Why Your Electric Water Heater Keeps Shutting Off the Power
There’s nothing like a warm shower to kickstart a nippy Arizona morning, but there’s also nothing worse than discovering ice-cold water flowing from your faucet. Your troubles multiply when you discover that your heater is tripping your circuit breaker.
Why does it happen? Read on to find out exactly why your electric water heater keeps tripping your breaker and what you can do when it happens.
Arizona’s Unique Challenges
Arizona’s temperatures go up to 100 degrees, especially between July and August, so heating water shouldn’t be a problem, right?
Wrong.
Believe it or not, electric ones work harder in Arizona than almost anywhere else in the country. Because of our desert climate, there’s a huge temperature difference in incoming water temperatures. These can vary dramatically between seasons, forcing your system to work overtime during cooler months and adjust constantly during our scorching summers.
What You Need To Know About Your H2O’s Electrical Demands
Water heating is a significant need for your home’s electrical system, accounting for up to 20% of all electrical consumption. Yours draws substantial power through dedicated circuits designed to handle this load safely.
When breakers trip repeatedly, your electrical system is essentially protecting your home from potential dangers like electrical fires or damage to your water heating equipment.
The typical Valley home unit operates on either a 30-amp or 40-amp circuit, depending on the unit’s size and power requirements. These circuits are specifically designed to handle the steady electrical draw that they require during normal operation.
When internal components begin failing or electrical problems develop, however, the current draw can exceed safe levels, causing your breaker to trip as a protective measure.
Failed Heating Elements Create Electrical Chaos
The most common culprit behind repeated breaker trips in Arizona homes is burned-out heating elements. These critical components work constantly in our climate by heating water from varying incoming temperatures, depending on the season.
Short Circuits From Electrical Demand Changes
Summer water entering your home might be relatively warm from sitting in hot pipes. On the other hand, winter water can be surprisingly cold, forcing heating elements to work much harder.
When heating elements begin failing, they often short-circuit internally, creating electrical paths that draw excessive current. This situation develops gradually, which explains why you might notice the problem starting as occasional breaker trips that become more frequent over time.
Arizona’s Hard Water
Worse yet, Arizona’s hard water doesn’t make life easier for your heaters and electrical setup. Water is hard and mineralized in Arizona, so mineral deposits build up on heating elements. Over time, the resulting clogs cause your heater to work less efficiently and eventually fail prematurely.
Warning Signs That Your Electrical Setup Is Failing
There are certain signs that will tell you that your setup is encountering problems.
Reduced Hot Water Availability
First, you might notice that your hot water supply doesn’t last as long as it used to. There may also be temperature fluctuations as you use the shower.
Unfamiliar Sounds
Strange sounds coming from your tank are signs that heating elements are struggling to function properly. These sounds can include:
- Popping
- Crackling
- Sizzling noises
All of these occur when mineral-encrusted elements try to heat water.
Discolored or Rusty Water
Rusty or discolored water flowing from your taps represents another red flag. Any discoloration is a sign that heating elements may be deteriorating or rusting inside your tank.
A Malfunctioning Water Thermostat
When was the last time you got your water thermostat checked? If yours is tripping up breakers and you haven’t scheduled a thermostat inspection or repair, there’s a chance that it may be the culprit.
Your set up contains two thermostats that work together to maintain a consistent water temperature throughout the tank.
When these components malfunction, they can cause your water heater to overheat, drawing excessive electrical current and tripping the breaker.
Other Potential Electrical Problems
Sometimes the issue extends beyond your the unit itself.
Overloaded Electricals
Overloaded electrical circuits can cause breaker trips. This problem is especially common in older Valley homes where they might share circuits with other high-demand appliances like washing machines or pool equipment.
Faulty Wiring
Damaged wiring is another serious concern that requires immediate professional attention. Arizona’s intense heat and UV exposure can degrade electrical connections over time, creating safety hazards and causing intermittent breaker trips.
The Reason Could Be an Old Heater
Have you had your heater for almost a decade? You need to hear this.
In Arizona these things typically last eight to twelve years, depending on usage patterns and maintenance schedules. As these appliances age, multiple components can begin failing simultaneously, creating a cascade of electrical problems.
So, the older your unit is, the more likely it’ll develop corrosion issues that affect electrical connections inside the tank. This corrosion can create resistance in electrical pathways, causing components to draw more current than normal and trip breakers.
“What Can I Do?”
If your water heater has been repeatedly tripping your breakers, the best solution would be to call in the pros.
Precision Air & Plumbing’s expert technicians provide fast, reliable repairs, installation and replacements throughout the Valley. Our services are backed by Arizona’s best warranty and worry-free financing options.
Make the Precision decision today, and let our team take care of your electric heater woes.
FAQs
Why does my hot water heater breaker keep tripping?
Your breaker trips because electrical components inside your water heater are drawing excessive current. Failed heating elements and malfunctioning thermostats are the most common culprits in Arizona homes.
What causes a hot water heater breaker to trip?
The main causes are:
- Burned-out heating elements that short-circuit
- Faulty thermostats that cause overheating
- Damaged wiring
- Overloaded circuits
- Arizona’s hard water and extreme temperatures
What else could cause a water heater breaker to trip?
Overloaded circuits from multiple appliances, loose electrical connections, damaged supply wiring, or ground faults can also trip breakers. Older Valley homes often have shared circuits that can’t handle modern electrical demands.
Can a bad water heater thermostat trip the breaker?
Faulty thermostats cause continuous overheating, which draws excessive current and trips breakers.
How to find what is tripping my circuit breaker?
First, turn off all devices on the circuit, reset the breaker, then turn appliances on one at a time.
For these systems, professional testing provides an accurate diagnosis while keeping you out of harm’s way so call a Tempe plumber near me for help. We are also serving San Tan Valley, Arcadia, North Glendale, North Phoenix, and North Scottsdale.
