't think our villa has gas to it.

[Villages Kahuna]

There probably is such a beast, but don't even think about it. It would be very restrictive on the amount of hot water it could heat and the electric bill would be out of this world. Gas is the way to go.

[chuckinca]

See link to Bosch Tankless Water Heaters Gas, Propane and Electric

Annual cost of an Electric per Bosch is about twice that of a Gas unit but slightly less than a standard 50 Gal Tank type.


http://www.boschhotwater.com/StartPa...5/Default.aspx

[another Linda]

Anyone have any experience bringing gas into CYVs? I suppose we'd have to tear up the driveway to do it. Do all the older villages have gas lines to them? Where would I go to find out? (questions questions)

[chuckinca]

another linda:

start by making sure there is a gas main in the street or utility easement.

propane may be the only way to get gas or the least expensive - if allowed in your area.

[Duffer]

A water ciculator if properly installed will do a great job. I went from approx. 1minute to hot water to 20 sec. They are not too expensive but it will take a long time to get back the cost.. The type I got requires me to push a button each time, there are others set by a clock and others that rely on water temp.

[punkpup]

These hot water circulators have automatic switching and I was impressed by their efficiency but I think having much more knowledge of TV piping layout Village Kahuna is correct.

System for standalone natural gas hot water tank: http://www.grundfos.com/web/HomeUs.n...ag/PAVA-56TMVA http://www.rewci.com/whhohotwaci.html
NOTE: SEE THIS SITE FOR IMAGE OF NEW STYLE VS OLD (SCROLL DOWN) STYLE!!!! :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=013

I have no experience with electric tankless hot water heaters. It appears to me that all of the newer technology tankless hot water heaters are becoming more and more energy efficient with each new generation regardless of type of fuel due to market demands.

[punkpup]

One Natural Gas tankless water heater company I forgot to mention is Noritz.

http://www.noritz.com/

[fiddlemyre]

In The Villages, a "gentlemen" always lets his wife shower first.