How to Change a Whirlpool Electric Water Heater Element

Whirlpool Corporation began in 1911 producing washing machines. Today it offers many products from kitchen appliances to water heaters. Whirlpool offers water heaters from 12 to 80 gallons and with one or two heating elements. When your water heater fails to heat water the breaker at the electrical panel maybe turned off, the water heater thermostat is turned down, or the element has failed.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose
• Phillips or slotted screwdriver
• 1 1/2-inch socket wrench
• Replacement element
• Replacement element gasket

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Instructions

1. Disconnect the electricity to the Whirlpool water heater by turning off the breaker in the main electrical panel.

2. Drain the Whirlpool water heater. Turn on a hot water faucet in your home until the water is no longer hot. Close the water supply valve that supplies the water heater by turning it clockwise. Connect the garden hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank. Pull the hose to an area outside your structure that allows the hose to drain safely. Open the water heater drain valve by turning the valve counterclockwise.

3. Remove the access cover located on the front of the Whirlpool water heater. Fold the insulation from beneath the cover away from the heating element. Remove the plastic thermostat cover from the face of the thermostat. This cover snaps on, and easily snaps off.

4. Disconnect the wires from the face of the element. Loosen the two screws on the element and remove the wires from beneath them. Remove the Whirlpool water heater element by turning it counterclockwise using a 1 1/2-inch socket wrench. Pull the element from the tank.

5. Clean the area around the tank where the element sat against it. Remove any sediment that maybe at the bottom of the tank while the element is removed.

6. Place the element gasket onto the element and push the gasket past the threads. Slide the element back into the tank and turn it clockwise with the socket wrench until tight.

7. Remove the garden hose and close the drain valve by turning the valve clockwise. Turn the water supply valve back on by turning it counterclockwise, allowing the tank to refill with water. Turn off the hot water faucet inside your house. Check for any leaks around gasket. If it leaks, drain the tank again and reposition the gasket.

8. Wrap the electrical wires you removed from the element in Step 4 and tighten the screws. Snap the plastic thermostat cover back onto the thermostat. Pull the insulation back over the thermostat and replace the access cover.

9. Turn the Whirlpool water heater’s breaker back on in the main electrical panel once the tank refills.

References

• Whirlpool Water Heaters: Residential Electrical Water Heater Installation Instructions Use and Care Guide
• Funding Universe: Whirlpool Corporation
• Bob Vila.com: Fixing Water Heaters