But how long for 40-gallon electric water heater to heat up? The time will vary drastically depending on the temperature you want your water to be. It will take a few minutes to attain your chosen temperature if you only want lukewarm water. However, the process takes longer if you want hot water because you must wait for the tank to heat up before the tap reaches the proper temperature.
Continue reading if you want to learn But how long for 40 gallon electric water heater to heat.
Factors Influencing Heat-Up Time
Other factors, besides those we’ve already discussed, such as tank size and BTU rating, may influence how long your water heater takes to warm up water for the first time.
1 – Temperatures Expected
The temperature at which the water begins to heat up will influence the heat-up time for both tankless and tank-style water heaters. Because tank heaters store water and keep it warm, the outside temperature shouldn’t be significantly impacted. Tankless heaters, on the other hand, feed incoming water on demand, just as it’s about to come out of your faucet. It means that if the temperature of the groundwater is shallow, the water may not warm up as quickly. Freezing ambient temperatures in the room or region where they are housed can harm both types of heaters.
2 – Settings
Water heaters appear to be relatively straightforward compared to other household mechanicals. However, they often have more to them. If your heater isn’t operating, a professional may be required to inspect any settings or calibration that may be compromising its operation.
3 – Issues with Age and Maintenance
Like any other mechanical device, your heater’s age and condition might eventually impair its function, including how long it takes to heat up. A lack of regular maintenance, particularly the failure to clean out any silt that may have accumulated in the pipes, may also result in performance concerns. Hard water locations are more prone to have pipe sediment.
4 – Distance from Appliance
It’s easy for the end-user to forget, but your hot water comes from the ground, travels through your home’s heater, and then via the pipes to the appliance you’re using. The longer the hot water reaches your appliance, the further it is from the heater. It should be taken into account by a knowledgeable installer when setting up your system, not an issue.
5 – Diameter of the Pipe
The width of your water pipes, in addition to the length of piping, may influence how long it takes your water heater to heat up. Although a wider pipe transports more water, it will take more water to be heated before the pressure is high enough to force through the remaining pipe system.
In conclusion, there is a heater out there for everyone. Consider your demands before choosing a tank, whether traditional or tankless.
Type of Hot Water Heater
So, how long for 40 gallon electric water heater to heat to re-heat once it’s been turned off? While many factors might affect the duration, the chart below illustrates how long each type of hot water heater typically takes to heat up.
| Water Heater Type | Time to Heat Back Up |
| Gas – Conventional Tank | 30-45 mins |
| Gas Tankless | 0 mins |
| Electric – Conventional Tank | 60-80 mins |
| Electric Tankless | 0 mins |
Gas Conventional Water Heater | BUY ON AMAZON
MAREY GA24CSANG Gas Water Heater Once the water is in the tank, the average gas tank water heater takes 30 to 40 minutes to heat it. When extra water comes into your tank, it heats up.
A more detailed explanation of why this takes 30 minutes will necessitate some arithmetic. The tank size of the heater is essential, as more water takes longer to heat. The heater’s BTU (or British thermal unit) rating is the next important consideration. A BTU is a heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Water can be heated more quickly with a heater that has a higher BTU rating.
The average hot water heating unit tank, for example, is 40 gallons. Because a gallon of water weighs roughly 8.3 pounds, our sample tank has about 330 pounds of water to heat.
330 pounds of water = 40 gallons x 8.3 pounds per gallon
The Facts are as follows:
To heat 330 pounds of water (40 gallons x 8.3 lbs per gallon)
(60°F incoming water / 120° hot water) 60° temperature rise
Each gallon takes 30 seconds to heat with 40,000 BTU in a 40-gallon tank.
= Heating the cold water in a 40-gallon tank will take 30 minutes.
If the water is at 60 degrees and you want it to reach 120 degrees, you’ll need to raise the temperature by 60 degrees. To avoid full-fledged thermodynamics calculations, we can simplify that a 40,000 BTU system with a 40-gallon tank takes half a minute to heat each gallon, resulting in a half-hour heat-up time. The warm-up time of your hot water heating system will be substantially less if you have a smaller tank or a higher BTU rating. On the other hand, heating a larger tank or one with a lower BTU rating will take longer.
Must Consider These Things
You must consider these things if you want an adequate water heater that will reheat your water in the amount of time you specify (after it runs out of warm water) and hold a large amount of hot water. Also, remember that this is how long it takes for new cold water in your tank to warm up. Because tanks save pre-heated water, you should get warm water in just a few minutes when you turn on the hot water for the first time after your tank has been holding warm water.
When all of the warm water in the tank has been consumed, the time it takes to warm up brand-new water is taken into account. The gas tank water heater will have to start heating new water from the entering groundwater temperature level at that point.
But how long for 40 gallon electric water heater to heat? Although this varies from one water heater to the next, some general rules exist.
Water Heaters That Run On Electricity
Rheem 240V Heating Chamber RTEX-13 | BUY ON AMAZON
Electric tank water heaters often require twice as much time as their gas counterparts. While electric elements usually are more cost-effective, they cannot match the excellent performance of gas-fired systems. An electric water heater would take roughly an hour to warm the 40-gallon tank described above from the moment new water enters.
This is why most residences with higher water demands choose a whole-house gas tank water heater rather than an electric water heater. Electric designs are ideal for smaller dwellings with limited water requirements. To heat water, an electric tank hot water heater takes 60-80 minutes versus 30 minutes for a gas tank heater.
Tankless Gas Water Heater
Rinnai V94eN Gas Tankless water heater | BUY ON AMAZON
Because tankless water heaters heat your water “as needed,” the distance between your heating unit and the equipment you’re using is the only factor to consider when determining how long it will take to get hot water from your faucet.
With a normal-sized house, this should take a few seconds if the system is functioning correctly. In a large house, it may take a few extra seconds for the water to travel through the pipes and reach appliances located further away from the heater. Because a tankless gas heater heats water instantly, it should only take a few seconds for the warm water to travel through your pipes and into your component.
Electric Tankless Water Heater
Rheem RTEX-24 Electric Tankless Water Heater | BUY ON AMAZON
Tankless electrical hot water heaters, like tankless gas water heaters, only begin to warm your water when an appliance requires it. As explained, the water does not become warm until you run the dishwasher or turn on the hot water tap.
In most circumstances, an electric tankless heating device will provide warm water in minutes, but it may take a little longer due to the power of gas heat. Because a tankless electric heater heats the water quickly, the warm water should only take a few seconds to travel through your pipes and into your fixture.
Can A 40-Gallon Water Heater Last For A Long Time?
In the basement of a typical home, there is a 40 gallon water heater storage tank.
A 40-gallon water heater should last between 10 and 12 years on average. Some models include a warranty, so double-check before purchasing. Here are a few indicators that it’s time to replace your water heater:
- You are not getting as much hot water as usual.
- The temperature of your water fluctuates a lot.
- Your tank leaks and you’ve noticed it.
- Reduced hot water flow
- Unusual color or a foul odor
Do not attempt to repair the item yourself if you encounter any of these problems. It can be risky to do so. Instead, assure you hire a licensed plumber. Depending on your state of residence, working on a water heater without a license may be unlawful.
Conclusion
But how long for 40 gallon electric water heater to heat? If you’re looking to buy an electric water heater, you should first learn about the heating capability of the appliance. Most 40-gallon water heaters have a heating capacity of 40 gallons per hour, which means they can heat 40 gallons of cold water from 0 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in an hour. However, because heating capacity varies by brand, you should check the characteristics of your exact product before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The answer to this question will be determined by the number of people in your household and the amount of hot water you consume on a daily/hourly basis. A water heater with a capacity of 40 gallons is a popular choice. A 40-gallon tank will suffice to provide plenty of hot water for a household of four.
A: Before replacing an existing water heater in any part of New York, you must obtain a permit. To install the water heater, you may need to engage a licensed master plumber, a licensed mechanical contractor, or a licensed gas fitter in some areas. On the other hand, some counties allow homeowners to do their installation. The permit comes into play at this point. To get a permit, a licensed specialist must evaluate the water heater installation to ensure it was done correctly.
A: A low-flow showerhead uses two gallons of water per minute, which equates to 20 gallons for a 10-minute shower. A standard showerhead consumes 2.5 gallons per minute, or 25 gallons in 10 minutes. In either instance, keeping the shower under 10 minutes saves water. Spending more time in the shower will result in greater savings.