I am only getting warm water from my hot water tank, does not matter how long I wait. If an element what element would it be the top or bottom one?
2007-03-27 14:49:13 · 9 answers · asked by Ed T 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Obviously electric, element being the give away! The bottom one is the most susceptible to burn out because it is subjected to the most sediment (heavier than water) and corrosion. Could be the thermostat but I doubt it. Good Luck!
2007-03-27 17:29:52 · answer #1 · answered by LoneWolf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is a 40 or 52 gal. elec. model, it would be the bottom element bad or the bottom thermostat. In double element units, the top thermostat sends current to the top element first, heating the water in the top half of the tank. When that reaches the predetermined temp. then the thermo kicks the top element off and routes the current to the bottom element to heat the water in the lower half of the tank. You most likely have a 30 amp breaker controlling the unit. If both elements were to come on at the same time, you'd have to have a 50 amp to hold it. Check across the two silver screw heads, with one wire disconnected and the power off. If it reads much out of the range of 12.3 - 12.7 ohms, then it's bad. Odds are you've got a fair concentration of lime or calcium in your water.
2007-03-27 22:41:57 · answer #2 · answered by Corky R 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's hard to tell if it's the top or bottom... replace both, because if one is going out the other is not far behind. Also, by doing both you have to drain the entire tank and that'll help get any sediment out of the bottom. Just let the water cool, then attach a garden hose to the outlet on the bottom (use teflon tape on the threads to minimize leaking) and then run the other end out of the house before opening the valve.
Replace them both, you'll be glad you did.
2007-03-27 22:07:27 · answer #3 · answered by M.A. D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First check your thermostat setting.Be sure around 125 careful too much will burn your element! If you do have a bad element 9 out of 10 times its the bottom. Good luck , hope this helps!
2007-03-27 22:01:41 · answer #4 · answered by Gator 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what type of hot water tank, or heater you have. Is either gas or electric. Gas, maybe the temp setting is too low. Or the electric, probably the heater element wore out. Not sure to say which one. Probably the one that doesn't feel hot on the tank I guess.
2007-03-27 21:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
elements aren't that expensive, replace both. You can use a continuity tester to figure out which one is the bad one. It could also be a bad upper or lower thermostat.
2007-03-27 22:04:27 · answer #6 · answered by Brian M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's it gas or electric?
do you have a red knob, saying = = vacation - low - medium -
high??
have you run the hot water in the sink and used a thermometer and it is less than 140 degrees??
how old is the water heater?
Did you look at the Manuel? for troubleshooting?
All this makes a difference....... Check it out, you may find your answer!
good luck
2007-03-27 21:59:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My guess is that the mixing valve is bad (if you have one), not the water heater. Or perhaps the mixing valve is ok but it is set incorrectly. If you have very hard water, a mixing valve may not last long.
2007-03-27 22:10:06 · answer #8 · answered by wakeboarder82 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
thermocouple, top
2007-03-27 21:53:25 · answer #9 · answered by whateverbabe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋