hot water heater not heating water do i need a new heating element or could it be something else?

Answer 1

Dont guess, its real easy to find out. http://appliancequickfix.com/

Answer 2

First, check your breaker box for a tripped circuit, next check both upper and lower elements for continuity, (a completed circuit. You will need a voltage meter for this. CAREFUL that you do not touch the wires with anything other than the meter leads. If you do not show a completed circuit, then you will have to replace the elements. It is best to replace both at the same time, so you will start off fresh. turn the power off the water heater at the breaker box. check with meter to make sure!! turn the water supply off to the heater and the open a hot water tap in a bathroom, hook a hose up to the drain at the bottom of the water tank, run it outside and open the valve to completely drain the tank, replace both elements(you will need an element wrench (inexpensive) and rewire the new ones exactly as the old ones after installation. close drain valve, remove hose, leave hotwater tap open in bathroom and turn water supply on to the water heater and fill until water runs out of bath faucet without air. restore power to heater and enjoy hot water again!

Answer 3

electric or gas heater?
if electric, shut off power to the heater and get a continuity tester and check each element. if you have an open element it needs replaced. if you do not have an open element, then there is something else wrong, start w/the element and continue to check for continuity back up the chain (element, wiring, thermostat, etc) until you get to the main power. Again, do all of this with the power to the unit turned OFF!
i've never worked on a gas one, but would guess that it would be similar except you would be checking things like pilot light, gas line, etc, instead of just electric current.

Answer 4

everything above is the most direct way to find out why your HWH is not heating but I had one that was not producing hot water I replaced the new HWH with another one thinking it was a defect but after all that I found a hot water pipe was leaking under the concrete floor. the water was running through the tank so fast that the heater couldn't catch up the way to check this is to turn off the cold water valve feeding the tank make sure everything is off wait a few minutes then ease the valve back on I could hear the water rushing through the tank

Answer 5

You most likely need a new Hot Water Heater. Although you might have a gas heater. If this is the case then the pilot could be out. Or it may simple be out of gas. Hope this helps, The Yahoo Guru

Answer 6

Heating element indicates electric water heater .
It could be 1 of 2 things or even both.
The heating element or thermostat.

Electric Water Heaters
http://www.chilipepperapp.com/ewh.htm
The link above gives you a diagram of the unit
with sub link.
Best bet if you have a Lowes Store close by they will tell you all you want to know.

Answer 7

How old is your hot water heater? Is it electric or gas? If it is an old gas hot water heater, then the pilot light could be out. Ours blows out every so often. When you take the cover off the area where the pilot light is, there are usually instructions. We use a piece of wire w/ real cotton on the tip. Dip the cotton in rubbing alcohol (after it is twirled on to the wire) to make it easier to light.

Answer 8

Try draining your water heater out completely & refill it. Maybe it just needs to be cleaned out. If that doesn't work, them change the heating element. We had the same problem with ours; we drained it (a lot of gunk came out!), refilled it & changed the heating element & now it works like a charm! Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Is it gas or electric. could be a bad circuit breaker or a bad pilot light. or the thermostat could be broken. if its electric turn off the breaker all the way and then back on. then try adjusting the thermostat up or down a little...preferably down about 5 degrees. if you have an electrical tester...then remove the plate where the power feeds it.....carefully remove the wirenuts and test the wires coming in.....have a manly neighbor or someone who knows what they are doing do this.

Answer 10

no all u need is a new element. look 4 a brunt spot on it or a crack . but more than likely that is it

Answer 11

try making sure the pilot light is lit. last winter ours kept going out from a draft under the door