Change Heating Element Hot Water Heater

Electric water heaters have 2 heating elements.

Change heating element hot water heater.

This is a specialty tool with a wide mouth designed to fit over the element s nut in a tight space. Some repair kits come with a socket that fits the heating element. A water heater element wrench also called an element tool is a specially designed socket that fits over the hex end of the element and has a hole in the other end that will accept the shaft of a screwdriver. This is the type we will be covering because they are the most common heating elements.

Slip a heating element wrench onto the element if your water heater has a screw in type element. This video from sears partsdirect shows how to replace a broken heating element in some electric water heaters. Heating elements typically last for several years and hot water tanks outlast the elements. Remove the gasket that seals the heating element to the water heater tank.

Gas fired models have a burner at the base of the heater that warms water inside the tank. Insert the element tool over the element and turn it counter clockwise. There s an upper element which is located.