Home under renovation. New electric water heater installed. No fixtures installed. Shut off valves are used to get water. Can not get hot water. The pipes leading from the water heater is hot to the touch for a span of 24 inches then the touch is cold leading to whatever hot water line is opened. What can cause this?

What's the hose connected to? It sounds, with all the repiping, someone made a cross connection. Go back and double check your configuration. Good luck, Tom

Im with Tom on this one. Sounds like some pipes got crossed. Where are the shut offs that you are using to get hot water?

Is cold water input valve of water heater open? Guess I am assuming you mean you do not get any water, hot or cold.

Nice catch Harold. Could very well be the issue.