TROUBLE SHOOTING FOR ELECTRIC HOT WATER HEATERS
There are a few basic problems that your electric hot water heater might end up displaying. The water might not be hot enough, might not be hot at all, or might start out hot, but cut out quickly. It might be discolored or smell bad. The heater may leak, or it might make a lot of noise while working.
Don’t replace that heater right away, though.
Electric hot water heaters can often be fixed by simple trouble shooting at home. Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems you might encounter in electric hot water heaters and what to do about them.
Most of us don’t care much about our water heaters, as long as they’re producing the right amount of hot water, aren’t leaking, and don’t have any other problems. However, when something does go wrong, we’re suddenly very interested! If the warranty is still good on your heater, you can get it fixed by the manufacturer (and this is the best idea). But what do you do when the warranty isn’t in effect? Repair and replacement can be very expensive.
Repairing Your Electric Hot Water Heater
Always remember that an electric hot water heater can be dangerous. If you decide to do your own repairs, make sure that the power and the water have been correctly shut off. Otherwise, you could be in for a literal shock.
If you have no or not enough hot water, you might have a problem in the heating system or thermostat. These can often be reset, with function resuming normally right away. Other times, they’ll need to be replaced. You may also have this problem if there’s a mineral buildup inside the tank. This is common in places with overly hard water, and can often be dissolved with the correct treatments. The mineral build up takes up space in the tank and prevents enough water from being heated.
If none of these are the problem, you may have to check for errors in the circuit. Don’t do this unless you understand what’s going on in your electric hot water heater.
If your hot water is discolored, minerals may be at fault again. Sediment may have been deposited at the bottom of the tank, which is then coloring the water, or rust may be forming on the tank itself. Flush the tank repeatedly, and try replacing its anode rod to see if this problem goes away.
Odors in your hot water can come from sulfur in the water, bacterial contamination, or corrosion of the anode rod, generating hydrogen gas. This can be fixed by either filtering your water for minerals, or by flushing the heater with hydrogen peroxide. The anode rod may also need replacing in severe situations.
Noisy electric hot water heaters occur because of scale on the heating element. Try removing the heating elements and cleaning them to get rid of the problem. If this doesn’t fix it, or if the tank is leaking, call a professional right away. You may require professional repair or replacement of your hot water heater.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options on the market, including the Rheem Tankless 66 Indoor Direct Vent Series, the GE Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater, and the Whirlpool 40-Gallon Energy Smart Electric Water Heater. They’re not the only ones on the market, but they’re some of the best. Be sure to check them out if you’re in the market for a new appliance.
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