You go to take a shower after a long day at work, and turn on the hot water tap…but nothing comes out but cold water. This is a problem that many people face, and it can be incredibly frustrating. Who do you call when there’s no hot water? We have you covered! In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of hot water systems, and who to call when there’s no hot water. Stay warm!

How to troubleshoot your electric hot water system

If you have an electric hot water system, there are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot why your hot water isn’t working. First, check your fuse box or circuit breaker to see if there has been a power outage in your area. If the power is out, it will need to be restored before your hot water system will work again. If the power is on, check to see if your hot water service is turned on at the thermostat. If it is turned off, turn it back on and wait a few minutes for the hot water to start flowing again.

If you have checked the power and your hot water system is still not working, it may be due to a tripped safety switch. The safety switch is designed to shut off power to the hot water system if there is a problem, so if it has been tripped, you will need to reset it. To do this, simply locate the switch (it should be near your hot water service) and flip it back to the “on” position.

If you have reset the safety switch and your hot water heater still isn’t working, the next step is to check the thermostat. It is possible that the thermostat has been turned down too low and needs to be adjusted. To do this, simply turn up the thermostat until the desired temperature is reached.

If you are constantly running out of hot water you may want to investigate the use of a boost button to reheat your hot water system during peak hours.

If you have checked the power, reset the safety switch, and adjust the thermostat, and your hot water system STILL isn’t working, then it’s time to call a professional. A licensed electrician like Finnley Electrical will be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly. Note: if you have spoken to a professional and they have advised you need a boiler replacement, this is just another way of saying ‘hot water heater’ – the term boiler is commonly used in Europe and USA but not in Australia.

When should I call a plumber?

There can be many reasons why you might not have hot water, and in some cases, you will need to call a plumber to fix the issue. Some of the most common reasons for a lack of hot water include a blocked or damaged water heater, a problem with the pilot light, or a tripped breaker. If your hot water heater is gas-powered, it is especially important to call a plumber if you think there may be a gas leak, or a gas supply issue in the area.

Other reasons for calling a plumber instead of an electrician include:

  • There is water leaking from the hot water service
  • The amount of water coming out of the tap is reduced
  • When you turn on a tap, no water comes out.
  • There are signs of rust at the base of the hot water system.

When should you call an electrician?

No hot water can be a major inconvenience, so it is important to know who to call when there is an issue. If you have an electric hot water heater, your best bet is to call an electrician. However, there may be other indications that an electrician is necessary. Electrical problems can be difficult to diagnose, so if you are unsure, it is always best to err on the side of caution and call a professional. Here are some common reasons why an electrician would be needed to fix your issue to ensure hot water runs from your heating elements:

  • You’ve gone to your meter box and turned your circuit breaker back on, only for it to trip off again.
  • You have a suspicion that a fuse has blown
  • The water coming out of your taps is only lukewarm, it never becomes hot. Cold water can be a sign that your thermostat is faulty.

The different types of hot water tanks

There are two main types of hot water tanks: electric and gas. An electric hot water tank is the most common type of system in Australia. They are typically cheaper to install than gas systems and are less likely to break down. However, they do require a reliable power source, so if there is a power outage, you will not have any hot water.

Gas hot water systems are powered by either natural gas or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). They are typically more expensive to install than electric systems, but they are more energy-efficient and can provide a continuous supply of hot water, even during a power outage.

If your home is equipped with a tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, you may be wondering how these operate differently than a traditional storage water heater. Tankless water heaters are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and compact size.

Traditional storage water heaters work by heating and storing water in a tank until it is needed (via a heating element). On-demand, or tankless, water heaters do not store hot water; instead, they heat water only when it is needed. This provides a continuous supply of hot water and eliminates the standby energy losses associated with traditional storage water heaters.

While tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than storage water heaters, they still require electricity to operate. If you experience a power outage, you will not have any hot water. However, you can mitigate this risk by purchasing a backup power generator.

Conclusion

No hot water can be a major inconvenience, so it is important to know who to call when there is an issue. Electric hot water systems are best serviced by an electrician. However, there may be other indications that an electrician is necessary. Electrical problems can be difficult to diagnose and repair, so if you are unsure, it is always best to err on the side of caution and call a professional like the team at Finnley Electrical.

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