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Replaced water heater, still receiving luke warm water,Why?

Asked Feb 23, 2009, 06:28 AM — 19 Answers
At first me and my husband started with replacing elements and thermostats on our current water heater, due to the fact we wasn't receiving hot water. ( It would be luke warm to cold quickly.) Didn't work. So, we purchased a new water heater and had it installed by an experienced friend of ours, still doing the same thing as if we still had our old water heater in. What could be the problem? Please Help!
Still Cold In Va.

19 Answers
ballengerb1's Avatar
ballengerb1 Posts: 25,644, Reputation: 11296
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#2

Feb 23, 2009, 07:02 AM


Since this is an electric water heater can you tell me the voltage getting to the elements?
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theemersons's Avatar
theemersons Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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#3

Feb 23, 2009, 07:27 AM
The voltage is 240
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Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,881, Reputation: 1933
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#4

Feb 23, 2009, 07:34 AM


Looks like it is running on one element only. Did you flip the breakers ON after heater was full of water and you bled all the air from the system ?
Also, thermostat may be set too low. Recheck your installation.
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theemersons's Avatar
theemersons Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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#5

Feb 23, 2009, 07:46 AM
Did all above, I set the upper thermostat to 130 and lower thermostat to 120
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theemersons's Avatar
theemersons Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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#6

Feb 23, 2009, 07:47 AM
By the way, the tank was full before I turned on the breaker.
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theemersons's Avatar
theemersons Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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#7

Feb 23, 2009, 07:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal View Post
Looks like it is running on one element only. Did you flip the breakers ON after heater was full of water and you bled all the air from the system ?
Also, thermostat may be set too low. Recheck your installation.
This is a NEW water heater.
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KISS's Avatar
KISS Posts: 12,602, Reputation: 4378
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#8

Feb 23, 2009, 08:29 AM
I need to ask a question. If you drain water out of the bottom of the tank, how hot is it?

Generally only the top or the bottom element works at a time, so that's an issue with the thermostats and the elements.

Make sure that hot and cold are connected to the right sides. That's an issue.

Make sure that there was a dip tube in the new water heater. Will go cold fast if there wasn't.

Here is part of the operation.

Normally hot exits at the top of the heater and new cold water is placed at the bottom of the tank via the dip tube. If the upper temp gets too cold the upper element turns on and the lower one turns off.

In a static situation, the bottom of the tank is heated. The hot water rises to the top and once the bottom temp is satisfied the bottom heater turns off.

If the dip tube is broken, then the entering cold water essentially exits. If hot and cold are reverse, then essentially the same thing happens.

So, lets get an idea of how hot the water is in the bottom of the heater by removing some water with the drain valve.

The anode rod is another complication - it doesn't appear to be in play here.
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ballengerb1's Avatar
ballengerb1 Posts: 25,644, Reputation: 11296
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#9

Feb 23, 2009, 08:31 AM


Another question, no answer just yet. Is the hot water temp the same at all faucets all over the house?
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Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,881, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
 
#10

Feb 23, 2009, 08:39 AM
Also: Do you have hot water circulating pump connected to the heater ?
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