How To Change Heating Element In Water Heater

How To Supercede a Water Heater Element

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Sometimes a water heater element needs to exist replaced. Just because the heating element is no longer working, doesn't mean that you need to buy a new h2o heater. The job of replacing a h2o heater element may seem difficult, simply most homeowners tin can brand this repair themselves.

If your water heater is slow to heat, runs out of hot water, or doesn't evangelize hot water at all, there's a good chance that 1 or both of your heating elements are not working properly. In this article, we'll bear witness you lot how to determine if your element needs to be replaced, and how to practise the repairs yourself.

Replacing a Hot Water Heater Element

If your water heater is 6 years or older, you may want to consider purchasing a new one. Water heaters typically have a life span of 6 to 10 years, so if your heater is older, you tin expect that it'll exist experiencing problems sooner than later. Non only will you save money on repair costs, but since new water heaters are more free energy efficient, you'll also reduce your monthly energy expenses.

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Checking Your Water Heater Heating Element

Before jumping in and changing your water heater heating element, you lot should check to run into if the element is, in fact, the issue. Information technology's not uncommon to change the element, only to discover out that the problem wasn't the heating element at all.

To do this, first check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped or been accidentally turned off. If the breaker is fine, y'all'll next need to check the reset button on the temperature cutoff. The reset button on a water heater is located above the thermostat inside the upper acccess panel. It's typically a cherry-red button. In one case y'all reset the button and the h2o heater trips once again, the problem is well-nigh likely your heating element.

If you own a multimeter you lot can check the chemical element for continuity. It's very simple to do and the best way to know if your water heater's heating element should be replaced. This brusk video takes you lot footstep-by-step through the process.

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Preparing to Change Your Water Heater's Heating Element

Heating elements are also chosen immersion heaters, because they are fully immersed within the water of the tank. It'south important to note, that heating elements are only used on electric water heaters. Gas water heaters heat the water using an entirely different method.

Heating Element Style

At that place are 2 dissimilar styles of heating elements:

Spiral-in: This is the blazon we will be roofing because they are the well-nigh common heating elements. They typically are used on all newer water heaters, and the chemical element is screwed into place.

Commodities-in: There are several different styles of commodities-in elements, if you have an older h2o heater it'south possible that this type is installed. The element is secured into place by 4 bolts. Universal adapter kit are available if you desire to accommodate a screw-in element into a bolt-in element.

Heating Element Location

Electric water heaters have two heating elements. At that place's an upper element, which is located behind the upper access panel, and a lower chemical element. The lower element is typically the one that needs to be replaced.

Equally the sediment within your tank accumulates, information technology 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. Somewhen, it will either break or completely brusk out.

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Purchasing New Heating Elements

When selecting new heating elements, information technology's recommended to purchase ones with the aforementioned voltage, wattage, and fashion (spiral-in or bolt-in) equally the chemical element you are replacing.

The voltage of the new element should always match the erstwhile element. Nevertheless, you lot could use lower wattage to extend the life of the element. Go along in heed, the element will also generate less heat. Never buy more wattage than your previous chemical element.

The voltage and wattage is normally stamped onto the element, or it can be constitute on the water heater'southward nameplate. If you can't notice it, yous can always do a simple online search using your water heater's model number (plant on the name plate). If all else fails, or you feel more comfortable, you tin can remove the element and take information technology to your local hardware store.

Types of H2o Heater Elements

At that place are 3 types of water heater elements. If your water heater is nearing the end of it's service life, you lot may want to install the least expensive, high watt density element.

However, if your heater is newer and y'all live in an area with hard water, you should consider the other more expensive options. Let'due south take a closer look at each:

Loftier Watt Density Heating Element

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

High watt density elements are decumbent to corrosive build-up and have a shorter life span. Y'all can expect these elements to be the least expensive of the three 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 Loftier Watt Density Chemical element

The LASCO 40-1015 High Watt Density 1500-Watt, 120-Volt Electric H2o Heater Element has a screw-in base with i-1/4 inch thread.

Low Watt Density Heating Chemical element

Low watt density elements are well suited for areas with hard h2o. Many are made with a fold-back design to permit for more heating infinite. Even though these are a lower watt density, in that location isn't a loss in efficiency. This helps them reduce the lime scale build-upwardly that's mutual in areas with hard h2o.

Provided y'all have the same wattage and voltage, you can use a depression watt density element to replace a high watt density element. In virtually cases, these elements will 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 low watt density heating element. It is bachelor in 4500-watts and 5500-watts.

Lime Life Chemical element

These premium elements acquit a limited 5-twelvemonth warranty. Lime life elements are ultra depression watt density and take a high quality nickel and stainless steel surface that discourages the build-upward of lime scale.

These elements are an splendid selection if you alive in an area where you experience intermittent water supply levels, every bit they resist dry firing. Lime life elements are normally the about expensive element, however, one time installed, they often volition out live the life of the water heater itself.

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

DERNORD Ultra Low Watt Density Element

The DERNORD Ripple is an ultra depression watt density heating element. Information technology is bachelor in 4500-watts, 5500-watts, and 6500-watts, and resists limescale deposits.

Necessary Supplies

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

Garden hose
H2o heater element wrench
Voltage tester
New heating element with "O" ring

Plumber with tool belt and wrench

Replacing a Heating Chemical element

Replacing a water heater heating chemical element is a relatively simple chore. Nevertheless, keep in mind that you will be working with both electricity and water - two things that do non safely mix. If y'all do not feel comfy, you should contact a qualified plumber. Your priority should ever exist safe.

How to Replace a Heating Element

Pace 1: Turn OFF the Power

Turn the circuit breaker OFF at the electrical panel. Utilise a voltage test to check that the power is no longer reaching the water heater. You lot'll exist working with electricity and water, so it's critically of import that the water heater is turned off.

Step 2: Attach a Hose to the Bleed Valve

Attach a hose to the drain valve and open the valve. At this signal, nosotros do NOT want to drain the tank, only to brand sure that the drain valve is not chock-full.
If your tank is clogged, you'll demand to address this result first.
Do NOT drain your tank at this time.
Run across below for directions on how to modify a heating element without draining your tank.

Step three: Plow OFF the Water

Turn OFF the h2o supply to the water heater by closing the common cold water inlet valve (most ordinarily located above the water heater).
Release the hot water pressure level by allowing air into the tank. To do this, open up a nearby faucet. Merely open up the hot water tap, not the cold. Be certain to leave the tap open.

Step iv: Remove the Access Panel Cover

Use a spiral driver to remove the cover of the access panel. The upper console houses the upper water heater element. The lower console houses the lower element.
At that place'south unremarkably insulation betwixt the panel door and the thermostat. Set the insulation aside in a dry identify.
The thermostat should accept a plastic embrace. Gently remove the cover.
Check the wires with a volt meter to ensure that there is no power.
Audit the wiring. Has any of the wires been damaged? Are there any melted parts? Wiring can exist damaged if sediment has acquired an element to overheat. Whatever damaged wiring must exist repaired.
Loosen the screws and disconnect the two element wires from the heating element.

Step v: Remove the Heating Chemical element

Apply a heating chemical element wrench to remove the element. It's designed specifically to remove electric water heater elements, and has a wide mouth that fits over the exposed part of the element.
While the tank is notwithstanding full of h2o, slightly loosen the chemical element in a counter-clockwise movement. The h2o's weight will help go on the tank in place.
Once you're confident that you can loosen the heating chemical element, bleed the tank by opening the drain valve. Depending on the size of your tank, this could accept up to an hour.
Remove the chemical element. There will exist a condom gasket or "O" ring that seals the tank. Be sure you remove the "O" ring with the element.

Pace 6: Install the New Heating Element

Wipe downward the threads and gasket expanse of the new element to ensure that they gratis of dirt and debris.
Adhere the new "O" ring onto the new element. NEVER use the quondam "O" ring.
Gently push the chemical element into the tank and tighten it with the element wrench.
Attach the 2 wires to the element and secure them in place by tightening the screws. Double check that the wires are secure and will not slip.

Stride 7: Refill the Tank

Shut the water heater's drain valve.
Plough ON the water to the water heater.
Practise NOT turn the power ON at this fourth dimension. The tank must be full of water earlier turning on the power or you volition damage the heating elements.
Check the newly installed element for leakage. If leakage is present, plow off the cold water supply and tighten the element. Information technology may be necessary to remove the element and reposition the "O" ring.
As the tank fills, the water will brainstorm to sputter from the open faucet tap (left open in Step 3). The water is pushing the air out of the line. Once there's a steady flow of water, the faucet tin be turned off.
Replace the plastic thermostat comprehend, insulation and access panel cover.
Once the tank has filled with water, you can turn the ability back ON to the h2o heater by flipping the excursion breaker ON.
Since there will most probable exist air in the hot water lines, it's not uncommon for the hot h2o faucets throughout the house to sputter. This will go abroad in a short period of fourth dimension. Yet, if yous prefer, you can open each faucet until y'all have a steady flow of water.

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How to Supercede a Heating Element Without Draining the Tank

It is possible to change your water heater'south heating element without draining your tank. Although, keep in mind that it can be a bit more challenging. If you lot'd like to give it a try, the video below will bear witness you how.

Lookout the Video