Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat Replacement

How to replace an electric water heater thermostat.

Electric hot water heater thermostat replacement.

Restore power and allow the water heater to work for one hour before testing the hot water. Leaks are usually the result of pressure buildup inside the tank. You step into the shower and turn on the hot water faucet all set for a nice hot shower. 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.

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. When an upper heating element or thermostat fails the entire water heater stops producing hot water. 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. 19 remove the 2 wires on the bottom 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. 20 using the water heater socket remove the bottom element by turning counter clockwise. If your unit is expending extra energy to provide the same amount of hot water it s time to look for the following symptoms. 18 replace the top thermostat and be care to pay attention to the wire locations for me i used the rheem sp11698 electric thermostat.

A common sign of trouble with any water heater is often a higher utility bill. If the water isn t heating up the culprit could also be the thermostat. If your water heater is leaking it must be replaced immediately. Gas water heaters use a different type of thermostat system.

Instead you get only cold water. You may need to repair your electric hot water heater. Gas water heater thermostat replacement. Reconnect the wires make sure the thermostat is flush against the tank.

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