November 20, 2022

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:

Quick links

Video

Instructions

Tools required

Work gloves

Phillip screwdriver

Heating element removal socket

Repair difficulty

Time required

30 minutes or less

Replacing a heating element in an electric water heater

This video shows how to replace the heating element in an electric water heater.

Instructions

01.
Shut off the electricity
Switch the 2 house circuit breakers dedicated for the water heater to OFF.
Wear work gloves to protect your hands.
PHOTO: Switch the water heater circuit breakers off.
02.
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.
PHOTO: Turn off the cold water supply.
PHOTO: Attach the garden hose the water heater heater drain valve.
PHOTO: Flip the pressure relief valve to the open position.
PHOTO: Open the drain valve.
03.
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.
PHOTO: Remove the access cover screw.
PHOTO: Remove the element cover.
PHOTO: Fold the insulation up.
PHOTO: Remove the shield.
PHOTO: Remove the wires.
PHOTO: Unscrew the heating element.
PHOTO: Pull out the heating element.
04.
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.
PHOTO: Install the new heating element.
PHOTO: Tighten the new heating element.
PHOTO: Reconnect the wires to the new heating element.
PHOTO: Reinstall the thermostat shield.
PHOTO: Fold the insulation down in place.
PHOTO: Reinstall the heating element cover.
PHOTO: Reinstall the screw.
05.
Close the drain valve
Close the drain valve and remove the garden hose. Flip the relief valve to the closed position.
PHOTO: Close the drain valve.
PHOTO: Remove the garden hose.
PHOTO: Flip the pressure relief valve to the close position.
06.
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.
Tip: Clean the area around the element opening of any sediment before installing the new element.
Warning: Don't restore power to the water heater until the tank is full of water.
PHOTO: Turn on the cold water supply.
07.
Restore power
Flip the house circuit breakers to the on position.
PHOTO: Flip the circuit breakers to the On position.

Warning: Undertaking repairs or maintenance to appliances or power equipment can be hazardous. Should you choose to undertake repairs or maintenance, you are assuming the risk of injury to your person or property. In an effort to reduce the risk, use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the applicable guide and follow all instructions. Do not proceed until you are confident that you understand all of the steps and are capable of completing the repair. Some repairs or maintenance, however, should only be performed by a qualified technician.