Water heaters, like all household appliances, can develop problems over time that may affect your home’s hot water. When a water heater isn’t working properly, the water coming from the hot water faucet will be lukewarm or even cold. This can occur for several reasons, depending on whether you have a gas or an electric water heater.

If there is no hot water in your house, it could be one of these nine reasons.

How to Troubleshoot No Hot Water

If you don’t have any hot water, you can start by following these troubleshooting tips to try to correct the problem or at least identify the cause behind the issue.

• Check the circuit breaker for the water heater and reset it if the breaker has tripped. Keep in mind that after turning the power back on you will need to wait until the water heater has had time to heat the water in the tank to determine if this solution worked.
• Check that the pilot light is still on. Pressing the reset button for the pilot light should reignite it, allowing the water heater to function properly again.
• Inspect for any frozen pipes throughout your home. Frozen pipes can prevent water from flowing freely through the system and may reduce the temperature of the water coming from the water heater.
• Look for clogs in the faucets or water-using appliances in the home. This could be preventing the hot water from flowing correctly. Removing and clearing the aerator can help, but if the clog is in the water line then you may need to call a plumber.
• Check that the thermostat on the water heater is at the right temperature. Check for leaks, which could indicate there is a more serious issue with your water heater.

Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!

Gas Water Heaters

Check for these issues and follow the steps to fix a gas water heater that isn’t heating properly.

Faulty Pilot Light

If the pilot light has gone out, you can simply hit the reset button on the pilot light to reignite it, but if this doesn’t work then you may have a faulty pilot light that will need to be replaced before the water heater can be used.

You should clean the thermocouple and check to make sure there is proper ventilation, then you can attempt to manually relight the pilot light. If this doesn’t work, turn off the gas to the water heater and contact a plumber.

Gas Valve Issues

The gas valve is used to control the flow of gas to the water heater. If the valve is open properly, it can prevent the water heater from functioning. Check to make sure the valve operates normally and that it is in the open position, then attempt to relight the pilot light on the water heater.

If you find that the gas valve is seized or that the valve keeps rotating no matter how many times you turn it, then you should contact a certified professional for safe repair or replacement.

Clogged Pilot Light Orifice

The pilot light requires a constant flow of gas to remain lit, so if the orifice on the pilot light is clogged with dust or debris, it can disrupt the flow of gas, causing the pilot light to go out.

Cleaning the pilot light orifice should solve this problem, allowing you to reset or manually relight the pilot light and restore functionality to the water heater.

Faulty Thermocouple

When the water heater pilot light won’t stay lit, the cause could be a faulty thermocouple. If you are confident in your skill and experience working with water heaters then you can replace the thermocouple by turning off the gas supply, switching off the water heater at the circuit breaker, removing the burner assembly, and disconnecting the thermocouple.

Install the new thermocouple, then replace the burner assembly before turning on the circuit breaker and the gas supply to the water heater. However, if you aren’t quite sure what you are doing, call a professional to replace this component.

Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters have there own set of unique issues that can cause the home to no longer have hot water. Check for these issues if your electric water heater isn’t heating properly.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Circuit breakers can trip due to an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, or a ground fault. When this occurs, the water heater no longer has access to electricity, so it cannot heat up the water inside the tank.

Fixing this issue is typically as easy as resetting the circuit breaker by flipping it off and then back on, but if the breaker trips again, then you likely have a wiring issue that will need to be assessed and repaired by an HVAC technician or an electrician.

Faulty Heating Element

The heating element is responsible for heating the water in the tank, but if the heating element is not working properly, then it may not adequately heat up the water, causing the home to have lukewarm or cold water coming from the hot water line.

In some cases, resetting the water heater can fix this problem, but if the issue persists, you will need to shut off the power with the circuit breaker, drain the tank, remove the old heating element, and install a new one, before reconnect the wires, refilling the tank, and restoring power.

If this falls outside of your skill and experience, call a professional HVAC tech.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

The thermostat is responsible for controlling the temperature for the water heater, so if the thermostat is malfunctioning you might not have hot water. You can fix this by turning off the power to the water heater, then resetting the system.

If this does not work, then you will need to replace the thermostat. This process is best left to a professional to ensure that the new thermostat is installed and working properly before using the hot water again.

Loose or Damaged Electrical Connections

If you suspect that the problem is due to loose or damaged electrical connections on the water heater, then you should turn the power off at the breaker panel, then inspect the wiring for damage.

If there doesn’t appear to be any damaged electrical connections, tighten any wires before turning the power back on to see if this resolved the issue. If the problem persists, you should contact a professional HVAC technician or electrician to inspect the wiring and make necessary repairs.

Sediment Build-Up

You should flush the water heater about once every six months to a year to get rid of sediment in the tank. Sediment can gradually build up in the bottom of the tank, where it clings to the heating element, preventing the element from adequately heating up the water. Flushing the tank is often enough to correct this issue.

Turn the power off at the circuit breaker and turn the water off to the water heater, then drain the water heater to flush out any sediment that has built-up in the tank. After draining the tank, turn the water back on to refill the tank before turning the power back on.

If this method did not work, you may need to replace the water heater.

When to Call a Professional

If you have tried all the above troubleshooting tips and the problem persists, then you should call a professional.

Similarly, if you suspect a serious problem with the water heater or you are uncomfortable work with gas or electrical components, then leaving it to the pros is the best option to ensure hot water can be restored as soon as possible.

How Long Do Water Heaters Last?

On average, a tank-style water heater will last between 10 to 12 years, while a tankless water heater can last about 20 years before needing to be replaced. If your water heater is older than this, then it may be time to start thinking about a replacement for the home.

When to Replace the Water Heater

Water heaters are designed to last for a decade or two depending on the type, but if you water heater has reached the end of it’s expected lifespan, then it’s a good idea to replace it for a newer, more efficient model.

If the water heater leaks, shows signs of corrosion, required frequent repairs, or the home has been experiencing inconsistent water temperatures, you should invest in a new water heater before the existing unit breaks down completely, leaving you without hot water until a replacement can be installed.