Let the water heater drain completely if you are replacing the lower element or partially if you are replacing the upper element. Sediment in the bottom of the tank may clog the drain valve and prevent it from draining properly.
If this question is pertaining to a electric tank water heater - No. The tank must be fully drained and cooled before you can change the heating element. Normally there are two, a high and a low elements. If you must change one, order both.
Allow the tank to drain until the water line is below the heating element, or drain the whole tank if you're replacing the lower element. One of the pros of a tankless water heater is that it takes just a few seconds to drain the water heater. A tank water heater can take up to 15 minutes.
It's time-consuming: Replacing a water heater element usually takes around 2–3 hours if you try and do it yourself. However, it usually only takes 1–2 hours for a professional. A professional has the right tools and skills to do the job.
If you don't drain or flush your hot water heater, minerals and sediments from the water supply will settle at the bottom of the tank.
NOTE: If your water heater has been installed more than five years without any maintenance, it may be too late to flush. If the tank will not drain, sediment likely has built and clogged the drain.
If neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
Another common sign your water heater element is burned out is that hot water won't reach the temperature you set it to. Constant lukewarm water is a sign of electrical failure causing the heating element not to heat properly or causing sediment buildup that is impeding the heating process.
If the unit is powered with the correct voltage, and still does not produce any hot water, the upper heating element has probably burned out. A water heater must be completely full of water before electric power is applied or the upper heating element will burn out (this is called Dry Fire).
Your water heater's heating element should last at least as long as the water heater itself — about 10 to 15 years for an electric tank water heater and about 20 years for a tankless water heater. The only reason you would have to replace the heating element before the water heater is if there is a malfunction.
But, a failed heating element doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace the entire water heater. In this article, we'll outline the steps for installing a new heating element and getting your water heater back up-and-running again.
As you just found out, even a few seconds of dry firing an electric water heater can burn out your water heater element.
A burned-out water heater element will often cause your water heater to produce lukewarm or cold water, even when the thermostat is set to a high temperature. You might also notice the hot water runs out faster than usual. In severe cases, you'll have no hot water at all.
Let the water heater drain completely if you are replacing the lower element or partially if you are replacing the upper element. Sediment in the bottom of the tank may clog the drain valve and prevent it from draining properly.
Heater Element Replacements
Having a water heater element repaired professionally usually costs about $200 to $300.
Replacing the oven element is a simple enough job if you consider yourself reasonably handy around the house, have the proper tools, and know where to buy the right part. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of replacing the oven element.
No Hot Water (Power to Unit) This situation involves a water heater receiving power but not producing hot water. In this situation, if the temperature is set properly, you probably have a bad thermostat or a bad heating element.
In most cases, water heaters have two heating elements. The two heating element design allows the unit to heat water more efficiently. The bottom heating element heats up water first. The second heating element heats water at the top of the tank when it loses heat, or the demand for hot water is especially high.
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.
It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year. Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time. Typically, it takes one to two hours to flush a water heater. The size of your tank will impact the amount of time it takes to drain.
If your tank water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. 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.