Replacing your water heater  Click here for an excellent illustrated guide.

Are all electric hot water heater elements the same?

There are three types: screw in, bolt in and clamp in. They all have different wattage ratings and can work on either 120 or 240 voltage.

There is water leaking from my water heater. What's the cause?

The pressure relief valve could be leaking. Try operating the valve to see if it will stop. It also might need tightening. A gasket around the heating element may need to be replaced, or the tank could be rusted out, which requires a new hot water heater.

What size water heater should I buy?

Most people base their purchases on the size of the storage tank, but a better method is to first estimate how much hot water you will need during the peak hour of use. This is referred to as the first-hour rating (FHR) on the Energy Guide label posted on new water heaters. Typical hot water use is:

§ Showering 3 gallons/minute

§ Bathing 15-25 gallons per bath

§ Shaving 1-3 gallons

§ Washing hands 1/2-2 gallons

§ Washing dishes 4-6 gallons

§ Running dishwasher 5-20 gallons

§ Running clothes washer 25-40 gallons

§ Cleaning house 5-12 gallons

§ Food preparation 1-6 gallons

What is the purpose of a pressure relief valve on a water heater?

This is a safety device that will open in case of high pressure or temperature.

I am getting no hot water from my electric water heater.

The high-temperature cutoff may have been tripped, which requires someone to press the reset. Otherwise it's probably a faulty heating element or thermostat, which can be replaced.

I'm not getting enough hot water from my electric water heater.

The temperature control may be set too low. Otherwise it's probably a faulty heating element or thermostat, which can be replaced.

The water from my electric hot water tank is too hot.

The thermostat may be set too high, or it may be faulty. It could also be a grounded heating element.

I am getting no hot water from my gas water heater.

The pilot light might be out, or you may have a faulty thermostat.

Is there any maintenance for a water heater?

Yes, you should test the pressure relief valve regularly and replace it if it fails to operate. At least once a year you should flush out the sediments. As long as a tank has a functioning anode, it should not rust. Therefore you should check the anode about once every two years. The fitting is usually on the top of the tank and it's often tight, so a torque multiplier is a useful tool. If you find 6" or more of the steel core wire exposed, or if the rod formed a hard, adherent calcium carbonate coating that prevents further corrosion of the sacrificial metal, replace the rod. There are segmented rods if overhead clearance is limited.