December 12, 2024

No hot water in Auckland? Hot water recovery explained

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Why do I have no hot water?

Hot water systems have numerous components which can fail, leaving you without hot water.

Some are easy to fix, and others are a bit more complex

Follow the steps below to find out what to do

Identify Your Hot Water System Type

Knowing the type of system you have can help with troubleshooting:

Electric Systems

  • Internal Hot Water Cylinder: Typically located in cupboards, under the home, or in roof cavities.
  • External Hot Water Cylinder: Installed outside the property, usually along a perimeter wall.
  • External Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinder: Also located outdoors, combining electric and heat pump technology.

Gas Systems

  • Califont (Instantaneous Water Heater): Positioned outside, connected to both an electrical supply and a gas source (either gas bottles or a natural gas meter).

Note: Some less common systems may use gas-powered cylinders.

Troubleshooting Your Hot Water System

  1. Check the Switchboard Look for a switch labelled “HWC,” “HWS,” or “Hot Water.”
    • If the circuit breaker has tripped, try turning it back on. If it stays on, hot water should be back shortly. However, if it trips again, an electrical issue may be causing the problem.
    • For persistent tripping, consult Auckland electricians who can help identify and resolve complex electrical problems in your hot water system
  2. For Electric Systems: Contact Vector If the circuit breaker is on, but you still have no hot water, contact Vector (0508 VECTOR). They can send a technician to check if there are issues with their load management device. This visit is often free, saving you an electrician’s call-out fee.
  3. For Gas Systems: Check Your Gas Supply Make sure your gas bottles are not empty. If the bottles are light, sound hollow, or have no sloshing sound when moved, they may need replacing.

To check the gas level, pour warm (not boiling!) water down the side of the gas bottle. The temperature will change where the gas level is. If empty, order more gas or switch to a full cylinder.

ELGAS has a great little video explaining how to complete this:

Plenty of gas?

You may have lost power at the califont

Most califont’s will be connected with a plug and socket.

IF SO: See if you can find a regular extension lead.

Plug the extension lead into a power outlet inside the home that you know is working,

Then run it through a window or door out to the califont.

Plug the califont into the extension lead, then go and test your hot water at the tap.

‍If hot water has returned:

‍‍Call an electrician to come and check out the outdoor power supply.

You can keep using the extension lead in the meantime!

If hot water has not returned:

You likely have an issue with the califont.

Unplug the califont and leave it unplugged.

Call a registered gas fitter in to come and take a look & repair

Do I need a plumber or an electrician?

Unless there is an obvious leak, most of the time hot water loss will be an electrical issue.

We recommend calling in an electrician first,

After diagnosis they can let you know if a plumber is required

Common Hot Water System Issues

Power Loss Power interruptions are the most frequent cause of hot water issues. An electrician can diagnose where the power is lost, whether at the switchboard,meter board, load management device, or inside the hot water system itself.

Thermostats A faulty thermostat can cause water to become too hot or prevent it from heating altogether. Replacing thermostats is typically quick and affordable.

Heating Elements Elements in hot water cylinders have a limited lifespan. If yours fails, the cylinder needs to be drained (usually by a plumber) before an electrician can replace the element. For older cylinders, it may be more economical to replace the unit instead of just the element.

What is A Pilot or Ripple Relay / Load Management Device?

In Auckland, many properties have hot water load management devices (ripple relays) which are located in the meter board

These devices switch off your hot water system during times of peak load on the residential grid

Picture this:

Everyone comes home from work at roughly the same time, and starts to use high-power electrical devices (oven, hobs, electric heaters etc).

This high electrical demand puts stress on the residential electrical grid

To lower this demand, the load management device switches off hot water systems until around the time people start going to bed.

The hot water cylinder may lose a few degrees of temperature during this time, but usually not a noticeable amount.

Note: the pilot system is slowly being decommissioned in most areas of West Auckland.

Load management devices are looked after by Vector in Auckland

My hot water is too hot!

This can be caused by a couple of issues

The most common is a faulty thermostat, which has fused intentionally causing the element to stay on constantly

(imagine a kettle with the button stuck down)

A broken thermostat can be easily replaced by an electrician.

This issue can also be caused by a faulty tempering valve

A tempering valve is a plumbing component which restricts the amount of hot water to ~55 degrees.

A plumber will need to come to site to repair or replace a tempering valve

Hot water systems have various components, and when one fails, it can leave you without hot water. While some issues are simple to fix, others can be more complex. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot your system and understand what might be causing the problem.

Do I need a plumber or an electrician?

Unless there is an obvious leak, most of the time hot water loss will be an electrical issue.

We recommend calling in an electrician first in most cases, to prevent multiple callout fees.

Additional Information on Load Management Devices

In Auckland, many properties have load management devices (or ripple relays) installed in the meter board

These devices temporarily switch off hot water systems during peak load times to reduce the load on the electrical grid.

These devices are managed by Vector. However, load management is being phased out in some West Auckland areas.

Common Hot Water System Questions

  1. Why Is My Hot Water Too Hot? This issue can be due to a faulty thermostat or tempering valve. High water temperatures can damage system components, so call a tradesperson to resolve this quickly.
  2. Why Is My Hot Water Only Luke Warm? A failing thermostat or heating element could cause lukewarm water. An electrician can assess and replace faulty parts if necessary.
  3. How Long Does It Take to Heat Up a Hot Water Cylinder? It usually takes 2 to 3 hours for a standard cylinder to fully reheat. After about an hour, you might have enough hot water for a shower – however you’ll likely need to turn the mixer handle to ‘all-the-way-hot’
  4. Is a Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinder Better? While heat pump cylinders are more efficient and can lower energy bills, they have a higher upfront cost and may require more expensive repairs. They’re a good investment if you use a lot of hot water and plan to stay in the home long-term.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Hot Water Recovery

If your hot water suddenly stops working, start by checking your system type and troubleshooting with the steps above

For electrical issues, it’s best to call in a certified electrician ensure a safe and effective solution.

Reaching out to professionals for help is the best way to get your hot water back on as quickly as possible.

‍Stuck? Give us a bell.

We’ve encountered every issue possible for hot water systems,

There’s no charge for over-the-phone troubleshooting, so get in touch – we might be able to save you a call

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