As your home’s hot water source, the water heater’s importance cannot be overstated. After all, hot water is more than a luxury. It supports hygienic conditions during our most common household chores and routines—things like running the laundry, washing the dishes, and showering.
If your water heater stopped working, you’re understandably frustrated. But keep reading. The purpose of this guide is to help you explain why your water heater is not working and to provide actionable insights and solutions to remedy the issue.
Common Signs of a Water Heater Issue
Let’s get started with some possible answers to the question, “Why is my water heater not working?” Some of the most common indicators of a water heater issue include:
1. Lack of Hot Water
Persistently cold water typically indicates sediment buildup, a potential thermostat failure, or—worst case scenario—a water heater system that is no longer functional.
2. Fluctuating Water Temperature
Is the water temperature in your shower having a hard time making up its mind? Inconsistent, ping-ponging water temperatures often suggest issues with your water heater’s heating element, thermostat, or mineral deposits interfering with proper heat distribution.
3. Strange Noises From the Heater
Knocking, popping, or rumbling sounds typically reveal serious internal issues like excessive sediment accumulation, failing heating elements, or damaged components that need to be tightened, re-connected, or repaired.
4. Water Leakage Around the Unit
Water pooling around your water heater indicates there’s a leak somewhere, ranging from simple connective issues to significant tank damage. Ignoring a leaking water heater puts your home at risk of water damage, reduced energy efficiency, and catastrophic flooding.
5. Rust-Colored Water or Sediment Buildup
Discolored water visually signals advanced corrosion inside your tank, indicating that your water heater is likely deteriorating and may require replacement.
Types of Water Heaters and Potential Issues
Depending on whether you own a common tank water heater or an energy-efficient tankless water heater, here are some of the potential problems that can occur with each style:
Tank Water Heaters
Sediment Buildup: When mineral deposits accumulate at the bottom of the tank, it reduces the system’s heating efficiency and potentially damages other internal components.
Faulty Heating Element or Thermostat: Malfunctioning heating elements or thermostats can lead to inconsistent water temperatures, insufficient hot water, or a complete failure to produce hot water.
Pilot Light Issues (For Gas Models): Old or unreliable pilot lights can prevent the water heater from igniting, resulting in a complete loss of hot water and potential safety concerns.
Tankless Water Heaters
Insufficient Power Supply: Inadequate electrical or gas connections can prevent tankless water heaters from generating enough heat to meet household hot water demands.
Mineral Buildup Affecting Heat Exchanger: Calcium and mineral deposits can accumulate on the heat exchanger, reducing its efficiency and potentially causing a system malfunction.
System Overload: Attempting to use hot water in multiple locations simultaneously can overwhelm tankless water heater systems, resulting in reduced water temperature or inconsistent heating.
Troubleshooting Tips
Once you’ve identified why your hot water heater is not working—and if you feel comfortable working with home appliances—here are some common troubleshooting tips you can apply to further localize or repair the problem.
Check Power or Gas Supply
- Ensure the circuit breaker isn’t tripped or that the fuse isn’t blown. In these instances, you may simply need to reset the circuit breaker or replace the blown fuse.
- For gas models, check the gas valve and pilot light to make sure they’re lit.
Inspect the Thermostat
- Test your thermostat’s functionality by adjusting the temperature to verify it’s on and configured to the correct settings.
Flush the Tank
- When flushing your water heater’s tank, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines in the owner’s manual.
- Generally, you’ll start by shutting off the water heater and letting it cool.
- Next, locate the drain valve and connect it to a hose. The other end of your hose should be placed somewhere where you can safely dispose of the flushed water, like a drain or bucket.
- Loosen the valve according to manufacturer instructions and allow a few gallons of water to drain out through the hose.
- Visibly cloudy or rusty water indicates you have a sediment buildup, which means the previous step should be repeated as necessary until the flushed water appears clear.
Look for Leaks
- Locate leaks around your water heater and, if possible, patch them.
When to Call a Professional for Water Heater Repair
If, at any point before or during the troubleshooting process you feel unsafe working with gas or electricity, don’t hesitate to call a professional water repair technician.
Other indicators that it’s time to call a professional include:
- Persistent or worsening leaks
- Complete lack of hot water despite troubleshooting
- Frequent on-and-off cycling of the water heater
Water Heater Preventative Maintenance Tips
Preventative maintenance is your best defense against water heater breakdowns. By performing the tasks outlined in the checklist below, you’ll be able to extend the lifespan of your water heater, improve its performance, and protect its warranty.
- Annually flush the tank to remove sediment
- Check the anode rod for corrosion
- Regularly inspect connections and fittings for wear
- Install a water softener to reduce mineral buildup
Choosing the Right Water Heater (If Replacement Is Needed)
Tank vs Tankless Water Heaters
Tank and tankless water heaters are likely two approaches you’ll consider when keeping your home supplied with hot water. Traditional tank systems are thermal reservoirs that store and continuously heat water—up to 40-80 gallons at a time. In contrast, tankless water heaters provide an on-demand solution, heating water only when you turn on the tap.
Estimated Installation Times
Professional water heater installation is the key to lasting hot water availability in your home. Expect the process to take 2-6 hours depending on your chosen model—with tankless systems often requiring more complex installation, especially if switching from a traditional tank setup.
Other Factors to Consider
1. Energy Efficiency
Look for ENERGY STAR® certified models and pay close attention to the Energy Factor (EF) rating. A higher EF means lower operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars annually on utility bills.
2. Household Size and Hot Water Demand
Tankless systems are often ideal for smaller households (1-2 people). Larger households, on the other hand, require enough hot water for simultaneous showers, laundry, or dishwashing and typically benefit from traditional tank heaters with 50-80 gallon capacities.
3. Budget Considerations
Water heaters are a long-term investment with two price points to consider: upfront cost and operational expenses. While tankless systems have higher initial costs, they can save 10-40% on annual energy expenses and often last twice as long as tank models. Over time, these operational savings may outweigh the upfront costs, making tankless water heaters a more budget-friendly decision.
Recap
Now that we understand some of the reasons your water heater is not working, it’s time to reinforce the importance of scheduling regular water heater maintenance to prevent these issues from happening in the first place. At T. Webber, we specialize in water heater repair and replacement, which means we know exactly how to identify issues with these complicated machines before they break down.
If your water heater is experiencing any of the issues outlined in this guide, don’t ignore them. Contact T. Webber for knowledgeable water heater solutions.
If it’s time to install a new water heater in your home or replace the old one, the first question you’re probably asking yourself is: “What size water heater do I need?” And it should be! After all, choosing the right-sized water heater for your home ensures a reliable supply of hot water. An improperly sized water heater, on the other hand, can lead to a range of issues — from cold showers to unpredictable temperature fluctuations.
When selecting a water heater, it's important to assess your household's unique hot water needs. Factors like the number of occupants, their shower and bathing habits, and the hot water demands of appliances all play a role in determining the appropriate water heater size. Underestimate your hot water requirements and you might get stuck with an undersized system that struggles to maintain temperature, while overestimating can lead to an oversized and less efficient unit.
In this guide, we'll compare different types of water heaters and explore key considerations for proper water heater size. By understanding your household's hot water usage patterns and needs, you can make an informed decision that directly impacts your home’s comfort and efficiency.
Understanding Water Heater Sizing
When it comes to choosing the right size water heater for your home, one of the key metrics to consider is the unit's capacity. Typically measured in gallons, this storage capacity represents how much hot water the heater can hold and have ready for use at any given time.
Tank water heaters store a set volume of hot water — ranging anywhere from 20 to 80 gallons — that can be drawn upon as needed. This storage capacity makes them well-suited for meeting the demands of multiple, simultaneous hot water uses, such as running the dishwasher while someone is taking a shower.
In contrast, tankless or "on-demand" water heaters do not store hot water. Instead, they heat water only when it is needed, delivering a continuous flow of hot water as long as the tap is running. While tankless units have virtually unlimited hot water, they may be limited in the number of fixtures they can supply at once without compromising temperature.
Factors to Consider When Deciding on Water Heater Size
When determining what size water heater you need, it's crucial to match the unit's capacity to your household's unique hot water needs. Here are some factors to consider:
Household Size
Your hot water usage is directly influenced by the number of people in your household. In other words, what size water heater you need for a family of three will differ greatly from what size water heater you need for a family of seven.
Daily Water Usage
Some of the most common household activities that require hot water are showers, washing dishes, and laundry. Taking into account the average hot water consumption rates for these activities, you should estimate 10-15 gallons of water per occupant and size your water heater tank accordingly.
Peak Hour Demand
Consider when the appliances that consume hot water are being used simultaneously. For example, do you run your washing machine while you shower in the morning? Are multiple showers being taken at the same time? These moments constitute peak demand and will determine the limit of your water heater’s size.
Type of Water Heater
Because they’re designed to store large amounts of water, traditional tank water heaters take up more space than their tankless counterparts. Because of this, tank water heaters may be better suited for larger homes while tankless water heaters are generally more functional in constricted environments. You might also consider an energy-efficient solar water heating system, where additional sizing considerations are needed to account for your home’s solar resources and orientation.
Sizing Guidelines for Different Types of Water Heaters
Tank Water Heaters
When sizing a traditional, tank-style water heater, the key metric to consider is the First Hour Rating (FHR). This represents the maximum number of gallons of hot water the heater can supply in one hour, starting with a full tank.
To determine the right FHR for your household, you'll need to estimate your peak hour of hot water demand — that is, the highest volume of hot water your family is likely to use in a single hour. You can use resources like the Energy Saver water heater sizing chart from the Department of Energy to estimate this based on factors like the number of occupants and common hot water uses.
Once you've identified your peak hour demand, match it to the FHR of your desired water heater model (typically be found on the Energy Guide label affixed to the unit). This will ensure the unit can meet your maximum hourly requirements without running out of hot water.
Tankless Water Heaters
Sizing a tankless water heater involves a few more steps. Instead of storage capacity, tankless units are rated by their maximum flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM).
To size a tankless heater properly, you'll need to:
- Determine your peak hour of hot water demand and identify the number of fixtures (e.g. showers, sinks, appliances) that may be used simultaneously during that time.
- Calculate the flow rate (GPM) of each fixture by either checking the manufacturer specs or measuring the flow yourself.
- Add up the flow rates of all fixtures used during the peak hour to determine your maximum GPM requirement.
- Factor in the required temperature rise by calculating the difference between your incoming cold water temperature and 120°F, the desired hot water temperature. This will help you select a tankless unit with sufficient heating power.
By aligning your household's peak hot water needs with the flow rate and heating capabilities of a tankless heater, you can ensure reliable, on-demand hot water without any concerns about running out.
Additional Considerations
Energy Efficiency
How long does your water heater take to heat up? The answer to this question — along with the size of your water heater — affects energy consumption and, therefore, the amount you’re paying in utility bills. Water heaters with tanks constitute almost 20% of your home’s energy consumption. Switching to a tankless system can help reduce energy costs by up to 34%. Not to mention, they tend to last longer than tank systems.
Check your system’s (Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) rating for estimated energy consumption rates and their associated costs. Based on what you find, there may be more energy-efficient types of water heaters available.
Space and Installation
Space limitations in your home might also impact what size water heater you need. Tankless water heaters are typically compact and, in some cases, can be mounted and installed on walls. Tank water heaters, on the other hand, require greater dedicated space. In both cases, pay special attention to installation costs to select the best option for your budget.
When to Consult a Professional
Whenever working with water-based plumbing around electricity, it’s important to consult with a licensed plumber or HVAC professional who will take appropriate safety precautions when installing or replacing new water heaters. Especially in complex household configurations or when solar/hybrid systems are installed, professional assistance is necessary.
Water heater specialists like T. Webber are experts when it comes to water heater repair and replacement. They will guide you through the accurate sizing and installation of your new unit, taking into account all of the factors reviewed in this article.
Talk to Us Today
Whether you’re considering a tank water heater or a tankless system, choosing the right size is the first step in your selection process. There are different types of water heaters to choose from, each with its pros and cons depending on your household size and energy requirements.
Contact T. Webber today for personalized advice and water heater installation services. We will assess your household needs before you make a decision, ensuring you make the right choice!
