How To Change A Heating Element In A Water Heater

The heating chemical element is responsible for heating the h2o in a h2o heater. It is a powered chemical element which ways you will non turn information technology on or off via a switch or thermostat. When an electrical heating element fails, the best option is to replace it rather than repairing information technology.

I of the signs that your hot water heater heating element is not working is the water takes also long to rut or doesn't oestrus at all. While this job may announced complicated, most homeowners have successfully washed it themselves. Follow this guide to learn how to replace the heating element in your electric water heater.

Start by Agreement Electric Water Heater Wiring

Earlier touching any part of your water heater, you should outset past understanding the electric water heater wiring . Electric water heaters have two heating elements, a thermostat, and a high limit.

The loftier limit switch is vital to the safe of your home as it will shut off the power if the h2o becomes besides hot. If you practise not know where these parts are located on your heater, consult your owner's manual or call a professional person to assist you.

How to Replace Electric Water Heater Heating Element

i. Shut Off the Ability to Your H2o Heater

Y'all need to shut downwardly the power to practice any work on your water heater. Yous can flip the excursion breaker off or remove the fuse in your electrical console. The power needs to stay off until you lot are done with the work. You should also shut downward the cold water inlet valve, so it doesn't deliver the h2o to the heating chemical element. Y'all'll find the shut-off valve for the cold water supply just above the heating chemical element.

ii. Locate the Heating Element

You'll detect the heating element directly above the water supply connections. Information technology will be a cylindrical rod with two cables plugged into it. On most water heaters, you'll see a round opening where the heating chemical element goes.

Water Heater Element — Image credit: https://image.made-in-china.com/

You should as well know that electric water heaters have two heating elements. One is located in the upper admission panel and the other in the lower part. One of these elements may take a thermostat, while the other has a timer. It's always best to close downward both the upper and lower heating elements, and so you don't have any issues with electricity during your maintenance appointment.

3. Test the Heating Element

At this point, yous'll need to apply a multimeter to test your water heating element . Plough off the power at the principal billow to your water heater. Now, put 1 probe of your multimeter through the heating element screws and touch the other probe on each of the screw terminals.

If both are reading 120 volts, yous'll know that they're complete. If one is missing and the other isn't, you'll demand to replace either the upper or lower heating chemical element. Yous can also test your thermostat or timer at this bespeak with your multimeter if you lot'd like.

iv. Drain Water from Heater

Earlier opening up the unit, y'all will want to larn how to drain the water heater , making it easier to work with. Drain the tank or plough off the cold source for the water heater. To bleed, find the drain plug underneath one of your hot water faucets and simply open it. If you do not have a drain plug, you tin close off your house'due south common cold water supply line. This is located just in a higher place the water heater, against your house's wall, and next to your pressure relief valve.

v. Remove the Heating Element

You should remove the heating element past turning it counterclockwise using a water heater element wrench. The heating element is located on the bottom of the heater and should be easy to find. It will virtually probable take a hose or wires fastened to it, and so exercise non be surprised if you see something afterward you take off the panel.

After removing, prepare the heating element aside and so you can piece of work with it without fear of damaging it.

6. Install a New Heating Chemical element

Y'all know that if a heating chemical element is already damaged, you tin't replace it. So the next pace of action is to find a new element that you can employ in place for the one-time 1. Before buying the new heating element, you demand to ensure the specifications lucifer the old i. A heating element without the same voltage will non fit into your tank unless you have the right tools for information technology.

To supervene upon the water heater elements, you lot must follow the same process you used to remove the previous chemical element. You lot should first plow off the ability to your element. Even if you accept the new chemical element, information technology's still best to use caution, given that you are working around electricity hither.

Afterward, disconnect your old chemical element from the wires and screw in the new one where the erstwhile was positioned.

7. Refill the Tank

The just way to know if everything works as earlier is to exam. To do this, you lot'll need to fill your tank with east-juice. If the flow is too slow, you might need to remove a small screw or two from the elevation of your atomizer and accommodate them so that they fit snugly in the holes.

Yous might also hear some water heater noises if you left the hot h2o faucet on. This is not something to worry near because as the tank fills with water, information technology forces the air out hence the racket. Let all the air to get out as the water tank fills earlier yous plow off the hot water faucet.

8. Reconnect Your Water Heater

It's non time to confirm if your new heating element is working. Y'all need to reconnect the wires of the heating element to the electric heater'south terminals (or wires) and as well ensure they are secure by tightening their spiral.

9. Turn on the Water Heater Again

Plough on your water heater over again past switching it back on. Monitor your new heating element for any unusual signs or signals. You may notice strange odors, bubbling, or other signs of the heating element not working properly. If you discover whatever kind of these signs, so you lot need to stop using your h2o heater and supervene upon an electric water heating element again.

You should likewise turn on the excursion billow and ensure in that location'southward no leakage. If everything is okay, then you need to replace the plastic safe cover and cover the access panel. Let it rest for about an hour and verify if your unit is heating as information technology should. If everything is ok, congratulations; yous've successfully replaced the heating chemical element.

FAQs Near How to Replace a Heating Element in an Electric Water Heater

How do I know if I take a bad heating element?

The virtually common symptoms are no warm h2o, very little hot water, or fifty-fifty steam coming from your heating element. If you discover whatever kind of these signs, you need to end using your water heater and supersede the heating element over again. You should also turn on the excursion billow and ensure there'southward no leakage. If everything is practiced, then you're ready to go.

Is information technology like shooting fish in a barrel to supplant an electric heating element?

To answer this question, absolutely yes! Peculiarly if you just follow the steps that we've provided, and more importantly, use our recommendations on how to replace a heating element of an electric water heater. Replacing an electric heating element is easier than replacing a gas heating element, that's for certain. Just brand sure you lot accept the replacement part in hand earlier you start to do anything else.

Final Verdict on How to Replace a Heating Element in an Electric Water Heater

Replacing a heating chemical element is non a very difficult procedure even for the rookie, merely you need to ensure that you get the right replacement function. Always make sure that you follow our recommendations and take your time when replacing an electrical heating element. It will salve you lot from many headaches later on.