Tag: Water Heater Heating Element

Is your electric water heater not working?  This is how to repair an electric water heater. NOTE: Some text links below go to applicable products on Amazon.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Using my links helps to keep this website FREE. When you find your electric water heater is not working, try resetting the water heater circuit breaker in your home's main electrical panel by pushing it off and then on.  The circuit breaker should be a two-pole breaker, meaning it takes up two full spaces in the electrical panel.  If nothing changes, leave the circuit breaker in the off position. Two covers are on the side of an average home's electric water heater tank.  The upper heating element and thermostat are behind one, and the lower heating element and thermostat are behind the other. With the power turned off at the circuit breaker, open the upper element cover on the water heater tank using a screwdriver or nut driver.  Gently remove the insulation block and the plastic cover over the thermostat, and push the red reset button.  Turn the circuit breaker on and see if the water gets hot. WARNING:  The following steps to determine why your electric water is not working require you to work with live electricity.  If you have no experience with that, you should call an electrician.  If you do plan to continue, protect yourself with electrically insulated gloves to avoid getting shocked or electrocuted. If nothing is improved after pressing the red reset button with the power on, Check for 240-volt power at the upper thermostat terminals 1 and 3 (See wiring diagram below) using a two-prong voltage tester or a CAT III or CAT IV multimeter.  If no electrical power is there, test for voltage at the built-in electric water heater junction box where the circuit wiring is connected on top. Do you have no hot water, or does the hot water run out faster than usual?  If the hot water runs out faster than expected, the problem is likely a bad lower heating element or a bad lower thermostat.  In addition, a malfunctioning upper thermostat could prevent the lower heating element from turning on. More explicit details and photos are below. Table of Contents: How A Water Heater Works Water Heater Not Working With Power On Testing The Heating Elements How To Replace A Heating Element What To Do When A Water Heater Has No Power Tools For Troubleshooting Water Heater Manufacturer Links If you see water dripping from the tank, it is time for a replacement.  Tanks cannot be repaired; they can only be replaced.  When installing a new electric water heater, I recommend installing a plastic pan under it to prevent future flooding. An electric water heater should have a plastic pan, while gas or oil-fired water heaters should have a metal pan under them. Several things could cause the electric water heater to stop working.  A tripped or defective circuit breaker or a loose electrical connection will prevent the electric water heater from operating.  A disconnect...