Electric hot water system not working

Malfunctioning electric hot water system

Nobody enjoys a cold shower, especially when it comes to an unanticipated early morning surprise. Sure, you might put up with it on a camping trip, but you should not have to put up with a chilly shower in the luxury of your own house. Unless, of course, it is a personal choice.

Trying to arrange morning bathroom routines and ensure there is enough warm water for everyone in your household can be tough and problematic, especially if you come from a large family or share your home with a lot of housemates. Some electric hot water systems are not large enough to heat sufficient water for a complete family or flat of people to use.

If repairing the tank is not an option, you might only need to spread out your shower times more to allow the system time to reheat. Nevertheless, it is also possible that there is an underlying problem with your hot water system that needs to be addressed.

If your electric hot water system is not operating as effectively as it should, your initial impulse may be to suspect the other residents of taking all the hot water. But, before you respond irrationally, consider whether it may be one of the causes listed below.

What causes an electric hot water system not to work?

Electric water heaters are high-voltage (240-volt) equipment making them hazardous to operate on when the electricity is turned on. Switch off the electricity to the heater’s circuit by turning off the relevant breaker in your home’s service panel before inspecting any electrical elements of a water heater (breaker box).

Also, before touching any wires in the water heater, use a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that the power is turned off.

Worn or broken heating elements

An insulated, cylindrical tank holds hot water and warms it with one or more electrical components in a conventional electric hot water system. They function as a large kettle does, except that the insulation allows the water to remain hot for a longer duration.

When the water is consumed (for example, when someone takes a shower), the tank is refilled with cold water, which the electric components subsequently warm. Therefore, if the elements or heating coils in your electric hot water system are damaged or overused, your system will be unable to heat the water inside the tank efficiently and effectively.

Faulty thermostat

The thermostat in an electric hot water system informs the heating elements when to heat up and checks the temperature of the water. A regular electric hot water system will have two parts as well as two thermostats. The components do not heat up simultaneously; the upper element heats up first, followed by the lower one.

The upper thermostat serves as a liaison between the two components. When the water at the top thermostat reaches the required temperature (as determined by the gauge settings), the bottom thermostat is activated. When the lower thermostat detects that the water is not heated enough, it activates the lower element.

Your electric hot water system’s thermostat is connected to the valve. You can test its functionality by comparing the current temperature of the water to the temperature displayed on the gauge.

Leaking hot water tank or pipes

It comes to the conclusion that a leak in your hot water tank or even the pipes that link to it might result in a lack of hot water. In this case, a plumber will need to inspect the area to determine what is required to repair the leak. Whenever the water in your tank becomes extremely hot, the pressure valve releases the pressure built up inside (a bit like the steam that comes out of the kettle once it is at boiling temperature). Moisture and water can accumulate around the tank due to this. As a result, tiny amounts of water might be deemed typical, or they could just signal that your thermostat is set a bit too high.

If, on the other hand, you detect a lot of water surrounding your electric hot water system, you should instantly turn it off at the switchboard (since water + electricity = dangerous) and consult a local plumbing service.

Issue with electrical system

A blown fuse is a typical cause of a lack of hot water. It is always a good idea to double-check to see whether a switch has tripped or if someone has turned it off. Examine your home’s switchboard to see whether this is the source of the problem. A label with the words “hot water” should be placed on the hot water valve.

If the switch is turned off, you should have a qualified electrician inspect the circuit board since defective wiring might be deadly. However, if the switch is still turned on, a fuse might have blown. In this scenario, you will undoubtedly need the services of an electrician.

Old age

Old age is sometimes the cause of a household item unexpectedly ceasing to function. When a gadget becomes too old and worn, it will stop working correctly, and no one flaw is to blame. Therefore, as a result, it is critical to remember that most electric hot water systems have a 10-year lifetime.

They can sometimes survive to about 15 years, but they usually begin to show indications of deterioration before then. While you may be keen to diagnose and repair a specific problem, quite often, the best choice is just to overhaul your hot water system completely.

Maintenance can be costly, and the older the unit, the more frequent maintenance services will be required. While the upfront purchase of a new hot water tank can appear to be the more costly option at the time, continuing to use an old tank would result in regular maintenance and perhaps greater energy consumption expenses due to its decreasing efficiency.

Tank making loud noises

Is your water heater making any strange sounds? Is there a low growling or popping noise? Perhaps it is a high-pitched squeak. The noises you are detecting could be the sound of boiling water. High sediment accumulation in the tank’s base can cause the tank’s base to overheat, resulting in the water boiling.

Examine the warranty

Limited warranties are provided for both household and commercial hot water systems. A rating plate with the type and serial number are located on each tank. These digits specify the year the tank was manufactured and will decide whether the tank has a prorated warranty that may include a new tank or parts for free or at a reduced cost.

If the tank is leaking or the heating element is broken, take a photo or write it down and contact the manufacturer. However, field labour is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Therefore, you can do this before you can start diagnosing the problem.

Electric water heater maintenance and cleaning tips

Water heater inspection and maintenance tips, cleaning, and tune-ups can avoid or decrease problems such as noise, silt accumulation, no hot water, insufficient hot water, low pressure, smelly water, and other difficulties.

It is critical to understand that proper electric water heater installation and operation provides outstanding performance and efficiency, as well as reliable, long-term, and trouble-free functioning.

Cleaning the heating elements

Draining and flushing can also eliminate scale build-up from the heat source, resulting in energy transmission that is nearly equal to that of a new element. Draining or cleaning will help get rid of the whistling or singing sound that occurs when the heating components become clogged with limescale. Once eliminated, clean the scale accumulation with a vinegar and water solution.

Thermostat testing

To ensure that the thermostats are working properly, use a multimeter. Water heaters with capacities greater than 30 gallons have two thermostats, whereas those with less than 30 gallons have only one. You should include both in the test. The goal is to determine if electricity is being supplied to the components and, if not, to tighten any loose wires.

Examine the thermostat controls; you want it to be between 49 and 52 degrees Celsius, which is the manufacturer setting to minimise scorching burns and lower energy expenses. If the water heater is older, wrap it in an insulating blanket to prevent energy loss.

Examining the dip tube

The dip tube, also known as the cold water intake, allows cold water to enter the water tank heater. Inexpensive heaters feature low-quality dip tubes, but more sophisticated heaters have higher-quality dip tubes that last longer and aid in minimising scale build-up inside the tank.

Like the other parts, the dip tube loses effectiveness as the water heater ages and can break, crack, or split. Instead of transporting cold water to the tank’s base, the distorted tube transports it to the top of the heater, where it blends with the heated water and produces less hot water, resulting in chilly showers.

Because this element is fragile, it can shatter into tiny pieces, obstructing the fixture aerators and other components and reducing the unit’s efficiency and performance. Given the preceding facts, it is critical to examine the dip tube at least once a year or if an issue similar to the one mentioned above arises.

Checking the TPR valve

The temperature and pressure relief valve must function properly since it is a safety mechanism that protects the device from severe pressure development. You are advised to replace it rather than try fixing it. It should be checked at least once every six months and more frequently if there is a cause, such as a scale accumulation from hard water or a well water source. If the TPR (Temperature Release) valve is leaking and cannot be closed correctly, you should have it replaced.

Comparison between electric and gas water heaters

Electric water heaters resemble their gas-powered relatives. They both utilise a steel insulated storage tank jacket with insulation between the storage tank and the tank jacket to prevent heat loss from hot water.

The primary distinction between electric and gas hot water is the source of heat. An electric heater has upper and lower heating components that stretch into the water tank to heat the water. On the other hand, a gas burner warms the water from underneath the tank in a gas hot water heater.

Issues with electric water heaters that generate very little heat are generally due to a faulty heating element, which is a cheap and straightforward item to repair. Other issues might be caused by incorrect settings, excessive household water pressure, or a lack of tank care.

Your hot water system needs professional care

If you detect water leaking from your hot water system, investigate the source. A small quantity of water flowing out of the temperature relief valve is typical throughout the heating cycle, but if you have an overflow after 24 hours, such as a bucket full, you should get it examined professionally.

If the leak is originating from the sides or base of the tank, or if the tank is overflowing, turn off the water supply to the tank and get it checked as soon as possible. You should check the temperature settings on your hot water system if the water is not hot enough.

Allow it to regulate the temperature for an hour before checking to see if there are any problems. Simply put, if your hot water system malfunctions and you cannot establish the problem, reach out to a professional to fix the issue.