Electric water heater diagnosis & repair questions & answers - set#4:

FAQs on test and repair an electric hot water heater.

Q&A on How to Repair an Electric Water Heater / Calorifier / Geyser

These questions & answers were posted originally at ELECTRIC WATER HEATER REPAIR GUIDE - home - be sure to review that article.

On 2018-10-22 by (mod) - have not water but no heat in home

Reginal

Search InspectApedia.com using the search box just above for NO HEAT to see the starting point of diagnostic and repair steps.

Or see these articles

• NO HEAT - BOILER - for steam or hot water heat
• NO HEAT - FURNACE - for forced warm air heat

On 2018-10-22 by Mod

Teresa:

Test the heater element as described in this article series.

Reginal

Search InspectApedia.com using the search box just above for NO HEAT to see the starting point of diagnostic and repair steps.

On 2018-10-22 by Teresa Johnson

I have checked the temp control...its OK. Its crazy that a new water heater would have a bad heating element but I guess there is a chance of it. Thanks.

On 2018-10-22 by reginal

Getting hot water but no heat in home.

On 2018-10-22 by (mod) - water heater is only providing lukewarm water

When a water heater is only providing lukewarm water I suspect that the top heating element is not working.

Of course you also want to check the thermostat settings

On 2018-10-22 by Teresa Johnson

Just bought a AO Smith 40 gallon electric water heater. Power was not turned back on till heater was filled. I am only getting lukewarm water from it. What can be the problem. I'm so aggravated.

On 2018-10-04 by (mod) -

jayaraj said:
thanks sir,very useful information.

On 2018-09-30 by (mod) - electric whirlpool not working

I would really like to be of some help but I'm pretty stumped by what you describe. I'm unclear what you mean by

electric whirlpool 40 gal tank

are you referring to a water pressure tank, a spa or hot tub or other jetted tub, or something else?

If it's a jetted tub or similar bathing tub there is probably a bad control in the tub valve or motor hookup.

Watch out: a mistake in electrical wiring in hooking up any electric motor or fixture in a bathroom risks death from electric shock. You probably need an electrician to take a look at this set-up.

On 2018-09-30 by Help us please

We recently hooked up a second bathroom in a mobile homewe have an electric whirlpool 40 gal tank while in the shower no matter which knob u turn on the water constantly will turn from ice cold for bout 20 seconds than gets warm n hot for bout 20 seconds back to cold

it does this the entire time while showering in the first bathroom it does the same thing

except it will get extremely hot n than cool the sink in the first bathroom doesn't do this neither does the kitchen sink but in the new one the sink also does this

can u please help figure this out

On 2018-09-15 by (mod) -

thank you for that field report which is important for everyone to know about.

On 2018-09-11 by Steve

Our well pump switch failed and a leaking outside faucet caused the water to drain out of the system. Water in the heater drained below the upper element causing it to burn out. Then the water heater started producing super hot water.

Over 180 degrees...

Actually had steam coming out of the faucet in the morning! I think maybe the upper element dropped and contacted the tank causing a short circuit. Anyway what a fun repair day. Replacing the well pump switch and the upper element.

(Good heating elements should measure about 13 ohms. Make sure to turn power off before measuring impedance.)

On 2018-08-19 by Ben

I have an Ecosmart Eco 11 which was working and now it wont turn on.

Called the manufacturer and they shipped me a new flow sensor unit and motherboard. replaced both of them and was careful with wiring configuration.

I even noticed the new mother board was not on the correct pin for the 11 KW settings. what else could cause this unit to not turn on besides power?

On 2018-07-18 by (mod) -

Terry typically when the electric water heater produces only tepid warm water and the thermostat is set to a hot temperature (say 100F) then I suspect that it's a two-element heater and the upper one has burned out.

That can happen in an INSTANT if someone turned-on electrical power before the water heater tank was completely filled with water.

On 2018-07-18 by Terry

I just installed a new hot water heater. Now I am only getting warm water. I have adjusted the thermostat, and it is barely warm. What could be wrong. Electric
tested good.

On 2018-05-27 by (mod) -

I think flushing it is a good idea and when you flush the water heater if you see bits of plastic to breathe and a plastic dip tube has to centigrade and that could be clogging things as well.

On 2018-05-27 by Anonymous

Would you suggest draining it to check for a clog? Or is there another way to check?

On 2018-05-27 15:49:40.895712 by (mod) -

I would look for a blockage in the water heater such as debris clogging the tank outlet or a nearby hot water shut-off valve.

On 2018-05-27 by Lauren

When we turn on the hot water we have full pressure but then it turns to a trickle. The cold water is working fine. This is happening with all of the water sources in the house.

On 2017-09-16 by Reggie

Had water leaking on top of water heater which caused the electric connection box on top of water heater to fill with water. It made a popping sound and blew the circuit breaker replaced with new water heater and connected wires correctly the new water heater heats the upper element but the circuit breaker blows when it goes to the second or lower element does this mean the circuit breaker is faulty

On 2017-05-12 by (mod) -

To be scrupulously fair to your plumber, it's possible that the circuit breaker in your pedal is one which failed when being switched off. Some brands of circuit breakers are more prone to this than others comma such as FPE, zinsco, or Bulldog?

Let me know the brand of your electrical panel as that might be relevant. In any event ever fortunately it sounds to me safer to have a licensed electrician look at the problem. She will probably start by confirming that the breaker is off and cannot be reset.

On 2017-05-12 by Carmela

I had a plummer come out and install a new water heater. After the installation the water heater wouldn't work. They are now telling me it's my circuit braker and not the water heater and that we would need to call an electrician. They said that this sometime happens in old houses. Has anyone ever heard of this.

On 2017-07-14 by Anonymous

Where do fin
d the fuses

On 2017-06-17 by (mod) - small amount of very hot water = bad lower element

If your water heater has an upper and lower heating element Kama I suspect only the upper element is working

On 2017-06-17 by Jennifer S.

Hi I have a brand new electric hot water heater..already replaced the elements and thermostat due to no hot water coming out. Now the water is very hot inside the tank but hot for 15 secs the barely Luke warm. What is the problem...please help.

On 2016-11-21 by (mod) -

Hi again Tania,

As you asked at https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Electric_Water_Heater_Repair.php this same question, I replied there.

Please help me out and post questions at just one spot - I understand your thinknig, but for me, having to respond to multiple copies of the same query doubles an already heavy workload.

Thanks.

DF

On 2016-11-21 by Tania

I have 5 months Giant electrical 40 G water heater tank. Lost hot water then I reset the Water Tank breaker. Was good for a day then it happens a few times again, need to reset the breaker again. What the first to check, bad breaker or tank defect? thank you, Tania

On 2016-09-16 by (mod) -

Monica I would TURN OFF ELECTRICAL POWER to the hot water cylinder IMMEDIATELY

The burning smell, if it's electrical, risks an electrical fire.

Other noises such as "sizzling" that some might describe as humming, could be more normal, such as heating of water and mineral deposits on the surface of the electric hot water cylinder heating elements.

On 2016-09-16 by Monica

My hot water cylinder is making a humming noise and when u open the cupboard where it's stored there's a smell like something burning

On 2015-12-31 by (mod) -

I would check for a defective lower heating element

On 2015-12-31 by carrin

I have replaced both heating elements and upper thermostate and lower still not alor of hot water???

On 2015-08-04 by (mod) -

Gary,

If the heater element cannot be removed, I'd agree that it's "new heater" time. In that case, since we are financially and mentally prepared to buy a whole new water heater, there's not much to lose if we get a bit aggressive on the old one.

Try tapping the edges of the element with a hammer or hammer and punch, or borrow/buy a socket big enough to fit over the element and try turning that with a 1/2" or larger ratchet.

On 2015-08-04 by Gary

My Bottom Element seems to be fused to the threads' after it was hit by lightning. I can't break the element loose. any suggestions other than replacing the entire water heater?

Question: how to find the source of a leak in a water heater

i have a reddring 210 water heater since 2001. the engineer could not locate the leak, which seems coming out from the base. he recommended a new one. any suggestion please. - Michael 8/20/11

Reply:

Michael, if your water heater is leaking from the tank itself and not just at a fitting such as at threaded fittings for a relief valve or control, then indeed it needs to be replaced.

Redring makes a wide range of water heating equipment, including demand water heaters, immersion water heaters, even solar water heating equipment. I'm not sure which 210 you have - a 210L solar heater ?

You might want to contact the company to ask for advice on tracking down your specific heater leak without damaging the heater or making it unsafe. Also inquire about your warranty coverage.

Redring water heaters in the U.K. (contact redring[dot]co[dot]uk or by telephone to 0844 372 7766.

Question: water heater relief valve leaks after the heater has been busy

no matter what tenp i set the thermostat at the trv lets out a about a 1/2 a cup of water after a hard use - Steve 7/30/12

Reply:

Steve, there are several conditions that can cause spillage from the temp/press relief valve on a water heater, including overheating, overpressure, water hammer, and leaks or defects in the valve itself.

I recommend taking a look at our TP valve article for water heaters found at two articles:

• RELIEF VALVE LEAKS
• RELIEF VALVE, WATER HEATER

Don't hesitate to ask if questions remain after reading that pair of articles.

Question: how to diagnose bad odors seem to be coming from our water heater

Since mid - december we have experienced a bad chemical odor in our garage where the electric hot water heater is, we've cleaned out the garage but the smell came back as soon as someone used something with hot water, what should we do? - Jackie 1/31/2013

Reply:

Jackie, in the article above we list several odor problems that are traced to water heaters, from which I excerpt the two most common problem sources: bacterial contamination in the water heater or a bad sacrificial anode. You could also ahve sulphur in your building water supply but I figure you'd notice that first in the cold water.

Smells: Odors in hot water, particularly a sulphur smell may be due to a bacterial contamination in the hot water tank or due to a failing hot water heating tank sacrificial anode.

See ANODES & DIP TUBES on WATER HEATERS.

Also see ODORS IN WATER. 

Odors or smells from or near the water heater ...sulphur or rotten egg odors..., particularly if the heater has been left shut off and out of use... are explained

at HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS.

Question:   should I have 240v at both water heater elements at the same time?

(Jan 13, 2012) jeff warren said: should i have 240v at both water heater elements at the same time?

Reply: No not necessarily.

Jeff, not all electric water heater hookups are the same; there are 120V models, 240V models, one element and dual element, and variations on whether both elements heat at the same time or not.

In addition even some 240V electric water heaters stage the control of heating elements, turning on only one element depending on the temperatures and demand.

You'll want to get a copy of the wiring diagram for your particular water heater model. If you are having trouble finding those instructions let me know and I'll help dig them up. For some typical wiring examples, American Water Heater Co. has lots of water heater wiring diagrams online for their models as well.

With that warning stated, along with WATCH OUT you can be electrocuted messing with wiring, or can start a fire -- with those warnings stated, on a typical dual element electric water heater and using a VOM you'll find 120V between the RED or the BLACK wire and ground (or neutral if one is provided), and 240V between those two wires.

...

Continue reading  at ELECTRIC WATER HEATER REPAIR GUIDE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see ELECTRIC WATER HEATER REPAIR FAQs-5 more recent questions & answers about diagnosing and fixing an electric water heater

Or see these

Electric Water Heater Repair Articles

• ELECTRIC WATER HEATER CHECKLIST
• ELECTRIC WATER HEATER CONTROLS
• ELECTRIC WATER HEATER REPAIR GUIDE
  • ELECTRIC HOT WATER TEMPERATURE CONTROL
  • ELECTRIC WATER HEATER ELEMENT TESTS
  • ELECTRIC WATER HEATER ELEMENT REPLACEMENT
  • ELECTRIC WATER HEATER HIGH TEMP CUTOFF TEST
  • ELECTRIC WATER HEATER RESET SWITCH
  • ELECTRIC WATER HEATER THERMOSTATS
  • ELECTRIC WATER HEATER - NO HOT WATER
  • RELIEF VALVE LEAKS
• HOT WATER T&P RELIEF VALVE
• WATER HEATER ANODE & DIP TUBE CHECK
• ELECTRIC WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT

Suggested citation for this web page

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER REPAIR FAQs-4 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER HEATERS

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

---

ADVERTISEMENT

---