How to Repair an Electric Water Heater

Trouble shooting and Repairing Electric Hot Water Heaters

When an electric water heater fails to heat water either the power to the water heater has been shut off or there is a problem with the controls or heating elements. In most cases a heating element has failed from erosion of the element by the minerals that are in the water.

How to trouble shoot an electric hot water heater:

• Be sure electricity is being delivered to the

   appliance by checking the circuit breaker or fuse for the heater in the main electrical panel. 

• If the circuit breaker has tripped, reset it by flipping it all the way off and then back to the on position. 

• If a fuse has blown, replace it with a new fuse with the same rating. If the circuit breaker or fuse repeatedly blows out there is a direct short in the circuit. This may be caused by a faulty heating element in the hot water tank.

• Remove the heating element covers and check across each element to determine if the element is shorted to ground. If it is replace the element. 

 Note: The water heater should not share a circuit with another appliance.  

• Check the high-temperature cutoff in the water heater by opening the element cover and push the reset button. If the button doesn’t make a clicking sound or you still don’t have power after pressing it, then your high-temperature cutoff is probably bad. If you are an accomplished electrician you can replace it yourself, if not then call an electric water heater repair person.

If the heating elements are receiving power but are not heating water you will need to replace the elements. Replacing the elements is an easy TIY task for most homeowners.

Replacing the hot water heating elements:

There are two kinds of elements. Either they are mounted to the tank with screws or they screw into a fitting on the tank. To change an element do the following:

• Shut off the power to the hot water heater by turning the circuit breaker off or removing the fuse in the main electrical panel.

• Shut off the water and drain the hot water tank.

• Remove the wiring from the element.

• Remove the element from the hot water tank by removing the screws or unscrew it from the tank.

• Install a replacement element and attach the wires.

• Turn the water on to fill the tank.

• Turn the power back on and the water should heat in a few minutes.    

 If the heater still fails to heat call a hot water heater professional to determine the cause.

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