If your water heater is giving you trouble, it may be time to replace the thermostat. The good news is that this is a relatively easy task that you can do yourself with a few tools and some basic knowledge.
How To Replace Your Electric Water Heater Thermostats
- If your home has natural gas, turn off the valve on the pipe leading to the water heater
- For an electric heater, shut off the power at the breaker box
- Drain some water from the tank to relieve pressure and open the T&P (temperature and pressure) relief valve to let out any additional steam
- Place a bucket under this valve before you open it
- Remove the access panel on the side of the tank with a screwdriver or drill/driver
- Be careful not to strip these screws, as you’ll need them later
- Mark which wire is connected to which terminal so you can properly reconnect them later, then use a Phillips screwdriver or drill/driver to remove these wires from their terminals by loosening each set-screw clockwise until it’s flush with its respective terminal post—don’t remove these screws entirely yet! 5
- Remove both thermostats by unscrewing their mounting nuts counterclockwise with pliers or an adjustable wrench (be careful not to damage or strip these)
- (For a gas water heater only) Unscrew and remove the plastic guard surrounding the pilot light assembly, if your model has one, then unscrew and carefully pull out that entire assembly so you can access the thermocouple behind it (you may need needle-nose pliers for this)
- (For an electric water heater) Carefully disconnect and remove any wiring attached to this element before proceeding (if you’re unsure about doing this yourself, call an electrician)
- With all wiring safely removed, unscrew and pull out this heating element using pliers or an adjustable wrench (again being careful not to damage anything in the process), then proceed to Step 8 below for all models
- (For all models) Before installing your new thermostat(s), wrap teflon tape around each of their threads in a clockwise direction about three times, then screw them in by hand as far as possible in a clockwise direction too—but don’t overtighten them! Just snug each one up nice and tight against its opening so there’s no chance of leaks when you reattach everything and turn your water back on
How to Replace Lower Thermostat on Electric Water Heater
If your electric water heater isn’t working as efficiently as it used to, one possible issue is a faulty lower thermostat. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy problem to fix yourself. Here’s how to replace the lower thermostat on an electric water heater:
1. Begin by shutting off power to the water heater at the breaker box. Then, open up the access panel on the side of the unit and locate the two thermostats. The upper thermostat controls the upper element, while the lower thermostat controls the lower element.
2. Use a multimeter to test both thermostats for continuity. If either one is defective, it will need to be replaced.
3. To remove a defective thermostat, simply unscrew it from its housing and pull it out.
Then, insert the new thermostat into place and screw it in until tight.
4. Close up the access panel and restore power to the unit at the breaker box.
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How Do I Know If My Hot Water Heater Thermostat is Bad?
If your water heater is not working properly, it may be due to a problem with the thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature of the water in the tank. If it is set too low, the water will not get hot enough.
If it is set too high, the water could become too hot and scalding. You can test the thermostat to see if it is working correctly.
1) Set a multimeter to Ohms mode and touch each probe to one of the two thermostat terminals.
There should be continuity between these terminals when the knob on the front of the thermostat is turned to different settings. If there is no continuity, then the thermostat needs to be replaced.
2) Check the resistance of the thermistor by touching each probe of the multimeter to both leads onthe thermistor.
The resistance should change as you turn the knob onthe front ofthe thermostatto different settings. If there is no change in resistance, thenreplace 3) Test for power atthermalelementbytouchingoneprobetotheblackleadandoneprobetogoldor brass leadonthermalelement .You shouldhave110-120VAC if elementis good .
Ifnot ,thenreplacethermalelement
If you find that your thermostat is not working properly, you will need to replace it. Be sure to follow all safety precautions when performing this task.
Do I Have to Drain the Water Heater to Change the Thermostat?
If your water heater is over 5 years old, it’s probably time to change the thermostat. The good news is, this is a relatively easy and inexpensive task that you can do yourself. The first step is to turn off the power to the water heater.
Next, drain the water from the tank by attaching a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and running it outside or into a nearby sink or bathtub. Once all of the water has been drained, remove the access panel on top of the tank (this will be held on by screws or bolts). Locate the thermostat(s) – there may be one or two – and unscrew them from their mounting bracket(s).
Remove any insulation that may be surrounding the thermostat(s). At this point, you can either clean any sediment out of the bottom of the tank or simply install your new thermostat(s) without doing so (it’s not absolutely necessary to clean out sediment but it may prolong the life of your new thermostat). To install your new thermostat(s), simply screw them back into place and replace any insulation.
Finally, reattach your access panel and turn power back on to your water heater.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Water Heater Thermostat?
If you’re considering replacing your water heater thermostat, there are a few things you should know first. The cost to replace a water heater thermostat can vary depending on the type of water heater you have and the complexity of the job. However, in most cases, you can expect to pay between $50 and $100 for the parts and labor.
If you have a gas water heater, the replacement process will be relatively simple and shouldn’t take more than an hour or two. On the other hand, if you have an electric water heater, the process is a bit more complex and could take up to four hours to complete. In either case, it’s best to leave this job to a professional since it involves working with electricity or gas lines.
How Do You Change a Water Heater Thermostat?
If your water heater is not performing as well as it used to, or if you find that your hot water runs out more quickly than it used to, it may be time to change the thermostat. The thermostat on a water heater controls the temperature of the water in the tank. By turning the thermostat up or down, you can adjust how hot the water is.
To change the thermostat on a water heater, first locate the thermal regulator knob or dial on the front of the unit. It is typically located near the bottom of the unit. If you cannot find it there, consult your owner’s manual.
Once you have located the knob or dial, turn it to either raise or lower the temperature of the water inside the tank.
It is important to note that changing the thermostat setting will not immediately change the temperature ofthe water inthe tank. Water heats slowly and it takes some time for changes in temperature to take effect.
Conclusion
If your hot water heater isn’t working as efficiently as it used to, it might be time to replace the thermostat. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do just that:
1. First, you’ll need to turn off the power to your hot water heater.
You can do this by flipping the switch on the circuit breaker panel.
2. Next, remove the access panel on the side of the hot water heater. This will give you access to the thermostat.
3. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold the thermostat in place. Then, carefully pull out the old thermostat and disconnect its wires from the terminals.
4. Take your new thermostat and connect its wires to the same terminals on your hot water heater.
Make sure that each wire is securely connected before moving on.
5. Carefully insert the new thermostat into place and screw it in with the two screws you removed earlier. Be careful not to overtighten these screws, as this could damage your hot water heater’s internal components.
