Start at the breaker, then press the red reset button behind the upper panel, and only then suspect an element or thermostat. Those four steps explain most Rheem electric heaters that go cold. If the reset trips again, or the breaker keeps flipping, stop and call a plumber, because something is shorted or overheating. This page covers the checks in order and the repairs that follow, for any water heater of this type in a Los Angeles home.
Why is my Rheem electric water heater not heating?
The common causes, in the order they are worth checking, are a tripped breaker, a tripped high-limit switch, a failed upper element, a failed lower element and a failed thermostat. A tank with no hot water at all points to power, the high-limit or the upper element. A tank that gives a little hot water that fades fast points to the lower half.
A Rheem electric tank has two elements and two thermostats. The upper one heats the top of the tank first, then hands over to the lower. If the upper circuit is dead, the lower one never gets switched on, and you get nothing. If only the lower fails, you get a short supply of hot water from the top, then cold.
What do I check first when an electric water heater has no power?
Check the dedicated breaker in your panel, which is usually a double-pole breaker, and reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off. A breaker that will not hold means a short, often a failed element, and resetting it repeatedly does nothing useful. Do not open the heater panels until the breaker is off.
Safe order for a homeowner:
- Turn the breaker fully off, then on. Wait ten minutes and test a hot tap.
- Switch the breaker off again before touching anything on the heater.
- Remove the upper access panel and fold back the insulation.
- Look for the red reset button on the high-limit switch and press it firmly.
- Replace the cover and insulation, make sure the tank is full, and switch the breaker on.
A tank must be full before power returns. An element that runs dry burns out in moments, so open a hot tap and let air sputter out before you turn the breaker on after any work. Rheem's own manual says a tripped high-limit needs a manual reset and that a technician should find what made the water too hot, so a reset that trips again within a day deserves a service call.
How do I know if the element or the thermostat has failed?
You need a multimeter to know for sure. With power off, an element tested for continuity should read a low, steady resistance, and an open circuit means it is dead. A thermostat is judged by whether it passes power at the right temperature. Without a meter, the symptoms give hints, but they are only hints.
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No hot water at all | Breaker, high-limit, or upper element or thermostat |
| Some hot water, then cold fast | Lower element or lower thermostat |
| Reset button trips again and again | Faulty thermostat or a shorted element |
| Breaker trips when the heater turns on | Shorted element or damaged wiring |
| Water too hot | Thermostat stuck on |
| Burning smell or hot panel | Switch off and call a plumber |
Elements fail with age and from scale. LADWP notes that minerals from the water settle as a sandy deposit in heaters, and heavy scale shortens an element's life, so a heater in a hard-water part of Los Angeles may need elements sooner. A tank that has never been flushed makes this worse. Our guide on removing hard water scale shows what that buildup does.
Can I replace the element or thermostat myself?
A confident person can, but the job involves 240 volts and a full tank that must be drained. You must switch off the breaker, prove the power is off with a tester, drain the tank below the element, and use a matching replacement part. If any of that sounds uncertain, hire a plumber, because a mistake here can shock you or burn out a new element.
Parts match the heater, not the brand name alone. Get the model and serial number from the rating label first. Rheem's warranty runs on the manufacture date and warranty code, and the serial number encodes that date, so a heater that is only a few years old may still have parts coverage. Rheem's published warranty line is (800) 621-5622, and its rule is that a claim needs the defective part, the model and serial number and the date it failed.
A plumber can also tell you whether repair makes sense. If the tank leaks, repair is pointless. If the heater is old and has several failing parts, replacement may cost less over time. See water heater replacement cost for the comparison, and instant water heater repair if you have a point-of-use or tankless electric unit instead.
When should I call a plumber for a Rheem electric water heater?
Call when the breaker trips, when the reset button keeps tripping, when you find scorched wiring or a wet panel, when the tank leaks, or when you would rather not work around 240 volts. Those are all signs that the job needs someone with a meter, the right parts and a written quote before work starts.
Water around the base is not an element problem. Switch the power off at the breaker, close the cold water inlet and read our page on how to repair a water heater leak. If you want a plumber to take over, use the quote form and include the Rheem model and serial numbers. Other plumbing help is on our home page.
Common questions
How long does a Rheem electric water heater repair take?
Replacing an element or a thermostat usually takes one to two hours, including draining and refilling the tank. After the repair, the tank needs time to reheat, often an hour or more depending on size. A plumber can tell you more once they have tested the unit and confirmed which part failed.
What should I ask before I hire someone to repair a Rheem electric water heater?
Ask whether the quote includes diagnosing the fault, the part, and any flush. Ask if the new part is a Rheem replacement or an equivalent, and what happens to your warranty. Ask what they will do if the tank itself turns out to be leaking, and get the price and scope in writing.
Why does my electric water heater breaker keep tripping?
A breaker that keeps tripping almost always means a short, most often a failed heating element or damaged wiring. Reset it once, and if it trips again, leave it off and call a plumber. Repeated resets can overheat wiring. Do not swap in a larger breaker, which is a fire risk.
Does someone need to be at the property?
Yes, someone should be there to give access to the heater and the panel, and to approve any change to the quote. If you rent, ask the landlord to coordinate the visit, since the heater is usually theirs to fix. Tell the plumber about any earlier problems with the heater.