How to Replace a Heating Element on your Water Heater
If you have an electric water heater that is not producing hot water, it may be a faulty heating element. This is a step-by-step guide for replacing the heating element in your electric hot water heater. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Turn off the power supply to the water heater at the fuse box.
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2
Turn off the water source to the water heater.
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3
Attach the hose to the water heater and drain it until it is completely empty.
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4
There are normally two heating elements in an electric water heater, one at the top and one at the bottom. If there is no repair history notes posted on your water heater, it is difficult to determine which needs to be replaced unless you are comfortable with test power supplies. There is more information about voltage testing at the link below. At an average cost of around $15, you may consider replacing both elements regardless. After all water has been drained, unscrew the metal cover covering the heating element that you are replacing and pull back the insulation.
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5
Detach the electrical wires from the heating element. Then, unscrew the heating element with a wrench.
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6
Screw in the new heating element just enough to ensure a water tight seal. Reattach the electrical wires.
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7
If you are replacing both heating elements, repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other heating element. Otherwise, skip to step 8.
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8
Turn on the water supply to water heater. To allow air to empty from the water heater as it is filling, tighten the drainage handle so just a small amount of water is draining from the tank. As the tank begins filling, tighten the drainage handle. Check around heating element(s) for leaking.
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9
After tank has been completely filled, replace the insulation and metal cover.
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10
Turn on power source to water heater and allow adequate time for heating.
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11
Enjoy hot water!
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Tips & Warnings
Sometimes, you may be required to go to a plumbing distributing center to find your heating element.
You are likely to save around $200 in labor costs by fixing this yourself, I did.
Always take precautions when working with electricity. Electric water heaters require high voltage.
