Whenever there’s a spike in cold temperature, the demand for hot water shoots through the roof. Everyone in the home wants to use hot water for washing, cleaning, and bathing.
This pervasive necessity forces your water heater to work harder and longer. Greater water volume increases the odds of sedimentation and heating element fatigue.
This article looks deeper into the leading causes of water heater failure in subzero temperatures and how to diagnose and prevent future issues when cold weather sets in.
If your water heater has a tank with a minimum water capacity of 30 litres, it probably has two thermostats 一 upper and lower. The thermostat is an automatic switch that lets electricity flow to the water-heating element. It also turns it off when it has reached the preset temperature.
The pipe that releases water to your showerhead or kitchen cistern is at the top of the water tank. So, the top thermostat is usually the first to go on.
As the hot water flows out through the outlet at the tank’s top section, cold water enters through the inlet at the bottom to maintain the flow. If the upper element alone is insufficient to keep the required heat, the lower thermostat turns the lower element on.
With the above hindsight, there are three primary ways of diagnosing water heater thermostat issues. If your water heater cannot heat water, both thermostats aren’t working. That’s the first scenario.
The other two thermostat problems manifest as follows.
If your water heater releases hot water, which later turns cold, the upper thermostat is heating the water alright. But the lower thermostat fails to turn its element on when cold enters the tank’s inlet at the bottom.
Since the upper element cannot single-handedly heat the water to the set temperature, the water comes out as cold.
You turn your shower on, and at first, the water is as cold as if it’s not heated at all. But the water only feels merely warm after what seems like an eternity. It means the upper thermostat isn’t working.
That the temperature change takes long shows that the water heated by the lower element takes time to rise to the top of the tank to replace the outflow. Even then, the water isn’t hot enough.
Electric water heaters with water capacities of a maximum of 30 liters have only one thermostat and element. Additionally, every thermostat has a reset button next to it.
Single out the faulty thermostat by the diagnosis techniques explained earlier. Then press and release the reset button corresponding to the problematic thermostat.
If this procedure doesn't refresh the thermostat to work, get a Hot Water System Plumber to test and fix your water heater.
All water sources and reservoirs are susceptible to pollution from mineral substances such as decomposed plants and animals and insoluble particles such as rust (metals), sand, salt, silt, and plastics.
Over time, the sediment accumulates in your tank and clings to the heating element, insulating it. When the element gets inundated, it becomes less effective, resulting in less heated water.
If your heater takes too long to heat the water or cannot make it as hot as you’d like, it could have sedimentation issues.
You can diagnose water heater sedimentation problems by watching out for:
Preventing sedimentation is your first line of defence. Therefore, installing a whole house water sediment filter is the most effective way of warding off impurities and heavy metals such as lead and copper, chlorine, and other toxic substances. This filter will ensure a clean water supply throughout your home.
If your water heater shows signs of sedimentation, clean the heating tank and element by flushing and draining with cold water from the faucet. If the sedimentation of the heater proves stubborn, get a plumber to clean it.
Leaking pipes will deliver less water, resulting in insufficient pressure through the pipes and faucets. Furthermore, there’s the risk of chemical and solid contaminants seeping into the water delivery system through the cracks.
Water leakage is also risky to the water heater and the user because it can:
Worst of all, water supply shortage will cause the heater to work harder, leading to inefficiency.
Whenever there’s a drop in the water supply into your home, call your water company to find out whether it’s an officially scheduled incident. If not, look for leakages along the pipes in your home and get a plunber to fix any leakages.
Because water is extremely cold during the cold season, your water heater works extra hard to heat it to your desired temperature. This increases the duration and energy it takes to heat the same amount of water. That explains the increased water heater failure rate during a spike in cold temperatures.
However, you can reduce such unfortunate eventualities by getting a plumbing expert to service your heater, especially just before the cold season sets in.
Finally, whether your heater is tankless or has a tank, don’t let water remain static in it during the cold season.
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