Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting No Hot Water

Your electric water heater may develop a number of problems including lack of hot water strange sounds rusty water strange smells or no water coming through the pipes here are some troubleshooting tips to help you with these most common problems with electric water heaters.

Electric water heater troubleshooting no hot water. Before you start doing any troubleshooting for an electric water. Check to see if a fuse has blown or a circuit breaker is tripped. Shut off the house circuit breakers for your water heater. Check the power supply to the water heater.

Make sure you cut off the correct circuit breakers for the water heater. Replace the fuse or reset the breaker. Remove the access panel insulation and plastic safety guard from each heating element on the water heater. How to troubleshoot electric water heater problems before you start.

You ve noticed sand or some other type of sediment in the water. When a standard tank style gas water heater stops producing hot water it means that the gas burner is no longer producing the flame necessary to heat the water. Check breaker and reset. If you are not getting any hot water first check the circuit breaker.

Here are some common examples. Our two photos above are of the lower heating element on this electric water heater. Even before you lose the hot water supply in your home there may be warning signs that something is amiss with your water heater. Test the wires to confirm the power is off using a non contact voltage tester.

Beware that any temperature above 120 degf. If an electric water heater element doesn t heat when activated replace the heating element. Ensure that the disconnect switch if used is in the on position. Check the heat setting on both.

Our no hot water troubleshooting video can help you figure out which part to replace in an electric water heater that s not heating. Depending on the cause of the problem the solution can be extremely simple or complex and expensive. If the electric water heater output water is too hot you can adjust the thermostat to a lower setting. Typical settings are 140 to 160 degf.

Replace the thermostat if it doesn t activate the heating element. Turn off the power. Several types of electric water heater issues can cause problems with water temperature. When you first turn on your hot water the water is a rusty color.

Turn off the power to the water heater in the service panel.