Whether it is the dead of winter or a midsummer morning in Alpharetta, the feeling of freezing cold water in the shower can ruin your day. If you find that you have no hot water in your home, there are several easy ways to troubleshoot the problem. Check these five things before you call in a plumber to fix a hot water problem.
Make Sure Circuits Aren’t Tripped (For Electric Water Heaters)
Is the water heater plugged in and turned on? A common problem is the circuit to your water heater tripping. This requires you to move the switch into the “off” position and then turn it back on. Most panels are clearly labeled, but it is possible you will need to go through each one in a process of trial and error. Electric heaters may also be unplugged, so check whether the connection is secure and the fuse powering the outlet is not blown.
Relight the Pilot (For Gas Water Heaters)
Another common problem with water heaters is that the pilot light goes out. Heaters running on natural gas will have a bright blue flame with a bit of yellow when the pilot light is set correctly. For propane heaters, the flame will be a mixture of blue and green with a bit of yellow. New heaters have automatic pilot-lighting systems, so it is unlikely that this problem will occur. If you have an older heater, follow the instructions carefully to light the pilot. Call in a plumber if you are unsure.
Check the Thermostat on the Water Heater
Thermostats may malfunction and force the temperature of the water down below the level you consider comfortable. To check if that is the reason you have no hot water, you need to investigate your water heater’s thermostat setting. With an electric heater, you will have to remove the inspection panel to locate the thermostat. Be careful performing this procedure because there is high voltage wiring in the area. Water heaters come with a preset temperature, but you can change it. You can set the temperature as low as 110ºF or as high as 140ºF depending on the needs of your household. Lowering water temperature will also reduce your energy bill.
Look for a Hot Water Leak
A leaking water heater is another common reason why you find an inadequate hot water supply at home. Water leaks will be obvious if you have a traditional standby tank because you will see water marks at the base of the heater. Small leaks will affect water temperatures as well as your water and heating costs every month. Get in touch with a plumber to correct a leak quickly.
Examine Your Water Use
Heated water tanks have a limited amount of water available for showers before they need to refill. You may have turned on the hot water right after each member of your family took a shower and left the tank empty. The same problem pops up when you visit a vacation home and turn on the electric supply. There is a delay before you will get hot water in the shower or dishwasher.
Tankless water heaters make sense for homeowners who want a constant supply of hot water without worrying about a tank filling. The tankless system saves energy and water and serves as the greenest option on the market.
Call in Reliable technicians when you have no hot water at home. Whether you need a quick fix or an upgrade to a superior water heater, Reliable’s team will get the hot water back on fast.
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