What’s Wrong with My HWS

omguleh on 26/05/2022 - 22:38
Last edited 29/05/2022 - 22:14

What can cause my Solar/Gas boosted HWS (7 years old by Rheem) to suddenly go cold during a shower multiple times in 15mins?

Each time it gets cold I have to max it out on hot on the mixer and dial it back to suit.

The unit is still working when someone checks on it. The display says OK and the fumes are still blowing out and you can hear it working.

It came with the house when it was built and this only occurred in the last few weeks when the tank is mostly cold.

Have this happened to you before? If so what was the fix?

Edit: Problem fixed, removed water flow restrictor on the shower head and no more sudden cold showers.

Home & Garden Hot Water System

Comments

  • vince088 on 26/05/2022 - 22:45
    +2

    probably need a plumber to take a look at it.

    last year my solar gas HWS system broke, the solar panel glass actually broke.

    replaced with a just a continuous gas system

  • SF3 on 26/05/2022 - 22:46

    The unit is still working when someone checks on it

    Reverse Murphy’s law.

    • blitz on 26/05/2022 - 23:03

      Reverse Murphy’s law.

      If something will go wrong, it can?

      • SF3 on 26/05/2022 - 23:39

        In OP's case, things going right, when it shouldn't have.

  • JimmyF on 26/05/2022 - 23:04
    +2

    What can cause my Solar/Gas boosted HWS (7 years old by Rheem) to suddenly go cold during a shower multiple times in 15mins?

    Being broken most likely…. Call a plumber to look at it.

  • OldBugger on 26/05/2022 - 23:05
    +2

    Maybe a water restrictor device in the shower head? Unscrew head off and recheck water temp.

    • omguleh on 29/05/2022 - 22:15

      Yep this was it :)

  • Nutrino on 26/05/2022 - 23:28
    +1

    Did you turn it off and on?…

  • singlemalt72 on 27/05/2022 - 08:41
    +4

    Sounds like a bad tempering valve - this is the safety valve that mixes with cold water as it exits the HWS to make sure the water cannot come out too hot, if it is faulty it can allow too much cold water to mix in.

    • MS Paint on 27/05/2022 - 10:28

      You would think a visiting plumber, based on OP's issues, would have inspected and/or replaced the tempering valve. They are like $70 and take 5 minutes to replace. Bloody tradies.

      • singlemalt72 on 27/05/2022 - 12:52

        But may only replace if the problem appears when he/she is there, honestly it is the first thing I would replace for this situation.

  • MS Paint on 27/05/2022 - 10:24

    Is the HWS storage tank close to the bathroom you are using?

  • omguleh on 29/05/2022 - 22:13

    Turns out the HWS is fine.

    At the HWS the water pressure was only hitting 490 (capped at 500 at the meter) and the water restrictor in the shower head wasn’t pushing enough water through so the booster wasn’t igniting properly.

    Removed the plastic bit in the shower head and haven’t gone cold in 2 nights.

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