A Procedure for Testing Water Heater Thermostats

Are you experiencing issues with your water heater? The water heater's thermostat could be at fault. We have created an overview to help you understand more about how the thermostat works, how to test it, and how to replace it when it malfunctions or breaks.

What Does a Water Heater Thermostat Do?

The water heater thermostat regulates your home's water heater and hot water supply. Standard water heaters frequently have two thermostats; one controls the top heating element, and the other governs the bottom.

How to Inspect a Water Heater's Thermostat

Run a brief test to ensure the water heater thermostat is functioning correctly. Follow these instructions for the upper and lower heating elements of a standard dual-element water heater.

• Turn off the power to your water heater. You should never check or fix plumbing equipment while the load is on it because you could hurt yourself or the system.

• Test the thermostat after removing the covering, elevating and securing the insulation to prevent it from obstructing your vision, and unscrewing the access panel.

• Disconnect the component's power connections to isolate it.

• The probes of the digital multimeter should only be in contact with one terminal at a time.

The thermostat should be continuously operated if the meter display indicates zero voltage. If the meter display shows either no voltage or a voltage of one, the thermostat has to be fixed or replaced.

How to Replace a Water Heater's Faulty Thermostat

If you need to change the thermostat on your water heater, follow these eight steps.

• Cut off the electricity to the water heater.

• Unscrew the access panel, remove it, and move the insulation for a clear view.

• Verify that the power is off using the digital multimeter.

• Remove the protective covering and disconnect the power wires.

• Switch out the old thermostat for a new one.

• Reapply the cables and reattach the protective covering.

• After relocating the insulation back to its original location, screw in the access panel.

• Restart the power, then examine the new thermostat.

Do Not Forget That Not All Thermostats Are Used For Water Heaters

Water heaters employ one or two heating components. Make sure that the type of element in the thermostat you purchase is the same as the one in your water heater(i.e., single-element thermostats with single-element water heaters and dual-element thermostats with dual-element water heaters). The thermostat won't operate correctly if you don't.

Thermostats with a single element as opposed to two

Single-element thermostats are meant to be used with water heaters with just one heating element. On the other hand, dual-element thermostats are designed for water heaters with two heating elements. Most water heaters have two heating elements. Hence, they require a dual-element thermostat. A dual-element water heater's upper and lower units differ in size and operation.

What Does a Reset Button on a Water Heater Do?

Only water heaters with dual elements have a reset button that stops electricity from going to the water heater. The reset button initiates this process when a fault occurs inside the gadget.

Water heater repair and replacement services

If the water heater thermostat on your system isn't working, call the Installation and Repair Guide to schedule an appointment with our skilled plumbers. Our professionals offer complete water heater replacement and repair services to households in Virginia. No matter if your water heater is making odd noises or showing signs of corrosion, our experts will help you resolve the problem.

Our plumbers also install sinks, fix gas lines, clean drains, and put in sump pumps, among other plumbing services. Set up a time to get help if your water heater breaks or you have other home plumbing problems.