How To Tell If Your Water Heater Element is Bad

How to test a water heater element using a digital meter is easy to do, come along and learn just what to do to make this testing procedure possible. In this video I will walk you thru the steps of testing your element and what you will need to do the testing.
Shown in this video: How To Tell If Your Water Heater Element is Bad.
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Пікірлер: 220

  • @EtchingRaisin
    @EtchingRaisin3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Dan, thanks for the video. Not that I want to nitpick but getting “OL” on your multimeter during the resistance check is *NOT* getting a resistance of 0 ohms; you’re actually “over limit”, which means your resistance is too high to be measured. That indeed corresponds to a broken (open) heating element. A true “zero ohm” readout would show up as something like 0.000 (or very close to that) on your multimeter. Thanks!

  • @kevinlewis1235

    @kevinlewis1235

    Жыл бұрын

    Open Line

  • @leafeq2963
    @leafeq2963 Жыл бұрын

    Great video for 1st timers and beginners! The more you do it and take proper training, the more you’ll understand the basics to advance way to do these types of testing. Great Video!!! Thanks for sharing. And I probably would call it a Water Heater because it is it’s tap water coming in and hot coming out. 👍🏻. Maybe I’m wrong!! Lol.

  • @fredbigler6512
    @fredbigler6512 Жыл бұрын

    I'm from Texas and we have always called it a hot water heater, thinking bout it seems there would be no need to heat up already hot water. That one slipped by me, even after I took proper grammar down at the school house, but I think I learned more at the picture show Than I ever did in class.

  • @nikao7751
    @nikao7751 Жыл бұрын

    Well, me not knowing anything, when I had lukewarm water coming outta my faucet, and I went online to see what I might need, my instinctual go to was to type in water heater problems, didn't even think about typing in hot water, that would be redundant now wouldn't it? But super thanks for the couple videos you put up on testing and changing these out 🙏

  • @bl6773
    @bl67738 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the information. It's a water heater but I usually realize that as soon as hot water heater leaves my mouth. LOL

  • @alexg3030
    @alexg30306 ай бұрын

    Great job

  • @craigorxx
    @craigorxx3 жыл бұрын

    Funny . . . I just asked myself that same question earlier today. Is the heater heating hot water a second time, as in HWH, or is it making water hot for the first time, a water heater? I'd say it's a water heater, heating water for the first time! lol (Good question, and very nice demo!)

  • @12gage00

    @12gage00

    9 ай бұрын

    It's a water heater

  • @tinobarbati4944
    @tinobarbati4944 Жыл бұрын

    I wouldn't need to heat hot water ;) Thanks Dan.

  • @fungames24
    @fungames242 жыл бұрын

    Can a heater go bad from drawing too much current? I am trying to work out if a sparking switch is caused by over-current of the heater.

  • @user-ni5dj4dd3x
    @user-ni5dj4dd3x Жыл бұрын

    Do u have to drain hot water heater to change out thermostats and heating elements

  • @herbertspurrier5755
    @herbertspurrier57553 жыл бұрын

    It heats water below the thermostat setting hotter so it is a water heater. Whether the water is "hot" or not to begin with it heats it to the setting of the thermostat.

  • @bikerbobschoppers
    @bikerbobschoppers2 жыл бұрын

    Water heater great video.

  • @haryandhi2a794
    @haryandhi2a794 Жыл бұрын

    what the standard of ohm ?

  • @mikequirk1816
    @mikequirk18162 жыл бұрын

    In arizona in the summer you can call it a hot water heater but normally it is a WATER HEATER because normally you don have to heat hot water

  • @daddyawesomechannel7886
    @daddyawesomechannel78864 жыл бұрын

    Pls I need this element

  • @goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe9644
    @goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe96443 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video sir ,Thank You. Should it be cold water heater? ha ha

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    Does sound more appropriate right?

  • @808breaksbad.
    @808breaksbad.3 жыл бұрын

    The elements are so cheap that if you bother to take them out to test, you might as well change them regardless of whether they're bad or not. Can the elements be tested while still wired into the heater?

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    absolutely, remove one of the wires and do a continuity test with your meter. WARNING!!!! TURN THE POWER "OFF" to the water heater and test for voltage at the incoming wires at the top element tstat before proceeding to the test.

  • @harikrishnavemparala2071
    @harikrishnavemparala2071 Жыл бұрын

    cant we just tie the ends with two wires, throw it in a bucket of water and plug it in and check if it heats or not? i want to try this method because i dont have a multimeter available at the moment. is it a bad idea?

  • @FarmerDrew

    @FarmerDrew

    Жыл бұрын

    Heavy gauge wires necessary, make sure

  • @tahirabbas5482
    @tahirabbas54826 ай бұрын

    v nice

  • @hildegardmintz6552
    @hildegardmintz65523 жыл бұрын

    Yes

  • @paulhayes9200
    @paulhayes92002 жыл бұрын

    So can you check it with it in the tank and water in it?

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    2 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely, just remove the wires prior to checking. Of course, turn off the power to the heater and verify no power before hand.

  • @thefixer6433
    @thefixer64338 ай бұрын

    You're very good at describing things in simple, yet excellent terms Dan. Nice job. By the way. HOT WATER HEATER I believe a basic water heater would be what you connect to your pool. RIGHT ? GREG

  • @WABoothPlumbing
    @WABoothPlumbing3 жыл бұрын

    Water heater elements that are working usually test at or around 12.5 ohms. Anything majorly different means it may be going bad. But I don't know anything about ohms. Just what they should and should read in an element

  • @jessemendez647

    @jessemendez647

    7 ай бұрын

    Water heater

  • @brobinson8614
    @brobinson8614 Жыл бұрын

    Sometimes the water in a crack in the element can create a phantom resistance. But usually not exactly 12 ohms

  • @dominator8u281
    @dominator8u2814 жыл бұрын

    water heater, no need to heat hot water

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    4 жыл бұрын

    +Dominator 8u2 Good call!!

  • @jeremymitchell7112

    @jeremymitchell7112

    2 жыл бұрын

    Unless ya makin steam

  • @danjiles
    @danjiles4 жыл бұрын

    Let me know.... Is it “water heater or “hot water heater”. ? Give me your thoughts on this question.

  • @jessemendez647

    @jessemendez647

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hot water heater

  • @johnscroggins5981

    @johnscroggins5981

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yea who gives af

  • @franciscochaidez1240

    @franciscochaidez1240

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'd call it a water heater because it takes cold water and heats it to make it warm or hot water.

  • @coolramone

    @coolramone

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hot water heater is oldschool and redundant. It's lke saying a cold ice cube maker. 😂

  • @FistOFrost

    @FistOFrost

    3 жыл бұрын

    Saying hot water heater is like saying ATM machine. Is redundant... but not in a good way lol

  • @seller559
    @seller5593 жыл бұрын

    It’s a water heater.....but I have always called it the “hot water heater” lol

  • @davidsmith9988
    @davidsmith99883 жыл бұрын

    I’ve seen many elements beep but still are no good

  • @brandond5657
    @brandond56573 жыл бұрын

    Won't it read 240 if it's hot and good and won't read anything if bad

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    not likely, the wiring is only the hot side. no neutral to base voltage by. you would need to use OHM's for the testing.

  • @vincentmele7105
    @vincentmele71054 жыл бұрын

    I made a tool to empty water heaters using the element area if the drain valve don’t work like it should.

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    4 жыл бұрын

    Now that's a smart idea. and I guess you call it a "Water Heater" not a "Hot Water Heater" Thanks for watching.. You rock !!

  • @SisWDad

    @SisWDad

    3 жыл бұрын

    Can you please provide a picture of the tool.. I may be in the sane situation with drain valve

  • @yvonnemccebbin1877
    @yvonnemccebbin18773 жыл бұрын

    Is an electric water heater inside the house; how dangerous is it to cause explosion or fire?

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    I don’t think you need to worry about it. Most electric water heaters are in the home.

  • @velboyd5483

    @velboyd5483

    3 жыл бұрын

    If you have a LP water heater then it has the same risks the LP stove, furnace, bbq grill and other appliances have. The most common risk I have seen with water heaters are leaks due to age and disrepair. When a 100 gallon water heater springs a leak or goes entirely it can seriously damage a structure. It's a good idea to have a professional look it over at least every year, and to know how old it is so you have an idea when you need to replace it. I've seen a lot of unhappy people buying water heaters who didn't really recognize that they were replacing units that had performed years longer than intended.

  • @JJ-pv6id

    @JJ-pv6id

    2 жыл бұрын

    Why replace it if it is still working. If it works years beyond expectations you got a good one.

  • @kevinlewis1235
    @kevinlewis1235 Жыл бұрын

    OL is open line, not over limit. Ohms show you resistance. The tone just says the circuit is connected but doesn’t diagnose.

  • @buddyabernathy146
    @buddyabernathy1462 жыл бұрын

    If you live in Alabama you call it a Hot Water Heater just like we call soft drinks "cokes". We ask people, "What kind of coke do you want?"

  • @downdroneservices8910
    @downdroneservices891011 ай бұрын

    I’ve 58 resistance but no tone

  • @tywilfon9697
    @tywilfon9697 Жыл бұрын

    It's water heater. Good question!

  • @lostbuffalo196
    @lostbuffalo196 Жыл бұрын

    Dan...........................THANKS for the video. I assume you can do this test while the element if STILL IN THE HEATER ?? If so, should the electric be shut off??? THANK YOU. p.s. I vote for "water" heater.

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    Жыл бұрын

    First and foremost, make sure the power is off, double check with your meter at the incoming power at the water heater. Then remove the wires from the element so you can properly test continuity of the element.

  • @lostbuffalo196

    @lostbuffalo196

    Жыл бұрын

    @@danjiles Thank you Dan. I appreciate your good information and quick reply. Merry Christmas.

  • @brobinson8614
    @brobinson8614 Жыл бұрын

    In New Zealand we call it a hot water element, or a water heating element. And a hot water cylinder

  • @telefunkenas391
    @telefunkenas3913 жыл бұрын

    we call it boiler or vandens Šildytuvas (Lithuania)

  • @rebeccabush4224
    @rebeccabush42243 жыл бұрын

    Water heater - you don't need to heat hot water lol ( thanks for the help)

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks and thanks for watching.

  • @momooya2881
    @momooya28814 жыл бұрын

    If the element is bad (open circuit) the meter indicate infinite resistance not zero ohm!

  • @borntowrench8923
    @borntowrench89234 жыл бұрын

    Water heater haha! Water heater makes water hot lol!

  • @rossbartley221
    @rossbartley2213 жыл бұрын

    Hi - I'm from New Zealand. nWe call it a "Hot water cylinder".

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    Interesting. Thanks for commenting

  • @HAASgoggles

    @HAASgoggles

    3 жыл бұрын

    What if it tankless?

  • @fathomgathergood7690
    @fathomgathergood76903 жыл бұрын

    We just say hot water, its implied that it's the tank that is or isnt working. Or even hot water tank.

  • @bobbyjohnson4877
    @bobbyjohnson48773 жыл бұрын

    Always called it a hot water heater but thats kinda redundant

  • @jilll2338
    @jilll23383 жыл бұрын

    We call it hot water tank. Or water heater. Both are ok in my book. Thanks for the video.

  • @timj1196
    @timj11964 жыл бұрын

    If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound? 😬

  • @angelapayne9681
    @angelapayne96813 жыл бұрын

    Our family has always called them hot water heaters

  • @josephdavis2182
    @josephdavis21823 жыл бұрын

    It’s a “water heater element”. I never did agree with the term “hot” water heater element. If the water was already “hot” why would a water heater be needed?

  • @jdstaggers8805
    @jdstaggers88053 жыл бұрын

    Would of been helpful to see the meter settings

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sorry about that. I can see how it would help. I'll try to make the correction on upcoming videos. Thanks for the feedback.

  • @memphisoliver7049
    @memphisoliver70493 жыл бұрын

    I had to look at how I typed it in my search bar and I looked up " How to tell if your hot water heater element is bad." .

  • @insidedadshead9691
    @insidedadshead96914 жыл бұрын

    It’s a water heater or a hot water tank.

  • @stephanyochle6076
    @stephanyochle60763 жыл бұрын

    As long as it heats the water I dont care what you call it 😁

  • @chadepierce
    @chadepierce3 жыл бұрын

    It's a water heater, but I always call it "lil doggie".

  • @FirstReviewer
    @FirstReviewer2 жыл бұрын

    Well, Yes, I call it a "HOT" Water Heater, which in turn drives my professional electrician totally crazy when I say it in front of him. I am trying to do better, but being dyslexic it's not an easy task.

  • @marktrott9027
    @marktrott90273 жыл бұрын

    Always called it a hot water heater

  • @1953rhogan
    @1953rhogan3 жыл бұрын

    It's both. :)

  • @ajns746
    @ajns746 Жыл бұрын

    It's a water heater. A hot water heater would only heat hot water. Lol

  • @kevinoconnelljr4085
    @kevinoconnelljr40852 жыл бұрын

    Do you heat hot water?!no you dont lol

  • @marlinvernig2037
    @marlinvernig20373 жыл бұрын

    Cold water heater

  • @devyntaylor9292
    @devyntaylor92925 ай бұрын

    It's a water heater. It heats the cold, which makes it hot.

  • @davidclifton835
    @davidclifton8354 жыл бұрын

    Don't think you need to heat hot water.

  • @joansherman6660
    @joansherman66604 жыл бұрын

    It's a water heater but most people will say hot water heater. The heater makes it hot.

  • @wildwoodtop

    @wildwoodtop

    10 ай бұрын

    most people say 😲 water hot heater 😲

  • @asifsharif4154
    @asifsharif41542 жыл бұрын

    Hot water tank And its heating element

  • @raymondmcentire929
    @raymondmcentire9294 жыл бұрын

    Water heater

  • @damionsp
    @damionsp2 жыл бұрын

    Hot water cylinder or Geyser

  • @fitsco500
    @fitsco5003 жыл бұрын

    Wada heata.

  • @ljonesto
    @ljonesto3 жыл бұрын

    Water Heater

  • @larryhanson34
    @larryhanson343 жыл бұрын

    water heater

  • @davidearls6945
    @davidearls69453 жыл бұрын

    It's a cold water heater, why would you want to heat hot water, same goes with a non stop flight, at some point I want to get off the air plane, hope you have a great day.

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    I like your thinking.

  • @deniseosterholm6966
    @deniseosterholm69663 жыл бұрын

    I call it a Hot Water Tank, and a Heater Element

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    No doubt, Very good answer, I like it. Thanks for the input and thanks for watching

  • @deniseosterholm6966

    @deniseosterholm6966

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@danjiles Thanks for the response...

  • @killfloor7102
    @killfloor71023 жыл бұрын

    Water heater!

  • @yensabi
    @yensabi3 жыл бұрын

    It's actually a Resistance Heater........👍

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your input, I appreciate it more than you know.

  • @graylina1317
    @graylina13173 жыл бұрын

    Water heater! No need to heat hot water, used in the home!

  • @kevinkocher8750
    @kevinkocher87503 жыл бұрын

    Just water heater

  • @dean15221
    @dean152215 ай бұрын

    . It is both. It is a water heater cause it heats water and a hot water heater cause it reheats .

  • @tonybright7897
    @tonybright78973 жыл бұрын

    Its a water heater, no point in a hot water heater! If its already hot then one doesn't need to heat it.

  • @Juan67_Az
    @Juan67_Az2 жыл бұрын

    Water heater, in spanish we call it Boiler

  • @jeffhancock5351
    @jeffhancock53513 жыл бұрын

    It's a water heater. Hot water doesn't need heating.

  • @robertcook8350
    @robertcook83503 жыл бұрын

    waternheater

  • @denismusyoka2727
    @denismusyoka27274 жыл бұрын

    Water heater.

  • @Skinzfan317
    @Skinzfan317 Жыл бұрын

    Depends on if I'm speaking or typing lol. I SAY "hot water heater", but I type "water heater"

  • @TheSilencedSoldier713
    @TheSilencedSoldier7136 ай бұрын

    I’ve always just went with Water heater, as it’s being used to heat the water so therefore it’s not yet hot water being heated. And why would you heat already hot water lol. If your heating water then you don’t need the hot in the name as it’s in the wording of heating, as heating is to make hot. But there are many times I will say hot water heater 😂🤷🏼‍♂️ but most times I go with water heater.

  • @ronaldhysell3525
    @ronaldhysell3525 Жыл бұрын

    Water heater my friend

  • @maltflesh
    @maltflesh7 ай бұрын

    a water heater. since its heating water that is not hot yet.

  • @billycarithers5535
    @billycarithers55353 жыл бұрын

    water heater and i always correct my electricians when they say hot water heater... if its hot water already why do you need a water heater...

  • @sandrafisher3259
    @sandrafisher32593 жыл бұрын

    It is a hot water heater I have not had hot water in 4 days

  • @sandrafisher3259

    @sandrafisher3259

    3 жыл бұрын

    Help

  • @jennyblockerschlotterback1594
    @jennyblockerschlotterback15942 жыл бұрын

    I always call it a hot water heater

  • @tammydreiling9702
    @tammydreiling97022 жыл бұрын

    It's a water heater. Why would you need an appliance to heat hot water?

  • @garrettcampbell5995
    @garrettcampbell59957 ай бұрын

    Gotta be a water heater in order to have hot water. Simple facts.

  • @deanweaver2151
    @deanweaver21513 жыл бұрын

    Well that's a hot water tank

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    3 жыл бұрын

    Why, yes it is. Thanks for watching

  • @mkdsk101
    @mkdsk101 Жыл бұрын

    It is a water heater. You cannot heat hot water 🤣

  • @sparky3869
    @sparky38693 жыл бұрын

    Water heater. Why heat hot water

  • @derekbarth8678
    @derekbarth8678 Жыл бұрын

    I believe it would be water heater cuz you don't put hot water in it and then heat it up

  • @mikeh5570
    @mikeh55703 жыл бұрын

    It's water heater.

  • @ninakay67
    @ninakay674 жыл бұрын

    Hot Water Heater

  • @danjiles

    @danjiles

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ok... Your choice. Thanks for watching.

  • @gobears7471
    @gobears74712 жыл бұрын

    They are called. Water heater

  • @rockywhitman5534
    @rockywhitman55343 жыл бұрын

    It's a water heater you don't heat up hot water lol

  • @DanFKing-rp8go
    @DanFKing-rp8go5 ай бұрын

    Can’t be a hot water heater because its purpose is to heat the water. So it’s a water heater 😊

  • @user-iu6pm1hm1i
    @user-iu6pm1hm1i11 ай бұрын

    Water heater element.

  • @jamesscully6284
    @jamesscully62849 ай бұрын

    I call it a water heater, if the water is hot why would you heat hot water? To boil it?