Water heater not working

Rheem water heater not working



If you have an electric water heater and it is not making any hot water then you have a problem. The good news is that electric water heaters are not that hard to troubleshoot and there are not a lot of things that can go wrong with them. I will go over the things that can give trouble and how to fix them.

First off if you have some hot water but not as much as you did when it was new then you probably have a bad bottom element. Only the top element is working, so you are only getting about 1/3 of a tank of hot water, replace the bottom element and you will be good again.

If you are making steam, then you have a bad thermostat. While you are making the steam out the relief valve, check to see which element is working. The easiest way to do that is to see which element has 220v on the two screws on the element. That thermostat at that element is bad. Replace it and you will stop the sauna.

If you have no hot water then check the red reset button directly above the top thermostat. You may have to push very hard on it to get it to reset. If the reset is tripped then you have a bad thermostat. Finding out which one can be tricky and timing is important to catch the bad thermostat in the act.

No hot water can also be the result of the top heating element going bad. If the top element goes bad then the top thermostat will never get enough heat to trip on the bottom thermostat. Therefore you will get no hot water. Dual element hot water heaters for residential use, do not ever run both elements at the same time. Only the top OR the bottom will be energized at a time.

This all there is to checking an electric hot water heater. If you are having problems go through this list systematically and you will find your problem and be able to fix it.

Water heater Humming

NOISY WATER HEATER


Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402

Started humming periodically when using hot water and tankis filling up with cold water

Usually when a tank is making noise, it means the tank needs to be cleaned out or flushed.
I wrote a page with diagrams showing how to clean out a tank, and how to flush the tank.
Page shows gas and electric water heaters.
See if this helps:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

Rheem water heater will not turn on at all

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


Rheem 83xr52-2 50 gal residential water heater. Water temp was low. I cut power at electric panel, removed upper panel on water heater, turned up thermostat, replaced panel and switched power back on at electric panel. Now water heater won't turn on at all. 


Solution:---
You can open the top up again. I would not turn the temp higher than 130 degrees, maximum. However, there should be above the thermostat a red button. This is where the power wires connect to the thermostats and heating elements. Sometimes this button needs to be reset, press it and discern if you hear a click sound. This means that the high temperature safety switch has tripped open and you had to manually "reset" it. There are two thermostats by the way. The water heater usually works this way. There are two thermostats and two heaters. The upper tank heater turns on first and it heats the top half of the tank. Then when the thermostat above is satisfied it then allows the bottom heater to come on and heat the bottom half of the tank. You might want to set the bottom heater thermostat as well. This is made this way because it is actually faster and more efficient to heat the top half first and the bottom half secondly. Try this first with the reset button. We could check voltages, but that requires a level of knowledge and safety that I am not sure that you are comfortable with. Pictures of the upper and lower thermostats and connections will help if the "reset" does not do the trick. By the way, not meaning or implying anything, but did you move the thermostat in the right direction? Sometimes the dials can be confusing.

More Details:---

Electric water heater is completely repairable by homeowner.

What to do right now:
Check circuit breaker
Push in red reset button on upper thermostat and see if that restores some hot water.
Put insulation and cover back so thermostat does not receive cooler air and misread tank temperature which can cause overheated tank that causes reset button to trip.
Turn thermostat back to where it was.
That way you have some hot water until problem is fixed tomorrow.

Break down problem:
You were short of hot water.
That says electricity to water heater is good and upper element is working.
And it says original problem is one of 4 things.

1) Loose wire going to lower part of water heater. Check parts for signs of heat damage at screw terminals, especially lower element. 
Burned lower element means lower element probably bad.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-element-and-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

2) Bad upper thermostat ***** This is best suspect since water heater stopped completely after temperature adjustment.
3) Bad lower thermostat. I usually replace both thermostats at same time.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

4) Bad lower element. Test element using inexpensive multimeter from Home Depot electric department.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

Here are repair steps:
Buy generic upper and lower thermostat and replace both thermostats, and if problem persists, then replace lower element.

If you want to test water heater parts before replacing anything:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Upper thermostats are interchangeable
Upper thermostat for 2-element tank has 3 screws on right side of thermostat

Air in water heater lines

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


I suddenly got air in my hot water lines. Not all the time but has happened three or four times. At the same time it seems as though I have less hot water than I used to. Is it an element or do you think that it is a fill line issue? 40 gal Rheem electric in a mobile home 1996



Sorry to read about your problem, I hope this helps you out.

sounds like you have a defective fill tube, plus you water heater is on the old side, and is getting past the fail point....

Water heater drain location

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


How to drain71- 40 .where is drain need to replace hearer need to drain first. 50 gal



Solution 1:---
There is usually a spigot right at the base of the water heater. Thread a garden hose on the spigot and route the garden hose outside. Of course be sure to pull the power breaker first. After you are sure that the power is off, turn the spigot handle and let the water flow. Be sure that you turn the inlet valve off that is located on the top feed pipe. Be sure to turn the feed back on before you power up as this will ensure that the upper and lower calrods are covered before you power on.


Solution 2:--
1. Turn off the breaker at the panel box, it should be marked, " Water heater," or WH.
2. You should be able to find a spicket on the bottom.
3. Connect a standard garden hose to the spicket at the tank and run the other end
to the location you want to drain the water to.
4. Turn the spicket handle to the left, " counter clockwise " to allow the water in the tank
to start draining.
5. On the top of the tank, in the center, you should find a pipe, and on the top of the pipe
there should be a little tag that says, " pressure release valve ", use your fingers to put
this small metal switch in a straight up position.

Thermal cup will not stay lit

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402

Replaced thermal cup and still wont stay lit for more then s few hours model #21v40-7

Plugged orifice on the pilot or faulty gas valve

Water leaking water heater

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


Water leaking observed from the bottom of the tank. What's the problem? Should I replace the old 21V40-2 unit? if so, what kind of tank is ok to replace the present unit? What's the price and installation fee? 


If water heater is leaking, then open following 2 links to avoid tank rupture and troubleshoot leak:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Emergency-steps-for-leaking-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-is-leaking.html

Open following link if you want to install your own gas water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

To have gas water heater installed, can run $2-300 for installation plus cost of heater.
40 gallon natural gas water heater at Lowes starts at $300+, and tanks with longer warranty cost more and last longer.

If you maintain the tank: keep chemicals out of same room as water heater, attach bare copper ground wire between hot and cold pipes, flush tank each 6 months, clean burner each year as shown in manual, read the manual entirely for specific information about your model, and inspect/replace anode rod every 2-3 years then basic 6-year tank can last much longer.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

rheem what size heating element to use

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


I have a rheem glas standard 30 gallon model # 81sv-30d water heater with upper and lower watages 3500. how do i know what size heating element i need?

Look on label on side of tank. 
Wattage of tank will be element wattage. This is true if tank has one or two elements since both elements are never ON at same time.
Simply go to hardware store and buy 3500W element.
Take phone photo to store if needed for identification.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
Wattage appears on end of each element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Voltage-printed-on-element-.jpg

I have a Rheem Standard

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


I have a Rheem Standard Energy miser electric water heater that is 46 " high, serial # R 0590105132 and model # 81v40D---40 gal. Could you please tell me the year it was manufactured? 


Check that serial number.
Rheem is first two digits= month and next two digits= year, which means 1990.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

Water tank temperature lights says

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402

Water tank temperature lights says ON VACATION and VERY HOT at the same time. Chart indicates CONTROL IN LOCKOUT. It apparently detects toxic fumes. i have been painting with oil paint upstairs, how long do i have to wait till we have hot water again?


You need to air out room, with open window or fan that can suck it out for about and hour.

Not heating the water

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402
Not heating the water


 Maybe this will help some? I was going back to some customers that asked questions in the recent past and even farther back  It appeared that no one answered some of them, So, I thought I would take some of my personal time to see if I can help. Even though this Informational site may not have your exact model or brand  this site will help you a lot. Here is a site link about everything you want to know about hot waterheaters and possibly yours, from repair to trouble shooting it. 

http://home.howstuffworks.com/water-heater.htm

Got 5 minutes of hot water then cold. replaced

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402

Got 5 minutes of hot water then cold. replaced both elements and thermos. still 5 minutes of hot water. power bill increased nearly 400% in 30 days. HELP!!! please.



When the top of the tank is hot the upper thermostat removes power from the upper heating element and transfers the power to the lower thermostat and heating element. If the lower thermostat is defective, then the lower portion of the tank will not be heated and the supply will be greatly reduced. You replaced both elements however check that the lower element is coming on after ther upper one cuts out and is acutally working.
Check for power at the upper thermostat terminals where the power is sent to the lower thermostat and heating element. If there is no power then the upper thermostat should be replaced. If there is power then check for power at the lower heating element. If there is no power at the lower heating element then replace the lower thermostat.
If there is power to the lower heating element then it should be getting hot. If it is not, maybe defective. Another possibility is a broken dip tube. Check for a broken dip tube and replace if necessary.

If the dip tube is broken, the incoming cold liquid can mix with the out going hot liquid and cause it to seem as though you are running out.

I want to check the anode rod on a Rheem 82VH40-2.

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


There are 4 plastic caps on top of the water heater. 3 are around the perimeter and measure about 1.25"D. 1 is more toward the center next to the electrical connection and is about 1.75"D. All have foam insulation under the plastic cap. Which is the anode rod? Dig out the foam insulation? Thanks so much for your help!!!


Comment:---
The water heater is 5 yrs old. From what I've read, checking the anode rod (and replacing when necessary) will extend the life of the water heater. I do not have an odor problem.


Yes you're exactly correct. If memory serves me it's one of the smaller ones and is located closer to the center than the outer regions. So pop off the covers one at a time and poke around under it with a small screwdriver or scribe or some such thing. You should be able to identify it by it's shape. I believe it's a 13/16th's size of a socket to remove it. Personally, I don't usually replace them unless the customer insists. I think they're a waste of money and can eventually cause very bad odors in the hot water.

How do I replace heating coil

How do I replace heating coil 

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402

Open following link for step-by-step instruction replacing electric water heater element:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html

Detecting gas and won't light

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402


I just installed this water heater, which has worked fine for several days in a large dry basement. The heater turned off in the middle of the night. A blue light is flashing 7 times signifying a SVS flamable vapor sensor. There is no smell of gas. I placed a fan to move the air around. Could the sensor itself be bad? What else can I check?



Open following link for troubleshoot error codes showing 7 flashes on Honeywell gas control valve is system lockout due to flammable vapor:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Honeywell-gas-control_error-Damper-series.pdf
The FV system in Rheem can be tripped by presence of flammable vapors such as gasoline or paint fumes etc, or it can be tripped if water heater was dropped, or mis-manufactured, or if gas control valve is defective, or if water heater is not getting adequate fresh air, or there is inadequate venting of combustion by-product.
When combustion chamber overheats, then glass vial breaks and damper shuts off air supply to water heater and it will not light.
Open following link for possible help fixing the problem:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-Rheem-FVIR.html

Can I run the hot water heater with a generator

Problem with Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402

Can I run the hot water heater with a generator
Reverse polarity may not allow me to run the hot water heater with a generator



Yes.
Ordinary electric water heater can run on any voltage from any direction (excluding volt/amp ratings below what can heat element coil).

Voltages include single-phase, split phase, and 3-phase residential/commercial voltages with either 50 or 60 Hz.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-water-heater-for-120-Volt.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-water-heater-thermostats.html#3-phase

Install line fuse.
30 amp fuse would be required to prevent wires from overheating, and eliminate fire hazard.

This information does NOT apply to energy-smart electric water heater with box on top of heater, or newer energy smart with electronics, or to hybrid water heaters, or heat pump water heaters with delicate electronic circuitry.

Why it works like this:
Ordinary electric water heater thermostats are mechanical bi-metal switches and respond to tank temperature, and are not operated by electricity. 
Ordinary generic elecrtic water heater thermostats switch electricity on-off using mechanical bi-metal switch.
Heat elements are simple coil of thermal wire that gets hot when voltage is applied.
The element will get hot when power is applied.