Having Hot Water Problems? Here's How to Test Your Water Heater Element
Is your hot water supply not as steamy as it used to be? Do you find yourself running out of hot water more quickly or waiting longer for the tank to heat up? If so, your water heater's heating element may be failing.
Testing the electric heating element is an easy way to diagnose problems with insufficient or lukewarm hot water. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to locate, test, and replace a faulty heating element in your electric water heater.
Locating the Water Heater Element
Start by locating the heating element on your hot water tank. It will be attached to the side of the metal tank. Look for a round or hexagonal part about 1 inch wide behind a removable metal access panel.
Remove the insulation panel to expose the heating element and wiring. You should see two wires connected to two screws on a plastic mounting plate.
What You'll Need
To test the element, you'll need a multimeter capable of measuring electrical resistance. Standard digital multimeters work well for this test and can be purchased affordably at any hardware store.
Safety gear like work gloves and eye protection is also recommended when working around electrical components. Have a wrench on hand to detach the wiring from the element.
Turn Off Power
Before starting, be sure to turn off the power to the water heater at the breaker box. Shutting off electricity is crucial for safely accessing the electrical connections.
Testing the Element with a Multimeter
Use a wrench to loosen one of the screws so you can detach one of the wires leading to the heating element. Touch one probe from the multimeter to this now loose wire screw.
Then, touch the other probe to the screw still attached to the face of the heating element. Set your multimeter to measure electrical resistance in ohms.
A properly functioning heating element will give a reading between 10 and 30 ohms. Little or no resistance indicates the element has failed and must be replaced.
Check Both Elements
Many modern electric water heaters actually have two heating elements - one near the top of the tank and one lower down. It's a good idea to test both the upper and lower elements separately.
Simply repeat the resistance test on the second element. Replace any element that reads low resistance.
When to Replace a Faulty Element
If your multimeter reading shows very low or no resistance, that confirms the heating element is no longer working properly and should be replaced.
Replacement elements can be purchased at hardware stores or online. Look for the correct wattage and voltage. Installation is reverse of removal - just reconnect the wires securely.
Preventing Early Failure
To maximize the lifespan of your water heater elements, maintain proper water pressure and minimize mineral buildup. Softening hard water can help reduce scale on the elements. Also have any leaks repaired, as moisture can damage the element wiring.
Finally, consider proactive replacement once your system is more than 10 years old, since elements tend to fail due to age and corrosion over time.
Testing your electric water heater's element with a multimeter is a useful diagnostic step if you're having hot water problems. Just be sure to turn off the power first for safety.
Replacing a faulty heating element is usually a reasonably easy DIY fix. But for comprehensive water heater repairs or troubleshooting complex issues, don't hesitate to call in a professional plumber.