The Importance of Proper AC Sizing for Your Home

There’s nothing more frustrating than stepping into the shower and realizing you have no hot water—especially during a cold Northeast Ohio morning. Whether you live in Eastlake, Mentor, or Willoughby, running out of hot water is a problem that needs quick attention. Fortunately, most hot water issues can be diagnosed and resolved with the help of a professional.

At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we provide expert water heater repair and replacement services across the region. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common causes of hot water loss, what you can check yourself, and when it’s time to call in our team.

Common Reasons You Might Not Have Hot Water

If you suddenly find yourself without hot water, it can throw your entire day off—whether you’re getting ready for work, cleaning up after dinner, or putting the kids to bed. While this issue may seem alarming, many common water heater problems can be identified and resolved with a bit of troubleshooting or professional help.

Below are the most likely causes, based on the type of water heater you have and the symptoms you're noticing. If you live in Eastlake, Mentor, Willoughby, Painesville, or nearby, Lakeshore Heating & Cooling is here to help restore your hot water quickly and reliably.

1. Pilot Light Is Out (Gas Water Heaters)

Gas water heaters use a small flame—called a pilot light—to ignite the burner and heat the water. If that flame goes out, your tank can’t heat, leaving you with cold showers and frustrated mornings.

Common causes include:

• • • A strong draft blowing out the flame
    • A dirty or faulty thermocouple
    • Interruption in your gas supply

What you can check:
Look near the bottom of the unit for a small inspection window. If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is likely out. Some homeowners in Willoughby and Mentor, for example, have older tank-style heaters where the pilot can go out more easily during windy spring months. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to safely relight it.

If the pilot won’t stay lit or you smell gas, it’s time to call the professionals. Lakeshore Heating & Cooling can inspect your unit, repair the thermocouple if needed, and make sure your system is safe to operate.

2. Tripped Breaker or Faulty Heating Element (Electric Water Heaters)

If your home in Painesville or Wickliffe uses an electric water heater, a sudden loss of hot water may mean an electrical issue is at play.

What to check:

• • • Open your circuit breaker panel and check for a tripped breaker.
    • If you reset it and the breaker trips again—or the water stays cold—you could have a faulty heating element or thermostat inside the tank.

Electric elements are prone to burnout after years of cycling on and off, especially during Northeast Ohio winters when hot water use increases. At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we can safely test the elements, replace any faulty parts, and ensure your electric water heater is heating efficiently again.

3. Sediment Buildup in the Tank

Water heaters in Ohio are particularly prone to sediment buildup due to varying levels of hardness in municipal and well water sources. Over time, calcium and other minerals settle at the bottom of your tank and form a dense layer.

Common symptoms include:

• • • Reduced hot water availability
    • Loud rumbling or popping noises from the tank
    • Water taking longer to heat up
    • Inconsistent or fluctuating temperatures

These are common calls we receive from homeowners in areas like Concord Township and Fairport Harbor, where water conditions often contribute to mineral buildup.

Lakeshore Heating & Cooling offers professional tank flushing and cleaning services to remove sediment and restore performance. Regular flushing also helps extend the life of your water heater and can lower your energy bills.

4. Faulty Thermostat

If your water never gets hot—or gets too hot and then turns cold—it could be due to a faulty thermostat. This small but vital component controls the water temperature inside the tank. When it fails, your system can't heat the water properly or safely.

Our team at Lakeshore Heating & Cooling is experienced in testing and replacing thermostats in both tank-style water heaters and modern tankless systems. Whether you're in Eastlake or Willowick, we'll ensure your water temperature stays consistent and comfortable.

5. Old or Failing Water Heater

Water heaters aren’t built to last forever. Most tank systems begin to wear down after 10–15 years, and signs of failure become more common.

Signs your water heater may need to be replaced:

• • • You’re running out of hot water faster than usual
    • Water smells metallic or looks rusty
    • The tank is leaking near the base
    • You’ve needed multiple repairs in the past year

If your water heater is nearing the end of its life, Lakeshore Heating & Cooling can help you make the switch. We install both traditional tank water heaters and high-efficiency tankless water heaters for homeowners across Mentor, Madison, and surrounding areas. We’ll assess your home’s hot water needs, recommend the best unit size and style, and handle the installation from start to finish.

Tank vs. Tankless: What’s the Right Choice for Your Northeast Ohio Home?

If your water heater is showing signs of age or has stopped working entirely, replacement may be the smartest move—especially if repairs are becoming more frequent or costly. But one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to stick with a traditional tank-style unit or upgrade to a modern tankless system.

At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we install both traditional hot water tanks and tankless hot water systems for homeowners in Eastlake, Mentor, Willoughby, Painesville, and surrounding areas. We help you weigh the pros and cons based on your household’s needs, energy goals, and budget.

Here’s how the two systems compare:

Traditional Tank Water Heaters

Tank water heaters are the most common style found in homes across Lake and Cuyahoga Counties. They store a fixed amount of hot water—typically 40 to 50 gallons—that’s ready for use at any time.

Benefits:

• • Lower upfront cost and simpler installation
  • Familiar operation—no learning curve
  • Great for smaller households or homes with modest hot water needs

Considerations:

• • May run out of hot water during high usage (e.g., multiple showers, dishwasher, and laundry at once)
  • Tanks take up more space in your utility room or basement
  • Shorter lifespan compared to tankless systems

If you’ve been happy with your current tank system and just need a reliable replacement, our team can help you choose a high-efficiency model and handle the full installation.

Tankless Water Heaters (On-Demand Systems)

Tankless water heaters provide hot water only when you need it—without storing gallons of heated water in a tank. These systems are compact, highly efficient, and growing in popularity throughout Eastlake and the surrounding region.

Benefits:

• • Endless hot water on demand—great for larger families or homes with multiple bathrooms
  • Energy-efficient design reduces utility bills over time
  • Compact units save space and can even be wall-mounted
  • Longer expected lifespan (up to 20 years or more)

Considerations:

• • Higher upfront installation cost
  • May require electrical or gas line upgrades depending on your existing setup
  • Best installed by a professional to ensure optimal performance

If your current water heater is struggling to keep up—or if you're planning a home renovation, addition, or growing household—a tankless system may be a smart long-term investment. Lakeshore Heating & Cooling will evaluate your hot water usage and recommend the right size and model to meet your needs.

No matter which option you choose, our licensed technicians are here to ensure the installation is done correctly, safely, and up to code. We’re proud to help families across Eastlake, Concord Township, Willoughby Hills, and beyond enjoy consistent hot water all year long.

Serving Eastlake and Surrounding Northeast Ohio Communities

Lakeshore Heating & Cooling proudly provides professional water heater repair, maintenance, and installation services in:

• Eastlake
• Willoughby
• Mentor
• Painesville
• Wickliffe
• Willowick
• Kirtland
• Concord Township
• Fairport Harbor
• Madison
• Perry
• And surrounding areas throughout Lake and Cuyahoga Counties

Whether you’re dealing with no hot water or want to upgrade to a modern tankless system, we’re here to help.

Get Hot Water Flowing Again—Call Us Today

If you’ve lost hot water or your system is struggling to keep up, don’t wait. Call Lakeshore Heating & Cooling to schedule an inspection or request an estimate for repair or replacement. Our expert technicians provide honest answers, timely service, and lasting solutions you can count on.

We proudly serve Eastlake, Mentor, Painesville, Willoughby, and nearby communities with professional HVAC and water heating services. Let us help you get back to comfort—fast.