No hot water isn’t usually dangerous, but if you smell gas or see water leaking, treat it as an emergency.
Emergency, or can it wait?
Call right away if…
- Smell of gas near the heater
- Water leaking from the tank
- Scorch marks near the burner
Usually OK to schedule if…
- No hot water with no leak or gas smell
Signs of no hot water
What causes it
Electric: tripped breaker or reset
A tripped breaker or high-limit reset button cuts power to the elements.
Electric: failed element or thermostat
A burned-out element or failed thermostat stops heating.
Gas: pilot or ignition failure
A worn thermocouple, dirty pilot or failed igniter keeps the burner off.
Tankless: lockout or scale
Error codes, scaled heat exchangers or low flow keep the burner from firing.
Gas supply issue
A closed gas valve or utility interruption affects all gas appliances.
What you can check yourself
- Is hot water missing everywhere or at one fixture?
- Electric: check the breaker and the reset button behind the upper panel
- Gas: is the pilot lit and the control set to on?
- Tankless: note any error code on the display
What happens when a plumber arrives
- Confirm power or gas supply.
- Test elements and thermostats or the thermocouple and gas control.
- Read tankless error history and check inlet filter and scale.
- Check venting and combustion air on gas units.
Repair options
| Option | When it’s used |
|---|---|
| Element or thermostat replacement | Electric heater not heating |
| Thermocouple, igniter or gas control | Gas pilot won’t stay lit |
| Descaling and service | Tankless unit with scale or flow errors |
| Replacement | Old heater or leaking tank |
No Hot Water: questions homeowners ask
Why is there no hot water but the pilot is lit?
The gas control or thermostat may not be calling for heat, the burner may not be lighting, or a broken dip tube may be mixing cold water. A plumber can test the control.
How long does it take a water heater to heat back up?
A typical tank heater recovers in roughly 30 to 60 minutes for gas and longer for electric, depending on size.
Why do I only have lukewarm water?
On electric heaters, a failed lower element is common. Sediment, a broken dip tube, or a mixing valve set too low can also cause it.
Should I reset my electric water heater?
You can press the reset once after turning the breaker off and on. If it trips again, something is overheating and needs repair.
Why does my tankless heater show an error code?
Codes usually indicate ignition, flow, overheat or venting issues. Scale buildup is a frequent cause in hard-water areas.
