Imagine you get into the shower on one fine morning after turning the hot water heater burner on but no hot water comes out when you turn on the tap.
We all know how irritating of a problem can this be. But what are the reasons that cause this problem?
In this guide, we will discuss the problems that cause the water to not get heated even after the hot water heater burner is turned on and how you can fix it.
Possible Reasons On Why Is The Water Not Getting Hot
- Leak In The Tank
One of the most common reasons why there is no supply of hot water even after you turn on the water heater burner is a leak in the tank.
In order to supply hot water to your faucets, there has to be water in the tank that gets heated up.
If there is a leak in the tank, there will be no water, and heating up an empty tank is risky and wastes a huge amount of electricity or energy.
This can cause the tank to burst due to overheating and damage the property and the plumbing system significantly.
- Gas Leak
Another major reason that prevents the hot water heater from heating the water in the tank is a leak in the natural gas pipe.
This does not only prevent the supply of hot water but will also impose a great risk on the property and the entire plumbing system. If there is a leak in the gas pipe, then it can easily catch fire and cause harm.
- Malfunctioning Or Broken Electric Heater
When it comes to heating water with the help of a hot water heater, the energy efficiency of the appliance is necessary. This energy efficiency comes from the electric heater which helps to heat up the water present in the tank.
However, there are often instances when this electric heater fails to provide the required energy efficiency.
The reason behind this is that the electric heater is either malfunctioning or is broken. Similar to a gas leak and tank leak, a broken or malfunctioning electric heater will also prevent the supply of hot water.
Not only that, but it will also put the property and the residents of the household at a huge risk.
- Malfunctioning Or Broken Thermostat
In order for a hot water heater to heat up the water in the tank efficiently, the thermostat has to be set within a certain range of temperature.
If the temperature is not set accordingly, then it will not be able to heat up water.
However, if the water is not getting heated up even after the proper temperature setting, then there is a high chance that the thermostat is broken or not working properly.
- Weather
When it comes to heating up water with the help of a hot water burner, the weather outside plays a major role.
In areas or regions where the weather is cold or the temperature is extremely low, water heaters fail to provide proper and efficient performance.
Another problem associated with the weather when it comes to water heaters is the use of solar water heaters.
In today’s date, a lot of people are switching to the solar water heater in order to save money and help the environment.
However, if the solar water heaters are not receiving adequate or required amount of energy from sunlight, they will not be able to heat water.
- Size Of The Tank
While not many people pay attention to this problem, it plays a major role in the hot water supply problem. The installation of too big or too small of a water tank can affect the supply of hot water in your bathroom.
If the tank is too small, the hot water will run out faster and you will be left with none.
On the other hand, if the water tank is too big in comparison with the water heater, the water will not be heated properly and the water will remain cold.
Solutions To Water Heater Problems
- Check The Tank For Leaks
First and foremost, check the water tank for leaks in case there is no supply of hot water in the system. Check the appliance and valves properly for leaks.
Contact a professional plumber and get the leak replaced if you spot one. You might also have to replace the entire water tank and install a new one.
- Check For Gas Leaks
Apart from the leak in the tank, the leak in the gas pipe is also a possible reason behind the hot water supply problem.
If there is a leak in the gas pipes, then it can cause damage to the entire plumbing system.
To make sure that there is no problem with the gas pipes, check for smells around the pipes. Contact a professional for thorough checking of the pipes.
The professional worker will fix the problem or replace the gas pipes if necessary.
- Check And Replace The Electric Heater
As we discussed above, one of the common reasons when it comes to the problem of the hot water supply is a faulty electric heater.
This does not only affect the supply of hot water but also significantly imposes a risk to the property and the plumbing system. In cases like these, the electric heater must be checked properly to make sure that there are no issues.
If you figure out that the electric heater is malfunctioning or not working properly, you will have to get it fixed or replace the entire electric heater.
- Fix The Thermostat
Similar to the electric heater, problems in the thermostat can also result in an irregular supply of hot water from the water heater.
In order to avoid this issue, make sure to check the thermostat properly and ensure that it is working properly.
If the thermostat is malfunctioning or is completely broken, then you will have to get it fixed. You will have to completely replace the thermostat if it cannot be fixed.
- Choose The Right Tank Size
As we mentioned earlier, choosing and installing the wrong size of the water tank will significantly impact the energy efficiency and will result in an extremely poor supply of hot water in your bathroom.
It is essential to make sure that you install the right size of the water tank depending on your water demand.
Contact your plumber about the hot water requirements of your household and choose a tank that can meet the requirement. However, if you have already installed the wrong size of the tank, you will have to remove it and install a new one.
Lastly, I want you to spend some time watching this troubleshooting video.
Final Words
Hot water is absolutely necessary for the majority of households in today’s date. This requirement of hot water is met by the hot water heater burner which works efficiently to supply hot water in our bathrooms.
There are several problems that prevent supply even after turning the hot water heater burner on but no hot water comes out.
In cases like these, you will have to get the entire hot water heater system inspected properly by a professional plumber and get the problems fixed. If the problems cannot be fixed, then you will have to replace the entire system.