You turn on the hot water tap, and wait, and wait, and nothing happens. The water is coming out but it is icy cold or barely lukewarm, what can be the problem with your electric water heater? There is actually a list of things that can go wrong with your electric water heater. The first thing you want to do is check to make sure you do not have any leaks coming from your water heater. A small leak typically does not affect performance. Obviously, if the bottom of your tank has come apart, then that is the problem. There are other things that can be going on with your electric water heater that can cause malfunction.

Your Electric Water Heater Parts

There are several key components to your water heater that can fail that will keep you from having hot water at the tap. Whether you have a 100 gallon commercial water heater, or you have a residential water heater, the components will be the same. What is inside your water heater? There are two major parts that can fail that will keep the water from getting hot, the upper element, and the lower element. The elements are metal bars that heat up from the electricity that is fed to the water heater. The metal bars or elements heat the water that is sitting in the tank. Elements are usually the culprit when an electric hot water heater stops working. The elements can be replaced and it should restore the function. If your water heater seems to work okay sometimes and then other times the water is too hot or too cold, it can be your thermostat that is having the issue. A faulty thermostat can keep from regulating the temperature of the water heater accurately.

Some Do’s and Don’ts Handling Your Electric Water Heater

Before you get near your water heater be sure to shut off the electricity to it. Turn off the power at the breaker box to ensure there is no electricity running through the equipment. If you have little to no experience dealing with plumbing, call in a professional. One of the most common problems with an electric water heater with a tank, is that the bottom of the tank can rust and break apart. Gallons of water will spill out. Shut off the water supply to the tank, and call in a plumber.

Avoiding Some of the Most Common Electric Water Heater Problems

A lot of homeowners are tired of dealing with traditional water heaters and the common problems that come with them so they are switching to tankless water heaters. These on-demand systems like the Rheem Rtex 13 electric tankless water heater, can deliver more efficiency, last over 20 years, and avoid all the common headaches. If your water heater is not performing as it should learn more about tankless water heater options and how they can enhance living in your home.