No Hot Water? Here's What Might Be Wrong

Few household problems are as immediately frustrating as no hot water. The cause depends partly on whether you have a gas or electric heater, but here are the most common culprits and what they mean.

Gas water heaters

• The pilot light has gone out
• A faulty thermocouple is shutting off the gas
• The gas supply is interrupted
• Sediment buildup is insulating the burner

Electric water heaters

• A tripped breaker
• A failed heating element
• A faulty thermostat
• Sediment buildup reducing capacity

Both types

If your heater is old, leaking, or producing rusty water along with the cold, the unit itself may be failing and need replacement rather than repair.