Replacement May Be A Better Option Most often the lower element is the problem because it's likely sitting in sediment that causes it to break or short out. It's also important to point out that if the element has failed you should take stock of the situation. The typical lifespan of a water heater is six to ten years.
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.
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.
Heater Element Replacements
Having a water heater element repaired professionally usually costs about $200 to $300.
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.
If you have a screw-in water heater element, you can use your socket wrench to remove it. Just turn the element counterclockwise, and make sure to remove the gasket. You'll need either a 1 1/2-inch socket or the socket that came in your repair kit.
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.
"Replacing A Heating Element"
It may take several hours for a newly installed electric water heater to reach normal operating temperature. If you don't have hot water after two hours (water not even warm), first check to make sure the water heater is getting electrical power.
If your thermocouple goes bad, there is only one thing to do: Replace it. If you hire a professional plumber to do this, it may cost up to $200 for the labor.
Replacement May Be A Better Option
Most often the lower element is the problem because it's likely sitting in sediment that causes it to break or short out. It's also important to point out that if the element has failed you should take stock of the situation. The typical lifespan of a water heater is six to ten years.
Popping. A popping sound is one of the most common sounds a water heater will make when there's a problem. Normally, this is a sign that your water heater has excess mineral deposits and sediment at the bottom of its tank.
Minerals in hard water (such as calcium and magnesium) can lead to buildup in your water heater. In some cases, mineral sediment collects at the bottom of the tank, preventing heat transfer to the water. The affected heating elements get forced to work harder and eventually burn out.
The multimeter should read between 10 and 30 ohms if the heating element is working correctly. If you get a very low or zero reading, it indicates a faulty heating element that needs replacement.
The easiest way to check this is to turn the heating element on and inspect the temperature of the air coming out of your heating system. If the air is insufficiently heated, very close to, or at room temperature, there is probably something wrong with the heating element.
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every 6 months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often. Flushing your hot water heater could be necessary as often as every few months depending on the mineral content of your local water supply.
This is because the process of installing a new water heater can be quite complex and often requires the use of special tools and equipment. Additionally, the cost of labor for this type of project can be quite high.
Replacing a thermocouple is a relatively easy fix that can take less than two hours. This guide reviews how to replace a thermocouple to ensure gas appliances stay in good working order, as well as how to relight a pilot light.
Type of Repair
Water heaters have a few different parts; based on data from HomeGuide, here are some average prices to replace common components: Dip Tube: $100 to $300. Heating Element: $100 to $350. Anode Rod: $150 to $350.
Stainless steel heat exchangers are better.
At Rinnai, we use stainless steel in our condensing models due to the corrosive nature of condensation produced by extra high-efficiency tankless water heaters. But in our non-condensing models, we use copper heat exchangers because they are a much better conductor of heat.
That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, leaks around the base of the tank or operates erratically, it's probably time to replace your water heater.
The replacement element must be the same voltage and wattage as the element being replaced. Never exceed the nameplate rating on the water heater. Check the nameplate on the heater to determine the proper voltage/wattage combination is correct for your heater.
Water Heater Lifespan
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.
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.