Envirotemp Water Heater Troubleshooting
On this page (6 sections)
The Short Answer: Envirotemp is a retail brand name on conventional tank water heaters, so it is fixed the same way as any other gas or electric tank. Start with the rating plate: it gives the fuel, the actual manufacturer, and the model number you need for the right manual. Cold water usually comes down to the pilot or gas supply on gas models, or the breaker and elements on electric ones.
Find out what you actually own
The rating plate on the side of the jacket lists the model and serial number, the fuel type, and either the gas input (BTU per hour) or the voltage and element wattage. The company that made the heater may be named there too; its manual and parts apply to your unit. If you need help reading the plate, see identify your water heater.
- Gas tank: a gas pipe enters a control valve on the front, there is a burner access cover at the bottom, and a vent pipe leaves the top.
- Electric tank: no gas pipe or vent. There are usually two small access covers on the side and a heavy cable at the top.
Common problems by type
| What you notice | Gas model: likely cause | Electric model: likely cause |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water at all | Pilot out, gas supply off, or a safety lockout | Tripped breaker or an opened high-limit |
| Some hot water, runs out fast | Sediment, a broken dip tube, or a thermostat set low | One element or thermostat failed |
| Water on the floor | Fitting, relief valve, drain valve, or tank | Same, plus element gaskets |
| Rotten-egg smell in the room | Possible gas leak: leave and call the utility | Not a fuel leak; see electric heater smells like gas |
What you can check safely
Gas models
- Confirm the gas valve on the supply pipe is open (handle in line with the pipe) and that other gas appliances work.
- Look at the gas control knob. If it is on OFF or PILOT, follow the lighting instructions printed on the heater’s label, exactly once. If the pilot won’t light or won’t stay lit, stop and use why won’t my gas water heater stay lit.
- Check for a status light on the gas control and note its flash pattern; the label on the heater explains it.
Electric models
- Check the double-pole breaker. Reset it once if it tripped; if it trips again, leave it off.
- If the tank was recently drained or the water was off, make sure a hot faucet runs steadily before power goes back on.
Any model with a leak
Close the cold-water valve above the heater and turn off the gas or the breaker. Then dry the area and watch where new water appears. A drip at a pipe connection or the drain valve is a repair; water coming from under the jacket with every fitting dry usually means the tank itself has failed.
What the technician will check
On a gas tank a technician looks at the pilot, the thermocouple or thermopile, the gas control, burner, and venting, and measures gas pressure against the rating plate. On an electric tank they test both elements, both thermostats, and the high-limit with the power locked off. In both cases they check water pressure and the expansion tank if the relief valve has been discharging.
Repair or replace
Thermocouples, pilot assemblies, elements, thermostats, and drain valves are routine repairs. A gas control valve costs more but is still a repair on a sound tank. A leaking tank shell means replacement. If the heater is more than about 10 to 12 years old and needs a major part, compare the repair against a new unit; see water heater age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do I find an Envirotemp manual? A: Use the model number on the rating plate. The manufacturer named on the plate, or the retailer that sold it, can provide the owner’s manual and parts list for that exact model.
Q: Is there a reset button on an Envirotemp water heater? A: Electric models have a manual-reset high-limit behind the upper access cover, next to live wiring, so resetting it is a technician’s job. Gas models usually have no customer reset button; follow the lighting label instead.
Manuals and supporting references
These links distinguish general safety information from model-specific documentation. A manual directory helps you locate your unit’s instructions; it does not establish that every model uses the same parts, codes, or test values.
- PG&E: recognizing and responding to a gas leak (opens in a new tab)Emergency actions for suspected fuel-gas leaks.
- A. O. Smith technical bulletin 51: puddles around a heater (opens in a new tab)Common water-leak sources and the distinction between fittings and a failed tank.
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