What exactly is happening?
| Symptom | Most likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water anywhere, electric tank | Tripped breaker, tripped high-limit reset, or a failed element | Breaker panel, then the red reset button behind the upper access panel |
| No hot water anywhere, gas tank | Pilot out, failed thermocouple or igniter, gas off | Look through the sight glass; check that the stove lights |
| No hot water, tankless | Error code: gas supply, venting, scale, or power | Read the code on the display and note it for the plumber |
| Lukewarm water only | One failed element (electric), sediment, or a thermostat set too low | Thermostat setting; how old the tank is |
| Hot water runs out fast | Failed lower element, broken dip tube, or a tank too small for the household | Did it change suddenly, or has it always been short? |
| No hot water at one faucet only | That faucet's cartridge or mixing valve, not the heater | Check another faucet; if it's hot, the heater is fine |
| No hot water after a power outage | An element that burned out while the tank was empty, or a tripped reset | Reset once; if it trips again, call |
Electric tank: safe checks
- Check the breaker. Water heaters usually have a double (240-volt) breaker. If it's tripped, switch it fully off and back on once.
- Press the reset. Turn the breaker off first. Remove the upper access panel and press the red high-limit reset button. Replace the panel and turn the breaker on.
- Wait an hour. A full 40–50 gallon electric tank takes roughly an hour or more to heat.
- If the breaker or reset trips again, stop. A repeat trip points to a failed element, thermostat or wiring, which is a plumber's or electrician's job.
Still no hot water? Call a local plumber
Gas tank: safe checks
- Smell for gas first. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 from outside. Don't touch any switches.
- Look at the flame. Through the sight glass, check whether a small blue pilot is lit.
- Check the gas supply. Does the stove or furnace work? If nothing gas works, call your gas supplier: Piedmont Natural Gas, or Greer CPW in its area.
- Relight only by the label. Most tanks have relighting steps printed on them. If the pilot won't stay lit after one or two tries, the thermocouple or flame sensor has likely failed.
- Newer tanks with an electronic igniter often show a blinking status light. Count the blinks; the label explains the code.
Tankless: read the code
Tankless heaters show an error code when they stop. Write it down before you call; it tells the plumber whether to bring gas, venting or descaling parts. Common causes are low gas supply when other appliances run at the same time, a blocked vent or condensate line, scale on the heat exchanger, and a tripped breaker for the controls. Our tankless guide covers repair costs.
Why it happens more in winter
Incoming water in an Upstate January is much colder than in July, so the heater works harder for the same shower. A tank that was barely keeping up in fall can start running out in winter, and an element that was weak can fail. If your hot water ran short only once the weather turned cold, the heater may be undersized or a component is wearing out.
Is it time to replace it?
Tanks typically last about 8–12 years. If yours is in that range and the fix is a major part, or the tank shows rust or leaks, ask for both a repair and a replacement price. Our repair-or-replace table and replacement guide walk through it.
What a no-hot-water repair costs
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater repair | $115–$573 | Today's Homeowner, Greer SC, Feb 2025 |
| Tankless repair | $146–$864 (average about $556) | HomeAdvisor, Greenville SC, checked Oct 2026 |
| Tank water heater, installed | About $1,300–$2,200 | Resident.com and This Old House, Greenville SC |
Ready to get your hot water back?
No hot water questions
Why do I suddenly have no hot water?
On an electric tank, usually a tripped breaker, a tripped reset button or a failed element. On a gas tank, usually a pilot that went out or a failed thermocouple. Check those first; if they're fine, it's a repair call.
Where is the reset button on an electric water heater?
Behind the upper access panel on the side of the tank, usually a red button on the thermostat. Turn the breaker off before you remove the panel.
How long does a water heater take to heat back up?
A 40–50 gallon gas tank usually recovers in about 30–40 minutes; an electric tank of the same size can take an hour or more.
Why is my hot water only lukewarm?
On electric tanks, one of the two elements has often failed. Sediment buildup, a thermostat set too low or a broken dip tube can also cause it.
Why does my hot water run out so fast?
A failed lower element or broken dip tube, heavy sediment, or a tank that's too small for the household. Colder winter water makes a borderline tank run short sooner.
My pilot light keeps going out. What's wrong?
Most often a worn thermocouple or flame sensor, which is an inexpensive part. A dirty pilot, a draft or a venting problem can also cause it. If it won't stay lit, call a plumber.
Sources
- Today's Homeowner (Greer, SC, Feb 2025); HomeAdvisor (Greenville, SC); Resident.com (Greenville, SC, Mar 2026); This Old House (Greenville, SC).
- Piedmont Natural Gas and Greer CPW: gas service areas.
- General manufacturer guidance on resets, relighting and recovery times.
Page history
October 2026: first published.