Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat Replacement

When an upper heating element or thermostat fails the entire water heater stops producing hot water.

Electric hot water heater thermostat replacement.

If the hot water heater is not working one of the thermostats may be bad. Instead you get only cold water. Leaks are usually the result of pressure buildup inside the tank. How to replace an electric water heater thermostat.

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. Electric water heaters have one or two elements and each is controlled by a thermostat. 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.

A common sign of trouble with any water heater is often a higher utility bill. Gas water heaters use a different type of thermostat system. 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. Gas water heater thermostat replacement.

Reconnect the wires make sure the thermostat is flush against the tank. If you suspect a heating element has also gone bad see how to replace a water heater element. You may need to repair your electric hot water heater. Replace the safety cover s and access panel s.

19 remove the 2 wires on the bottom element. 18 replace the top thermostat and be care to pay attention to the wire locations for me i used the rheem sp11698 electric thermostat. 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. If your water heater is leaking it must be replaced immediately.

If the water isn t heating up the culprit could also be the thermostat. If your unit is expending extra energy to provide the same amount of hot water it s time to look for the following symptoms.