How to Select the Right Water Heater Element
The heating element in your water heater is often the first item to fail. The electricity that flows through the water heater element can cause corrosion over the lifespan of the element and can cause it to fail. Although the threads on a heating element are universal, the heating elements themselves are not, nor are they interchangeable. Heating elements come in both high-density and low-density versions. The lower the density, the more surface area the element has with which to heat the water, thus giving it a longer life expectancy. Select the right water heater element for your water heater to operate properly. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Turn off the water heater circuit breaker inside the main breaker panel.
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2
Remove the screws from the access panel and remove it from the side of the water tank, exposing the thermostat and heating element.
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3
Pull the plastic thermostat cover from the thermostat and face of the element. Look on the face of the element for the voltage and wattage of the element. All elements should have this information listed.
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4
Confirm you have a screw-in water heater element and not a flange-type element. You can identify a flange type element by the four screws that hold the element to the side of the water heater. If your water heater is equipped with a flange element, purchase an adapter kit to install a screw-in element.
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5
Check the information on your water heater's label to verify voltage and wattage. Make a note of which brand of water heater you have, the gallon size and whether or not you have two access panels on the side of your tank. Take this information to a home improvement store or plumbing supply store to purchase the correct element.
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