How To Change Element In Electric Water Heater

How To Replace a H2o Heater Element

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Sometimes a water heater element needs to exist replaced. Just because the heating chemical element is no longer working, doesn't mean that you need to purchase a new water heater. The job of replacing a water heater chemical element may seem difficult, simply nearly homeowners tin can make this repair themselves.

If your water heater is slow to rut, runs out of hot water, or doesn't deliver hot water at all, there's a proficient chance that one or both of your heating elements are not working properly. In this article, we'll show yous how to decide if your element needs to be replaced, and how to do the repairs yourself.

Replacing a Hot Water Heater Element

If your water heater is six years or older, you may want to consider purchasing a new one. Water heaters typically have a life span of 6 to x years, and so if your heater is older, yous tin can await that it'll be experiencing issues sooner than later. Non but will y'all save money on repair costs, simply since new h2o heaters are more free energy efficient, you'll besides reduce your monthly energy expenses.

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Checking Your Water Heater Heating Element

Earlier jumping in and changing your water heater heating element, you should check to run across if the element is, in fact, the consequence. It's not uncommon to change the element, only to find out that the problem wasn't the heating element at all.

To practice this, outset check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped or been accidentally turned off. If the billow is fine, you'll next need to check the reset button on the temperature cutoff. The reset button on a water heater is located in a higher place the thermostat inside the upper acccess panel. It's typically a ruddy button. Once you reset the button and the water heater trips once again, the problem is most likely your heating element.

If y'all own a multimeter yous tin can check the element for continuity. It's very simple to do and the best way to know if your water heater's heating element should exist replaced. This short video takes y'all step-by-footstep through the process.

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Preparing to Change Your Water Heater's Heating Element

Heating elements are also called immersion heaters, considering they are fully immersed within the water of the tank. It's of import to annotation, that heating elements are but used on electric water heaters. Gas water heaters heat the water using an entirely different method.

Heating Element Fashion

There are 2 different styles of heating elements:

Screw-in: This is the blazon nosotros volition be covering because they are the most common heating elements. They typically are used on all newer water heaters, and the element is screwed into place.

Commodities-in: In that location are several dissimilar styles of bolt-in elements, if you accept an older water heater it's possible that this type is installed. The element is secured into place by 4 bolts. Universal adapter kit are available if y'all desire to suit a screw-in chemical element into a bolt-in element.

Heating Chemical element Location

Electric h2o heaters take 2 heating elements. In that location'southward an upper element, which is located behind the upper access panel, and a lower element. The lower element is typically the i that needs to be replaced.

As the sediment inside your tank accumulates, it will settle at the bottom where your lower chemical element is located. The sediment surrounds the element and causes it to lose it's effectiveness. Eventually, it will either intermission or completely short out.

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Purchasing New Heating Elements

When selecting new heating elements, information technology'due south recommended to purchase ones with the same voltage, wattage, and style (spiral-in or bolt-in) as the chemical element you are replacing.

The voltage of the new chemical element should always match the old chemical element. However, you could use lower wattage to extend the life of the element. Go along in mind, the element volition also generate less estrus. Never purchase more than wattage than your previous element.

The voltage and wattage is ordinarily stamped onto the element, or information technology can exist found on the water heater's nameplate. If y'all can't detect it, y'all can ever practice a simple online search using your water heater's model number (found on the proper name plate). If all else fails, or you feel more than comfortable, you can remove the element and have it to your local hardware store.

Types of Water Heater Elements

At that place are 3 types of water heater elements. If your water heater is nearing the terminate of information technology's service life, y'all may want to install the to the lowest degree expensive, high watt density element.

However, if your heater is newer and you live in an area with hard water, you should consider the other more expensive options. Allow'southward take a closer wait at each:

Loftier Watt Density Heating Element

High Watt Density Elements are the near common h2o heater elements and tin be used in all replacement scenarios, assuming the wattage and voltage match. In most cases, a high watt density element will be the same type that came with your original h2o heater.

High watt density elements are prone to corrosive build-up and have a shorter life span. You can await these elements to be the to the lowest degree expensive of the iii types.

LASCO 40-1015 High Watt Density 1500-watts 120-volt Electric Water Heater Element with Screw In 1 1/4-Inch Thread, 8-Inch

LASCO High Watt Density Element

The LASCO 40-1015 High Watt Density 1500-Watt, 120-Volt Electrical Water Heater Element has a spiral-in base with 1-1/iv inch thread.

Low Watt Density Heating Element

Low watt density elements are well suited for areas with hard h2o. Many are fabricated with a fold-back design to allow for more heating infinite. Even though these are a lower watt density, at that place isn't a loss in efficiency. This helps them reduce the lime scale build-upwards that's common in areas with difficult water.

Provided you have the aforementioned wattage and voltage, you can use a low watt density element to replace a high watt density element. In almost cases, these elements volition be more expensive than the high watt density elements discussed above.

DERNORD 240v 6500w Foldback Heating Element Water Heater with Low Watt Density

DERNORD Low Watt Density Element

The DERNORD Foldback is a depression watt density heating element. Information technology is available in 4500-watts and 5500-watts.

Lime Life Chemical element

These premium elements carry a limited 5-year warranty. Lime life elements are ultra low watt density and accept a loftier quality nickel and stainless steel surface that discourages the build-up of lime calibration.

These elements are an splendid option if you live in an area where you experience intermittent water supply levels, as they resist dry firing. Lime life elements are unremarkably the most expensive element, however, once installed, they often will out live the life of the h2o heater itself.

DERNORD 240V 5500W Ripple Water Heater Element Screw-In Lime Life - Ultra Low Watt Density

DERNORD Ultra Depression Watt Density Element

The DERNORD Ripple is an ultra low watt density heating element. It is available in 4500-watts, 5500-watts, and 6500-watts, and resists limescale deposits.

Necessary Supplies

In club to change an element you'll demand the following:

Garden hose
Water heater element wrench
Voltage tester
New heating element with "O" ring

Plumber with tool belt and wrench

Replacing a Heating Chemical element

Replacing a h2o heater heating element is a relatively simple job. Notwithstanding, continue in mind that you will be working with both electricity and water - two things that do non safely mix. If you do not feel comfortable, you should contact a qualified plumber. Your priority should always be prophylactic.

How to Replace a Heating Element

Step i: Turn OFF the Power

Turn the circuit breaker OFF at the electric panel. Use a voltage exam to check that the power is no longer reaching the h2o heater. Yous'll be working with electricity and water, so it's critically of import that the water heater is turned off.

Step 2: Adhere a Hose to the Bleed Valve

Adhere a hose to the bleed valve and open up the valve. At this betoken, we do NOT want to drain the tank, just to make certain that the bleed valve is non clogged.
If your tank is clogged, you lot'll need to accost this event first.
Do Not bleed your tank at this time.
See below for directions on how to change a heating element without draining your tank.

Footstep iii: Plow OFF the Water

Plow OFF the water supply to the water heater by closing the common cold water inlet valve (about commonly located above the water heater).
Release the hot water pressure past assuasive air into the tank. To exercise this, open a nearby faucet. Only open the hot h2o tap, not the cold. Be sure to leave the tap open.

Step 4: Remove the Access Panel Cover

Use a screw commuter to remove the cover of the access panel. The upper console houses the upper water heater element. The lower panel houses the lower element.
There's usually insulation betwixt the panel door and the thermostat. Prepare the insulation aside in a dry place.
The thermostat should have a plastic comprehend. Gently remove the encompass.
Check the wires with a volt meter to ensure that there is no ability.
Inspect the wiring. Has any of the wires been damaged? Are there whatever melted parts? Wiring tin can be damaged if sediment has caused an element to overheat. Whatsoever damaged wiring must be repaired.
Loosen the screws and disconnect the 2 element wires from the heating element.

Pace 5: Remove the Heating Element

Use a heating chemical element wrench to remove the element. It'due south designed specifically to remove electric water heater elements, and has a wide oral fissure that fits over the exposed part of the element.
While the tank is still full of water, slightly loosen the element in a counter-clockwise movement. The h2o's weight will help go along the tank in identify.
Once you're confident that you lot can loosen the heating element, drain the tank by opening the drain valve. Depending on the size of your tank, this could accept upward to an hour.
Remove the element. There will be a condom gasket or "O" ring that seals the tank. Be certain you lot remove the "O" ring with the element.

Pace 6: Install the New Heating Element

Wipe down the threads and gasket surface area of the new element to ensure that they gratis of dirt and debris.
Attach the new "O" ring onto the new element. NEVER use the sometime "O" band.
Gently push the element into the tank and tighten it with the chemical element wrench.
Attach the 2 wires to the element and secure them in identify by tightening the screws. Double check that the wires are secure and will non slip.

Pace 7: Refill the Tank

Close the water heater's bleed valve.
Turn ON the water to the water heater.
Do Not turn the power ON at this time. The tank must be full of water before turning on the ability or you will damage the heating elements.
Check the newly installed element for leakage. If leakage is nowadays, plough off the cold h2o supply and tighten the element. It may be necessary to remove the chemical element and reposition the "O" ring.
As the tank fills, the water will begin to sputter from the open faucet tap (left open in Step 3). The h2o is pushing the air out of the line. In one case there's a steady menstruation of h2o, the faucet can exist turned off.
Supersede the plastic thermostat cover, insulation and access panel cover.
Once the tank has filled with water, you can turn the power back ON to the h2o heater by flipping the circuit breaker ON.
Since there will most probable exist air in the hot water lines, information technology's not uncommon for the hot water faucets throughout the house to sputter. This volition go away in a short period of time. However, if yous prefer, you lot can open each faucet until you lot accept a steady menses of water.

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How to Supercede a Heating Chemical element Without Draining the Tank

It is possible to change your water heater's heating chemical element without draining your tank. Although, keep in mind that it can be a bit more challenging. If you lot'd similar to requite it a endeavor, the video below will show you lot how.

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