Water Heater Problems and Troubleshooting Solutions

Water heating can account for 12% of your home energy
usage, so make sure yours is efficient.

If you're having a problem with your water heater, don't feel bad. You're not alone, and the water heater definitely qualifies as an "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" appliance. But it's worth paying attention to how water gets heated in your home, because heating water can account for 15% of a household's electrical budget. If you have a gas-fired water heater instead of an electric model, as much as 25% of your total gas bill can go toward heating water.

Before we delve into different water heater problems, it's important to note that the type of water heater being used has a lot to do with problems you're likely to encounter. If you're not up to speed on the advantages and limitations of different water heating options, click here to learn more about the types of water heaters available.

• Standby heat loss occurs is all tank-type water heaters. Whether hot water is being used or not, a tank-type water heater is designed to keep the water in the tank at a certain temperature (typically between 120F and 140F). Standby heat loss occurs when the stored water cools below the tank's thermostat setting, turning on the electric heating element or the gas burner. The cycle of cooling and reheating continues 24/7, 365 days a year. Standby heat loss wastes energy and increases water heating costs.

  Solutions: Water heater insulation can help reduce standby heat loss. If the outside of your water heater feels warmer than the room temperature, extra insulation is recommended to improve energy efficiency. Water heaters that have an Energy Star rating are manufactured with high levels of tank insulation to reduce standby heat loss. To eliminate this problem, you can install a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater only consumes energy when the hot water tap is turned on. Click here for more on tankless (aka "demand" or "instantaneous") water heaters.

• Limited hot water can be a problem with tank-type water heaters. If there is hot water demand from numerous sources at the same time (shower, dishwasher, clothes washer, for example), a tank's supply of hot water can run out. No more hot water is available until the cold water that has flowed into the tank can be heated.

  Solutions: Replacing a small tank-type water heater with a larger version will enable you to consume more hot water before exhausting the supply. But you might want to consider replacing a tank-type water heater with a tankless water heater. When properly sized to handle household needs, a tankless water heater can supply hot water continuously. It will also cut your water-heating costs by eliminating standby heat loss.

• Corrosion and sediment can accumulate inside a tank-type water heater, diminishing energy efficiency while also shortening the unit's lifespan.

  Solutions: Sediment can be drained from a tank-type water heater during regular maintenance. The technician should also adjust settings and assess the heater's overall condition.

• Leakage is always a possibility with tank-type water heaters, and a water leak that goes undetected and uncorrected can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

  Solutions: Instead of risking a leak with an old water heater, it's often wiser to install a new model in its place, especially since new Energy Star heaters operate more efficiently for the best in home energy saving. If you elect to keep an older heater in service, consider installing a  flood ring and automatic shutoff valve. The flood ring is secured to the floor, completely encircling the water tank. As soon as water leaks from the tank, it's contained within the ring, and the automatic shutoff valve cuts off the water supply to the tank, preventing major water damage.

Start here for more on Water Heaters.

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