John_W
Premium
join:2000-04-25
Worcester, MA
clubs: 
 ·Vonage
| Water Heater Hissing
I replaced my 80 gal electric water heater a year ago with a new 80 gal electric one. About a month ago I noticed that when the elements turn on, I can hear a noticeable hissing noise.
At first I though it was overheating and it was the pressure release I was hearing, but nothing was coming out the pipe, so it's not that.
The water temp hasn't been any hotter or colder than any other time during the past year. And there is plenty of hot water, I never run out.
When I heard the hissing noise start up I killed the power at the breaker, and the noise immediately stopped and immediately started right back up again when I turned the power back on.
Is this normal or is it something that will need to be repaired?
Also, my electric bill seems to be 200-300kWh higher each month for the past few months when compared to last year and I don't know why. There is nothing in this house that is running that is any different from last year. I haven't even used any A/C this year, unlike last year at this time.
A hissing water heater couldn't be the culprit, could it?
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Team Discovery--BBR Team Helix--Cuz I Care!! |
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efflandt
join:2002-01-25
Elgin, IL
 ·AT&T Midwest
| It may depend upon water quality and mineral deposits. It is normal for water to hiss as it heats up (haven't you ever boiled water and heard the hiss before it reaches boiling). Maybe the elements heat up more if deposits make temperature sensing less accurate.
Someone at work has an electric water heater on well water and he has to replace one of the 2 heating elements every few years if not more often. |
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dandeman
Premium,MVM
join:2001-12-05
Chapel Hill, NC
·AT&T Southeast
3 edits | reply to John_W
From the symptoms you describe, you have the same problem I had. My first cheap most commonly used brand water heater had the nasty habit of the heating elements perforating due to corrosion and allowing the water make direct contact with the electrically hot part of the heating element.
this would make the hissing sound as soon as power was turned on. if it takes some time for the hissing to start after power is applied e.g. for the element to heat up it would not be this problem. Note most all heater thermostats open only one leg of the 240 volt connection
, so even when the thermostat is off the heating element is still electrically live, 120 volts to ground.
since yours starts and stops immediately with breaker turn on and off, that is indicative of the same problem I had. Replace the heating elements. |
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cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| said by dandeman  :Replace the heating elements. If it's only a year old, have the manufacturer look at it under warranty. Or at a minimum, call them. |
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John_W
Premium
join:2000-04-25
Worcester, MA
clubs: | Thanks people.
I will get a hold of the manufacturer and what they have to say. |
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