I have a teenage daughter whose showers are getting longer all the time and I am getting tired of fighting with her about taking all the hot water. Therefore, my question is about installing a device that controls the flow of hot water only to the shower that she uses.
I have already tried a water saving shower head and that didn't change anything. I want to install a variable flow control device that gradually cuts off hot water flow at various pre-set time intervals. As an electrician, I can figure out how to control it, but I'm just not sure if such a device exists.
Does anyone know of such a thing or have a better idea? Also, in the meantime, if I gradually close the inlet valve to my hot water heater while she is in the shower, do I run the risk of siphoning the water from the tank and doing damage to the tank?
Best Answer
You could try raising the temp of your hot water heater. A hotter water temp will mean the flow rate from a shower will be less (more cold water and less hot water to get the same temperature), and therefore the tank will last longer.
Other than the risk of scalding (which may be a deal-breaker if you have young kids in the house), the other disadvantage is that the water heater will use a little more energy maintaining the higher temperature.