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There’s nothing like starting the shower before work and getting blasted with cold water. It happens more often than you’d think: a pilot light goes out, the breaker trips, or you’ve just returned from vacation and forgot the heater was off. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to restart your water heater.

The good news is that turning a water heater back on is usually simple. You just need to know whether you have an electric model or a gas one and take a couple of safety steps before you begin.

Safety First: A Quick Checklist

Before you touch a knob or flip a breaker, pause for a minute. A few small checks make a big difference.

• Make sure the tank is full. Open a hot water faucet inside your home. If it sputters, the tank is still filling. If it runs steadily, you’re good to go.
• Sniff for gas. If you have a gas water heater and notice a gas smell, don’t try to light anything. Leave the area and call your utility company.
• Turn off the breaker. For electric water heaters, confirm power is off at the panel before you start.

Once that’s done, you’re ready to get hot water flowing again.

How to Turn On an Electric Water Heater

Electric water heaters are the easier of the two. Here’s the process:

1. Find the breaker. Locate the breaker for your water heater and switch it off.
2. Check the tank. Confirm the tank is full of water by running a hot tap until the flow is steady.
3. Flip the breaker back on. This powers up the heating elements inside the tank.
4. Wait it out. Hot water won’t be instant. It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes for the tank to fully heat.

If the water is still cold after an hour, there may be a bigger problem, and you’ll need to do some water heater troubleshooting.

How to Turn On a Gas Water Heater

Gas models take a few more steps, but once you’ve done it once, it becomes second nature.

1. Find the gas control knob near the bottom of the unit.
2. Turn it to “pilot.” This lets gas flow only to the pilot light.
3. Light the pilot. Press the ignition button if your unit has one or carefully use a long lighter.
4. Keep holding the knob for about 30 seconds after the flame lights. This allows the safety sensor to register the flame.
5. Turn the knob to “on.” The main burner will ignite as the tank calls for heat.
6. Be patient. It usually takes 30 to 40 minutes before hot water reaches your taps.

If the pilot light refuses to stay lit, the thermocouple or gas valve may need professional attention.

Common Problems You Might Notice

Sometimes you follow the steps, and hot water still doesn’t come back. Here are a few issues we often see in Greater Cincinnati homes:

• Pilot light won’t hold. This could be a dirty sensor or a faulty gas control.
• Breaker trips again. On electric models, that usually means a bad heating element.
• Noises in the tank. Rumbling or popping can mean sediment buildup at the bottom.
• Leaks. Any water around the base of the tank is a red flag.

Some of these problems are minor, but others signal it’s time to call a plumber.

When to Call a Professional

Restarting a water heater is something most homeowners can do themselves. But don’t ignore warning signs. Call for help if:

• You smell gas at any point
• The tank is cracked or leaking
• You still don’t have hot water after restarting
• The breaker trips every time the heater powers up
• Your unit is 10+ years old and not keeping up

Apollo Home has been providing plumbing and HVAC service across Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana for decades. Our team handles everything from relighting a stubborn water heater pilot light to full water heater repair and installation.

The Bottom Line

Turning on a water heater isn’t complicated once you know the steps. Electric models are as simple as flipping a breaker after checking the tank. Gas models take a few more moves with the pilot light, but they’re still manageable for most homeowners.

If your water heater won’t restart, or you’d rather have a pro double-check it for safety, Apollo Home is ready to help. We provide 24/7 emergency repair so you don’t have to live with cold showers.

Need help with your water heater? Reach out today for fast plumbing service in Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana.