FAQ & Troubleshooting

FAQ

  • Storage water heater crcjwt
    • FAQ before you buy crgmwt
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • Some areas are notorious for “bad” water and in these areas flushing the water heater can extend it’s life and save on energy costs. Once sediment is allowed to build up and solidify it can be almost impossible to remove from residential model heaters. Sediment is similar to coral. To prevent this solidification a homeowner can flush the heater periodically.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • Every water heater comes with a label attached to it, known as a “rating plate” which has much of the water heater's information, including the model and serial number of the water heater. While it does not directly reveal the age of the water heater, we can use this serial number to help you determine the month and year of your water heater unit.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • I found my model number on the water heater but I can't find it on the website, how can I tell what type of water heater I have? Model numbers can change as a result of implementing new technology, updated parts, or any new manufacturer guidelines. If you are having a hard time finding information about your model of water heater, give us a call and one of our experts can probably tell you all about it.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • It depends on the exact volume and electric power,generally from 45 minutes to 2 hours. If your water heater has been turned off or if you have just had a new unit installed it will take approximately 45 minutes to heat the water up. Each water heater varies in recovery depending on the gallon capacity and BTU input, but if after about 1 hour there is still no hot water then the unit is not working properly. Gas water heaters recover quicker than electric water heaters, but either way you should not have to wait more than about 1 hour for a water heater to fully heat and produce hot water.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • The dip tube is another name for the cold water inlet. If you are facing the front of the water heater (where the labels are), the cold water inlet or dip tube is generally on the cold water input on the right hand side of the water heater. This “dip tube” allows the cold water to travel to the bottom of the water heater to be heated and not mix with the hot water at the top of the water heater, so there is a supply of hot water ready for use.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • Anodes are “sacrificial” rods which hang down inside the tank on the bottom. Yes, they are important. Without them the tank might last only a year or two. Some people go to the trouble of changing anodes every five years or so which can extend the life of the heater almost indefinitely. Some water heaters have twice the protection of others and not necessarily at a higher price, a good quality anode rod can make a difference in the life of your unit.
    • FAQ Use water heater crsywt
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • Water heaters tend to leak for a few reasons. Most often the internal tank has a crack and is broken or there is a leak at a fitting or part connected to the water heater. First check to see if you can tell where the water is coming from. Look at the bottom of the water heater and see if it is wet or if one of the water connectors is dripping, a leak like this can usually be repaired. If you do not see any visible leaks, but water is pooling around the bottom of the heater this is a sign the water heater has gone bad. See our Contact us page for additional information regarding a leaking water heater.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • If you have an older water heater, you might have a sediment buildup problem inside your tank. As a water heater ages, it tends to accumulate sediment and deposits at the bottom. If the water heater is not cleaned periodically, the sediment may rise to a level that will act as a barrier between the burner and the water, making it harder to heat, thus giving you less hot water. There could also be a problem with a faulty part or a bad dip tube in the water heater.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • The most common reason a pilot won’t light, is a bad thermo-couple or a faulty part inside the water heater. When this occurs most of the time a simple repair will fix the problem. See our No Hot Water Page for a video on how to light your pilot or possible trouble shooting ideas.
  • Instant water heater
    • FAQ before you buy
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • As you open the faucet, the flow of water activates the heater to get turn on. Whether you have electrical or gas, the burner or the element will get powered on instantly heating the water while passing through the unit. And when you shut the water, the heater automatically gets powered off.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • As the tankless water heater doesn't store water, the minerals don’t have the opportunity to settle at the bottom and produce heat exchanger. In addition, the water flow along the coiled heat exchanger takes out these products every time. The water softener is also used quite effectively in the tankless water heater.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • You need to select the proper model that can offer the water volume that you need. The best size for your tankless water heater is to identify how many showers the model can run at the same time. Plus, there is also a tankless water heater that can deliver hot water throughout the day.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • In every standard tankless water heater, there is a temperature control feature with which you can control the temperature of the water heater. Normally, the temperature should be kept between 36.6℃(98° F) and 55℃(131° F). This control system also provides maintenance as well as diagnostic codes that help in better performance.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • You must first determine the needs of the home or business. These needs must be compared to the GPM capacity of the water heater being purchased.
          How many people are showering and at what time? Is there a specific time when more people are typically bathing?
          When is the washing machine, or dishwasher in use? Are these machines needed at the same time family members are bathing or showering?
          (Most families are familiar with using appliances that consume hot water. Typically they do not operate them in time periods when bathing and showering are required.)
          Is there a large hot tub, spa, or whirlpool? Is it used in a time period when the washing machine or dishwasher is running?
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • Baths, hand washing & showers are comfortable between35℃(95° F)& 55℃(131° F) degrees.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • Tankless water heaters can be installed indoors; typically on a wall with direct access to the outside, some models can be installed outdoors.
    • FAQ Use water heater
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • When a hot water faucet is turned on, cold watertravels through a pipe into the tankless water heater. A gas burner heats the water, which then travels to the faucet. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water.
      • Can I clean sediment from my heater?
        • Yes. But they are very low maintenance. They require an annual or a bi-annual flush to remove calcium from hard water. If you have a water softening system, you may not require any maintenance.

Trouble Shooting

  • Hot Water Runs Out
    • This problem can occur when the thermostat is faulty or it is set too low. Verify that the thermostat is on and set to the correct temperature. Make sure that your heater is large enough to meet the requirements of the household. Another possible issue is that your cold-water dip tube is defective, which lowers the capacity of the equipment because it prevents the unit from heating the water in the lower portion of the tank. An electric unit may have a defective heating element. These issues may require that a service technician replace your unit or perform repairs or services, such as replacing the thermostat or dip tube.
  • Water Quality Problems
    • Electric water heaters are equipped with a rod called an anode. Although this metal rod is designed to prevent tank erosion, it can deteriorate and release chemicals that affect the smell or taste of the water. Minerals in the water may also accumulate inside the tank of a gas or electric appliance. Refer to your owner’s manual to determine the proper steps to flush sediment from your unit. If the problem persists, you may need to replace your anode rod.
  • Water Leaking From the Bottom
    • An electric water heater that’s leaking from the bottom is typically because of normal condensation, a leaking electric heating element gasket, or a small amount of water being expelled through the overflow pipe because the T&P valve is opening to release excess pressure in the tank.
      In some cases, the actual tank is leaking and the only fix is to replace the water heater. For more information, see Water Heater Leaking from the Bottom.
  • Not Enough Hot Water
    • Not having enough hot water is most likely due to an issue with the thermostat. It may be as simple as adjusting the desired water temperature on the thermostat for the particular heating element.
      On electric models, the thermostat is usually hidden behind an access panel on the side of the tank and a layer of insulation. Unlike gas models, an electric thermostat is set at the factory and not intended to be changed but is sometimes necessary to do so.
      During the cold winter months, you may need to slightly raise the thermostat temperature since the hot water gets cooled quicker through colder pipes as it travels through your home's plumbing.
      Other possible reasons for not having enough hot water include a faulty thermostat, faulty element, loose wiring, or simply a water heater tank that’s too small for your needs. See“What size water heater do I need” for more info.
  • Water is Too Hot
    • Again, this is likely related to the thermostat(s) where the temperature is set too high. Simply gain access to the thermostat and adjust as needed. This may also be needed when transitioning from cold to warm seasons. For our recommended temperature setting, click here.
      If you cannot lower the water temperature low enough, you may need to replace your thermostat or there may be some type of wiring issue (recommended to call a pro if the later).
  • Water Takes Too Long to Reheat
    • This is one of the downsides with electric water heaters. On average, recovery time (time it takes to reheat entire supply of water) on an electric model is double that of a comparable gas model. The amount of time it takes to heat up water can vary quite a bit between different models. Newer is usually better.
      That said, if it’s taking longer than usual for the hot water to recover, there may be an issue with the heating elements (including sediment build-up on them) or thermostat and those parts may need to be replaced.
      If your household tends to use more hot water now than a few years ago, you may want to consider investing in a new model with a larger capacity tank, a tankless model, or installing a point-of-use water heater that’s close to the water source you use the most (ie: the shower). But we recommend to do some research on the tankless vs tank water heater comparison.
  • Water Heater is Making Strange Noises
    • If you hear popping, hissing, banging, knocking, or other strange noises from your water heater, it’s most commonly due to scale build-up on your heating elements or too much sediment build-up in the bottom of the tank.
      Other causes of noises include a leak somewhere, too much pressure inside the tank, or noisy pipes because of normal expanding/contracting. When your water heater is making noise, it’s often harmless but should always be looked into for piece of mind.
  • Dirty or Rusty Colored Water
    • Rusty hot water is often a sign of corrosion of the anode rod or even tank itself. If left untreated, your water heater will most likely need replacing once the corrosion gets serious enough for the tank to develop a leak. Replacing the anode rod is easy to do and can add years to your water heater.
      If the water is not rusty but dirty or discolored, it may be because of scale build-up on the heating elements or sediment that’s making its way into the hot water outlet.
  • Smelly Hot Water
    • Most likely, smelly or stinky hot water is due to bacteria in the tank. Homes which use well water as their water source are more susceptible to their water giving off a foul odor. Periodic flushing of the water heater may temporarily help but to actually fix the sulfur or rotten egg smell from your hot water, you’ll likely need to replace the anode rod. Better yet, consider a powered anode rod which will get rid of the smell and last the longest.
      A quick fix may be to increase the thermometer temperature to about 140 degrees to kill off any remaining bacteria.

 

 

 

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