Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting
What are the best ways to troubleshoot an electric water heater problem fast? What can go wrong, and what are the signs when certain electric water heater parts go bad? Check out this article to help you become an electric water heater troubleshooting pro.
A service request related to an electric water heater should begin with a good working understanding of how they are made and how they operate. Electric water heaters are similar to gas water heaters in many ways, but there are several key differences in what maintenance pros need to look for when troubleshooting electric water heaters.
Review this detailed breakdown of what an electric water heater looks like outside and inside the tank:
Armed with the knowledge of what can go bad on an electric water heater, it’s time to take a look at which electric water heater parts to check and in what order. Follow these troubleshooting workflows and download the easy-to-follow to fix any electric water heater problem fast.
Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting an electric water heater begins by determining if the unit is getting enough power to heat the water. Be careful and work safely. Grab your multimeter. It’s time to troubleshoot!
| No Hot Water | Water Does Not Stay Hot |
|---|---|
|
If there is no hot water, there may not be any or not enough power getting to the heating elements. Is the breaker…
Is the water heater getting power?
If the breaker or thermostat is tripping, the issue may be one of the following:
If the water heater is getting proper power, the issue may be with one of these:
Use a multimeter to locate the problem part and replace. |
If the water heater is getting power but the water is not staying hot, something is not working inside the heater. Check the T&P valve:
Next, check the thermostat and lower heating element:
If the issue persists, it may be a broken dip tube:
|
Check out this article to test continuity and connectivity in an electric water heater.
