Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat Replacement

Gas water heaters use a different type of thermostat system.

Electric hot water heater thermostat replacement.

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 an upper heating element or thermostat fails the entire water heater stops producing hot water. Restore power and allow the water heater to work for one hour before testing the hot water. You step into the shower and turn on the hot water faucet all set for a nice hot shower.

Replace the safety cover s and access panel s. A common sign of trouble with any water heater is often a higher utility bill. 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.

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 the hot water heater is not working one of the thermostats may be bad. 19 remove the 2 wires on the bottom element. If you suspect a heating element has also gone bad see how to replace a water heater element.

Gas water heater thermostat replacement. 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. Leaks are usually the result of pressure buildup inside the tank. 18 replace the top thermostat and be care to pay attention to the wire locations for me i used the rheem sp11698 electric thermostat.

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. You may need to repair your electric hot water heater. If your unit is expending extra energy to provide the same amount of hot water it s time to look for the following symptoms. Instead you get only cold water.

If the water isn t heating up the culprit could also be the thermostat. Reconnect the wires make sure the thermostat is flush against the tank.