The other night while our lights went out, I went to check the breaker box to make sure the issue was not just our house. The only breaker I found tripped was one of the water heaters. I have two 50 gallon heaters that work together, one feeds the other. I had noticed that our water was not quite as hot as it usually was the past few weeks, but jsut didn't think anything of it. But as soon as I flipped that breaker, our hot water sputters when on. Is there something I need to check? these are electric water heaters.

May be full of calcium.

Hmm, I just tried draining these as instructed on several sites, and no water comes out at all when I do this. Any idea as to why?

The little ball valve on a water heater has a small opening and is easily clogged. I used to take a wire, like a coat hanger and have to unclog my valve opening every time I tried to drain the water heater. This last time though, I totally removed the factory ball valve and replaced it with a 3" brass nipple and a 3/4 brass gate valve fitted with a brass water hose adapter. This configuration provides a bigger opening and more of a straight shot. Now when I want to flush the tank, I just leave the cold water supply to the tank turned on and open the gate valve which is attached to a garden hose. Way quicker and a much better flush. I got all the parts at Home Depot for just under $20. If you do it, be sure and spray(with a penetrant) your old ball valve threads for a couple of days before you remove it. If it does break off in the tank, you can still saw(carefully) the remaining nipple in two halves so you can remove them from the tank.

Sounds like you got a tank full of mineral deposits.

I would say if it electric you have a element that has gone bad.there are usually two,one at the top and one at bottom.

This brings a question in my mind.

i am buying a house with a 50 gallon electric, no gas plumber to th house.

IS an electric tankless going to use more, alot more or a ridiculous amount of electricity???

I bought a new WH a few months back and looked seriously into tankless. In short, electric tankless WH's suck and you will never get your money out of them. Gas tankless can be good assuming you can get it plummed and ventilated easily enough.

It's going to use a butt load more. There are a few things you can do:

1. Wrap it/insulate it.
2. Flush it approx. every 3 months. Calcium is going to adhere to the electric heating elements and settle at the bottom which will reduce efficiency.
3. Is your water hard or soft? (High alkali or acid)? Get your water tested but don't buy some happy high $ water treatment system.

Good Luck and pm with any questions.

Deputy. We have an Electric in Wyoming. Its wrapped with the

Insulation blanket also have a TIMER system from Lowes on it.

You can set the time to come on during the morning hours and

OFF at night during the sleeping hours. It SAVES!