Two Common Problems With Hot Water Heaters

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A water heater is an appliance designed to heat up water and distribute it throughout your property. Most properties will have one to two water heaters but may have even more depending on how large the property is. If you have a lot of people using the water, it is better to have more to be able to meet the demand.

Taking care of this appliance with regular system checks will prolong its life expectancy and keep it running smoothly. If the water heater stops working, you will experience little or no hot water. Use this guide to troubleshoot common issues with these appliances or recognize when a replacement is required.

Out of Hot Water

When you have no hot water, it is usually related to the heating elements inside the appliance. Most units have a top and bottom element, but some smaller units only have one. Double elements work together by heating up half the tank of water. You can pinpoint which one is bad with the amount of hot water you have. A small amount of hot water means that the bottom element in the tank is still working and the top one is malfunctioning. No hot water at all shows that the bottom element needs to be replaced. The elements can be replaced by accessing the inside of the unit and locating the bad element. You will need a special wrench designed to remove the elements. Replace it with the new one and wait a few hours for the water to heat back up.

Water Not Hot Enough

If you think that the water provided by the water heater is not hot enough, it might be a problem with the thermostat on the unit. Houses with bad insulation in the winter may need to adjust the thermostat during the winter months to keep the water in the tank from cooling before it is used. Locate the thermostat inside the unit and adjust it to the desired temperature. Be careful not to put it too high or you may accidentally burn yourself. If you adjust the thermostat and you don't notice a change, you may need a new thermostat.

Conclusion

You should always contact a local professional when you have a problem with your appliance and cannot solve it on your own. Plumbers or HVAC contractors can repair or replace any unit that you are having issues with. They can also suggest upgrades and handle regular service checks for all your units.

To learn more, visit a company like Ace Home Services. 

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