Electric Water Heater Thermostat Troubleshooting

Common Causes

Whenever there are heating problems, they could be due to one of the many components including heating elements or it could be due to the thermostat. You should check the voltage of the heating elements. You can do this using a test lead connected to each of the wire terminals. Of course, you should check one terminal at a time. When the water is hot inside the tank, there must not be any voltage. Wait for the water to get heated up if you have just turned on the power. If after the water is heated the elements remain hot then you should replace them. You may have to replace one or both the thermostats depending on your observation.

What to Do

You should check the lower thermostat when the tank inside has hot water. The reading should be 240V. If there is another reading then the upper thermostat must be replaced. Turn on the faucet for the bathtub or allow the hot water to flow out and check the lower heating element. If it doesn’t come on the lower thermostat then you need to replace the same. When the temperature of the water dips or when the hot water flows out, the lower thermostat will shut off and you would observe the upper thermostat turning on the upper heater. Now check the upper heating element and observe the voltage. If you witness the upper heating element doesn’t come on then you ought to replace the upper thermostat.

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