How to Turn On a Water Heater: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Having hot water readily available is something most of us take for granted. But when your water heater stops working properly, it quickly becomes one of the most important appliances to get up and running again. Don‘t worry – I‘ve got you covered!

As a home improvement expert with over 10 years of experience, I‘ve helped hundreds of people get their water heaters back in service. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through all the steps needed to safely turn your water heater back on. Whether you have a standard tank-style, tankless, gas or electric model, you‘ll find the instructions you need here.

How Water Heaters Work – A Quick Overview

Before jumping into the start-up procedures, let me quickly cover the basics of how common residential water heaters work so you have a better understanding of what’s going on:

• Electric – Electric water heaters use metal heating elements that are submerged in the tank. As electricity runs through them, the water is heated. Thermostats control the temperature.
• Gas – Gas heaters rely on a gas burner located under the tank. A pilot light ignites the burner when hot water is needed. The flame heats the water.
• Tankless – Tankless heaters instantly heat water as it flows through. Gas or electric elements quickly heat the water on demand without a tank.

Now that you know a bit about how they operate, let‘s go through the start-up process for each type.

Turning On an Electric Water Heater

Electric heaters are quite common, with 40% of households in the U.S. using them. Here are the steps to take when turning an electric water heater back on:

1. Locate the Circuit Breaker

• Check your electrical service panel and locate the double-pole circuit breaker that controls the power to the water heater.
• It will typically be a 240-volt breaker labeled something like “Water Heater” or “WH”.
• Flip the circuit breaker switch to the ON position to restore electrical power to the unit.

2. Check the Power Switch

• Most electric water heaters have a power switch located on the top or side of the tank.
• Verify that this switch is in the ON position as well. This may be a toggle switch or push button.

3. Inspect the Thermostats

• There are typically two thermostats on electric units controlling the upper and lower heating elements.
• Make sure both thermostats are set to the desired water temperature. Settings typically range from 120°F to 150°F.

4. Reset High Limit Controls (If Needed)

• If the water heater overheated for some reason, it may have tripped the high limit safety controls.
• Look for a red reset button near the thermostats and press it to reset the high limit. This will restore operation.

5. Check the Heating Elements

• If the water heater still does not heat after the previous steps, the problem may be a defective heating element.
• Shut off power again and remove the access panels. Inspect the elements for burn marks or cracks.
• Use a multi-meter to check them for continuity. Replace any defective element.

And that covers the typical steps for getting an electric model up and running again! Contact a technician if you‘ve completed the process and it still does not heat water.

How to Turn On a Gas Water Heater

Around 38% of homes rely on gas water heaters. They operate a bit differently than electric, but follow these steps when turning one back on:

1. Open the Gas Shut-off Valve

• Start by locating the manual gas shut-off valve on the gas supply line leading to the unit.
• Make sure this valve is turned to the open (ON) position to allow gas to flow.

2. Check the Pilot Light

• Find the pilot light assembly at the bottom of the tank. There will be a small covered opening.
• Remove the cover and inspect closely to make sure the pilot is lit. You may need to relight it if out.

3. Turn the Gas Control Knob to ON

• Locate the gas control knob on the outside of the heater. It controls gas flow to the main burner.
• Rotate it to the ON position. You should hear a clicking sound as the main burner ignites.

4. Set the Desired Temperature

• Adjust the temperature dial to your desired setting, typically between 120°F and 140°F.
• The thermostat will monitor the tank temperature and cycle the burner on and off automatically.

5. Inspect the Burner

• After several minutes, check that the main burner is firing and burning cleanly.
• A bright blue flame indicates proper combustion and operation.
• If the flame is orange or yellow, service may be needed before leaving the unit on for an extended period.

If you encounter any issues getting the pilot or main burner lit, the next section covers that process in detail.

How to Safely Light the Pilot Light

If the pilot light on your gas water heater has gone out, you‘ll need to relight it before getting hot water. Follow these important steps:

1. Turn Gas Control Knob to Off

• Start by turning the gas control knob on the outside of the tank counterclockwise to the Off position.

2. Press Reset Button Down

• There will also be a red colored reset button. Press this button down and continue holding it in.

3. Wait 5 Minutes

• Wait at least 5 minutes for any built up gas to dissipate. This is an important safety step.

4. Ignite the Pilot Flame

• While pressing the reset button continuously, ignite the pilot by pressing the igniter button repeatedly.
• You can also light the pilot by holding a flame near the pilot hood opening while pushing the igniter.

5. Hold Reset Button for 1 Minute

• Keep holding down the red reset button for a full 60 seconds after lighting the pilot. This gives time for the safety sensor to engage.

6. Release Reset Button

• After 1 minute, release the reset button. The pilot flame should remain lit.

7. Turn Gas Control Knob to On

• Finally, turn the control knob counterclockwise to the On position. This will allow gas flow to the main burner.

8. Call a Professional if Needed

• If the pilot does not stay lit, repeat the process allowing more time for the safety sensor.
• Call for professional assistance if you are unable to get the pilot relit.

This covers the essential steps for safely relighting the pilot. Never attempt short cuts, as gas leaks can be hazardous.

Turning On a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters have become very popular, making up over 20% of new installations. Since they don‘t store hot water, turning them on is quick:

1. Turn On the Circuit Breaker

• Start by ensuring the circuit breaker providing power to the tankless unit is switched on.

2. Switch the Unit On

• Locate the power button or switch on the side or interior of the tankless unit.
• Switch this button to the On position to start the system.

3. Adjust Temperature Setting

• Use the digital control panel to set the desired output water temperature.
• Typical settings range from 100°F to 120°F.

4. Open Hot Water Faucets

• Once powered on, fully open all hot water taps in the home. Start with those closest to the heater.
• Let them run for several minutes to purge all air from the lines.

5. Check Operation

• Turn water on and off at each tap to verify hot water is being heated on demand.
• If not, contact a technician to troubleshoot the problem.

And that covers the basic process for starting a tankless water heater! They are very convenient but also let me know if you have any issues getting yours up and running.

Key Takeaways on Turning Water Heaters Back On

Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

• Carefully follow start-up procedures in the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Confirm gas and electrical supplies are turned on before powering up the water heater.
• Double check all switches, valves, knobs, and thermostats during start-up.
• If relighting a pilot, always follow safety precautions and ventilate the area.
• Inspect burners and heating elements after start-up to ensure proper operation.
• Call a professional for help if you are unable to get your heater running again.

How Long Do Water Heaters Typically Last?

To wrap things up, let’s discuss the average lifespan for water heaters:

• Gas units – 10-15 years
• Electric models – 10-13 years
• Tankless heaters – 15-20 years

Proper maintenance like flushing sediment and replacing anode rods can maximize the life of your heater. I recommend having all systems inspected annually by a qualified technician as well.

Replacing older, inefficient models before they fail also ensures you get the best performance and energy savings.

Let Me Know If You Need Any Other Help!

And there you have it – a step-by-step guide on getting your water heater going again. Having hot water is essential, so I hope these instructions provide some assistance in getting yours back up and running. Don‘t hesitate to reach out if you need any other home improvement help or have additional water heater questions. I‘m always happy to help out!