If you’ve found yourself in cold water, your water heater element could be to blame
The water heater element is the specific unit that physically heats the water. Visually, they often come with a blue, black, or silver threaded head and can be either a straight rod or a spiral. A water heater element is usually made with stainless steel, copper, or incoloy, but newer models may have ceramic elements. The element is screwed directly into the water heater and submerged underwater to provide heat.
The element is usually connected to a thermostat so it gets triggered when the water temperature drops below a certain level, ensuring sufficient hot water supplies. If it goes out, your water heater will completely lose the capability of heating water up. Since element replacement involves mechanic and sometimes electric work, you should never attempt to replace the element yourself, unless you know exactly what you are doing. Hiring a professional will protect you from potential burns and other hazards while ensuring proper replacement, avoiding further damage to your water heater.
Some DIY repairs are great for saving money and sharpening your skills, but leave larger jobs like water heater repair to the pros. An experienced hand can ensure the task is completed safely and will prevent further damage.
The most important thing when buying the right heating element for your water heater is to make sure it matches the voltage and wattage. Most of the time, you can purchase heating elements online as part of a DIY repair kit with a thermostat. Just make sure it has the correct voltage and wattage. You can find this information in the owner’s manual, the water heater’s data plate, or the heating element’s access panel on the terminal block or flange.
Since heating elements are relatively inexpensive, most homeowners choose to replace both at the same time. This cuts down the workload of an additional repair in the future because you’ll only have to drain and refill your tank once. Buy two—they often come in pairs—and save time down the road.
Your first step should be to test both heating elements using a multimeter. This will tell you which heating element is faulty. You’ll need to test your thermostat if there's a separate issue.
Now that you know an element is faulty, ask yourself again if you’re knowledgeable enough to handle the project on your own. Replacing a water heater element is highly technical with possibilities of burn and shock hazards. Improper replacement will also cause more damage to your water heater.
If you do choose to proceed with a DIY solution, you can start by turning off the power to your water heater at the circuit breaker and double-checking that it’s off using a non-contact circuit tester to test the heating element’s circuit wires. Since the thermostat controls the heating element, you’ll need to wait for the water to cool, or it can affect your test results. Wait one to two hours, and test the hot water from a tap to make sure it’s coming out cold.
The heating elements are behind an access panel on the side of your water heater. Remove the access panel and peel back the insulation. You should now have access to the heating element’s screw terminal and circuit wires. The lower heating element typically needs a replacement because it’s more vulnerable to sediment buildup, so you may want to test that one first.
You can loosen the two terminal screws (or bolts if you have an older water heater) and disconnect the wires. Make sure you always wear protective gear throughout the replacement process. Never touch wires and surrounding metal parts with bare hands.
Connect a multimeter to the terminal screws to get an OHM reading. If the value is zero (for a digital multimeter) or the needle doesn’t move (on an analog device), then the part is faulty. Go ahead with the replacement.
Now that you have tested your water heater element, it’s time to start replacing it, if necessary.
Turn off the cold water supply to your heater. The shut-off valve is typically above the water heater on the cold water pipe. The lever will be perpendicular to your pipe when the water is off and parallel when it’s on. Make sure it’s perpendicular. If you haven't already, allow the water inside the tank to cool completely.
From there, drain your hot water heater. Run a garden hose from the drain spigot to a floor drain or a utility sink. You can run the hose to a safe outdoor area if your water heater is raised above ground. Allow the tank to drain until the water line is below the heating element, or drain the whole tank if you’re replacing the lower element.
One of the pros of a tankless water heater is that it takes just a few seconds to drain the water heater. A tank water heater can take up to 15 minutes.
You may have already opened your access panel. If not, remove the cover and fold open the insulation to expose your water heater element. Once again, use your non-contact circuit tester to make sure the power is off before loosening the screws and disconnecting the black and white circuit wires.
If you have a screw-in water heater element, you can use your socket wrench to remove it. Just turn the element counterclockwise, and make sure to remove the gasket. You’ll need either a 1 1/2-inch socket or the socket that came in your repair kit.
If you have a flange-type heating element, remove the four screws and the gasket before removing the element.
Once again, double-check to ensure your heating element has the proper wattage and voltage. Clean the area—specifically where the gasket connects to the water heater—with a rag. Put the gasket on the heating element, and put the heating element in the tank.
If you have a screw-in element, twist the element clockwise using your socket wrench. If you have a flange-type element, screw in the four screws that hold the element in place. In either case, hand tighten, and be careful not to overtighten.
Close the water heater’s drain valve and open the cold water inlet valve—the shut-off valve handle should now be parallel to the pipe. You should also open a nearby hot water faucet. Once the water starts flowing, keep the faucet running for a few minutes to drain out excess air and sediment.
Reconnect the black and white circuit wires by wrapping them clockwise around the screw terminals on the heating element. You can attach either wire to either terminal. Tighten the screws and make sure the wire is fully secure before folding the insulation down and screwing the cover plate back in place over the access panel.
Go to your circuit breaker, and turn on the power to your water heater. Wait several hours for the water to heat in the tank. Run a faucet to test the water temperature. If necessary, adjust the thermostat.
If your hot water heater is making an unusual noise, you notice leaks, or you still aren’t getting sufficient hot water, call in a professional to see what the issue is.
For this project, you’ll be dealing with an appliance that uses electricity and water, which, as you know, don’t play well together. While the process laid out above seems simple, any mistakes you make could be extremely dangerous, not only to your appliance and your home but also to you.
This project requires knowledge of electrical work. Because these wires carry a high voltage, it can be dangerous if you don’t understand circuits or electrical testing. Unless you’re experienced, hiring a water heater installation service near you is best.
If you hire a pro, this type of water heater repair costs an average of $200 to $300. The part itself costs $10 to $60, but the price you’ll pay for a plumber to do the work is usually worth the peace of mind a professional provides. Plus, they can assess if the issue is with your water heater size or another component.
To ensure you hire the right pro, you must know what questions to ask for pre-screening and on-site. Below are a list of questions to get you started:
Are you licensed and insured?
Do you offer any warranty after the job is completed? Or come back out for free if something is still wrong?
Are you familiar with my type of water heater?
Can you provide references or similar past projects?
(After describing your problems) What do you think is wrong with my water heater?
How much do you typically charge?
How long will the job take?
Can you work with my schedule if I am only available on the weekends or evenings?
How do you accept payments? Can you provide a detailed scope, invoice, and receipt?
Finally, always shop around instead of jumping into a decision with the first person you speak with. This will ensure you find the best deal. If you have to replace your water heater, you should ask if the contractor offers any financing options.
No, you’ll need to drain the tank before changing a water heater element, as the water heater element sticks through the side of the tank and uses a gasket to prevent water from pouring out. However, you don’t always need to drain it completely. If you’re only replacing the upper heating element, you can drain the tank until the water line is below the element. If you’re replacing the lower element, you’ll need to drain the whole thing.
If your electric water heater element is faulty, you’ll start to notice that you’re running out of hot water quickly or your hot water isn’t very hot. You’ll need to test it using a multimeter to know for sure.
If the OHM value on your multimeter reading is zero (digital) or infinity (analog), then there’s a problem with the element. If you get an OHM resistance value, then the problem could be with the other heating element, the thermostat, or something else. Hire a professional for additional diagnostics.
Replacing a water heater element is a smaller job than replacing the whole tank—which makes it a whole lot more affordable. If your water heater is nearing the end of its life, consider replacing the element. It’s usually most cost-effective to replace both elements at the same time, and doing so will still be worth it, as it’s often around a tenth of the cost of installing a new water heater.
Two new heating elements for your water heater should cost between $10 and $60, although you can expect to pay between $200 and $300 to have them replaced, including the materials and labor. This might seem expensive, but it pales in comparison to the cost of a new water heater altogether.
Ideally, you should inspect your water heater every two months to ensure its proper functionality. Look for leaks, pipe bursts, and other major plumbing problems. At a minimum, do a thorough water heater inspection at least twice a year. You should always flush your water heater to prevent sediment accumulations, which is crucial in ensuring your unit’s longevity.
