Dux gas hot water system troubleshooting

Are you having problems with your Dux gas hot water system?

We understand how important it is to have a working hot water system, especially in the winter months. That’s why we have listed some of the issues you may encounter with your Dux gas hot water system and provided a solution.

It is important when troubleshooting to identify the issue, so you can determine why something is not working as expected. We hope the information below will help you get your system up and running as quickly as possible. However, if you are still having problems please contact your local licensed plumber for professional advice.

No hot water

Pilot light may need relighting, see the section below on how to check & relight the pilot light.

Running out of hot water

Check if you have low-flow shower heads installed. Your plumber can replace your shower heads or install water flow valves to all outlets to decrease your hot water usage.
Keep track of how much time is being spent having a shower, it all adds up very fast!
Wash your clothes in cold water where possible.
Growing families, teenagers and an inadequate hot water system don’t mix! If you’re running out of hot water regularly, you may need to consider upgrading to a larger unit.

Leaking hot water

This is part of the normal operating conditions, high-efficiency gas storage water heaters will produce some condensation. This is normally drained outside the water heater and can be seen on the ground near the unit.

If the water volume is more than a full bucket over a period of 24 hours, contact your local licensed plumber for professional advice.

Is the water too hot or too cold - adjusting the water temperature

Thermostats typically provide a small window of adjustment between 60 and 70 deg for gas storage hot water systems. Thermostats cannot be set below 60 deg. To adjust your thermostat speak to your local licensed plumber for professional advice.

Note: Hotter water increases the risk of scalding.

How to relight a pilot light

Do not attempt to light the water heater if the pilot is out and the knob is in the “ON” position (one of the number settings). Follow the steps below.

IMPORTANT - Do not look directly into the burner area.

Keep your head above the top of the access cover opening. Use a mirror to observe the flame.

Turn the control knob fully clockwise to the “•” - off position.
Wait 5 minutes so any build-up of unburnt gas can escape.
Turn the control knob to the pilot position.
Depress the control knob fully until it disappears below the housing and after 30 seconds, whilst keeping the control knob depressed, repeatedly press the igniter button (for up to 40 seconds) until the pilot flame ignites. Note – it is not possible to depress the control knob fully if the gas control valve has activated its safety shutoff feature. In this case, wait 60 seconds for the gas control valve to reset.
Keep the control knob depressed for 20 seconds after the pilot flame lights. Use a mirror to observe the pilot flame. Do not attempt to observe the flame directly.
Release the control knob and check the pilot is still alight.
If the pilot has failed to light or has not remained alight, turn the control knob to “•” (off). Wait 5 minutes for the escape of unburnt gas, then begin again at step 3.
When the pilot flame remains alight with the control knob released, turn the control knob anti-clockwise to one of the number settings. A minimum setting of “6” is recommended and this will give a water temperature of about 60°C.
Turn the control knob to a higher number for higher water temperatures.
If the main burner does not light at the selected setting, the water may already be at the selected temperature.
Replace the access cover and ensure it is firmly in position.

If you still have no hot water, call your local licensed plumber for professional advice.

No hot water

Confirm the pilot is alight - if not consult the Owners manual or see the instructions above to relight.

High gas bills or insufficient hot water

Consider that often the hot water usage of showers, washing machines and dishwashers can be underestimated. Review these appliances to determine if the daily usage is greater than the capability of the water heater.
If necessary check the shower flow rates with a bucket, measuring the amount of water used over a period of time. If it is not possible to adjust water usage patterns, an inexpensive flow control valve can easily be fitted to the shower outlet.
Is the water heater the correct size for the requirements? Sizing details are available from your Dux supplier.
Is there a leaking hot water pipe or a dripping hot water tap? A small leak can waste a large quantity of hot water. Replace faulty tap washers and arrange for your plumber to rectify any leaking pipe work.
Is the Pressure & Temperature Relief Valve discharging too much water? See below.

Continuous trickle of water from Pressure & Temperature Relief (PTR) valve

This is most likely due to a build-up of foreign matter. In this case, try gently raising the easing lever on the PTR Valve for a few seconds, then release gently. This may dislodge a small particle of foreign matter and rectify the fault.

Water discharge from the PTR valve

It is not unusual for a small quantity of water to discharge during the heating of water in the storage tank. The amount of discharge will depend on hot water usage and the size of the storage tank. As a guide, it will discharge about 2% of the volume of the water heated. Continuous leakage of water from the PTR Valve may indicate a problem with the water heater. Shut down the water heater and contact your plumber.

If after checking the above points, the problem has not been identified, please contact Everyday Plumbing and Gas Services. We service Sydney, the Sutherland Shire, Canterbury Bankstown, Liverpool, and St George areas. For all your hot water needs contact one of our professional plumbers and gas fitters at 1300 400 200.

References:

https://www.dux.com.au/troubleshooting/

https://fexob3edmqk2c8ejzgyqpg7x-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/H3109-L-Dux-4-5-Star-Gas-Manual_LR.pdf