Hot water recovery time is how long your water heater takes to reheat a full tank after depletion. Gas heaters recover in 30 to 40 minutes while electric models take 60 to 90 minutes. Higher BTU gas burners and higher wattage elements speed recovery. Tank size incoming water temperature and thermostat setting affect recovery time. If recovery seems slow check for sediment buildup or faulty heating elements. Tankless units provide continuous hot water eliminating recovery wait time.