A water heater is an essential aspect of modern home comfort. It also represents 18% of the annual energy expenditure for the average U.S. household. Even a minor malfunction can undermine your quality of life and cause your costs to skyrocket. Let’s explore more than a dozen signs your water heater needs professional attention right away.
1. Rising Energy Consumption
A spike in electricity or fuel usage is often the first sign of a water heater problem. Modern water heaters are highly efficient but can become inefficient through limescale accumulation and minor malfunctions. For this reason, it’s a good idea to monitor your energy use monthly and annually. Some manufacturers even offer smart water heaters that will monitor usage for you.
2. No Power
If your water heater is off, check the system’s main switch and circuit breaker. Even most gas furnaces require some power and can trip a breaker. Many models have a reset switch. If you have a unit with a pilot light, inspect it, too. Beyond those potential causes, it’s time to call in a professional. It may be something simple, such as having to replace a blown fuse. Power issues can also indicate more serious problems with the electrical and combustion systems.
3. No Hot Water
One of the most obvious signs a water heater needs immediate attention is the sudden absence of hot water. You may wake up or return home from work to find you have no hot water at all. If you haven’t scheduled service in a long time, it can indicate substantial sediment or scale buildup. Thermostat malfunction or failure are likely culprits. There could be a problem with the ignition system, and in fuel-burning units, you may have a faulty thermocouple.
4. Frequent Tripped Circuit Breakers
An isolated tripped circuit breaker usually isn’t anything to worry about. Frequent tripped circuit breakers are a serious cause for concern. Multiple tripped circuit breaker breakers in a month, for instance, aren’t normal and can indicate a problem that may worsen. Don’t just continue to reset the breaker. Continuing to do that could cause damage to the water heater’s electrical system. It can also cause damage to your electrical panel and other aspects of your home’s electrical system.
5. Leakage
If there are many gallons of water on your water closet floor, you’re in obvious need of repair. That said, leakage problems are often much more subtle, and you shouldn’t ignore them. Call for service if there is any amount of water on the floor you can’t otherwise explain. Even minor drips from valves can be the precursor to a big leak. You should also monitor for excessive condensation around the tank. Some condensation may be normal, but any dripping or pooling is too much.
6. Pilot Light Burning a Color Other Than Blue
If you have a fuel-burning water heater, you may have a pilot light. Note that it’s becoming less common as many manufacturers transition to electronic ignition systems. If yours does, check it regularly. Make sure the surrounding area is clutter-free. Clear out the combustion area of any dust, cobwebs, or other debris. Look at the pilot as well. It should burn mostly bright blue with perhaps a smidge of yellow at the peak. If it’s any other color, it can indicate incomplete combustion or a foreign substance burning. Both are potentially serious situations. You should also call for help if your light keeps going out or is difficult to relight.
7. Visible Rust or Other Corrosion
Another reason to check your water heater regularly is to monitor for signs of rust. Look for any corrosion around fittings and valves, which is often the first sign of trouble. If you can see rust around the bottom or top of the tank, it means it’s rusting from the inside out. A rusting tank will eventually fail. If you continue to use the system in that state, experiencing a flood is a matter of when and not if.
8. Running Out of Hot Water Unexpectedly
If you have a tank water heater, you have a limited hot water supply. If you run out due to high usage, that’s normal and not a sign of a problem. If it keeps happening, you may want to consider upgrading. If it happens without high demand, the water heater is struggling to keep up. Often, it suggests a problem with a thermostat, heating element, or heat exchanger.
9. Low Hot Water Pressure
If cold water pressure is fine but hot water pressure is low, it indicates a problem with the water heater. Often, it means that the limescale buildup is clogging the hot water pipe. There could be another cause of the clog or even a kinked water supply line. You may have a partially closed valve or faulty pressure regulator. It can also be a sign that the unit is simply getting old.
10. Loud or Unusual Noises
Modern water heaters are virtually silent. You may be able to hear a little noise while it’s running and you’re standing near it. Anything beyond that is cause for concern. One of the most concerning is what the industry calls kettling. This is where the water heater sounds like a boiling teapot. You may hear popping or whistling, which means that the pressure in the tank is too high.
11. Discolored Hot Water
Cloudy hot water generally indicates bacterial growth in the tank. Reddish hot water suggests a failing sacrificial anode rod or corrosion within the water heater tank itself.
12. Fluctuating Hot Water Temperatures
One of the most common issues with water heaters is what the industry calls temperature swings. Sometimes, the hot water will feel just right. Other times, it’ll be too hot or too cool. It can be as simple as a bad dip tube. That tube forces cold water intake to the bottom of the tank. Temperature swings may also indicate a bad thermostat.
13. Smelly Hot Water
Hot water with an unpleasant odor, often described as a rotten egg smell, generally has hydrogen sulfide gas in it. That gas is present in your tank due to a chemical reaction. If you’ve been on vacation, it may dissipate shortly through normal use. If the smell persists, a plumber will need to flush the tank and sanitize it. In some cases, the gas may also be present because the anode rod has deteriorated and needs replacement.
Trusted Water Heater Services in Jacksonville
If you need a tank or tankless water heater repaired or replaced in Jacksonville, FL, J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing can help. Our plumbers clean drains, detect and fix leaks, and install and replace water, gas, and sewer piping. We install and service kitchen and bathroom fixtures, water softeners, and water treatment systems. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians install and service air conditioners, ductless mini-splits, heat pumps, furnaces, and thermostats. We perform energy audits and install insulation.
Our IAQ team specializes in duct cleaning, duct sealing, air purifiers, UV lamps, HRVs, ERVs, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers. We also install and service standby generators and are available 24/7 for emergencies. Call us today or contact us online to learn more about these plumbing services or to schedule an appointment.
