There are 3 types of water heater elements.
Replacing hot water heater element and thermostat.
If your water heater is nearing the end of it s service life you may want to install the least expensive high watt density element.
Replace the safety cover s and access panel s.
Gas water heater thermostat replacement.
Check the following when your water is not hot enough.
Whirlpool water heater thermostat.
I replaced all parts being careful to put all wires connected back the way they were i reset the thermostat and still i have no hot water or even warm.
Insulate the hot water pipes.
Restore power and allow the water heater to work for one hour before testing the hot water.
Whirlpool water heater tune up.
This is very important because the heating elements operate off a thermostat and hot water in the tank will affect electrical flow to the heating elements.
Replace the heating element or thermostat.
The thermostat controls the water temperature by t.
If you suspect a heating element has also gone bad see how to replace a water heater element.
Electric water heaters have one or two elements and each is controlled by a thermostat.
You can test them with the power off using an ohmmeter to measure resistance or with the power on using a voltmeter to measure voltage.
Gas water heaters use a different type of thermostat system.
If the hot water heater is not working one of the thermostats may be bad.
This video from sears partsdirect shows how to replace a broken thermostat in some electric water heaters.
However if your heater is newer and you live in an area with hard water you should consider the other more expensive options.
Wait for the water in the tank to cool.
My water heater stopped working i checked and it had power and was full of water so i went to lowes and they told me to replace my thermostats and elements.
When a lower heating element or thermostat fails the top thermostat and element will continue to heat water in the upper half of the tank but you will notice the hot water quickly runs out or is only lukewarm.
Make sure that the power is connected.
Open a hot water faucet and run the water to verify it is cool.
Flush the heater to remove sediment from the tank.
When an upper heating element or thermostat fails the entire water heater stops producing hot water.
Types of water heater elements.
Utilitech water heater screw element.