How to test & replace the heating element in your electric water heater

Is your water heater running cold or not getting hot enough? One of the most common reasons for these issues is a faulty heating element. The good news is you can test and replace the elements yourself and save time and money without the wait for a professional. 

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The information provided in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

Common signs that you have a bad water heater element 

Before you start diving into your unit to replace an element, see if your water heater has been showing any of the following symptoms and test it as needed:

• Inconsistent water temperatures
• No hot water
• Water heater takes too long to heat
• Circuit breaker trips when the water heater is running

Safety tips to consider before you continue

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

How to test a water heater element

You’ll need to use a multimeter to test the heating element. Here’s how to do it.

1. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker to keep yourself safe while working on the unit.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the access panel(s) on the side of the tank. 
3. Pull back the insulation beneath the panel to expose the heating element and its wiring.
4. Set your multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting. 
5. Place a meter probe on each of the screws on the heating element. If the multimeter shows an open circuit (OL, no reading or infinity), then the element is bad and needs to be replaced. A well-functioning element should show a reading between 10-30 Ohms, depending on your heater’s model.

How to replace a water heater element

If you’ve found out that your element is faulty, just follow these steps to replace it.

What you need

• Screwdriver
• Heating element wrench
• New heating element (make sure it’s compatible with your specific water heater model BEFORE installing)
• Garden hose (for draining the tank)

Replacement process

1. Turn off the water supply to prevent water from flowing into the tank.
2. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater and direct it to a safe drainage area. Then open the valve and allow the tank to empty. Turn on a faucet’s hot water to help the tank drain.
3. Take a photo of the water heater element wiring to help with reinstallation, then disconnect the wires attached to the faulty element.
4. Use a wrench to loosen and remove the old heating element from the tank.
5. Place the new heating element into the tank and secure it with the wrench.
6. Follow the wiring photo you took earlier or a diagram to reconnect the wires to the new element. 
7. Close the drain valve and turn the cold water supply back on.
8. Make sure there aren’t any leaks around the new element as the tank refills.
9. Once the tank is full, turn the faucet off when no more air is coming through, then turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to some of the most common questions about water heaters.

How long does a water heater element last? 

Water heater elements generally last 6 to 10 years, depending on the type of unit, the brand, the water quality, how often maintenance is performed and more.

Why is my water heater only warm, not hot?

This could be caused by a broken dip tube or a malfunctioning thermostat or heating element(s).

What do I do if my water heater isn’t staying hot?

You may need to flush the tank, replace the heating elements, or see if your water heater is big enough for your home’s needs.

Do electric water heaters need to be vented? 

No. Electric water heaters don’t produce combustion gases, so they don’t require venting. Gas models are the only ones that should be vented.

We’re here to help

Thanks for reading! If you need any replacement parts for your home appliances, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We have over two million parts in stock and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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