Replacing Electric Water Heater Element

Replace a broken heating element with the manufacturer approved replacement part.

Replacing electric water heater element. Just because the heating element is no longer working doesn t mean that you need to purchase a new water heater. A broken heating element produces no heat causing the water heater to produce very little hot water or to run out of hot water quickly. Replacing a hot water heater element is probably faster and easier than you thought and is only a fraction of what a new water heater costs the steps required are nearly identical for the flange and screw in models but screw in types are more common and will require the use of a special tool called a water heater element wrench. Follow the steps in this repair guide.

Make sure that the power is connected. Electric water heaters have one or more heating elements that look very much like one of those heaters you put in a cup of cold water to make an instant cup of hot tea. Detailed instructions and a gasket are included with each packaged element. Water heater elements can and do wear out and replacing a bad one is a job you can do yourself.

Flush the heater to remove sediment from the tank. Before checking any electrical parts of a water heater shut off the power to the heater s circuit by turning off the appropriate breaker in your home s service panel breaker box. The task of replacing a water heater element may seem difficult but most homeowners can make this repair themselves. A typical electric water heater uses two heating elements to heat and maintain hot water.

Replace the heating element or thermostat. In an electric water heater the bottom heating element is the workhorse since it is at the bottom of the tank where cold water enters from a dip tube that extends down through the tank. Electric water heaters are high voltage 240 volt appliances that are dangerous to work with when the power is on. This screw in fold back water heater element is made this screw in fold back water heater element is made of the highest grade nickel and stainless steel and heats in lime and sand buildup that would burn out ordinary elements.

The upper heating element really only contributes when there is a high hot water demand and only serves to heat water in the upper portion of the tank. Check the following when your water is not hot enough. Where the electric heating element is on an atwood rv water heater and why it s a pain to change. Insulate the hot water pipes.

Sometimes a water heater element needs to be replaced.