No hot water

Sammz

Woke up to no hot water Is there anything I can check before calling someone out to have a look only for him to flick a switch and charge me a fortune? It's electric. I'm completely clueless so let me know if I need to tell you more.

paulpud

Have you checked your consumer unit? If it's fitted with mcbs (trip switches) make sure they are all in the up position.

You say you woke up to no hot water. Do you have an economy 7 tariff that kicks in overnight? If so do you have storage heaters and are any of those working?

Browntoa

if its an immersion heater ( big tank in an airing cupboard ??) then the element may have blown, not the hardest job to do

Sammz

I don't know what a consumer unit it. I don't think they are trip switches as the whole "bit" has to come out when I need the power off. I've made sure they are all properly in. I had someone surveying the flat the other day and thought he may have knocked something when looking in the cupboards.

I do have Economy 7 but haven't used the heaters at all this year so no idea if they are working.

It is a big tank in the airing cupboard.

totalsolutions

Re check the fuse box (consumer unit) for a blown fuse.
The fault is most likely the heating element in the big tank in your cupboard. There is also a thermostat on top this could have failed. Locate the cable from the hot water tank, does it go to a mains outlet socket, there might be a 13A fuse there to replace.

Element and thermostat is one unit and straight forward job, with the right ring spanner. Remove the power fuse or turn off everything at the fuse box. Inspect the tightness of wires in the mains outlet socket and thermostat first then replace element / thermostat.

PS
Turn off the mains cold water feed and drain a quarter of the hot water from the tank, when you remove the element water will pour out ....so cold water OFF and drain water from your hot water tap first, please....

Also check the meter is actually flicking over correctly to Economy Seven at night.

About time to invest in some knowledge perhaps ?

Sammz

I'll have a look at all those things when I get home. Thank you.

This is the only way I know to gain knowledge - the internet. As far as I'm aware there aren't any classes on this kind of thing. I like to do as much as I can myself.

totalsolutions

As long as you are learning and not paying out for assistance. Just ask away Sammz. Good luck and stay safe...water and electricity don't mix. The spanner is a "one off" investment it is special and rather large tool, use once and store in garage...A £20 - £20 digital test meter is very hand too. Learn how to use and will save you money.

macman

I'm all for money-saving DIY, but if the OP doesn't even know what a consumer unit is, it's unlikely that they will be wise to tackle changing an immersion element?
Best to just examine the CU to see if it's tripped, and check the switch/timer on the immersion heater. If the problem is deeper than that, maybe time to call a qualified electrician.

Sammz

I'm keen but not stupid I'll call someone if it gets above me. I have a spanner (and lots of other tools) and borrowed a digital test meter recently (never did get round to using it). I didn't know that a fuse box was called a consumer unit but do now and have tripped switches etc plenty.

gas4you

If a modern immersion, turn off power to it, then remove the cover and check to see if the overheat safety trip has tripped.

victorias_dad

I have been called twice to no hot water jobs and it has been a faulty econemy 7 timer both times worth checking before attempting to replace the element