How to Replace Water Heater Element
- Determine which element needs replacing (there are two). ...
- Turn off the water supply valve for the electric water heater. ...
- Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. ...
- Remove either the top or bottom access panel on the side of the tank and pull back the insulation. ...
- Using your adjustable wrench, remove the element by turning it counterclockwise. ...
How to tell if your water heater element is bad?
- Hot Water Heater Only Lukewarm. Lukewarm water could mean several things. ...
- Water Heater Suddenly Scalding Hot. Varying water temperatures could signal more significant issues. ...
- Cloudy or Rusty Hot Water. ...
- Smelly Water. ...
- Rumbling Noises. ...
- Aging System. ...
- Rusty Water Heater Tank. ...
- Leaking. ...
- Not Enough Hot Water. ...
- Cold Water Inlet on the Water Heater Is Hot. ...
How to tell if my water heater element is bad?
Steps: How to test if hot water heater element is bad
- Step #1 Shut off the power supply. ...
- Step #2 Open the side panels to reveal the elements. ...
- Step #3 Test the presence of current in the wires. ...
- Step #4 Disconnect wires to the element. ...
- Step #5 Conduct the broken element test with the help of a multimeter. ...
- Step #5 Conduct a short circuit test with the help of a multimeter. ...
How do I change elements in my hot water heater?
How to Replace the Bottom Heating Element on a Hot Water Heater
- Shut down power to the water heater. Some units are plugged into a wall outlet, while others are hard wired directly into the home’s electrical system.
- Turn off the cold water supply line that feeds into the water heater tank. ...
- Open the closest hot water tap and let it drain into the sink. ...
How do you replace a hot water heating element?
Instructions
- Shut off the electricity. Switch the 2 house circuit breakers dedicated for the water heater to OFF. ...
- Drain the water heater. Turn off the cold water supply to the water heater. ...
- Remove the heating element. ...
- Install the new heating element. ...
- Close the drain valve. ...
- Fill the tank with water. ...
- Restore power. ...
Do you have to drain hot water heater to change element?
It is possible to change your water heater's heating element without draining your tank.
Should you replace both water heater elements at the same time?
Materials Required. If your electric hot water heater is slow to heat, runs out of hot water faster than it used to, or doesn't deliver any hot water at all, there's a 90 percent chance that simply replacing one or both of the heating elements will solve the problem.
Can you put a bigger element in a water heater?
You'll use more power with the larger element, unless you/your family are very strange. You'll use more power because you'll get more hot water before the water heater can't keep up - if you used exactly the same amount/temperature of water, you'd use exactly the same amount of power.
Do all water heaters take the same heating element?
There are three types: screw in, bolt in and clamp in. They all have different wattage ratings and can work on either 120 or 240 voltage. Check your state and local codes before starting any project.
How do I know if my hot water heater element is bad?
Signs of a Bad Water Heater ElementLukewarm water.Small amount of hot water.No hot water.Hot water runs out faster than usual.Water heater's circuit breaker constantly trips.
How much does it cost to replace a heating element in a hot water heater?
Heating Element If you have a problem with your element, it will probably cost between $200 and $300 to fix it. Most electric water heaters come with two heating elements. One is at the bottom of the tank.
Will a hot water heater work with only one element?
So, can you run a water heater with only one element? Yes, a water heater can still run if the bottom element quits. However, the water heater won't run efficiently and likely won't produce enough hot water to satisfy your family's needs running on just the top element.
Can you put a higher watt heating element in water heater?
Keep the volts the same. If the breaker is 30 Amp and the wire is 10 gauge, it's okay to install higher watt up to 6000 on the heater. If the voltage is the same, it's ok to install lower watt.
Are top and bottom heating elements the same?
A conventional oven generally has two heating elements, one on top and one on the bottom. For most cooking (other than broiling), only the bottom element is used with the heat rising to the top. Other than the natural rising of the heat, the hot air produced by the element is essentially stationary.
Which element goes out first on a hot water heater?
When an electric hot water heater's elements short out or burn through, cool water is the result. Typically, the lower element goes first, but that's not always the case.
Are there different size water heater elements?
Does the length of a water heater heating element make a difference? No, not as long as you have the proper voltage, watts and style. Shorter elements have a larger diameter therefore the same surface area.
Which element heats up first on a water heater?
top elementEach element has its own thermostat, and only one element runs at a time. The top element turns on first to start the warming process. Once the water in the top half of the tank reaches the set temperature, the top element turns off, and the bottom element turns on to heat the rest of the water.
Will a hot water heater work with only one element?
So, can you run a water heater with only one element? Yes, a water heater can still run if the bottom element quits. However, the water heater won't run efficiently and likely won't produce enough hot water to satisfy your family's needs running on just the top element.
Which element comes on first in a water heater?
top elementThe top element turns on first to start the warming process. Once the water in the top half of the tank reaches the set temperature, the top element turns off, and the bottom element turns on to heat the rest of the water.
Can I replace a single element water heater with a double element?
Most single-element water heaters that are 30-gallon capacity or more can be replaced with a double-element one. Water heaters with a tank smaller than 20-gallons are always single element.
Are top and bottom heating elements the same?
A conventional oven generally has two heating elements, one on top and one on the bottom. For most cooking (other than broiling), only the bottom element is used with the heat rising to the top. Other than the natural rising of the heat, the hot air produced by the element is essentially stationary.
What Is a Water Heater Element?
The water heater element is responsible for heating the water in your water heater tank. These electric elements are completely immersed in water to warm it up.
How to get hot water pressure out of a tank?
Have a helper turn the hot water tap at a faucet nearby on and leave it on while you work. This releases some of the hot water pressure from the tank.
Why does the upper heater element not work?
This is because it’s located at the top to “boost” the temperature of the already-heated water right before it leaves the tank to come out of the tap you’re using.
What to do if no water comes out of drain valve?
If no water comes out when the valve is open, you’ll need to unclog the drain valve. Once you’re able to get water to drain from the valve, you can close the drain valve for now.
How long does it take for a water heater to drain?
Open the drain valve to drain the water from the tank. For the average size water heater, this might take about an hour to fully drain.
Where is the drain valve on a water heater?
The drain valve will be located near the bottom of the tank. You’re not going to fully drain the tank yet.
What is a bolt in water heater?
Bolt-in water heater elements are the second (and much less common) type. They are typically seen on older water heaters. With bolt-in elements, you’ll notice that they are bolted in place with 4 bolts. Bolt-in elements can easily be converted to screw-in elements with an adapter kit.
How much does a water heater element cost?
This is what a typical A.O. Smith (the brand we recommend) water heater element looks like. It only costs about $43. Heater elements come in different types. Straight or circular. They have different wattages and use either 120- or 240-volt outlets. In addition, they can be screwed in, bolted in, or even clamped in.
What is a Water Heater Element?
A heater element is a part that heats the water in an electric water heater’s tank. Most (though not all) electric water heaters have two heating elements. Some only have one. But are all powered by electricity.
What is Tom plumber?
1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
How to reset thermostat?
Reconnect the wires to the terminals. Restore the power and press the red reset button on the thermostat. Replace the insulation and the access panel.
Can you remove a heater element without a wrench?
Removing a heater element without an element wrench is easy if you have the correct know-how, tools, and replacement part. In fact, it’s kind of like changing a light bulb…with more steps.
Can heater elements be replaced without a wrench?
Here’s the good news. Heater elements can be easily replaced without a special element wrench. So, don’t panic and buy a new tank if yours fails on you. I’m going to show you how to do this quickly and painlessly.
Diagnose problems With The Heating Element
It is quite easy to find out the fault in a heating element. If there is a constant flow of lukewarm water it can be because of defects in the upper heating element.
Testing A Heating Element
Before replacing a heating element it is important to test an electric water heater to avoid any shortcomings.
How to Remove A Stubborn Water Heater Element?
If by above testing you find out a fault in the heating element of your water heater then here is the time to go for its replacement. Now you need to remove that old faulty heater element with a new and better one.
How to Replace a Water Heater Element in a gas water heater
There is no need to change or replace the heating element in a gas water heater because a heating element is present in an electric water heater while a gas water heater uses a flame or gas burner for creating heat to warm water.
How many volts does a water heater use?
At any one given time, there will be 240 volts of power flowing to your water heater. You should never even attempt to work on your water heater with power to it still connected.
Can a water heater flood a basement?
Replacing the element with the tank full of water and receiving more from the supply pipes will just flood your basement (or wherever you heater is). Some people do it but I would recommend it.
How To Tell If A Water Heater Element Is Bad
Before we jump into how to tell if a hot water heater element is bad, you need to do a few things first. Before you check the element, you need to turn off the unit. The best way to be safe here is to cut off the breaker to the heater.
How To Replace A Water Heater Element
After testing the elements, you will know which one is bad. Sometimes, you may find that both are bad and need replacement. Let’s dive in and go through the steps of replacing an element. First and foremost, remove the screws on the end of the existing element. These screws are what keep the wires on the end of your element.
Want The Pros To Handle It?
Now you know how to replace a water heater element. Not too bad, is it? Well, for those who would rather leave this one to the pros, give us a call at Autry Plumbing! We would love to help you with any of your plumbing needs.
Switch off the Power Source
The moment you want to begin operating on a water the first thing you should do is to simply go for the power source – turn it off! You can always shut off your water heater from the circuit breaker, as the gas models possess a dial or knob.
Let water out from the Tank
Again, you would need to switch off the cold water inlet valve, situate at the peak of the tank. Make sure a garden hose is linked to the drain at the tank’s base and let open the drain valve.
Do away with the present element
Normally, water heaters should possess two elements – an upper and a lower one. On the condition that it is so, substitute the two elements using the same procedures. To begin with, expose the access section and take away the plastic safety protection, if it is present. You may then detach the wires from the element.
Fix in the new element
The next thing you should focus on is installing the new element. When you replace a water heater element, substitute the rubber gasket to do away with leaks. Attach the gasket over the cotton of a screw in element, or about the bottom of a flange element.
Fill the Tank again
To do this, switch off the flushing valve at the tank’s base. Then, switch on the cold water inlet on the topmost region of the tank. Let the water flow till all the air escapes the pipes. Then, you can switch off the hot water faucet.
Connect and power it again
Finally, you can now reconnect the wires to the new element (s), ensuring you fix the appropriate wires to the proper terminals to prevent shorting the element. Switch on the circuit breaker and examine the water heater. If there are no signs of leakage, you may then substitute plastic safety protection and shut the access section.