Residential Rheem Electric Water Heater Problem Repair And Reviews

Question: No hot water from my rheem electric water heater?

(Posted by: Meichelle on 2009-03-01 18:04:44)

I just bought a house that had been previously winterized. I have a Rheem dual element electric water heater that is not turning out hot water. There is electric power to the water heater because I had it checked but for some reason no hot water. The water felt warm for a while but never hot and now its just plain cold again. Anyone have any ideas before I call a plumber?

Posted by: Terry O on 2009-03-01, 18:57:17

Did you get a warranty with your house? Use it.

Posted by: Len on 2009-03-01, 18:15:07

Either your elements are out or are calcified, Double check your breaker in your breaker box. If you have hard water in your area you have to clean your elements every so often.

Posted by: Steve on 2009-03-01, 18:20:32

The tank was connected to electrical power before it was full of water. The top element burned out. It's a simple fix if you feel up to the challenge. The new element is about 10 or 15 bucks, the tool that you need to take the element out is about 25.00. You have to make sure that you turn off the electrical power to the tank - as well as the water and then drain the tank down. change out the heating element (copy the wiring placement from the existing arrangement). Then turn the water back on - then the power. You should be good to go in about an hour. If you are at all unsure about any of this, call the plumber. Water and electricity make a tricky mix.

Posted by: Walt on 2009-03-01, 18:51:27

Depending on the size heater you have there are one or 2 covers that have 2 phillip head screws holding the covers on 1) unplug heater 2) remove cover plates on newer heaters there might be a piece of styrofoam or insulation 3) remove this you will see a clear plastic snap on guard and wires running from a usually black box this is the thermostat you will see a temperature adjustment and a red button the red button is the reset button for the thermostat 4) push the reset button if the reset button under the cover or covers doesn't start to heat the water in 25 min you can read on the label to see the recovery rate of your heater to see how long it takes (remember you have to plug the heater back in to check ). If that doesn't work you have one of two things wrong 1) the heating element(s) are corroded through and are not heating or the thermostats are bad if you have 2 covers and no hot water then you have an electric problem and I don't feel it is safe for you to continue call a plumber heaters have 5 and 10 yr warranty's you can usually tell how old a heater is by the first 2 numbers of the serial number are the year it was constructed

Posted by: wayne f on 2009-03-01, 20:32:42

Sounds like the heating element or the thermostat on the unit has gone bad.