How does a hot water heater work ?

Question

Hot water heater was working fine until the power outage hit that lasted 2 days. The boiler now works we have heat but no hot water. What can be the problem. The hot water heater is about 5 years old

Answer 1

If it is an Electric heater you may have a heating element burned out. Low power or power outage on one leg will do it. Also check and see if your reset button on heater has triped. Just look for a small red button and push it in see if it clicks.

Answer 2

Electric, I'll assume. It has it's own breaker. have you checked it? It may also have a "reset" button?

To directly answer the Q and electric water heater has "elements" similar to an electric stove, that heat the water stored in the tank.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

The hot water may have a reset button. Sometimes it will pop out with a power loss. Otherwise, you or have some one else check to make sure the unit is getting power. You'll need a multi testor to perform this. Then, if the unit is getting power, you'll need to check to see if the elements have burned out. Again, you'll need to use a multi testor for this. (First of all though, make sure there's water in the tank too).

good luck