Hello...

Here is our problem: we just bought a new kenmore power miser electric water heater and installed it last night around 10pm. My father in law installed it, he is a general contractor, so I feel pretty comfortable about his work and his knowledge. The problem is that we still have no hot water, it is now almost 930 in the morning. I would think after 12 hours we should have HOT water. Everything is installed correctly, there is power and voltage to the heater. The pipe is semi warm, the tank is completely full, and was when we turned the power back on. All the pipes are in correctly. What could possibly be the problem? Any advice would be great!

Did you check the thermostat setting for this new unit? You should have had hot water within a few minutes. Maybe there is some sort of vacation setting that has to be overridden. If in doubt, call Sears and ask them as you should not have any problem with a new unit.

delschmi - Check inside the top thermostat , Not only check the temp.settings but also check the RED button and make sure it is pusshed all the way in , Also check the bottom thermostat for temp setting . If these are OK and YOU DO HAVE 220 into the tank , lets do a few min. of testing a few things . Even a brand new tank CAN BE BADD<
DO you have a VOLT -ohm meter? You will need one. Now set meter on volts ac, Check to see if you have power 229 vac ,To the heating element ( PUT A LEAD FROM EACH OF THE TWO ON THE METER ON THE SCREWS HOLDING WIRES ON TO THE HEATING ELEMENT< SEE if you have 220 at this point ,if not make sure power to tank is turned on , now try again , if no power indication , Take a small common screw driver and turn the screw up till you hear a click , you should have 220 going to the heating element now ,
Now to check to see if the element is good, ( TURN THE POWER OFFTO THE TANK Completely > TAKE A PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER AND REMOVE ONE WIRE FROM THE ELEMENT <SET THE METER to RX1 . NOW check to see if the needle moves all way to the right side noromally everyone thinks that shows the element is good BUT THE meter will lie to you , PUT ONE PROB FROM THE METER ON ONE OF THE SCREWS AND TOUCH THE OTHER TO THE TANK <METAL > If you get a reading the element is blown and needs to be replaced , THE BOTTOM CAN BE CHECKED THE SAME WAY , TURN WATER OFF AND CONNECT A GARDEN HOSE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO THE FAUCET AND PLACE IT WHERE IT Won't HURT , OPEN FAUCET AND PULL UP THE TEMPTURE RELIEF VALVE TO LET AIR IN , DRAIN THE TANK DOWN FAR ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE ELEMENT WITH OUT GETTING DROWNED ( ha ha just a little laughter to keep us on our toes ) WHEN YOU GET THE ELEMENT OUT ,CHECK IT FOR A BIG BLOW OUT OR JUST A PIN HOLE [I] HOPE THAT I HAVE HELPED YOU OUT [,and we have the problem fixed , LET ME KNOW, tHE REASON I DID WHAT I DID ON CHECKING THE ELEMENT
IS IT WILL THROW MOST PEOPLE OFF , BECAUSE WHEN YOU TOUCH BOTH SCREW ON THE ELEMENT AND IT SHOWES GOOD IS BECAUSE THE ELEMENT IS FULL OF WATER AND IT WILL SHOW THAT YOU HAVE ( continuity ) yes because the element is full of water > gOOD LUCK AND HAVE A WETTER DAY TOMORROW , AND GOD BLESS :: F.B.E.