Replacing an Electric Water Heater Heating Element
- 1). Turn off the electric supply to the water heater. Make sure everyone knows not to turn the power back on until you have finished. Find the correct breaker at the breaker box to shut off the electricity for your water heater. The switch may be at the breaker box, or you may have a separate breaker box just for the water heater.
- 2). Turn off the cold water supply to the hot water heater. You may have to shut off the entire water source for your house by calling in the city maintenance man to shut your water off. Some houses have a water shut off valve on the pipe leading to the water heater or one on the main water pipe in your house. Some water pipes shut off by turning a knob counterclockwise or by pressing a lever.
- 3). Turn on a hot water faucet in your house to relieve the pressure inside the tank.
- 4). Drain the tank by connecting a water hose to the drain valve. Screw the water hose onto the drain valve located on the outside of the tank. Make sure it is tight or water could spray or leak out. Turn the valve counterclockwise.
- 5). Remove the access panels. These are located toward the top and bottom of the water heater. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the access panel. Fold back the insulation.
- 6). Remove the plastic terminal cover. Most plastic terminal covers simply pull off. If yours does not pull off, then check for screws that may need to be removed. Check the manual for your water heater for more information, as water heaters vary.
- 7). Remove the top and bottom heating elements. Disconnect the two wires on the element using the element wrench kit or unbolt the old element from the tank.
- 8). Clean the area around the element opening. If the element is on the bottom, you may need to clean the sediment from and around the element's opening inside the tank. Use a shop vacuum to remove the sediment.
- 9). Replace the element. Check that the rubber O-ring gasket is on the thread side of the element. Screw the new element into the tank securing it tightly using element wrench.
- 10
Turn the drain valve clockwise to close. - 11
Turn on the cold water supply for the water heater. Make sure that the hot water tap in the faucet is open to allow air to escape. Leave the tap open until the water is coming out at a constant flow. - 12
Check for leaks around the heating element. If you find a leak repeat steps 2 through 4. Remove the element and reposition the gasket around the element, then reinstall the element. - 13
Repeat steps 10 through 12 to check for leaks. - 14
Make sure the thermostat is seated firmly against the surface of the tank. - 15
Reconnect the two wires on the element using the element wrench kit or unbolt the old element from the tank. - 16
Replace the terminal cover and fold the insulation back in place. - 17
Replace the access cover. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to screw the access panel in place. - 18
Turn the electricity back on to the water heater.
