No hot water |
| Cause |
Solution |
No Power
Loose wiring
Lighting
High Voltage
Short circuit
Undersized service
Element burnout
Inoperative thermostat
Inoperative or open high limit (ECO) |
Check fuses and
circuit breakers, replace and reset.
Locate loose wires; clean carefully and reconnect properly.
Replace fuse, heater elements, and thermostat.
Check with utility.
Locate short circuit and correct.
Check with utility.
Check element; replace if necessary.
Replace thermostat.
Reset. |
Insufficient hot water |
| Cause |
Solution |
Lower element
burnout
Undersized heater
Elements too small Leaking faucets/nipples
Wasted hot water
Sediment or line in tank
Dip tube not installed or nipple not tight
Lime formation on element
Thermostat not flush with tank
Loose wiring connection
Thermostat set too low
Piping connections reversed
Long runs of exposed piping
Hot water piping in outside walls
Inoperative thermostat
Inoperative high limit (ECO) |
Replace element.
Replace with larger heater.
Replace with higher-watt elements (check with utility).
Locate and correct leak.
Advise resident to use hot water more efficiently.
See if water treatment is necessary.
Install tube or tighten nipple.
Clean element; replace if necessary.
Position property.
Make sure insulation covers thermostat.
Locate loose wiring, clean carefully, and reconnect properly.
Turn knob to desired temperature. Caution: The hotter the
water, the greater the risk of a scaled injury. Se
introduction manual before changing temperature setting.
Reconnect pipes to proper fittings
Insulate piping
Insulate piping
Replace thermostat
Replace |
Insufficient hot water |
| Cause |
Solution |
Elements too
small
Wasted hot water
Lime formation on element
Loose wiring connection
Piping connections
Excessive mineral deposits
Dip tube not installed or nipple not tight
Long runs of exposed pipe
Hot water piping in outside walls |
Replace with
higher watt elements (check with utility)
Advise resident to use hot water more efficiently
Clean elements; replace if necessary
Locate loose wiring, clean, carefully, and reconnect properly
Reconnect pipes to proper fittings
Flush tank thoroughly; install water filter
Install tube or tighten nipple
Insulate piping.
Insulate piping. |
Slow hot water recovery |
| Cause |
Solution |
Elements too
small
Wasted hot water
Lime formation on elements
Loose wiring connection
Piping connections reversed
Excessive mineral deposits
Dip tube not installed or nipple not tight
Long runs of exposed pipe
Hot water piping in outside walls |
Replace with
higher watt elements (check with utility)
Advise residents to use hot water more efficiently.
Clean elements, replace if necessary.
Locate loose wiring, clean carefully, and reconnect properly.
Reconnect pipes to proper fittings.
Flush tank thoroughly, install water filter.
Install tube or tighten nipple.
Insulate piping.
Insulate piping. |
Overheated water/steaming |
| Cause |
Solution |
No relief valve
Thermostat not flush against tank
Short in element or thermostat
Thermostat see to high
Defective thermostat
Defective high limit (ECO) |
Position
properly.
Make sure insulation covers thermostat.
Locate short circuit and correct.
Turn knob to lower temperature.
Replace thermostat.
Replace. |
Excessive Operating Cost |
| Cause |
Solution |
Undersized
heater
Leaking faucets or nipples
Insulation replaced improperly on elements and thermostat
cover
Wasted hot water
Thermostat not flush against tank
Poor grounding
Short in element
Thermostat set too high
Return circulating lines
Long runs of exposed piping
Hot water piping in outside walls
Defective thermostat |
Replace with
larger heater.
Locate and correct.
Adjust insulation to original factory condition.
Advise resident to use hot water more efficiently.
Position properly. Make sure insulation covers thermostat.
Install proper ground.
Locate short circuit and correct.
Turn knob to desired temperature.
Recommend to resident changing to one-pipe system
Insulate piping.
Insulate piping.
Replace thermostat |
Overheated Water/Steaming |
| Cause |
Solution |
No relief valve
Thermostat not flush against tank
Short in element or thermostat
Thermostat set too high
Defective thermostat
Defective high limit (ECO) |
Install proper
relief valve.
Position properly.
Make sure insulation covers thermostat.
Locate short circuit and correct.
Turn knob to lower temperature.
Replace thermostat. Replace. |
Excessive Operating Cost |
| Cause |
Solution |
Undersized
heater
Leaking faucets or nipples
Insulation replaced improperly on elements and thermostat
cover
Wasted hot water
Thermostat not flush against tank
Poor grounding
Short in element
Thermostat set too high
Return circulating lines
Long runs of exposed piping
Hot water piping in outside walls
Defective thermostat |
Replace with
larger heater Locate and correct.
Adjust insulation to original factory condition.
Advise resident to use hot water more efficiently.
Position properly.
Make sure insulation covers thermostat
Install proper ground
Locate short circuit and correct.
Turn knob to desired temperature.
Recommend to resident changing to one-step pipe system.
Insulate piping.
Insulate piping.
Replace thermostat. |
Relief valve dripping |
| Cause |
Solution |
Sediment or lime
in tank
Excessive water pressure
Surge from washer solenoid valve
Defective thermostat |
See if water
treatment is necessary
Install proper pressure-reducing valve with built-in bypass.
Install blind pipe air cushion.
Replace thermostat. |
Excessive relief valve operation |
| Cause |
Solution |
Excessive water
pressure
Restriction in cold water line
Surge from washer solenoid valve
Defective thermostat |
Install proper
pressure-reducing valve with built-in bypass.
Remove restriction. Check valve should not be installed in
cold water line unless there is an expansion tank.
Install blind pipe air cushion.
Replace thermostat. |
Tank Bulged/Reversed Bottoms |
| Cause |
Solution |
No relief valve
Surge of water pressure
Surge from washer solenoid valve
Check valve in waterline
Faulty T & P valve |
Install proper
relief valves
Install proper pressure-relief valve with built-in bypass.
Install blind pipe air cushion.
Remove check valve.
Install new T& P valve. |
Element Failure |
| Cause |
Solution |
Loose wiring
connection
Lighting or power surge
Low or high voltage
Short circuit |
Locate loose
wiring, clean, and reconnect properly.
Replace fuse, heater elements, and thermostat.
Check with utility.
Locate short circuit and correct. |
Blown fuse/circuit breaker cutout |
| Cause |
Solution |
No Power
Wrong wiring connections
Loose wiring connections
Lighting or power surge
Voltage and wattage too high to accommodate breaker
High voltage
Short circuit
Undersized service wiring |
Check
fuses/circuit breakers; replace/reset.
Correct according to manufacture's instructions.
Locate loose wiring, clean, and reconnect properly.
Replace fuse, heater elements, and thermostat.
Check with utility for proper breaker.
Check with utility.
Locate short circuit and correct.
Check with utility |
Service wires hot or charred |
| Cause |
Solution |
Wrong wiring
connections
Poor grounding
Lighting or power surge
High Voltage
Short circuit
Undersized service wiring
Loose terminals |
Correct
according to manufacture's instructions.
Install proper ground.
Replace fuse, heater elements, and thermostat.
Check with utility.
Locate short circuit and correct.
Check with utility.
Tighten terminals |
Continuous Operation |
| Cause |
Solution |
Undersized
heater
Elements too small
Thermostat not flush with tank
Return circulating lines
Defective thermostat
Defective high limit (ECO)
Leak in faucets on hot water line |
Replace with
larger heater.
Replace with higher watt elements (check with utility)
Position properly.
Make sure insulation covers thermostat.
Recommend to resident changing to one-pipe system.
Replace thermostat.
Replace leak. |
Singeing elements |
| Cause |
Solution |
| Lime formation
on elements |
Clean elements,
replace if necessary. |
Wet insulation |
| Cause |
Solution |
Leaky fitting
Leaks around heat trap (side plumbing)
Leaks around heating elements |
Check all
fittings and repair leaks.
Remove. Apply pipe "dope" and reinstall.
Tighten elements. |
Thermostat Failure |
| Cause |
Solution |
Loose wiring
connection
Lighting or power surge
Low or high voltage
Short circuit |
Locate loose
wiring, clean and reconnect properly.
Replace fuse, heater element, and thermostat.
Check with utility.
Locate short circuit and correct. |
Smoking wires |
| Cause |
Solution |
.Lighting or
power surge
Low, high, or variable voltage
Undersized service wiring |
Replace fuse,
heater element, and thermostat.
Check with utility.
Check with utility. |
Fluctuating temperature |
| Cause |
Solution |
Thermostat not
flush with tank
Thermostat/element installed incorrectly
Loose wiring connection
Pipe connections reversed
Long runs of exposed piping
Hot water piping in outside walls
Defective thermostat
Dip tube missing or floating |
Position
properly.
Make sure insulation covers thermostat.
Cover thermostat/element with insulation.
Locate loose wiring, cleans, and reconnect properly.
Reconnect pipes to proper fittings. Insulate piping.
Insulate piping.
Replace thermostat.
Install dip tube or tight nipples. |
|
|
Rusty or discolored water |
| Cause |
Solution |
Sediment or lime
in tank
Damage from electrolysis
Rusted supply lines
Water too soft
Excessive mineral deposits
Dissipated anode rod |
See if water
treatment is necessary
Install dielectric unions or bushings.
Thoroughly clean system; replace lines if needed.
Install/replace anode rod to protect tank.
Flush tank thoroughly; install water filter.
Replace rod. |
Rumbling/pounding water heater |
| Cause |
Solution |
Sediment or lime
in tank
Lime formation on elements
Return circulating lines
Excessive water pressure
Gas from anode
Surge from washer solenoid valve
Check valve in water line
Pressure-reducing valve installed
Pipe connections reversed
Air trap in water system
Dissipate anode rod
Defective thermostat
Defective high limit (ECO) |
See if water
treatment is necessary.
Clean elements, replace if necessary.
Recommend to resident changing to one-pipe system.
Install proper pressure-reducing valve with built-in bypass.
Replace with aluminum anode rod.
Install blind pipe air cushion.
Install proper pressure relief valve.
Install temperature and pressure relief valve.
Reconnect pipes to proper fittings.
Locate and eliminate
Replace rod.
Replace thermostat.
Replace. |
