Why Your Water Heater Struggles in Winter (and How to Fix It Fast)

October 13, 2025

Cold Showers in the Cold Months? Here’s Why Your Water Heater Isn’t Keeping Up

It’s the middle of a Denver winter, and you’re braving icy temperatures outside — only to come home to a lukewarm shower. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. At Silver Monkey Plumbing, we get countless winter service calls from frustrated homeowners whose water heaters can’t keep up when the temperatures drop.


🔥 Why Winter Strains Your Water Heater


Cold weather makes everything work harder — including your plumbing system. The incoming water supply from Denver’s municipal lines enters your home at a much colder temperature, meaning your water heater has to heat from a lower starting point.


Other common issues include:


Sediment buildup in the tank (reduces efficiency)


Thermostat problems


Old or undersized water heaters


Increased household use during the holidays


🧑‍🔧 What You Can Do About It


Flush your water heater at least once a year to remove sediment.


Insulate your water heater tank and hot water pipes.


Check the thermostat setting (ideally 120–125°F).


Upgrade to a tankless system if your current one struggles with demand.


If your water heater is more than 10 years old or takes forever to heat, it might be time to call Silver Monkey Plumbing. Our technicians can diagnose the problem, perform repairs, or install a new high-efficiency system that saves energy and delivers consistent heat — even in January.


🏔️ Serving Denver’s Winter Needs


From Aurora to Arvada, Littleton to Lakewood, we’re Denver’s trusted team for water heater repair, installation, and maintenance. We’ll keep your showers hot and your energy bills low — even when it’s freezing outside.


🐒💧 Remember: When the cold sets in, Silver Monkey Plumbing keeps the heat flowing!

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