How To Protect Your Home From The Cold Water Sandwich Effect

If you’ve ever stepped into a warm shower, only to be blasted with icy cold water, you have experienced what we call in the business a “cold water sandwich effect.” This can turn a relaxing activity into a teeth-chattering ordeal. Fortunately, in addition to water heater repair in Murrieta, CA, there are simple solutions you can follow.

Here, A. M. Plumbing & Rooter shares how you can keep your showers consistently warm at home.

Understanding the Cold Water Sandwich Effect

The cold water sandwich effect is often triggered when a hot water heater malfunctions. This effect is almost exclusively observed in tankless models. 

This effect can be described as follows: you’ve turned on the shower; your tankless water works, but only briefly. This results in an initial drizzle of warm water followed by cold water, then warm. This exposes you to a sudden chill that can be quite jarring.

Adjust Your Water Heater Settings

Check if your tankless water heater is set at the right temperature. If it’s set too low, it might struggle to keep up with demand. By increasing the temperature a few degrees, you can help maintain a steady flow of hot water.

Also worth considering is installing a recirculation pump. This handy device keeps hot water flowing through the pipes, so you don’t have to wait for it to heat up when you turn on the tap. 

Stagger Your Hot Water Use

To keep the hot water flowing, consider how and when you use it. Stagger hot water consumption if you are running your dishwasher at the same time you are taking a shower.

Alternatively, run the dishwasher only after everyone has showered. These simple changes can prevent cold water from sneaking in and ruining your shower experience.

Showers should be relaxing. With a few adjustments, you can have a more enjoyable bathing experience consistently. For professional water heater services, contact A. M. Plumbing & Rooter. Call us today to keep your tankless water heater working in peak condition!