In our Geyser Maintenance Guide, we shared tips for keeping your electric water heater running smoothly and avoiding issues. However, even with proper care, problems can still arise, especially during the cold winter months when you rely on it the most.
Some geyser issues can be simple and fixed at home without any cost by following easy troubleshooting steps. Other problems may need you to call a service center to get your water heater repaired. In this article, we’ll cover common water heater problems, what might be causing them, and how to fix them. Let’s take a look!
Common Electric Water Heater & Geyser Problems
Here are some common problems and solutions of water heater/geysers:
- Electric Geyser Is Not Turning On
- Electric Water Heater Is Turning On But Not Heating Up The Water
- The Geyser Is Taking A Long Time To Heat Up The Water
- Water Heater Temperature Display Is Not Working
- Geyser Is Warming Up The Water Beyond (Or Lower Than) The Set Temperature
- No Water Coming From The Water Heater (Or) Low Water Pressure From The Geyser
- Burning Smell From The Water Heater
- Water Leaking From The Geyser (Or Connectors/Valves)
- Dirty, Smelly, Or Discoloured Water From The Water Heater
- Geyser Is Making Weird Noises
Electric Geyser Is Not Turning On
Power Button On The Water Heater Is Switched Off
Most water heaters can be turned on by simply switching on the power outlet in your wall. However, some geysers have an extra power button located on the water tank itself. So, to start your water heater, you need to turn on both the power socket and the geyser's power button. Even though this is a simple step, many people often forget to do it.
The MCB Connected To The Geyser Power Outlet Has Tripped
An electric water heater uses a lot of electricity, making it one of the biggest energy users in our homes. This can put a lot of stress on the electrical system. Since geysers are usually in bathrooms, they can get splashed with water, which might cause a short circuit.
Solution
If the electrical system gets overloaded or there’s a short circuit, the MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) might trip, cutting off power to your water heater. If your geyser isn’t turning on, check the MCB distribution board in your home. Open the cover and reset any tripped MCBs. This should turn the power back on for your geyser.
Water Heater Power Outlet Socket Is Faulty
If the MCB for your geyser hasn’t tripped, the issue might be with the power outlet where your water heater is plugged in. While electrical sockets are usually sturdy and last a long time, they can wear out over time.
Solution
To see if the outlet is the problem, try using a power extension board connected to a different electrical outlet in your home (make sure it’s rated for 16A). If the geyser works when plugged into the new outlet, then the original socket is likely faulty. In that case, you'll need to call an electrician to replace the power outlet, which should fix the issue.
There Is A Problem With Your Geyser
If you've looked into all the issues mentioned above and your water heater still won’t turn on, it likely means there's a problem with its electrical system. In this case, you should call the service center to get your geyser repaired.
Electric Water Heater / Geyser Is Turning On But Not Heating Up The Water
The Voltage Is Low
If the power supply light on your geyser is on but the water heater isn’t warming the water, low voltage could be the issue. A quick way to check is to see if your other electrical appliances are working correctly. If the voltage is low, you might notice that the lights flicker or don’t shine brightly, and other devices may not turn on or act strangely. If you find that the voltage is low, wait a bit for it to stabilize or call an electrician.
If your home often has voltage problems, consider installing a voltage regulator for your water heater.
Heating Element, Thermostat, Or PCB Could Be Faulty
If the voltage is fine, the issue might be with the heating element, which heats the water. It could have failed due to age, inconsistent voltage, or limescale buildup from hard water. The thermostat or PCB might also be causing problems. It's difficult to identify the exact issue without checking inside the geyser, so it’s best to let the experts handle it.
The Geyser Is Taking A Long Time To Heat Up The Water
Formation Of Limescale Has Reduced The Efficiency And Performance Of Your Geyser
Your water heater has a part called the heating element, which heats the water by converting electricity into heat. If you use hard water, the minerals in it can stick to the heating element and form a chalky layer called scale. This layer reduces how well the heating element can transfer heat to the water.
As a result, the geyser takes longer to heat the water and uses more electricity. Over time, the build-up of scale lowers the efficiency and performance of the water heater. The only way to fix this is by opening the geyser and cleaning off the scale. It's best to contact the authorized service center to have your water heater checked and cleaned.
One Of The Two Heating Elements Has Stopped Working
Many water heaters now have two heating elements to heat water more quickly. If your geyser is still working but takes longer to heat up, one of the elements might have stopped working.
This can happen due to voltage problems, limescale build-up, faulty wiring, or because the element is worn out. To fix it, the geyser needs to be opened, the issue checked, and the faulty heating element replaced.
Water Heater Temperature Display Is Not Working
If the temperature display on your geyser isn’t working, it likely means the display has failed. While these displays are usually cheap, they can sometimes be part of the PCB, which means you'd need to replace the entire PCB, and that can be expensive. You'll also need to call a technician to replace the display.
Geyser Is Warming Up The Water Beyond (Or Lower Than) The Set Temperature
Your water heater has a thermostat that controls the heating. When the water gets cooler than your set temperature, the thermostat turns on the heating element. Once the water is heated to the right temperature, it switches the heating element off.
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