Eli5: Why does it take some faucets a long time to put out hot water? Why can’t it put it out instantly
In: Engineering
It takes time for the cold water in the hot line to be pushed by the hot water. Just like a hose full of disgusting water needs to go through before the good water gets to the end so you can drink it.
You have to move all the colder water out of the pipes first, the further the faucet is from the hot water source the longer it will take.
I have a tankless water heater so I have to wait for the heating element to make the water hot and be moved to the faucet it is not stored in a holding tank already heated and maintained temperature
Because the water in the pipes between the hot water heater and the faucet cools down. The shorter the run to the faucet the quicker it’ll be hot.
Some plumbing installations have a recirculating system for the hot water. The hot water pipe will have a T joint installed near the point of use, and another pipe going back to the water heater. Hot water is pumped through this circuit so that when the tap is opened the water is hot immediately.
Of course, it’s more expensive to install, and uses more energy.
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