Don’t panic if your Immersion Heater stopped Working, as you are not the only one. Immersion heaters are an important component of many homes, supplying hot water for daily use. It can be inconvenient and stressful when they stop working. But recognizing the problem and knowing what to do helps immensely.
In this article, you will learn what immersion heaters are, the common problems associated with them, the solutions you’ll need, and, finally, actionable steps to bring your heater back in business. Let’s get started.
What Is an Immersion Heater?
An immersion heater is an electric water heater housed within a hot water cylinder. How It Works:It heats a coil or element with electricity, and the surrounding water heats up. Immersion heaters differ from boilers because they do not use gas. They are also a viable backup for homes with gas boilers, or properties that are fully electric.
Immersion heaters are commonly installed for central heating, as they’re low-maintenance, fairly simple to fit, and work separately from central heating systems. But like any appliance, they’re not perfect.
How Continuing Expansion Will Affect Your Immersion Heater
If your immersion heater has blown, it is most probably due to a fault in one of its components. The most common problems are fairly easy to rectify. We’ll cover what might be causing the issue and how to fix it below.
How to Fix Common Immersion Heater Problems
1. The Circuit Breaker Has Been Activated
- What’s happening?
Electric immersion heaters connect to your home’s electrical system. If an electrical surge or fault occurs, the circuit breaker may trip and disconnect to prevent further damage.
- Solution
Make sure a fuse hasn’t blown and that the electrical breaker connecting to your immersion heater hasn’t tripped — check your fuse box or consumer unit. Reset it if needed. If it trips again right away, it’s probably a more serious electrical problem. That might need assistance from a qualified electrician, who can check the wiring and fix the fault.
2. A Faulty Thermostat
- What’s happening?
The thermostat in your immersion heater makes sure the water is heated to the appropriate temperature. A malfunctioning thermostat can cause the water to be too hot, not hot enough, or no hot water.
- Solution
- Prior to inspecting or changing the thermostat, disconnect the power supply.
- Check for any physical damage to the thermostat.
- If you aren’t comfortable with replacing it yourself, simply call a professional plumber who can safely install a new one for you.
3. A Damaged Immersion Element
- What’s happening?
The immersion element is the component of the heater that heats the water itself. Wear and tear over time can lead to it breaking down, resulting in cold water.
- Solution
If the element is damaged it will require replacement. The only symptoms of a bad element is low water temperatures or no heating even if the thermostat is fine. For an efficient replacement of the element, contact a trusted plumber or heating specialist, such as PlumbGas365 in Lincoln.
4. Problems with Insulation
- What’s happening?
There could be insulation issues that are Immersion Heater stopped Working from effectively keeping heat. This results in lukewarm water or water that cools down too soon.
- Solution
Check the insulation jacket on your hot water cylinder. If it’s thin, damaged or nonexistent altogether, think about upgrading it. Adding or replacing insulation, therefore, is a fast, cheap way to make your heater as efficient as possible.
5. Hidden Limescale Buildup
- What’s happening?
If you live in a hard water area you might get limescale deposits that form on the immersion element which can make it less efficient. With time this gunk can build up and prevent the heater from working entirely.
- Solution
Regularly descaling can help to keep your immersion heater in good shape. Otherwise, a more serious limescale buildup may require the work of a professional plumber, as did mine, who will descale it and help continue its longevity.
When to Call a Professional
Some immersion heater problems are easy to fix, while others might need a professional tradesperson. If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, or if you experience ongoing malfunctions (like frequent breaker trips), it’s time to ask for help.
Here is a handy and a brief yet professional, description. PlumbGas365 provides knowledgeable plumbing & heating services throughout Lincoln & the nearby area. Our team is on hand if your immersion heater is in need of servicing or replacing. Our Seven Hills Hot Water Service is qualified to provide you with fast, efficient and quality service allowing you the comfort to use hot water in your home again.
How to Measure Your Immersion Heater for a Fault-Free Feel
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Commit yourself to regular servicing to identify and rectify minor issues before they snowball into major ones.
Install a Water Softener
If you live in an area with hard water, softening your water can help prevent limescale buildup.
Use a Timer
You also use an immersion heater timer that can be handy because it gives you control over when you heat your water without worrying about anything and helps you save on costs, including extending the lifespan of your heater.
Troubleshooting Your Immersion Heater stopped Working?
Don’t wait for a tiny issue to become a big problem. If your immersion heater has stopped working, identifying and addressing the problem as soon as possible can save you time and money in the long term.
Call PlumbGas365 today for expert advice, repairs or replacements. For over 10 years, we have been trusted to deliver the best plumbing and heating services in Lincoln. Planned maintenance or an emergency repair, we have you covered.
