I have an electric water heater and last Friday it continued to heat the water but it does not get really hot! It was here before I moved here 5 years ago so I don't know how old it is! Could it be the thermostat, remember that the heat loss was sudden!
Thank you
2007-02-07 02:16:07 · 5 answers · asked by paula c 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Either the thermostat has failed, unlikely as they usually fail 'ON' and the water gets too hot. Could be one of the dual elements if you have that type of heater. (Economy 7 ?) More likely the single element has split open and is just partially heating. If you can isolate and disconnect the element, then test across the terminals with a multimeter, it should measure about 18-19 ohms for a 3Kw element. If its a lot higher than this you will have to replace the element.
2007-02-07 04:58:08 · answer #1 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most hearters have 2 elements. One is probably burned out. To test the heater, first thing to do is turn off the circuit breaker to it. Then take both covers off the heating units. Pull out the insulation that is in the way and pull off the plastic covers on the thermostats. Next, remove one of the wires from each of the elements. Use and ohmeter to test across the contacts on the elements. There should be no or very little resistance. If there is a lot of resistance the element(s) it bad, drain the tank and change the element(s). If the elements aren't bad reconnect them.
Now you can test the thermostats. Do this very carefully. Open a hot water faucet and water thru the tank until the wate is cold and turn off the faucet. Now turn the circuit breaker back on. Set your volt meter so it can read 240 volts at least. CAREFULLY check the voltage on both elements, with cold water in the tank the top element should be getting power the bottom one shouldn't. As the water heats up the top thermostat will shut off and at the same time it will turn on the lower element. When the lower element gets to the temperature setting it will shut off the lower element. If both elements are getting power when the tank is cold the upper thermostat is bad. If the lower element doesn't get power when the upper thermostat clicks off, test the voltage at the wire that goes directly from the upper thermostat to the lower element and the wire at the top of the lower thermostat, if there is no power the upper thermostat is bad. If this test is good test for voltage at the same connection on the lower element and the lower contact on lower thermostat. If there is no reading the lower thermostat is bad. Hope this helps
2007-02-07 02:43:33 · answer #2 · answered by Get Real 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a dual element heater (high Low) check the switch is in the right position, one part of the element could have blown, new heaters are not that expensive any way.
2007-02-07 02:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by bowmanhlrc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes this sounds like it is the thermostat, will you be doing the job yourself?
2007-02-07 06:46:01 · answer #4 · answered by nessie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat is probably knacked, shouldn't cost much
to have replaced
2007-02-07 02:25:08 · answer #5 · answered by Stu pid 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋