How to Replace a Heating Element in an Electric Water Heater

New heating element being inserted into water heater

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 - 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 4 - 6 hrs
  • Skill Level: Advanced
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to $60

If your electric water heater is not producing hot enough water or runs out quickly or if the circuit breaker trips often, it is possible that one or both of the heating elements are not functioning correctly. Electric tank water heater elements should last 10 to 15 years while tankless water heater elements may last closer to 20 years. Sooner or later they may need replacement.

A water heater element can be replaced by a professional at a cost between $200 and $300. Though it may seem intimidating, experienced homeowners can also replace heating elements themselves. As a DIY project, this expense can range from $10 to $60 and be more cost-effective.

Here's how to replace a water heater element if it appears yours is not working properly.

What is a Water Heater Element?

The water heater element is the component of the water heater that physically heats the water. It usually comes with a threaded head that can be black, blue, or silver and is constructed from either copper or stainless steel. The element screws into the heater, with a gasket that slides over the metallic shaft, creating a seal between the head and the heater.

Unlike gas water heaters that use gas burners to heat the water, electric water heaters rely on a pair of upper and lower metal heating elements to heat the water. These heating elements extend horizontally through the side wall of the tank and are accessed beneath a cover panel on the side of the appliance.

Similar to the way in which oven heating elements work, the heating elements in a water heater heat up when an electrical current passes through them. Each of the heating elements is controlled by a separate thermostat. When any of these components fail, the result can be reduced water temperature or a reduction in the amount of hot water available.

Before You Begin

Replacing a faulty heating element on a water heater is not particularly difficult, but it is considered an advanced project since it requires both mechanical skill and comfortable knowledge of electrical wiring issues. It involves three different project stages:

  1. Testing the heating element
  2. Removing the old heating element
  3. Installing a new heating element

Warning

Because of the electrical know-how required for this project, this work is best left to a professional electrician if you're unfamiliar with electrical work. This is not a project for DIYers who don't understand circuits or how to use electrical testing tools. You'll be working with wires carrying high voltage, which comes with inherent risks.

Heating elements are not particularly expensive, so you may want to replace both of them, even if only one has tested faulty. If one heating element has gone bad, it is possible the other one will shortly follow, and replacing both can proactively prevent a second repair in the near future. Some manufacturers sell heating elements in repair kits that include both heating elements, as well as thermostats.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Multimeter
  • Screwdrivers
  • Non-contact circuit tester
  • Garden hose
  • Ratchet wrench and sockets

Materials

  • Rags
  • New heating element (as needed)

Instructions

Materials and tools to replace a water heating element

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Test a Heating Element

To test an electric water heater heating element, you will need to be familiar with the use of a multimeter.

  1. Turn off the Power

    Turn off power to the electric water heater at the main power panel by turning off the circuit breaker or removing the fuse that controls power to the water heater's circuit.

    Wait for the water in the tank to cool; this can take two hours or more. This is very important because the heating elements are controlled by thermostats, and hot water in the tank will affect the electrical flow to the heating elements.

    Open a hot water faucet and run the water to verify it is cool.

    Power turned off in main service panel to water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Expose the Heating Element

    Remove the access cover panel and the insulation covering the heating element terminal block. Fold the insulation outward and away from the heating element. This will expose the screw terminals where the circuit wires are connected to the heating element.

    Use a non-contact circuit tester to test the wires for power. When you have confirmed that the power is off, loosen the screws holding the wires to each of the two terminal screws and disconnect the circuit wires.

    Non-contact circuit tester checking power on wires

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Test the Heating Element

    Set a multi-tester to the OHMs (continuity) setting to test the heating element. Connect the red lead to one screw terminal and the black lead to the other screw terminal on the heating element.

    If the ohm reading is 0 on a digital multi-tester, or if the needle reads infinity (does not move) using an analog dial, there is no flow of electricity through the heating element. This indicates that the heating element is faulty and needs replacement.

    If you do get an ohm resistance value using the multi-tester, then the heating element itself is not faulty. The problem may be with ​the other heating element or in the upper or lower heating element thermostat.

    Multi-tester device checking screw terminals of heating element

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Remove a Heating Element

Removal of the heating element can proceed immediately after you have tested the heating element (see above).

  1. Turn off the Power and Water

    Turn off power to the electric water heater, if you have not already done so, at the main power panel by turning off the circuit breaker or fuse powering the heater (see above).

    Turn off the cold water supply delivering water to the water heater. This shut-off valve is usually found just above the water heater, on the cold-water pipe that enters the water heater.

    Cold water supply turned off with shut-off valve

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Expose the Heating Element

    Remove the access cover panel and insulation covering the heating element terminal block If you have not already done so. Fold the insulation outward and away from the heater element. Test to make sure the power is off, using a non-contact circuit tester.

    If necessary, remove the thermostat cover from the thermostat. Make sure to disengage the attachment point linking the thermostat to the heating element.

    Loosen the screws holding the wires to each of the two terminal screws and disconnect the circuit wires.

    Screwdriver loosening screw terminals on exposed heating element

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Drain the Water Heater

    Run a garden hose from the drain spigot on the water heater to a floor drain to drain the water heater. Open the drain valve and drain water from the water heater tank.

    Water heater drained with hose attached at spigot

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Remove the Heating Element

    Remove a screw-in-type heating element by turning the element counterclockwise with a ratchet wrench and 1 1/2-inch socket. Some repair kits come with a socket that fits the heating element. Remove the gasket that seals the heating element to the water heater tank.

    Remove a flange-type heating element by removing the four screws holding the element in place. Remove the gasket. With the mounting screws and gasket removed, extract the heating element from the water heater tank.

    Heating element removed from water heater with ratchet wrench

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Install a New Heating Element

The new heating element can be installed immediately after you've tested and removed the old faulty heating element (see above).

  1. Check Specifications

    Make sure the replacement element has the correct voltage and wattage rating for your water heater. You can find this information on the flange or terminal block of the heating element or on the water heater’s data plate.

    Heating element specifications checked on flange

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Insert the New Heating Element

    Clean the area surrounding where the gasket fastens to the tank, using a rag. Position the new gasket on the heating element and insert the assembly into the water heater tank. Tighten a screw-in-type heating element by threading it clockwise into the tank opening with a socket wrench until secure. For flange-type heating elements, insert the four mounting screws and tighten them down securely.

    Surrounding gasket cleaned before inserting new element

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Refill the Water Heater Tank

    Close the drain valve on the water heater. Open both the cold water inlet valve and the nearest hot water faucet. Keep the hot water faucet open for three minutes after obtaining a constant flow of water. This will purge the lines of any excess air and sediment.

    Check for leaks around the heating element.

    Water supply turned on by opening inlet valve

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Make Wire Connections

    Connect the black and white circuit wires by wrapping the wires around the screw terminals on the heating element in a clockwise direction. It makes no difference which wire is attached to which screw terminal. Tighten the screws down completely, then tug on the wires to make sure they are tight.

    Circuit wires connected to screw terminals

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Reassemble the Cover Plate

    Replace the thermostat cover, then tuck the insulation back in place and reattach the heating element cover plate onto the water heater tank.

    Cover plate screwed back on water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Turn on Power and Test

    Turn on the power by switching on the water heater's circuit breaker. Let the water heat up for several hours, then test the temperature of the water. Make any thermostat adjustments that are necessary.

    Power turned back on in main service panel for water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

FAQ
  • How do I know if my water heater element is bad?

    There are a few indicators that can help you identify whether your water heater element is faulty. If you are only getting cold or lukewarm water, or if your hot water runs out quickly, it may indicate that the element is going bad. Another sign of a bad element is the circuit breaker repeatedly tripping, which can be a result of a malfunctioning element pulling too much electricity.

  • How do I know what water heater element to buy?

    Look closely at the element currently installed and find out the voltage and the wattage. This information can usually be found printed on a label affixed to the tank. Match these numbers to your new heating element. Additionally, check the tank diameter of your water heater and check that the element you've chosen will accommodate that size.

  • Are top and bottom water heater elements the same?

     A dual-element water heater has two heating elements, one located at the top and the other at the bottom of the tank, each with its own thermostat. Only one element operates at a time—the top element starts warming the water and turns off once the water in the top half of the tank reaches the set temperature. Then, the bottom element turns on and heats the remaining water in the tank. The replacement parts for the top and bottom elements are not interchangeable, which means there are distinct parts for each element that need to be replaced.

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  1. How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Water Heater? HomeAdvisor.