Electric
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Troubleshooting Electric Water Heaters

• Electric water heaters are classified in two types and are Commercial and Residential

• Commercial water heaters have a higher recovery rate.

• The higher recovery rate is achieve through a combination of using higher voltage, more elements, greater wattage type elements and simultaneous energizing of numerous elements.

• Repairing electric water heaters requires a plumber to have full knowledge of electrical components and where the proper voltage is to be active at each test point.

• DO NOT attempt electrical diagnosis without being properly trained!

• All possible causes and solutions are in random order. 

• A repair technician should be comfortable with correct repair methods.

• Many other possible causes may exist and you should track them for future reference.

• Return to our Home Page for contact information and to add to our chart.

• Review the Tricks of the Trade section for more helpful information.

 

Problem	Possible Cause	Possible Solution	Notes
No Hot Water	No Electricity	Tripped Breaker
No Hot Water	No Electricity	Call Service Provider
No Hot Water	Tripped Reset Button	Reset Button	CAUTION:  (It may be tripped due to other problems)
No Hot Water	Faulty Thermostat(s)	Test and Replace
No Hot Water	Defective Element(s)	Test and Replace
Not Enough Hot Water	Dip Tube Is Disconnected	Inspect and Replace	Top Fed Heaters
Not Enough Hot Water	Faulty Thermostat(s)	Test and Replace
Not Enough Hot Water	Heater Undersized	Calculate Demand	Size Accordingly
Not Enough Hot Water	Defective Element(s)	Test and Replace
Relief Valve Leaking	Water Is Too Hot	Run Water To Cool Tank Temperature	Lower Thermostat Setting
Relief Valve Leaking	Defective Relief Valve	Replace Relief Valve	Same Rating
Relief Valve Leaking	Excessive Pressure	Install Expansion Tank	Size Per Heater
Relief Valve Leaking	Excessive Pressure	Check PRV to System	Maximum is 80 PSI (NC Code, Check Yours)
Water Too Hot	Faulty Thermostat	Replace
Water Too Hot	Surface Mounted Thermostat Not In Contact With Tank	Inspect Condition Clean Area	Must Be Touching Steel Tank  Clean Any Rust From Behind
Water Too Hot	Immersed Type Thermostat Has Scale Build-up	Drain Tank, Inspect and Clean or Replace

                                        Have your own troubleshooting items added here.
                                        Return to our Home Page for contact information and to submit your items.

Problem	Possible Cause	Possible Solution	Notes