Common Cause Why Your Water Heater Isn’t Producing Hot
Water
Having little or no hot water can cause numerous issues. If that describes your situation, you are then not able to take comfortable showers, your washing machine may no longer work as effectively and cleaning dishes becomes more difficult, the latter since warm-to-hot water loosens grease.
But why is your water heater not producing as much hot water as it should?
Thermostat Issues
There are several ways that an improperly working thermostat can cause a lack of hot water.
For example, it could be misreading the water’s current temperature. If it is actually 90 degrees but your thermostat senses that that same water is at 120 degrees, it will not send the signal that the water needs to be further heated. The opposite type of situation can occur as well, resulting in it continuously calling for heat and scalding water coming out of your faucet. Also, the latter situation may trip the high-limit safety switch and shut down the heating process.
In addition, keep in mind that most residential electric tank water heaters have two thermostats, one for the upper element and the other for the lower element. If either stops working effectively, that will cause issues. The upper thermostat not working often creates a more urgent situation – i.e. little, if any, hot water or too-hot water that may trigger the safety switch. Meanwhile, if the lower thermostat is faulty, you may have hot water that runs out much more quickly than it should or overheated water.
The Pilot Light Is Out
Do you use a traditional gas tank water heater? It likely has a pilot light, which is a small flame that ignites gas that flows to the main burner. When this process is working as intended, that burner heats your water whenever the thermostat calls for heat. Conversely, if that pilot light goes out, the adjacent thermocouple cools and then stops producing its electrical signal. As a result, the gas valve closes, ensuring that no gas enters the system.
If this describes your situation, the pilot assembly may be worn or damaged or the pilot orifice could be clogged with dust or debris.
Leaking Gas Lines
If you use a gas water heater and have a leaking gas line, your water heating system might not be receiving the gas that it needs to heat that water. In any case, a leaking gas line is an emergency situation since a fire or explosion is then a serious threat, and you should avoid using electricity or creating any sort of spark or flames, leave your home and head to a safe location. Then, contact 911 if there is immediate danger. Otherwise, reach out to your natural gas utility.
The Circuit Breaker Tripped
Do you use an electric water heater? A tripped breaker is a possible explanation for why you do not have hot water. In some cases, simply resetting that breaker will resolve the issue. However, if this does not fix it or the situation repeats, reach out to professionals for assistance. A faulty element, damaged wiring or a defective circuit breaker could be the culprit.
Minerals and Sediment Buildup
Much of South Florida has hard water, meaning that minerals can accumulate in water heating systems there and form sediment. A significant degree of buildup is even more likely with older units since minerals will then have had more time to accumulate. In any case, if this is happening with yours, an insulating layer may have been formed, which could make the heating process less efficient than it used to be.
Also note that this issue can result in not only cooler water than you prefer but also increased energy bills.
Your Water Heater Is Old
If your water heater is old, it may simply not work well because of its aging parts and resulting declining performance.
Conclusion
Is your water heater not providing you with the hot water that you need to bathe, to wash dishes and clothes and for other reasons? Reach out to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We serve homes and businesses throughout South Florida and will be glad to discuss your situation with you and help ensure that you get the hot water flowing again. Also, rest assured that if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay.
