Wondering how to check your water heater to ensure it’s working efficiently? Water heaters play a crucial role in providing hot water for daily activities like showers and washing dishes. Like any other appliance, malfunctions can occur over time with them. Regularly checking your water heater can help you avoid inconvenient issues such as cold showers and prevent more serious problems from developing. 

By staying proactive and understanding how your water heater works, you can catch issues early, save both time and money, and ensure it continues to run efficiently. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of checking your water heater, from inspecting its components to troubleshooting common problems. Let’s jump in and ensure your water heater stays in top shape!

What is Water Heater Element

A water heater element is a key component of an electric water heater that heats the water inside the tank. It is typically a metal rod made from materials like copper or steel that has a special coating to prevent corrosion. The element works by converting electrical energy into heat, which then warms the water.

There are usually two types of elements in most electric water heaters: upper and lower elements. The upper element heats the top portion of the water first, while the lower element heats the bottom portion, ensuring that the entire tank gets warmed up.

How it works: 

When you turn on your water heater, the electric current flows through the heating element, causing it to get hot. The water’s temperature is increased as it absorbs this transferred heat. If the element becomes damaged or covered in mineral deposits (a common issue), it can lose its effectiveness, causing the water heater to take longer to heat or fail to heat the water at all.

In such cases, the heating element may need to be replaced to restore the water heater’s efficiency and prevent further damage.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Check Your Water Heater

Checking your water heater is an essential task to ensure it’s working properly and heating your water efficiently. Follow these steps carefully to troubleshoot and fix any issues.

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Tools

Before you get started, make sure you have the right tools at hand. You will need a multimeter to measure electrical resistance, a flathead screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. These tools will help you open the water heater’s panels, test the heating elements, and disconnect the wires if needed.

Step 2: Turn Off the Power

Safety is the top priority here! First, head to your circuit breaker panel and turn off the breaker that powers your water heater. To be extra cautious, double-check that the power is indeed off by using your multimeter to test the electrical connections at the heater. This ensures you’re working in a safe environment.

Step 3: Access the Heating Element

Now that the power is off, it’s time to access the heating elements. Most water heaters come with two elements: the upper and lower heating elements. To reach them, you’ll need to remove the access panels on the side of the water heater using your Phillips screwdriver. If there’s any insulation covering the elements, carefully remove that too to expose the elements underneath.

Step 4: Disconnect the Wires

Once the heating elements are visible, disconnect the wires from the heating element terminals. It’s a good idea to label each wire or take a quick photo to remember which wire goes where. This will help you reconnect them correctly once you’re done.

Step 5: Set Your Multimeter

Next, set your multimeter to the lowest resistance setting, usually measured in ohms. This will allow you to test the continuity of the element. Testing for continuity helps you determine if the element is properly functioning or not.

Step 6: Test the Heating Element

Now, take your multimeter and place one probe on one of the terminals of the element and the other probe on the opposite terminal. A good, working element should show a resistance reading between 10-30 ohms. If you get a reading of zero or infinite resistance, then the element is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Step 7: Reassemble the Water Heater

Once you’ve checked the element, it’s time to reassemble the water heater. If the element is functioning well, simply reconnect the wires to the terminals, replace the insulation, and secure the access panel back into place. If the element was faulty, make sure to replace it before reassembling everything.

Related: Tankless Water Heater: A Smart Choice for Your Home

Why Consistent Maintenance Matters for Your Water Heater

Maintaining your water heater is crucial for ensuring it continues to work efficiently and safely. Regular checks can help you spot issues early, extend the lifespan of your appliance, and prevent costly repairs. Below are some key reasons why regular maintenance is important for your water heater, and how it can save you both time and money.

Avoiding Major Issues

Just like any other system or equipment, a water heater requires preventative maintenance. If left unchecked, small problems can turn into big issues, causing expensive repairs or even the need for full replacements. 

Regular maintenance helps prevent breakdowns and keeps everything in good working condition, which is a form of responsible ownership. Think of it as similar to car maintenance — taking care of your water heater regularly can avoid the major costs of repairs and increase its efficiency.

Maximizing Efficiency and Saving Money

Over time, mineral deposits and sediment can build up at the bottom of your water heater’s tank. These can reduce the heater’s efficiency, making it work harder to heat the water. By conducting routine maintenance and flushing out the sediment, you can restore the efficiency of your water heater. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), maintaining your water heater regularly can improve its efficiency by up to 20%, leading to significant energy savings and lower energy bills over time. Plus, it helps reduce carbon emissions, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Prolonging the Lifespan of Your Water Heater

Routine inspections and maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your water heater. The more care you put into maintaining your water heater, the longer it will last. During regular checks, components like the heating element, thermostat, and pressure relief valve are inspected for corrosion, rust, or other signs of deterioration. If these issues are caught early, it can prevent premature failure and delay the need for a replacement.

Preventing Costly Repairs

Small leaks or strange rumbling noises can be warning signs that your water heater needs attention. Ignoring these signals can lead to larger problems down the road, such as a catastrophic failure or even an explosion. 

Regular checks from certified technicians can catch these early and prevent water damage and the need for expensive repairs. By addressing these issues early, you can avoid the hassle and costs associated with emergency repairs.

Ensuring Safety

Safety is a top priority when it comes to home appliances, especially those that involve heating water to high temperatures. Faulty wiring, gas leaks, or malfunctioning pressure relief valves pose serious safety hazards like fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and scalding injuries. 

Regular maintenance ensures that all safety mechanisms are working properly, providing peace of mind for you and your family. It’s always better to be proactive and check your water heater before safety issues arise.

Troubleshooting Common Water Heater Issues

Water heaters are crucial for maintaining a comfortable home, but like any appliance, they can experience issues. Here’s a guide to troubleshoot common problems and get your water heater back in working order.

No Hot Water

If you’re experiencing no hot water, it could be due to several reasons:

• The circuit breaker that powers the water heater might have tripped. Inspect the breaker and reset it if needed.
• Heating elements may be faulty or have no continuity. Use a multimeter to test the elements for electrical resistance and replace if needed.
• If the thermostat is set too low, adjust it to a higher temperature.

Water Temperature Too Low/Too High

If the water temperature is too low or too high, this could be due to the following:

• A faulty thermostat can cause the water to be too hot or too cold. Check and adjust the thermostat settings.
• The heating elements might be malfunctioning, requiring a continuity test using your multimeter.
• Sediment buildup inside the tank can also cause inefficient heating. In this case, flush the tank to remove any debris.

Strange Noises (e.g., popping or banging)

If your water heater is making strange noises like popping or banging sounds, here are some potential causes:

• Sediment buildup on the heating elements can cause noise as the water heats up. Draining and flushing the tank might be necessary to eliminate the sediment.
• Overheating can cause steam pockets to form, which can create noise as they burst. Check if the thermostat is set too high.
• Loose heating elements can also vibrate and make noise, so inspect them for any issues and tighten if necessary.

Water Discoloration

Water discoloration, like brown or rusty water, may be a sign of:

• Corroded heating elements or a rusted tank. This typically happens with age and requires the water heater to be replaced.
• Sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank can also cause the water to appear discolored. Flushing the tank may solve the problem.
• If the discoloration is only in hot water, the heating elements or the tank could be the issue.

How Often Should You Check Your Water Heater?

Regular maintenance of your water heater is essential to keep it running efficiently and to avoid unexpected breakdowns. But how often should you perform a check? Here’s a guideline to help you stay on top of it.

Annually

It’s a good idea to inspect your water heater at least once a year. This helps you identify small issues early on, preventing them from turning into larger problems. During this annual checkup:

• Check for leaks around the tank and pipes.
• Inspect the heating elements for any signs of wear or corrosion.
• Test the thermostat to make sure it’s functioning properly and set to the desired temperature.
• Flush the tank to remove any sediment buildup, which can affect the heater’s efficiency.

After Major Events

In addition to your annual inspection, you should check your water heater if there have been any major events:

• After a power outage, ensure that the water heater is still working properly and hasn’t been affected.
• If there’s been a major storm or a flood, it’s important to check for potential damage or rust.

When You Notice Issues

If you start to notice any signs of issues like strange noises, inconsistent water temperature, or discoloration, it’s time to check your water heater right away. If ignored, even small issues can escalate into more significant problems. In these cases, follow the troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

Every 3-5 Years

For a more in-depth check, consider having a professional inspect your water heater every 3-5 years. This is particularly important for older water heaters to ensure that everything is still functioning optimally and that no parts need replacing. A professional will also be able to check things like the anode rod, which helps prevent rust inside the tank.

When to Call a Professional

If you experience issues with the electrical connections or suspect that there’s something wrong with the multimeter readings or the heating element terminals, it’s best to call an expert. Swelle Electric is always here for your help. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today to get started on fixing your water heater issues. 

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