From: Speedy Jim 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Water heater intermittent
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:48:32 -0500

gplantam@onebox.com wrote:
> Our electric water heater is working intermittantly in recent weeks.
> Sometimes there's not enough hot water for the first person showering
> in the morning.  The water heater came with the home and hasn't been
> changed for many years.
> 
> Is it worth draining and/or attempting to change the element?  Or
> having a plumber check it?  Or should we just buy a new one?
> 

More likely a bad (intermittent) thermostat.
Not hard to replace (do shut off the power first...)
As a first step, it may be worthwhile simply setting the adjustment a
bit higher.
Draining would have no effect on this kind of problem.

Jim