The average life of a water heater is 6 to 13 years. These devices require maintenance. Hot water accounts for about 20% of a home’s energy use, so it’s important to keep your water heater running as efficiently as possible.
If you jump into the shower and the water doesn’t get hot at all, your water heater probably won’t turn on. If so, it might be an easy fix. Some problems require going to a professional, but knowing some basic water heater problems can help you decide if you can fix it yourself. You just need to investigate the power source for your type of water heater to find the problem.
If your gas water heater is not working, your lighting may be the problem. Most of the indicator lights are located at the bottom of the water heater, under the tank. It may be behind an access panel or glass screen. Read your water heater manual or follow these instructions to turn the lights back on.
If you light the igniter and it immediately goes out, make sure you hold the gas control knob for 20-30 seconds. If the indicator does not light after this, you may need to repair or replace the thermocouple.
The thermocouple is a copper-colored wire with two connecting ends. It keeps the igniter burning by creating the correct voltage between the two connections depending on the temperature of the water. Before attempting to repair this part, you must determine if your water heater has a traditional thermocouple or flame sensor.
Some newer gas water heaters use flame sensors. These electronic ignition systems work like thermocouples, but they detect when the burner ignites by detecting gas. When the water gets colder than set by the heater, both systems turn on the lights and ignite the burner.
You may find a flame detector or thermocouple connected to the inside of the burner assembly just before the indicator light. Flame detectors are usually more reliable, but dirt and debris can prevent them from lighting an indicator or lighting a burner.
Always take proper electrical safety precautions when working or cleaning electrical areas. This may include wearing a toggle switch and wearing rubber gloves.
Before removing the burner assembly to check for debris, make sure you also close the gas valve on the water heater and the gas line next to the water heater. Only work on a gas water heater if you feel safe, as explosions and accidents can occur if handled incorrectly. If you feel more comfortable with a professional, this is the best way to be safe.
If you decide to proceed with cleaning the thermocouple or flame sensor, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a fine nozzle to remove any dirt and dust you notice. If it’s only slightly clogged, it should start working normally again. If the indicator does not light up after vacuuming, the flame sensor or thermocouple may be defective. Older parts may show more signs of wear, such as metal scale, but sometimes they stop working.
However, some other interpretations of the fault indicator should be considered before replacing the thermocouple. The thermocouple wire may be too far from the indicator. Check thermocouple and adjust wires if necessary.
If the light does not come on at all, the light tube may be clogged. This can also be the case if the flame is weak and has an orange tint. In this case, the thermocouple may not detect it. You can try to increase the size of the flame by removing debris from the pilot tube.
First, turn off the gas. You can find the pilot port at the pilot feed line inlet. It looks like a small brass tube. Once you find the tube, turn it to the left to loosen it. It is very narrow, so the best way to remove debris is to wipe the edges with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. You can also use compressed air to remove any stubborn dirt. After cleaning and reassembling, turn on the gas and try to turn on the light again.
If you have followed the instructions above and the lights are still off or off, consider replacing the thermocouple or flame sensor. It’s cheap and easy and requires spare parts and wrenches. Thermocouples are often replaced by home improvement and online stores, but if you don’t know what to buy or don’t feel safe following replacement instructions, contact a professional.
If you decide to replace the thermocouple yourself, be sure to turn off the gas first. There are usually three nuts that hold the thermocouple in place. Release them to remove the entire burner assembly. It should easily slide out of the combustion chamber. You can then remove the thermocouple and replace it with a new one, reassemble the burner when you’re done, and test the indicator light.
Electric water heaters have high pressure rods that heat the water in the tank. This can make things a little more difficult when it comes to finding the source of a water heater problem.
If your electric water heater is not working properly, you will need to turn it off before repairing it. In some cases, the problem is solved by simply switching the circuit breaker or replacing a blown fuse. Some electric water heaters even have a safety switch that triggers a reset if it detects a problem. Resetting this switch next to the thermostat may fix the problem, but if your water heater keeps hitting the reset button, look for other problems.
The next step is to check the voltage with a multimeter. A multimeter is a test instrument used to measure electrical quantities. This will give you an idea of ​​the source of the power shortage when your water heater is off.
Electric water heaters have one or two elements that heat water. A multimeter can check the voltage of these components to make sure they are working properly.
First turn off the water heater circuit breaker. You will need to remove the top and bottom panels and the insulation in order to work on the edges of the element. Then test the water heater element with a multimeter by touching the screw and the metal base of the element. If the arrow on the multimeter moves, the element must be replaced.
Most homeowners can do the repairs themselves, but if you’re not comfortable dealing with water and electrical components, be sure to see a professional. These elements are often referred to as submersible because they heat water when immersed in a tank.
To replace a water heater element, you need to know the type of element inside the device. New heaters may have screw-in elements, while older heaters often have bolt-on elements. You can find a physical stamp on the water heater that describes the elements of the water heater, or you can search the Internet for the make and model of the water heater.
There are also top and bottom heating elements. The lower elements are often replaced due to the formation of deposits on the bottom of the tank. You can determine which one is broken by checking the elements of the water heater with a multimeter. Once you have determined the exact type of water heater element that needs to be replaced, find a replacement with the same voltage.
You can choose lower power when replacing elements to extend the life of the water heater and save energy. If you do this, the device will generate less heat than you were used to before the heat problem occurred. Also, when choosing replacement elements, consider the age of the water heater and the type of water in your area. If you need help identifying the correct replacement part, contact a professional.
If you have any doubts about the use of electricity and water, ask a plumber to do the job. If you feel safe doing the job, turn off the breaker and check the voltage with a multimeter to make sure absolutely no power is being supplied to the water heater before you start. Follow the instructions below for replacing the water heater element with or without emptying the tank.
This handy video from Jim Vibrock shows you how to replace the heating element in your water heater.
Keeping your appliances running helps them operate efficiently and helps you avoid wasting water or energy. It can also extend their lifespan. By repairing the water heater in time, you will contribute to the environmental friendliness of your home.
Sam Bowman writes about people, the environment, technology and how they come together. He likes to be able to use the internet to serve his community from the comfort of his home. In his free time, he enjoys running, reading and going to the local bookstore.
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