A one-hour DIY repair that will save you the cost of calling the plumber
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Heating elements on electric water heaters sometimes fail long before the water heater, but replacing them in a hot water heater is an easy DIY repair.
If your electric hot water heater is slow to heat, runs out of hot water faster than it used to, or doesn’t deliver any hot water at all, there’s a 90 percent chance that simply replacing one or both of the heating elements will solve the problem. “A burned-out heating element in an electric water heater will stop the water from heating altogether,” says HVAC expert Lisa Purvins.
Water heater repairs are straightforward, and replacement elements are inexpensive ($8 to $20) and readily available at home centers, hardware stores and appliance parts dealers. Here are a few tips to help you if your heater is not working.
We’ll show you how to test the heating elements, remove one if it’s bad, and install a new one. Just keep in mind that water heaters have a typical life span of 10 to 15 years. If your heater is approaching old age, replacement may be smarter than repair.
Learn how to regulate your water heater here.
Of course, there are other potential causes of a lack of hot water. Before you test the elements, check to make sure the circuit breaker is on and not tripped. Also press the reset button on the high-temperature cutoff located just above the upper thermostat. Resetting either the circuit breaker or the high-temperature cutoff may resolve the problem, but the fact that they were tripped in the first place may indicate an electrical problem. If they trip again, test the heating elements.
If the heating elements are good, the problem could be caused by a number of other possibilities.
“A faulty thermostat can fail to regulate the water temperature properly,” says Purvins, “In gas water heaters, a pilot light that has gone out or an igniter issue can disrupt heating. Sediment buildup inside the tank can act as insulation, preventing the water from warming efficiently. Another common issue is a broken dip tube, which can mix incoming cold water with heated water, leading to lukewarm or cold water at the tap.”
Testing is complicated for the thermostat or a faulty cutoff switch, but since they’re inexpensive—about $20 for each—you could simply try replacing them.
Also, find out how to save your hot water heater with a new thermocouple.
Most residential electric water heaters have two heating elements: one near the top of the tank and one near the bottom. Power enters the top and runs to the high-temperature cutoff switch, and then to the thermostats and elements. The top and bottom elements are controlled by separate thermostats. When the water on the top of the tank is hot, the top element turns off and the lower one heats. The upper and lower heating elements never come on at the same time.
Rarely, both elements will test okay, but you’re still not getting hot water. Try pushing the button on the “high-temperature cutoff,” located just above the upper thermostat. It may solve the problem, but if the problem recurs, check your heating elements.
Replace your heating element with one of the same wattage. If your old element isn’t labeled with the wattage, refer to the nameplate on the water heater or your instruction manual, or search online using the model number from the nameplate.
Heating elements are held to the water heater either with a large thread and nut as shown here or by four bolts and nuts. Most home centers stock the version we show, but you can buy an adapter kit if you’re replacing the four-bolt version.
Simple U-shape elements are the cheapest. More expensive low-density elements are usually folded back. These provide the same amount of heat but spread out over a larger surface area, which lowers the surface temperature, making them less prone to mineral buildup.
If your old element was caked with minerals, replace it with a low-density element for more efficient operation and longer life. Find out how long water heaters last.
Lisa Purvins is the CFO and Vice President of Pro-Tech Heating & Cooling, and has over 20 years of experience in the field. Pro-Tech is a family-owned and operated heating and cooling company based in Michigan. Their mission is to keep heating and cooling systems running smoothly with friendly, reliable service from highly trained HVAC technicians.
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