Eemax Tankless Water Heater No Hot Water [How To Fix]

If you suddenly stop getting hot water from your water heater, it can be quite concerning. Especially when it comes to good brands like Eemax. 

But, you don’t have to worry as we’ve already fixed this problem for quite a few Eemax water heaters. By following some easy guidelines, you can solve the problem in no time. 

So, the Eemax tankless water heater no hot water – what are the reasons? 

There are several reasons for this problem. That includes

  • Tripped or broken circuit breaker
  • Incorrect water flow
  • Faulty flow restrictor
  • Faulty heating element

Well, my experience says there are other reasons including incorrect voltage supply and temperature setting. 

To fix this issue, you have to ensure proper water flow to the heater, reset the circuit breaker, and replace the faulty flow restrictor or heating element. To know the detailed process for this troubleshooting, keep reading! 

eemax tankless water heater no hot water

Eemax Tankless Water Heater No Hot Water: Quick Overview

Before going into the detailed discussion, here is a quick overview of all the reasons that can cause the no hot water issue. The solutions are also given. 

Indicator light Reason Solution 
OffTripped Or Broken Circuit BreakerReset or replace the circuit breaker
OffNot Enough Water FlowIncrease the water flow
OffFaulty Flow RestrictorReplace the flow restrictor
OffFaulty Heating ElementReplace the heating element
OnExcessive Water FlowDecrease the water flow
OnLow Setting On The Temperature Adjustment ScrewIncrease the temperature 
OnIncorrect Voltage SupplyProvide the correct voltage supply to the heater
OnMixing too much cold water/ Adjustment of anti-scald valve Don’t mix too much cold water with hot water
OnCrossed wiring connectionHave a professional double-check the wiring

For the discussion, I have separated the reasons into two different sections. The user of Eemax SP models should find it more familiar. 

First, I will explain the situation where the indication light is off, and you are not getting hot water. In the second section, I will cover the situation where the indicator light is on but you are still not getting hot water. Now, let’s dive into the detailed guide. 

Eemax Water Heater No Hot Water: No Indicator Light 

Sometimes, you won’t get hot water from the Eemax tankless water heater but with that, you will notice, the indicator lough is also off. In this situation, the following reasons can be the culprits. 

1. Tripped Or Broken Circuit Breaker

If the circuit breaker that supplies power to the water heater has tripped or is broken, the heater will not receive the power for operation. As a result, you will not get hot water from the Eemax tankless water heater. 

How to fix:

To fix this issue, you have to check and turn the breaker or replace the circuit. 

Before turning on the breaker or trying to replace it, make sure to run a hot water faucet for 2-3 minutes. This will ensure that there is proper water flow through the heater before it starts to heat the water.

2. Not Enough Water Flow

Eemax tankless water heaters require a minimum flow rate to activate and start heating the water. If there is not enough water flowing through the unit, it may not turn on or heat the water properly.

How to fix:

To determine if you have enough water flow, measure it using a 1-gallon container (like a milk container). Open the hot water faucet and collect the water in the container. If you need more than 2 minutes to fill the gallon, the water flow is not sufficient for the heater to operate.

In this case, here are the things you can do. 

  1. Make sure that all the water valves connected to the water heater are fully open. Sometimes, partially closed valves can restrict water flow and prevent the heater from turning on.
  2. If you still don’t have enough water flow, try unscrewing the aerator located at the end of your faucet. 

After that, try to run the heater. And if the heater is still not able to heat water, and turn on the indicator light, go to the next reason. 

3. Faulty Flow Restrictor 

Eemax tankless water heaters are equipped with flow restrictors, which are designed to limit the water flow to a specific rate. If the flow restrictor becomes faulty, it restricts the proper water flow. As a result, the system doesn’t get enough flow to turn on. 

How to fix:

To fix this issue, temporarily you can just remove the bung and use the fitting as it is. If the heater works in good condition without the bung, you can then buy a new bung and install it. Here’s what you have to do. 

Step 1: Before attempting to remove the flow restrictor, ensure that you shut off the water supply to the water heater.

Step 2: Once the water supply is off, locate the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor is a small black bung located inside the brass outlet fitting of the tankless water heater. Its purpose is to limit the water flow rate passing through the unit.

eemax tankless water heater's water flow rate passing unit

Step 3: Carefully remove the black bung (flow restrictor) from the brass outlet fitting. You will need to use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the fitting and access the flow restrictor. Be gentle during this step to avoid damaging the fitting.

Step 4: After removing the flow restrictor, reassemble the brass outlet fitting back into its original position on the water heater. Make sure it is tightly secured to prevent any leaks.

Step 5: With the water heater’s fittings reassembled and the water supply still off, open the hot water faucet that is connected to the Eemax tankless water heater fully. This step ensures that water flows through the unit without any restriction.

Step 6: Once the faucet is fully open, turn on the water supply to the tankless water heater. The water will now flow through the heater without the flow restrictor.

Step 7: With water flowing through the unit without the flow restrictor, observe the indicator light on the water heater. If the water flow was the issue, the light should come on now. In that case, call the Eemax manufacturer at 1-800-543-6163. And ask for a new flow restrictor.

Step 8: If the indicator light still doesn’t come up, reinstall the old flow restrictor and proceed to the next reason. 

4. Faulty Heating Element 

If the heating element of your Eemax water heater becomes faulty or malfunctions, it won’t be able to heat the water adequately. Sometimes, due to a faulty heating element, the indicator light doesn’t come up as well. I’ve especially found this reason more frequently, particularly with Eemax De-ionized and Mini Tank water heaters.

How to fix:

In this case, you have to test the heating element with a multimeter. And then if found faulty, the elements need to be replaced. Here’s what you have to do. 

Step 1: Before proceeding with the tests, ensure the tankless water heater’s circuit breaker is turned off to avoid any electrical accidents.

Step 2: Once safety is ensured, remove the heater cover to access the heating element. The heating element in the Eemax water heater is usually located at the end of the black heater body and is connected by two threaded silver rods with brass nuts where the wires attach.

Step 3: Set the multimeter to the single Ohms setting (Ω). Avoid using the continuity setting as it may not provide accurate readings for this particular test.

Step 4: Now, take a reading of the ohms value between the two threaded silver rods where the wires connect to the heating element. To do this, place one probe of the multimeter on one of the silver rods and the other probe on the other silver rod. Ensure that the probes make good contact with the metal surface to get an accurate reading.

checking of the heating element with multimeter

Step 5: Now you have to interpret the reading. If the multimeter shows a reading of less than 20 ohms on either the “Rx 1” or “Rx 10” scale, the heating element is in good condition. This indicates that the element has low resistance and is functioning properly. If the multimeter displays a reading of much greater resistance, for example, around 10,000 ohms or higher, or if you get a reading on the “Rx 1K” scale, it indicates a faulty heating element. In such cases, the element needs to be replaced to restore proper functionality to the water heater.

Step 6: If you find that the heating element is faulty and needs replacement, contact Eemax customer support at 1-800-543-6163. They recommended changing the element only by a professional to avoid further damage to the heater.

Now, the Eemax tankless water heater not heating problem should be fixed. 

Eemax Electric Tankless Water Heater No Hot Water: The Indicator Light Is On

Sometimes, the indicator light to the water heater can be on which means the water heater has enough power and is turned on. However, even if the indicator light is on, it may still not produce hot water. In this case, you have to consider the following reasons. 

1. Excessive Water Flow

Just like the minimum water flow level, Eemax tankless water heaters also have a limited capacity to heat water instantly. When the water flow exceeds the heater’s capacity, it may not be able to sufficiently heat the water to the desired temperature. As a result, the water may remain lukewarm or cold. 

How to fix:

To check if the excessive water flow is the issue, you can just simply decrease the water flow by adjusting the faucet. And then observe if the water is getting hot enough. 

Also, don’t forget to use the special aerator given by Eemax with their inlet faucet. If you don’t use this aerator, you can’t expect full efficiency from the water heater. 

2. Low Setting On The Temperature Adjustment Screw

If the indicator light is on, but there’s no hot water, it’s possible that the temperature setting is too low. In this case, the water heater will not heat the water to the desired temperature. 

How to fix:

Increase the temperature of your water heater by adjusting the temperature adjustment screw in your Eemax water heater. 

To increase the temperature, turn the temperature adjustment screw gently clockwise. Remember that the 5 O’clock setting is the maximum setting in the Eemax water heater, so don’t go beyond that.

After adjusting the temperature, you should get enough hot water. If not, go to the next reason. 

3. Incorrect Voltage Supply

Eemax tankless water heaters require a specific voltage supply to function correctly. If the indicator light is on, but there’s no hot water, it could be due to an incorrect voltage supply. 

Insufficient voltage prevents the heating elements from reaching their full capacity. As a result, they can’t heat the water properly. 

How to fix:

On the front cover of your Eemax water heater, there is a U.L. rating label. It mentions the specific power supply needed to operate the water heater at its full efficiency. Check the Voltage Rating from the front cover. 

After that, check the power supply coming into your home or the location where the water heater is installed. You can usually find this information on the main electrical panel (breaker box) of your house.

Ensure that the voltage supplied to the Eemax Tankless Water Heater matches the voltage rating specified on the U.L. label. For example, if the heater’s U.L. label indicates a voltage of 240V, make sure that it is connected to a 240V power supply. 

If there is any discrepancy, keep the water heater turned off for now. Then contact your local electricity supplier and ask them to adjust the power supply. 

Now, the Eemax electric tankless water heater not heating issue should be fixed. 

4. Mixing Too Much Cold Water/ Adjustment Of Anti-Scald Valve

Tankless water heaters don’t usually heat the water as much as a tank water heater does. Also, these water heaters often come with an adjusted anti-scald valve that prevents excessively hot water from coming out through the faucet. This is not actually a problem, rather it’s a safety feature. 

How to fix:

Avoid mixing too much cold water with hot water, as this can dilute the temperature. Some people might have a habit of using a lot of cold water when showering, which can reduce the perceived hotness of the water. 

Try using less cold water and see if the temperature feels more comfortable. 

5. Crossed Wiring

If none of the above reasons is true in your case, and you have recently installed the heater, there must be a crossed-wiring problem. While installation, if any wiring is not connected to its proper terminal, the heater cannot heat the water even if it gets power. 

How to fix:

Wiring issues can be complex and may require technical expertise. It is highly recommended to call a licensed and experienced electrician or a professional plumber who is familiar with tankless water heaters. 

They will be able to diagnose and correct any wiring problems safely and efficiently.

FAQs:

Can I use an Eemax tankless water heater with hard water? 

Yes, you can use an Eemax tankless water heater even with hard water. The special feature in these water heaters effectively “scrubs” the interior of the heating chamber each time the heater is used, so minerals can’t accumulate. 

What to do when the Eemax water heater is too hot?

If the Eemax water heater is producing excessively hot water, you need to decrease the temperature. To control the temperature, these heaters usually have push-button control. Eemax recommended keeping the temperature not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Can I use a plug and cord for the Eemax heater instead of hardware?

No, using the plug and cord for the Eemax water heater is strictly prohibited. By doing so, you won’t get hot water from the heater and it can also lead the heater to further damage. You must go for hardware installation. 

Conclusion 

That’s all I had to say on the Eemax water heater no hot water issue. I hope this article covers all the possible reasons. By following the instructions, you can easily solve the water heater problem that has been bothering you. 

Now it’s time for me to sign up. Have a great day! 

For more water heater troubleshooting content, read our article on – Resetting Eemax water heater.

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