Eemax Tankless Water Heater Not Turning On: [7 Reasons To Fix]

Chilly mornings and a cold shower? Well, you may have experienced it and that’s why you’re here. Today, I’m here for the Eemax water heater users.

Lately I’ve worked a lot for troubleshooting the Eemax heaters and in this article, I’ll discuss and show you the way to fix the Eemax tankless water heater not turning on. But why does it happen? Well, it can happen for several reasons. For example –

• If the circuit breaker malfunctions
• Sometimes, the heating element can also be the reason. 
• Overpressuring the heater is another reason.
• Low water flow
• Control board failure is another reason

Now to fix the issue first turn on the circuit breaker if it’s off and check the entire connection. Now for a faulty heating element replace the thermostat. And to avoid over-pressuring, don’t use the heater for too many applications at a time. 

Here are only a few reasons but it can happen due to many other reasons and every reason has different solutions. Just keep on reading and learn everything about it 

Eemax Tankless Water Heater not Turning On: General Troubleshooting

First, I’ll discuss the common reasons behind your Eemax electric water heater not turning on issue. These problems are very generic and they can occur to any model of Eemax electric water heater. 

Reason 1: Circuit Breaker Issue/No Power

If your Eemax water heater doesn’t turn on, it could be because of a circuit breaker issue. If the breaker switch is OFF the heater won’t turn on. Well, there can be another case. If you find that the light stays dim after switching on the heater and opening the hot water tap, it means there’s no power.

How To Fix It?

Here the fixes are very simple and straightforward. Let’s see how to fix the Eemax water heater not turning on.

1. Check if the circuit breaker switch is ON. If not then turn it on.
2. To fix the second issue, make sure the circuit breaker is on and working. Then, look at the plug and connections. Check the wires and fix any problems. Finally, you should also check the U.L. rating label and ensure correct voltage. You should find the rating in the manual or on the front cover of the heater. By doing these things, you can make your Eemax water heater work again.

Reason 2: Problem With The Whole Electrical System Of Your House

The next reason isn’t always very common but it is possible. It can happen if there is a problem with the whole electrical system of your house. To ensure that, it’s the exact issue, aside from working with the Eemax try to turn on any other electrical component (Consumes almost similar power as Eemax) such as your washing machine or television. If you find they are not turning on, then it indicates the problem is with the overall electrical system of the house. 

How To Fix It?

Well, here you’ve no big task to do. Call a certified electrician and he will take care of all the things. 

Reason 3: Low Water Flow

Low water flow is another reason why your Eemax water heater is not turning on. It is generally seen in the SP model. It’s important to ensure that the water flow rate meets the minimum requirement of about 0.5 gallons per minute (1/2 gpm) for the heater to activate.

You can measure the flow rate by using a 1-gallon container and timing how long it takes to fill. If the filling process exceeds 2 minutes, the water flow might not be sufficient to trigger the unit.

How To Fix It?

If your Eemax water heater is not turning on due to low water flow, there are several steps you can take to address and fix the issue

First, to improve water flow, make sure that all water valves connected to the water heater are fully open. Sometimes partially closed valves can restrict the flow of water.

If the issue persists, inspect the aerator located at the end of the faucet connected to the water heater’s hot outlet. Unscrew the aerator and check for any debris or clogs. Debris and clogs that can obstruct the water flow. Cleaning the aerator or removing any blockages should be enough to fix the issue.

If the issue isn’t solved yet, the next step is to examine the flow restrictor. This component is typically found within the brass outlet fitting of the water heater and appears as a small black bung. 

To proceed, turn off the water supply to the heater, then remove the flow restrictor from the fitting. Once removed, replace the fitting and open the faucet fully. Doing this will help you figure out whether the water flow is okay now.

Reason 4: Overpressuring The Water Heater

Next, you can face a different type of problem such as the Eemax tankless water heater keeps shutting off. As a general rule of thumb, you should never overuse a water heater compared to its capacity. If you’re trying to use a good number of appliances at a time then the water heater may shut off after running a few times and it may not turn on. 

How To Fix It?

No big thing to do, just don’t over-pressurize the heater. Don’t use too many appliances at a time. However, if you don’t find it enough for the house you should consider replacing it with a bigger one with more capacity.

Reason 5: Faulty Heating Elements

Well, if the heating elements are faulty it mainly causes the water heating problem. However, in the case of an electric water heater, it can also cause a heater not turning on problem. To identify this problem, you’ll have to understand the hot water producing rate of the heater for the last few days. If you find the heater wasn’t producing or working properly that means the heating element is probably faulty. 

Another way you can identify it is by checking the thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature of the water in the Eemax water heaters, If it’s faulty the heating element won’t work properly. 

How To Fix It?

First, let’s discuss the thermostat-related issue. First, let’s check the thermostat and understand whether it’s faulty or not. 

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Get a volt meter and ensure that the breakers for your water heater are turned on.

Step 2: Identify Thermostat Terminals

Now locate the bottom and top metal parts of the thermostat you want to test.

Step 3: Set Up The VoltMeter

Now, turn the voltmeter to the AC voltage setting (110-115V range). Make sure the meter is in working condition.

Step 4: Bottom Thermostat Test

• Place one probe of the voltmeter on the bottom metal part of the thermostat terminal. 
• Connect the other probe to a grounded point (like a metal part of the water heater or another solid ground).

Step 5: Take A Reading

• Check the voltmeter reading. It should fall within the 110-115V range. 
• This reading verifies that electrical power is correctly reaching the bottom thermostat.

Step 6: Top Thermostat Test 

Repeat the process for the top metal part of the thermostat:

• Place one probe on the top terminal.
• Connect the other probe to a grounded point.

Step 7: Take A Reading

• Now, check the voltmeter reading again. It should once more fall within the 110-115V range. 
• This reading ensures that electrical power is reaching the top thermostat as well.

Step 8: Repeat For Each Thermostat

If you have multiple thermostats, repeat steps 4-7 for each one individually.

Step 9: Interpret Results

• If all readings are within the 110-115V range that means the thermostat is likely in good working condition. 
• If any reading falls outside this range, it could indicate a problem with that specific thermostat.

Step 10: Safety Precaution

Once testing is complete, turn off the breakers again for safety.

Now, if the thermostat is bad you’ll have to replace it. Now let’s get into the fix of the second issue.

As the heating element is faulty, the ideal fix here is to replace the heating element. Well, you can also repair it but I am not suggesting it. To replace it you can call any professional. The best thing will be – call Eemax Technical Support at 800-543-6163 and they will take care of the rest. 

Another fix here is to DIY heating element replacement. However, it’s a crucial task and if you don’t have proper mechanical skills we don’t recommend it. However, the heating element replacement can be done with 4 steps – 

• Verifying the heating elements
• Removing the heating element
• Descaling the heating element, and
• Replacing the heating element 

Well, as I’ve already mentioned it’s a lengthy process. So, we aren’t breaking down more about it. But if you’re interested check out our article on Eemax water heater maintenance. In this article, we’ve discussed everything about changing the heating element. 

Reason 6: Relay/Contactor Malfunctioning Or Control Board Failure

This reason is particular for the user of some specific model and isn’t very common. However, the heater can stop heating or won’t turn on if there is a problem with the control board or relay. 

How To Fix It?

In the case of the control board, it’s suggested to change the control board. And, for the relay/contractor, get a multimeter and measure the resistance of the particular elements. If the reading is incorrect then replace it. If you can’t replace the control board by yourself, then contact the help center.

Reason 7: Your Heater Is Too Old

This is the final reason and you can’t actually address it as a reason. If you’re using the water heater for a very long time then there are possibilities that it’ll automatically stop working by expiring its lifespan. 

How To Fix It?

There are actually no fixes available. In such conditions, you will have to opt for a new water heater. 

Troubleshooting Eemax Electric Mini Tank And De-Ionized Water Heater Not Turning On

As per per troubleshooting experience I found if you’re a user of Eemax Mini Tank water heater or De-Ionized water heater then I’ve good news for you. If your heater doesn’t turn on then follow the previous guide and hopefully, it will for for all the Eemax Mini Tank water heater models such as  EMT1, EMT2.5, EMT4, EMT1,6 SPEX1812T, SPEX3012T and others. 

Eemax Tankless Water Heater Not Turning On: Guide For LavAdvantage™, AccuMix II™, & FlowCo™

Now, if you are a LavAdvantage™, AccuMix II™, or  FlowCo™ user I’ve got some specific guide for you. According to the users and manufacturers, the common reasons for the particular problem for the specific models are – 

• Heating element Failure
• ECO tripped/malfunctioning
• Relay/contactor malfunctioning
• And, control board failure

I’ve already discussed the solution to the problems above. Just go through the general troubleshooting part again and learn how to fix them. 

FAQs:

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’re now clear about the topic – the Eemax water heater not turning on

Now before we leave let me remind you that regular maintenance and proper troubleshooting guide will ensure optimal performance and a consistent supply of hot water from your Eemax water heater. So, never neglect to take initiative when you face a problem with the Eemax water heater.