The Cold Water Conundrum: No hot water but heating works

We all know the feeling: you're looking forward to a relaxing, hot shower and suddenly the water turns cold

We all know the feeling: you're looking forward to a relaxing, hot shower and suddenly the water turns cold. In residential buildings, there are different methods of producing hot water. A common method is central water heating with a hot water storage tank, or a tankless water heater may be used. These systems often encounter problems that can lead to a lack of hot water.

Problems, especially those related to gas or electrical installations, should be addressed by a qualified technician for safety reasons. It's important not to compromise your own safety.

First, check if the hot water is cold at all fixtures or if it's only affecting, for example, the shower. Also, determine if the water temperature fluctuates or remains completely cold.

Defective mixer tap

If hot water is only unavailable at one fixture or the temperature fluctuates at one faucet, it could be due to a faulty mixer tap. A complete replacement of the mixer tap is often not necessary. In many cases, a thorough cleaning is sufficient to allow hot water to flow into the shower. When removing the mixer tap, be sure to shut off the water and check the seals as well.

Check the pipes especially in the winter

Pipes can unfortunately freeze, especially if they are unprotected. Therefore, make sure to shut off or insulate outdoor faucets during the cold season and prevent rooms, especially rarely used ones like the basement, from cooling down excessively.

If hot water is not working in the house, check the pipes for any water loss. If you discover a broken pipe, immediately shut off the water supply and contact a plumber as soon as possible.

Check the thermostat and thermostat settings.

Thermostats regulate the water temperature. Therefore, check if the thermostat is set to the desired temperature. If the water doesn't reach the set temperature or fluctuates, it could indicate a faulty thermostat. Additionally, if you notice that the water temperature remains consistently too hot or too cold even after adjusting the thermostat, it may be a sign that the thermostat is not functioning properly. It is recommended to consult a professional to inspect and replace the defective thermostat to ensure accurate temperature control in your hot water system.

Boiler with timer

An easily fixable issue is the timer function on the boiler. Make sure that the correct time and possibly the season are set, so that hot water is available at the right time.

Power outage or defective hot water storage tank

If your hot water heater is electrically operated, a power outage or technical defect could result in cold water coming out of the taps. Deposits of limescale or other minerals can also accumulate in the hot water storage tank or pipes, hindering heat transfer. Descaling the system may be necessary to resolve the issue. For technical defects, please contact your installer.

Issues with the hot water pump

A defective pump can be identified by a lack of water flow, unusual noises/vibrations, or low water pressure. We recommend leaving the inspection of the hot water pump to a professional. It's advisable to replace old pumps, as new pumps are much more energy efficient.

It's important to note that these are just some possible causes for the lack of hot water while the heating system works. We recommend contacting a professional for an accurate diagnosis and repair.