How to troubleshoot your Insinkerator electric water heater when you're getting no hot water
Check both house circuit breakers for the water heater. Reset the circuit breakers by shutting them off and then flipping them back on. A gas water heater will have a single circuit breaker. Reset that circuit breaker the same way-shut it off and flip it back on.
If the electric water heater doesn't begin to heat after resetting the circuit breakers, shut the breakers off and press the reset button for the high-temperature limit switch on the upper thermostat of the water heater. If the water heater works for a while and then trips the high-temperature limit switch again, you'll likely need to replace a failed thermostat that's causing the element to heat constantly. If an electric water heater element doesn't heat when activated, replace the heating element. Replace the thermostat if it doesn't activate the heating element. Our no-hot-water troubleshooting video can help you figure out which part to replace in an electric water heater that's not heating.
Top-selling replacement parts for Insinkerator electric water heaters
- Heating element. The heating element, which is the heat source inside an electric water heater, extends directly into the tank, where it heats the water around it. Most electric water heaters have two heating elements, one at the bottom of the tank and one at the top. The bottom element handles most of the load, heating cold water as it enters at the bottom of the tank. The top element only operates to give water at the top of the tank a quick water-heating boost when needed.
- Temperature-pressure relief valve. The temperature-pressure relief valve (T&P) is a safety device attached to the side of the tank. If a thermostat fails, water inside the tank overheats and builds up pressure that can damage the tank and tank fittings. The T&P valve opens automatically and discharges water to relieve pressure if excessive pressure builds up in the tank.
- Thermostat. The thermostat monitors water temperature in the tank. When water temperature drops beneath the desired setting, the thermostat turns on the heating element to heat the water. When the water temperature in the tank reaches the set temperature, the thermostat shuts off the heating element.
- Drain valve. The drain valve fits at the bottom of the tank and allows you to drain water from the tank.