Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    PeeWee 1949's Avatar
    PeeWee 1949 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 19, 2009, 02:10 PM
    Not enough hot water
    Recently I changed the elements in my water heater. Now I have about half the quantity of hot water than before. What do I do to check the problem?
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    Jan 19, 2009, 06:16 PM
    Any chance you turned on the heater BEFORE it was full of water? It happens all the time and it's the best way to burn out a new element. Why did you change the elements in the first place?
    PeeWee 1949's Avatar
    PeeWee 1949 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 19, 2009, 06:37 PM
    I was receiving high utility bills and the electrical provider advised me to change the elements in my water heater. It had been several years since I had done that, so I took their advice. After installing the elements. I bled the air from the lines while filling the tank and was sure the tank was full before energizing the elements.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #4

    Jan 19, 2009, 06:41 PM
    But everything worked OK BEFORE you changed them?
    PeeWee 1949's Avatar
    PeeWee 1949 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Jan 19, 2009, 06:56 PM

    Yes. I bought new thermostats today and will install them shortly, and if that doesn't work I assume when I purchased new elements, one was bad from the manufacturer. Would you agree with that?
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    Jan 19, 2009, 06:58 PM
    More than likely the elements are the wrong wattage. How old is the water heater? And quit listening to the electric company for advice.
    PeeWee 1949's Avatar
    PeeWee 1949 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Jan 19, 2009, 07:03 PM

    They are the right wattage. 4500 watts. And I agree with your advice about listening to the utility company
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #8

    Jan 19, 2009, 07:06 PM
    Any chance you mis-wired the thermostats? They work sequencially, never together.
    PeeWee 1949's Avatar
    PeeWee 1949 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #9

    Jan 19, 2009, 07:12 PM

    The wires were taken from the elements only. Not the thermostats, so there would be no way they could be wired wrong. 2 wires per element (top and bottom). I haven't replaced the thermostats yet.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #10

    Jan 19, 2009, 07:14 PM
    If you have a voltmeter, check what's coming to the thermostats.. reset the breaker also. Seems unlikely you have a bad element, but you can test them without removing them if you have an ohm meter.
    PeeWee 1949's Avatar
    PeeWee 1949 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #11

    Jan 19, 2009, 07:22 PM

    I don't have a vltmeter, but do have a voltage tester. It shows 240 volts comining to the top of the top thermostat, but I can't get a reading of 240 to either of the elements. I can only get a reading of 120V. To each element.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Cold water coming out of hot water tap in bathroom but Really hot water in kitchen [ 7 Answers ]

Can anyone give me a reason as to why nearly completely cold water is coming out of my hot water tap in my bathroom but when I run the hot water tap in the kitchen the water is nearly boiling. The hot water and cold water taps are separate in the bathroom, where the kitchen has a handle which...

New hot water heater installed, but no hot water pressure. Plenty of cold water? [ 11 Answers ]

Hi, I own a small plumbing service and have a problem I've never encountered before. I installed a new top vented gas water heater for a customer. Turned the main back on, bled air out of the lines, etc. Problem is there is no hot water pressure throughout the house. Cold water pressure is fine....

Daylight basement water leak, cause by broken water pipe or saturated ground water? [ 1 Answers ]

I have a 6 units 3 stories with daylight basement apartment. Build in 1960. Just bought it few months ago. Last year the previous owner had a bad flood in the daylight basement after long period of rain. They cleaned out the area, remodel it. Good for few months, last couple of weeks rain long...

View more questions Search