Turning on an electric water heater ensures a constant supply of hot water at home while increasing efficiency, convenience, and environmental benefits. But how can one be turned on safely without injuring themselves or the home environment? This post will walk through this turning-on procedure of electric water heaters so hot water remains always accessible in your home.
How Many Different Kinds of Water Heaters Exist?
Each make, and type of water heater works differently when turning on to get the water hot quickly, such as tank-style heaters powered either electric or gas power, which quickly heat water placed into their tanks by passing it through its components to heat rapidly. Most homes typically utilize such heaters.
Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand heaters, have quickly gained popularity over recent years. These non-tank water heating solutions use superheated coils to instantaneously warm the required amount of hot water whenever it’s required – yet how exactly are these installed and activated?
Also, Read: American Standard Vs. Carrier.
How To Turn On An Electric Water Heater?
Close All Water Faucets
To quickly switch on an electric water heater, ensure all faucets and valves (including faucet water fittings ) are turned off or closed so as not to waste fresh water. Repair any loose faucets within your house immediately as soon as they appear, and check that all valves have been effectively closed off before turning the electric heater on.
Once all appliances have been turned off, open your cold water supply line valve and connect to your main pipe’s cold water source – which should lead to your water heater tank – as quickly as possible.
Fill Up The Tank:
Filling up your hot water tank may take several minutes to ten, depending on its size, flow rate, pressure settings, and pressure relief settings. It could take even longer in cases with low pressure/flow rates, such as those found on an older 40-gallon water heater tank; any delays could extend by 30 minutes!
Remove The Lockout Safety:
If this is your first electric water heater experience, ensure its circuit breaker has a lockout safety function with an easily operable tab on either side.
Lockout/tagout safety devices that prevent circuit breakers or groups of breakers from being accidentally engaged by children significantly lower the risk of electrical shock.
Essential and non-essential items should be separated. To access a circuit breaker, remove its tape cover or unlock/tag the device.
Also, Read: How to Adjust the Temperature on Water Heater.
Turn On the Electric Water Heater Circuit Breaker:
Switch on the circuit breaker for your water heater by flipping its circuit breaker switch, as most do not include indicators to indicate when their heating components have been enabled, and hence, some sound may occur while running. A buzzing noise may also occur while this device operates.
Use an open tap or faucet to monitor water temperatures, or heat a 40-gallon tank to 100 to 120°F for three to four hours before switching on your system – then take hot showers and use hot water elsewhere as required.
How To Turn On Modern Instantaneous Water Heater?
Switch Off The Lights:
One way of shutting down a tankless water heater quickly is using an accessible 10-amp power socket nearby; even though some components of its display and igniter run on electricity, gas remains its primary fuel source.
Install a Hot Water Source:
For optimal performance, multiple system parts must be activated simultaneously to avoid air becoming caught up in your heater’s element switch and causing it to close too soon – you should wait about one or two minutes before switching it off completely.
Circuit Breaker:
After you reset the breaker, turn on your hot water tap and leave it running for several minutes to allow the system to begin heating the water. As soon as it reaches your preferred temperature, quickly shut it off!
What If My Water Heater Keeps Shutting Off?
If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, contact an electrician immediately for further evaluation and repairs. In cases where electrical problems seem apparent, always consult a licensed electrical expert before trying to remedy them yourself.
Precautions:
As with any potential electrical emergency, taking necessary precautions before repairs could save money and safety concerns.
Start By Reading Instructions:
It is crucial that when researching an electric water heater, you become intimately familiar with its User Manual. This document contains key details regarding operating instructions, safety precautions, and any possible warnings or precautions related to that model.
Examine all plugs and cables of your water heater’s wiring; its assembly must comply with local electrical codes for safe functioning. Should any issues arise, contact an electrician immediately for help.
Examine It Carefully:
Test for signs of corrosion or leaks in your water heater, wiring/connections, and appliances to detect corrosion or leaks that require professional intervention; should any be found, immediately consult an electrician and turn off power for all electrical devices and appliances connected with them if deemed necessary – in an emergency, all electrical appliances should also be shut off immediately for safety measures.
Before working on an electric water heater, switch off its power at both the breaker box and all power sources; locate and click the Reset Button to change its optimal temperature and airflow settings.
Ventilation:
Proper ventilation around a water heater is necessary to avoid an accumulation of dangerous and potentially deadly flammable gasses inside, which would otherwise build up and threaten its proper operation. Without sufficient airflow, they’d build up rapidly, posing serious threats.
Conclusion:
When using an electric water heater, proper safety precautions and safeguards must be implemented to maximize effectiveness and avoid risks associated with its operation.
FAQ:
Why Isn’t My Electric Water Heater Heating Up?
A blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker may be responsible for an electric water heater’s inability to produce hot water; early warning devices in the form of circuit-style safety switches placed near or on top of its thermostat could also contribute.
How can I verify if my water heater is functioning?
To see if the pilot light of your water heater has lit, open its access door or panel and search for blue flame-colored tubes within its burner chamber access. Most water heaters also come equipped with an on/off gas valve at their base that contains its pilot light.
