A 10-Point Checklist To Troubleshoot Electric Hot Water

Nothing ruins a winter morning in Australia like stepping into a freezing shower – you expected a warm hug, and instead you got an icy slap! An electric hot water system not working leaves you shivering, making it extremely tempting to either totally panic or call for professional help right away. But before freaking out, try reading on for a few minutes:

What have you got?:

A storage tank
An instant hot water unit?
A heat pump?
A solar system with an electric booster?

No matter which one, most issues boil down to a few common culprits. So before you resign yourself to cold dishes or pricey repairs, grab a coffee and work through this 10-point checklist designed for Australian homeowners. It’s your helpful guide to electric hot water system troubleshooting, helping you pinpoint why your system’s on the blink – or when to call Fix-It Right Plumbing to save the day!

The homeowner’s hot water checklist

No matter if your system is a bulky tank in the garage, a sleek instant unit under the sink, a humming heat pump, or a solar setup soaking up Aussie sun, these universal checks will help you figure out why there’s no electric hot water coming out of that tap. Let’s dive in:

1. Verify the power supply

First up, is the power even reaching your system?

A broken hot water system often starts with a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. Check your electrical panel or meter box – look for a breaker labelled for your hot water system and reset it if it’s off.

Storage tanks, instantaneous units, heat pumps, and solar boosters all need steady electricity. If the breaker trips again, you might have an electrical fault, so don’t keep flipping it. This is a key step in how to check hot water system basics before moving on.

2. Check the main power switch

Some electric systems have a dedicated on/off switch near the unit or on a nearby wall. If you have an electric hot water not working as it should, ensure this switch is on.

For solar systems, the electric booster might have its own switch – and it’s often overlooked. A flicked-off switch could be the simple explanation for an electric water heater not working – so double-check before you stress!

3. Inspect the thermostat settings

If the power’s fine but you’re still wondering what to do with an electric hot water system not heating water, the thermostat might be the issue.

All electric systems – tanks, continuous flow units, heat pumps, and solar boosters – use thermostats to control water temperature, typically set to 50-60°C for Australian safety standards.

Check the dial if it’s got one (on tanks) or the digital display (on instant or heat pump units). If it’s set too low, nudge it up. A faulty thermostat might not signal the heater to kick in, so note this for potential electric hot water system repair.

4. Test for overload or demand issues

Is your household simply maxing out your system?

If multiple showers, a dishwasher, and laundry are all running at once, a storage tank might run dry, leaving you with no hot water. Instant systems can struggle if undersized, and heat pumps or solar boosters may lag during peak use or cloudy days.

If overuse is the problem, you might need a larger unit to learn how to fix hot water system demands long-term.

5. Look for visible leaks

A leak can make any electric system act like it’s broken.

Check around your tank, instant unit, heat pump, or solar booster for:

Puddles
Damp spots
Rusty patches.

A faulty pressure relief valve, common across most systems, can cause pressure drops that mimic a broken hot water system. If you spot a hot water leak, turn off the water and power supply immediately to avoid damage and call a pro.

6. Check for strange noises or smells

What are you hearing?:

Unusual buzzing?
Hissing?
Burning/sizzling smells?

They all spell serious trouble. Storage tanks might rumble from sediment build-up, instant units could hum from clogged coils, and heat pumps may whine if the compressor is struggling. Solar boosters can also make noises if the wiring is loose.

These signs often point to components needing repair, so note them during your checks.

7. Assess the system’s age

How old is your system?:

Storage tanks typically last 8-12 years
Instant units and heat pumps 10-15
And solar systems will live for up to 15 with proper maintenance.

An ageing system is prone to issues like corrosion or worn-out elements, leading to no electric hot water. If your unit is nearing the end of its life, replacement might be smarter and cheaper than repeated fixes.

8. Evaluate water quality issues

Hard water, common across our country, can clog systems with sediment:

In storage tanks, build-up insulates heating elements.
In instant units, it blocks coils.
In heat pumps, it affects efficiency.
And in solar systems, it can clog booster pipes.

If your water’s cloudy or rusty, sediment might be why your system is not heating. Flushing or cleaning is often needed, but it’s a job for professionals either way.

9. Check for error codes or indicators

Modern instant units, heat pumps, and some solar systems have digital displays or indicator lights.

If you have an electric hot water system not working right, look for error codes or flashing lights. These can point to specific issues, like a failed sensor or compressor fault. Check your system’s manual for code meanings, but never attempt electrical fixes yourself.

10. Know when to call a plumber

If you’ve checked everything and still have no hot water, it’s time for professional help. Faulty heating elements, compressors, or wiring issues require fully-licensed expertise to ensure safety and compliance with Australian standards. Knowing how to fix hot water system problems sometimes means recognising when DIY isn’t enough. A plumber can diagnose and handle electric hot water system repair efficiently.

Fix-It Right Plumbing to the rescue!

Electric hot water system letting you down? Fix-It Right Plumbing has your back for:

Our friendly team specialises in fixing and replacing all electric hot water systems – tanks, instant units, heat pumps, and solar setups. We’ll get to the root of the problem, whether it’s a quick thermostat tweak or a full system overhaul, ensuring your showers are hot again in no time. Don’t let a cold morning ruin your day – call Fix-It Right Plumbing today for expert, reliable service and advice!