How to replace a water heater element

This repair guide and DIY YouTube video provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for replacing the heating element in an electric water heater.

How to tell if a water heater element is bad

You may assume (sometimes incorrectly) that a heating element is bad when:

• Water isn’t heating at all.

• Hot water is only lukewarm.

• Hot water runs out quickly.

• The house circuit breaker for your water heater trips and won’t reset.

Although these symptoms point to a failed heating element, they can also be caused by other problems such as a failed thermostat or shorted wiring.

To accurately determine whether a heating element is bad, follow the troubleshooting steps in our No Hot Water DIY YouTube Troubleshooting video. Make sure that the heating element is bad before you replace it so you don’t waste money on a part that you don’t need.

How to find the right replacement water heater element

Most replacement water heater elements are the same size and somewhat universal. That being said, you should still make sure that you get the right replacement element for your model of water heater to avoid any potential problems that can be caused by using the wrong part.

To find the right replacement element for your water heater, key its model number in the search field at the top of the page and look up the element part number in the parts list diagram.

The part number of the heating element shown in this repair video is 9000147. This element fits common water heater models manufactured by:

Kenmore.

State.

Rheem.

A. O. Smith.

Whirlpool.

Reliance.

Instructions

1. Shut off the electricity

Switch the 2 house circuit breakers dedicated for the water heater to OFF.

Wear work gloves to protect your hands.

2. Drain the water heater

Turn off the cold water supply to the water heater.

Attach a garden hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the unit and run the garden hose outside.

Open a hot water faucet in the house or flip the relief valve open on the water heater.

Open the drain valve and allow the tank to drain until empty.

Tip: You don't have to drain all the water if you're only replacing the top heating element. If you're replacing the lower heating element, drain all the water.

3. Remove the heating element

Remove the heating element’s access cover mounting screw and pull off the cover. Fold the insulation back to expose the heating element.

Lift up the tab located at the top of the plastic shield to release the shield from the thermostat and remove the shield.

Loosen the screws securing the wires to the heating element and disconnect the wires.

Unscrew the heating element from the tank using a heating element socket.

Pull the heating element out of the tank.

Tip: Clean the area around the element opening of any sediment before installing the new element.

4. Install the new heating element

Insert the new heating element in the tank and tighten firmly.

Reconnect the wires to the new heating element and tighten the screws.

Reinstall the plastic shield over the thermostat and heating element.

Fold the insulation back over the thermostat and heating element.

Reinstall the heating element cover and screw.

Tip: Install a new gasket on element when replacing the heating element or when reinstalling it after cleaning.

5. Close the drain valve

Close the drain valve and remove the garden hose. Flip the relief valve to the closed position.

6. Fill the tank with water

Turn the cold water supply on to the water heater and allow the tank to fill with water.

Once you see water coming out of the hot water faucet, turn the hot water faucet off.

Warning: Don't restore power to the water heater until the tank is full of water.

Tip: Clean the area around the element opening of any sediment before installing the new element.

7. Restore power

Flip the house circuit breakers to the on position.