Water Heater Barely Heating

Bypass valve is open

Toddupton wrote:
Bypass valve is open

Yep. I believe that is the answer

Bypass valve (as stated)

or

Inside or Outside shower valve open with hand wand closed (hot and cold mixing)

where would the bypass valve be located? Do you mean the hot water tank bypass that I close when winterizing to avoid antifreeze getting in the hot water tank?

Usually the Bypass valve is a 1-2 or 3 valves Now i've seen them in various places but .. Find the back side (inside of the RV side) of the water heater. FOLLOW the lines from the water heater.

IF you have a single valve (I doubt it) you will find it, it is a 3 way valve and there will be a check valve in the HOT line at the heater (The 3-way is in the cold line)

2 valves one in hot one in cold and a pipe between them

3 Valves (What I have) the lines are "T" fitted before they get to the inlet and outlet valves and then another "Bypass" pipe has a valve in it

USE means the inlet and outlet valves are open. bypass closed

Bypass reverses that

THe valves often have Oval shaped handles and if the LONG AXIS is along the pipe that is usually (but not always) OPEN.

SUSPECT 2: The Showers.. Mixing valve open and head cut off closed. Same symptoms.

carlislefamily2011 wrote:
where would the bypass valve be located? Do you mean the hot water tank bypass that I close when winterizing to avoid antifreeze getting in the hot water tank?

Yes....

thanks everyone, much appreciated...

if it a suburban heater, turn the gas switch on and go out to the face of the heater, take the cover off and wiggle the electric connections. it should fire right up

Remember, IF the 120 side is working and you have a full tank of HOT water, The LP side WILL NOT FUNCTION. The Tstat/s have been satisfied and the heating modes will not come ON. When you have your type problem you go to the Water Heater and open the POP OFF valve. If you have HOT water come out, your water Heater is functioning and you need to find the BYPASS valves and set them for correct use. Doug

Is the relief valve hot if you open the access door and touch it?

Are the winterizing valves set correctly?

Are the valves off on the outside shower?