What Should I Do If My Water Heater Is Not Producing Hot Water?

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling advises: when a water heater produces no hot water, confirm the unit has power or gas and that its controls aren’t set to vacation, then schedule a professional diagnosis if heat doesn’t return. The most common culprits are a tripped breaker or extinguished pilot; other causes include a failed upper heating element or burner, a stuck safety device, or heavy sediment disrupting heat transfer. On electric tanks, a bad upper element usually means zero hot water, while a failed lower element gives brief warmth that turns cold quickly. Our team serves the Bloomington area and can provide same-day replacement if your unit has failed or is leaking.

Try these quick checks before calling:

• Reset a tripped breaker or the electric heater’s red reset button.
• Verify the gas valve is on and the pilot/igniter works per the manual.
• Ensure the thermostat isn’t set too low or on vacation mode.
• If you see active leaking, shut off water and power immediately.

If you smell gas, shut off the supply and leave the area before calling a professional. <br/> Updated: 2026-04-04 <br/> Need help in Bloomington, IN? Call (812) 269-5994 or book online.