Electric water heaters look similar to their gas-powered cousins, but they heat water through electric upper and lower heating elements that extend into the water tank. These kinds of water heaters have their own unique sets of problems that can require fixing. Here are six of the problems you might come across with your electric water heater and how to fix them. If you can’t fix them on your own, be sure to call Water Heaters Now to get the professional help you need.
NOTE: Before working with an electric water heater, always make sure you turn off the heater’s power via the breaker box. In addition, make sure to test the wires in the heater with a non-contact voltage tester to make sure the power is off before touching the wires.
Here are six problems electric water heaters might have and how to fix them:
No hot water.
A water heater not producing hot water might not be getting enough power, might have tripped a circuit breaker, or it could be a problem with the heating elements. Check the water heater’s circuit breaker and turn it off and on if it did trip. If that didn’t work or the breaker was still on, try resetting the high-temperature limit:
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- Turn off the water heater’s breaker in the service panel.
- Remove the access panel for the upper heating element on the water heater.
- Remove the insulation and plastic safety guard while not touching any wires or electrical terminals.
- Push the red button above the upper thermostat. That’s the high-temperature cutoff reset button.
- Put everything back where it was and turn on the heater’s breaker.
If that doesn’t work, check the heating elements and call us to replace them if necessary.
Not enough hot water.
There’s always the possibility that your water heater isn’t big enough to service your house. As a rule of thumb, 75% of a water heater’s capacity is used for hot water. If the demand is too great for your water heater, try spacing out your dishwashing and laundry as well as taking shorter showers. Of course, you can always have us provide a newer, bigger water heater, if necessary.
However, if your water heater is correctly sized or isn’t providing as much hot water as it used to, it might be a problem with one of the heating elements. If your shower water is constantly lukewarm, the upper heating element needs fixing. If you get hot water that quickly runs out, you need to check on the lower heating element.
Too much hot water.
Sometimes having too much of something is as bad as too little. If you’re getting too much hot water, one or both of the water heater’s thermostats might be too high. Here’s how to check them:
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- Turn off the water heater’s power through the service panel.
- Remove the access panel, insulation, and plastic safety guard from each heating element. Don’t touch any wires.
- Check the wires with a non-contact voltage tester to confirm the power is off.
- Check the heat setting on both thermostats. They should be equal and between 115 and 125℉. If you need to change them, use a flathead screwdriver.
- When the thermostats are set appropriately to the same temperature, put everything back and turn on the heater’s circuit breaker.
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Water leaks.
We’ve talked about water leaks last month, but it’s important to reiterate that leaks can cause major damage to your home if left unchecked. The leak can come from a variety of locations, including, but not limited to, loose/faulty connections and valves the tank itself. Connections can be easily tightened with a wrench or replaced as necessary, but a leaking tank is a sign of corrosion and must be replaced. If you need to stop a leak quickly, turn off the power and water to the heater and drain the tank completely.
Rusty-looking water and bad odors.
Does your faucet water come out smelling weird or being colored? There are a variety of reasons that could be happening:
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- Brown, red, or yellow water could be a sign of rust in the water. It generally comes from a water pipe or your water heater. While it doesn’t pose any real health issues, it can stain dishes and clothes as well as tasting metallic. The most common solution is to install a water softener or filtration system.
- Greenish particles can be a sign of copper pipe corrosion, which can stain your tub or sink. If it can’t be fixed via a filtration system, you might need to replace the piping with the approved plastic pipes. Be warned that greenish particles could also be a sign of lead leaching into the piping through solder joints in older plumbing. Lead in drinking water is very dangerous, and you should have the pipes replaced as soon as you can if that’s causing the coloration.
- White/tan particles are generally calcium or magnesium from the pipes or water heater. They’re not harmful to ingest, but they can cause clogs if left unchecked. It could be caused by the heating elements in the water tank calcifying, which is when calcium and magnesium collect on the elements. This can be fixed by removing and cleaning the heating elements.
- Bad smells are caused by either a corroded anode rod in the water heater or bacteria growing in the water heater. The bacteria is generally a sign the hot water hasn’t been used in a while or isn’t hot enough. The bacteria (generally) aren’t harmful, but the smell and taste can be off-putting. Call one of our professionals if this happens. We can also replace the anode rod in the water heater if that’s causing the bad smell.
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Strange noises.
Is your water heater making rumbling or whining noises? That might be the water boiling. When enough sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank, the bottom of the tank can overheat. This causes the water to boil, making noise. If that’s happening, drain the tank (as described under ‘Water leaks’) to clean it out. If that doesn’t help, call us so we can replace your water tank.
Why should I trust Water Heaters Now with my water heater?
Having been in the industry for over a decade, we here at Water Heaters Now know about many problems that can show up in the industry. However, we pride ourselves on our work and honesty. We’ll install high-quality water heaters the same day they’re requested and repair them when possible. With access to any major brand of water heater, Water Heaters Now is focused on being the number one water heating experts in the Minnesota area. Call us today for any of your water heater needs!
The post 6 Problems Your Electric Water Heater Might Have and How to Fix Them appeared first on Same Day Hot Water Heater Installation Minneapolis St Paul MN.
from Same Day Hot Water Heater Installation Minneapolis St Paul MN https://waterheatersnow.com/6-problems-your-electric-water-heater-might-have-and-how-to-fix-them/
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