Heating elements can burn out. Sometimes one element fails causing the other element to work overtime. A burnt-out element is a common cause of water heater woes. The thermostat might quit working along with the element.
A sudden voltage increase could overload a heating element of your water heater, burning it out. All elements of a water heater have voltage ratings. Voltages exceeding the rating of an element will burn it out.
When it overheats due to air exposure, this can melt the internal components in the element and cause it to fail. Just like other electric appliances, a power surge can also burn out the heating element. This is because during a power surge, the heating elements can overheat and become damaged.
Every electrical water heater has a voltage rating, so exceeding that rating can burn out the heating element. You can prevent this from happening at your home by having surge protection installed by an electrician.
If it senses that the pilot light has gone out, the thermocouple shuts off the gas supply to the flame in order to prevent safety issues with your water heater. Over time, thermocouples can begin to malfunction and shut off the gas supply to the pilot light even if it's burning properly. A bent or dirty thermocouple.
A hot water heater's lifespan depends on many factors, including the type of water heater, the energy source, the type of water you have, and how well the unit is maintained. On average, most water heaters last between 8 and 12 years but some can last up to 20 years with regular maintenance.
A typical gas-powered or electric-powered hot water heater will last 8 to 12 years before needing to be replaced. Tankless and solar hot water heaters can last up to 20 if properly maintained. When deciding to repair or replace your hot water heater, you may want to take into consideration its age.
Replacing a Hot Water Heater Element
Water heaters typically have a life span of 6 to 10 years, so if your heater is older, you can expect that it'll be experiencing problems sooner than later.
Your heating element may experience a short. This often happens if the element's metal casing cracks and the element's live wires are exposed to water. If there's a short in your heating element, the power will continue flowing in the element even after your thermostat turns off its power.
A water heater element can cost between $10 and $60 and can be found at most home improvement stores. If you're comfortable with light electrical work, replacing a water heating element is a DIY task.
You don't have to go into the take to access them. Next, figure out which heating element you need to replace. If you're only replacing the top heating element, you only have to empty the tank until it's not in the water. If you have to replace both or just the bottom one, you'll need to empty the whole tank.
According to IBHS, 69% of water heater failures are a result of a slow leak or sudden burst, causing significant water damage. Not only are these claims frequent, but IBHS also estimates that they cost an average of $4,444 per claim.
The heating element you're checking should be bright orange when fully heated (about 10 minutes after it's set to 350 degrees). This shows it's functioning normally. If it isn't bright orange, or if only parts of it are, this probably means the element is burned out and needs to be replaced.
Place a one-meter probe on the bottom left terminal. Place the other meter probe on terminal screw #1 just above the #2 terminal. You should get a reading of 0. The thermostat is faulty if you don't get a reading at all.
When an element fails it will usually "open" the electrical circuit and no further heating will take place. When this happens, the element simply appears to have stopped working.In some rare instances the element will "short-out" against the sheath which is the outer visible part of the surface unit.
With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years. A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years. Check your water heater's warranty for the most accurate timelines.
If your water heater fails suddenly, you won't have time to research these other options that may improve performance and efficiency for the next 10 to 20 years. That's why we recommend a preemptive replacement if your water heater is showing signs of wearing out.
The short answer is yes, as long as you don't mind using cold water. Shutting off the input to your water heater will not affect your home's main water supply. You can still run appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher, flush your toilet, and use your shower, sink, or garden hose.
The pilot light itself is also fueled using natural gas, which it gets from a small tube in your gas pipe. This tube is fitted with a safety valve (the thermocouple), which stops the flow of gas if the pilot light goes out. This prevents gas from building up in your furnace, posing a safety hazard.
If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Additionally, some electric water heaters have a circuit-style safety switch located near or on the thermostat.