Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat Replacement

How to replace an electric water heater thermostat.

Electric hot water heater thermostat replacement.

If your unit is expending extra energy to provide the same amount of hot water it s time to look for the following symptoms. If your water heater is leaking it must be replaced immediately. You can test them with the power off using an ohmmeter to measure resistance or with the power on using a voltmeter to measure voltage. A common sign of trouble with any water heater is often a higher utility bill.

Leaks are usually the result of pressure buildup inside the tank. Replace the safety cover s and access panel s. You step into the shower and turn on the hot water faucet all set for a nice hot shower. Gas water heaters use a different type of thermostat system.

When a lower heating element or thermostat fails the top thermostat and element will continue to heat water in the upper half of the tank but you will notice the hot water quickly runs out or is only lukewarm. Reliance electric water heater thermostat universal upper adjustable adjusts from 120 degree to 160 degree 208 thru 480 volt with energy cut off switch interchangeable with non adjustable upper thermostat. Restore power and allow the water heater to work for one hour before testing the hot water. If the hot water heater is not working one of the thermostats may be bad.

If you suspect a heating element has also gone bad see how to replace a water heater element. Usually when the upper thermostat goes bad you will have no hot water at all while a bad lower thermostat makes itself known when there is only a small amount of hot water before the tap water goes cold. An electric hot water heater has two thermostats controlling two separate heating elements one in the upper half of the tank one in the lower half. Gas water heater thermostat replacement.

You may need to repair your electric hot water heater. 19 remove the 2 wires on the bottom element. If the water isn t heating up the culprit could also be the thermostat. 20 using the water heater socket remove the bottom element by turning counter clockwise.

18 replace the top thermostat and be care to pay attention to the wire locations for me i used the rheem sp11698 electric thermostat. Electric water heaters have one or two elements and each is controlled by a thermostat.