How to replace an electric water heater heating element

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

Wear work gloves to protect your hands.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Flip the house circuit breakers to the on position.