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Read MoreIf you’re standing in a lukewarm shower wondering:
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Do I have time to shampoo… or is this about to turn Arctic?
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How long does a hot water tank take to reheat anyway?
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Should I have gotten up earlier so I could “win” the hot water race?
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Is someone running the dishwasher again?!
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How long for a hot water tank to reheat before I can try for an “everything shower”?
You’re not alone.
Most homeowners don’t think about their water heater… until it betrays them mid-conditioner.
So let’s answer it properly.
Quick Answer: How Long Does a Water Heater Take to Heat Up?
In most homes, a properly working hot water tank should fully reheat in:
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Gas hot water tank: 30–40 minutes
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Electric hot water tank: 45–90 minutes
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Heat pump water heater: 60+ minutes depending on the mode
If yours is taking significantly longer than that, it’s not just “bad luck timing.” Something may be slowing it down.
Why Your Shower Feels Like a Strategy Game
In colder climates like Edmonton, incoming water in winter is much colder. That means your hot water tank has to work harder just to get back to temperature.
But here’s the important part:
A healthy system might slow down slightly in winter… but it should not take two hours to recover.
If you’re constantly Googling:
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how long does hot water tank take to heat up
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how long do water heaters take to heat up
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why is my hot water tank taking so long
That’s usually a sign your system needs attention.
Gas vs Electric vs Heat Pump: What Reheats Faster?
The type of tank you have plays a big role in recovery time.
Average Reheat Time Comparison
| Type of Water Heater | Average Full Reheat Time | Partial Recovery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Hot Water Tank | 30–40 minutes | 20–30 minutes | Families or high-demand homes |
| Electric Hot Water Tank | 45–90 minutes | 30–60 minutes | Small to mid-size homes |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | 60+ minutes | Varies by mode | Energy-conscious households |
Gas models generally recover the fastest. Electric tanks take longer. Heat pump systems are very efficient but can have slower recovery in standard efficiency mode.
If you’re noticing your system is way outside these time ranges, it may be worth booking a quick diagnostic check-in.
How Long Does it Take for a Hot Water Tank to Reheat After a Shower?
Good news: your tank doesn’t have to fully reheat before you get usable hot water again.
Typical recovery times after heavy use:
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Gas: 20–30 minutes
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Electric: 30–60 minutes
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Heat pump: depends on mode
If your tank can’t handle two back-to-back showers without going cold, it may be:
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Undersized
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Aging
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Full of sediment
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Running on one working heating element
Tank Size Makes a Big Difference
Sometimes the issue isn’t failure – it’s capacity.
40 Gallon vs 50 Gallon Reheat Time
| Tank Size | Gas Reheat Time | Electric Reheat Time | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon | 30–40 minutes | 60–80 minutes | 1–3 people |
| 50 Gallon | 40–50 minutes | 70–90 minutes | 3–5 people |
If your household has grown, schedules overlap more, or your teens discovered long showers, your old tank might simply not keep up anymore. Book a free home estimate and our Home Comfort Advisors can help walk you through the best option for your home and your family.
Why Is My Hot Water Tank Taking So Long to Heat?
If you’re searching “how long does a water heater take to heat up” because yours feels painfully slow, here are common causes:
- Sediment Buildup
- Hard water minerals settle at the bottom of the tank and create an insulating layer. Your system works harder and takes longer. Are you getting regular Hot Water Tank Flushes done?
- Failed Heating Element
- Electric tanks use two elements. If one fails, you’ll still get hot water… just very slowly.
- Gas Burner Issues
- Weak flame or control problems reduce heating efficiency.
- Aging Tank
- Most hot water tanks last 8–12 years. After that, recovery slows down and reliability drops.
- If your tank is nearing that range, it may be smarter to replace it before it fails completely.
When Is It Time to Replace Instead of Repair?
If your tank:
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Is over 10 years old
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Takes over an hour to recover
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Runs out constantly
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Makes rumbling or popping sounds
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Shows rust or corrosion
It may be more cost-effective to replace it than continue repairing it. And let’s be honest… emergency cold showers are rarely convenient. With a free home estimate and financing options, you can escape the chill for less.
The Bottom Line
You shouldn’t have to schedule your day around hot water. If you’re waking up early just to “beat the tank,” or wondering whether you can rinse conditioner before it turns cold, your system isn’t performing the way it should.
A properly sized, professionally installed hot water tank should recover efficiently and keep up with real life.
If yours isn’t, it might be time to take a closer look.
Book a free estimate and let’s get your mornings back to normal.
