What Should I Know About Electric Water Heater Repair?

Electric Water Heater Repair with a Hand Toggling a Switch

How Do You Troubleshoot an Electric Water Heater?

If your electric water heater is malfunctioning, it’s a problem. The first thing homeowners are advised to do is turn off the power. Safety comes first. You can do this by turning off the fuse or circuit breaker connected to the heater unit. The next thing to know is that a few types of electric water heater issues can cause water temperature issues. The problem could be that there is no power, a faulty electric thermostat or a faulty upper electric heating element. The first thing to do is to rule out any power issues. Reset any tripped breaker and replace any blown fuses. The next thing to do is check if power is being channeled to the electric water heating element thermostat. Check this element, and if it is malfunctioning, please replace it. If the thermostat is receiving power but still isn’t working, you can replace it or the electric water heating element.

How Do You Reset an Electric Water Heater?

There are a few reasons why a person would want to reset their electric water heater. If your water heater is displaying symptoms of not heating water, or low functionality, resetting the water heater may fix the problem. The first thing that you should check is the water heater’s heat switch. This is usually a red button located on the upper thermostat of an electric water heater. The panel will need to be removed to access it. If the button is alight, it means that the switch was tripped. It will need to be reset. You can reset the water heater by pressing the red button.

How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Hot Water Heater?

On average, the cost to repair a broken water heater is approximately $483. Many homeowners tend to pay between $244 and $576 to have their hot water heaters repaired. There is a great guideline to contemplate when debating whether or not to repair or replace. Never spend more than half the cost of replacing a water heater on the repair. If a new water heater costs $850, which is the average cost, it makes sense to replace the water heater if your bill is $600.

How Long do Electric Water Heaters Last?

Electric water heaters last approximately ten to fifteen years. Electric water heaters have a longer life expectancy than gas water heaters, which tend to last eight to twelve years on average.

Are Electric Water Heaters Good?

Heating water is the second-largest expense in the home, accounting for usually fourteen to eighteen percent of utility bills. With this in mind, it’s important to consider the operating cost of your water heater. Electric water heaters run on electricity, rather than gas. Typically, electricity is more expensive than gas, depending on where you live. While electric water heaters cost more to operate, they also last longer than gas water heaters. At the end of the day, both gas and electric water heaters are good. The choice depends on personal preference.

Electric Water Heater Repair

Before embarking on a DIY water heater repair, consider safety precautions first. Safety precautions include making sure the electricity is turned off before you attempt any fixes. Make sure you have researched the inner mechanisms of your water heater. If you need tools for the task, make sure to purchase them ahead of time. If you don’t have the time or expertise, please be sure to consult a reputable plumbing company that specializes in electric water heater repair. Home improvement projects, like electric water heater repair, need to be addressed as soon as possible. This is because your hot water needs are important. Just like your plumbing, your roof is important. For roof installation in High Point, NC, select a roofing company you can trust.

Electric Water Heater Repair or Replace

As previously mentioned, electric water heater repair can be expensive. Homeowners who are facing an expensive water heater repair bill may rightfully decide to replace rather than repair their water heater. Please consider the following additional reasons why you should replace your water heater.

  • Old age. Electric water heaters have a life expectancy of ten to fifteen years. If your electric water heater is older than fifteen years of age and needs repair, it’s a good idea to replace your unit.
  • Rusty water. Rusty water is a very bad sign. It means that your water heater has accumulated sediment at the bottom of the tank. Please mention this to your plumber
  • Odd sounds coming from your water heater. Odd sounds are another problematic sign for your water heater. Please get the sounds diagnosed immediately.
  • Pools of water around the water heater. Not only are pools of water a sign of a potentially broken water heater, but it’s also a safety hazard.

Electric Water Heater Repair Service

If water heater service is required, please contact a respectable local plumber in your area. There are many certifications that allow plumbers to achieve high rankings in the plumbing industry. A master plumber, for instance, has passed numerous certification tests and has many years of experience. While not all plumbers search out such certifications, it’s important to note that a more experienced plumber will have more knowledge about your electric water heater. 

Plumber Handling Electric Water Heater Repair

Electric Water Heater Repair Parts

There are many electric water heater parts and accessories. An electric water heater will require different parts than a gas heater. Your local, experienced plumber will most likely have all of these parts available, or they will order a specific part for you depending on the type of repair.

With many years of experience, All About Plumbing & Septic  is uniquely qualified to repair your electric water heater. Call us today at 828-778-2425 for your electric water heater repair in Hendersonville, Mills River and Asheville, NC.