If you’re a homeowner, you’re no stranger to solving problems that come with owning your house.
Questions like, “What do you do when the power goes out?” and “Who do you call if your electricity goes out because of a burst pipe?” and “Is my heating/cooling unit broken?” are some familiar questions you will ask yourself along the way.
But a big one many people aren’t sure about — Does my hot water still work with no electricity?
This article will answer this question for you. It’ll also provide you with some information on the different types of heaters and whether they will still be able to work in the case of no power. Save your future self from worrying about these issues and prepare now by learning about your current water heater and how it will react in case of a power outage.
Note: Even if you find that your hot water is still working during a power outage that was caused by a storm, do not use it at this time. Heavy lightning storms can still cause harm and it is the best choice to wait it out and be safe until the storm has passed.
Types of Water Heaters and How They Work When Power is Out
Believe it or not, there are so many different types of heaters that are installed in homes and most homeowners are unaware of what differs in each model.
The varied models have different ways of reacting to a power outage. Some will continue to work and provide you with hot water, while others will not.
Before you read on, take a moment to see which type of heater that you own so that you can get the proper information about your own device.
Tankless Water Heaters
These types of heaters are a bit more outdated, and unfortunately, will not provide you with hot water in the case of a power outage. As mentioned in the name, these heaters do not have tanks, meaning they cannot store hot water for any length of time. When the power is on, this heater is able to heat up on the spot but will stop as soon as you turn off the water source.
If you are in an area where power outages happen often, it may be in your best interest to look into replacing your heater with one of the options below.
Read more: Propane tankless water heater installation
Gas Water Heaters
These heaters, on the other hand, get their power from a gas line to the hose. They also have a tank that can serve as a reservoir for hot water in case the power does go out.
In most cases, even if the power has gone out, you will still have some hot water that is being stored in the tank and will be there until you run through it. Whenever it runs cold, you will have to wait for the power to come back on to reheat the system.
Electric Water Heaters
Electric heaters work in a very similar fashion. Instead of being powered by a gas line, these require electricity to function. These heaters also have a tank and will supply you with a set amount of hot water until it runs cold.
So, while you may have access to hot water in the time of a power outage, the real answer is that you are just getting whatever is leftover and that the system is not actually working. Still, the hot water that is stored in the tanks is usually enough to get you by until the power comes back on or you have someone out to service it.
Call in an Expert!
Power outages can cause many problems for households. But water heaters are a necessity and need to be serviced from time to time to ensure that they are working properly.
If your water heater has been affected by an outage or needs servicing, give All Dry USA a call. We’re available 24/7 and are ready to help get your water heater back up and running.