How to Replace a Bad Water Heater Element
For both household and commercial usage, many electric water heaters are of the tank type. Within the tank, the water is kept continuously hot and ready for use. Typical sizes for household hot water heaters range from 20 to 100 gallons. The electric heat elements are submerged in water and operate at high temperatures. When a heating element fails, you can take the necessary steps to replace it with a few tools and basic mechanical and electrical know-how. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Garden hose
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Voltage tester
- Element wrench
Instructions
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1
Turn off the electric power supply to the water heater at the main panel. Tag the circuit breaker at the panel to alert others of the work being done.
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2
Turn off the cold water supply to the water heater.
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3
Open a hot water faucet. Any faucet in the home will do. This provides air for draining the tank.
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4
Attach a garden hose from the hot water tank drain valve at the lower section of the tank to an available floor drain. Open the drain valve counterclockwise and drain the water out from the tank.
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5
Remove the heater element access cover screw and cover using the appropriate screwdriver. Peel back the exposed insulation.
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6
Test the wires on the element terminals with a voltage tester to verify that no power exists. Touch the tester probes to each of the two terminals to perform the test.
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7
Disconnect the electric wires from both element terminals using the appropriate screwdriver.
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8
Remove the heater element using an element wrench. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until the element is free from the threaded socket of the tank.
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9
Install the new element tightening clockwise with the wrench.
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10
Close the tank drain valve and turn cold water supply on. Allow the trapped air to bleed out from the open hot water faucet until the water has a constant flow. Remove the garden hose from the drain valve.
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11
Connect the electric wires to the element terminals. Tighten the terminal screws by turning clockwise with a screwdriver.
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12
Replace insulation and secure the access cover and screw with a screwdriver.
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13
Restore electric power to the water heater and remove all tags and markings.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Water heater element wrenches are available at local hardware stores and home centers.
The water tank must be filled with water and free of air before applying electric power to prevent damage to the heater element.
