Actually that is very normal. The '50' is what it stores hot, not what it delivers. The amount of hot water a unit is capable of delivering is directly related to the temperature of the incoming cold water. Every gallon of hot water used is replaced immediately by a gallon of cold water. In the summer, it is very possible that the incoming water is 80+, but in colder temps it may be 50-60 which cools the remaining water in the heater faster than it can heat it. In the summer, a 50 gal water heater may only be able to actually deliver 35-40 gallons at the most of hot water but if it is cold causing your incoming water to be colder it is realistic that it may only be able to deliver 25-30 gallons of hot water. One trick is turn your temp up on the water heater so that the water is hotter at start and be able to compete better against the colder incoming colder water. You have to be careful though if you have kids because it will be scaldable.
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