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Figure volts amps watts for water heater | 9 Ways to save with a water heater | Do-it-yourself |
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How
to install electric meter on 240Volt water heater |
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| Method 1: Install in-line electric meter: Installing electric meter as shown in Method 1 will not affect water heater warranty. | ||||||||||||||||
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| Step 1: Turn off 240Volt circuit breaker. Test wires for voltage Test Black wire to bare ground wire. Test Black wire to White wire Test White wire to bare ground wire If wires show voltage, then check that correct breaker was turned off. | ||||||||||||||||
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 | Step 3: Review electric meter 1) Buy digital electric-meter and meter box at local electric supply -or- on internet, for example e-bay. Analog meter will work for longer periods of time. Digital meter is recommended and easier to see day-by-day results. 2) Turn off 240Volt circuit breaker. Disconnect 240Volt lines from water heater. Always turn off power whn installing or removing meter 3) Attach meter box to solid surface using screws. Meter box has 4 prongs. Connect 240Volt lines from circuit breaker to top prongs. 4) Run new wire between water heater to meter box. Connect one end to lower prongs on meter box. Connect other end to water heater. 5) Stab meter into meter box. It takes strong push to install meter. Meter 'plugs in' like extension cord, and there are no screws or fasteners that hold meter in place. 6) Turn 240Volt circuit breaker ON. Meter records usage as water heater consumes power. | |||||||||||||||
 Larger image | Step 4: attach wire to meter box READ INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH METER Wires from circuit breaker may need to be connected to lower screws. 1) Attach meter box to wall or supports with screws. Meter box must be strong and secure. Keep meter box level so meter is level and looks right 2) Use conduit, or approved connections at meter box. This example shows 1" gavanized pipe and attachment brace. 3) Connect 240Volt wires from circuit breaker to top prongs inside meter box. 4) Screw down terminals very tight against wire. | |||||||||||||||
 See wire gauges | Example wiring shows 10-2 wire with ground. The black wire is Hot. The white wire is Hot There is no neutral in the example wiring.  Read more about electric wiring | |||||||||||||||
 Larger image | Step 5: attach 2nd wire to meter box Install new wire between water heater and meter box. Example shows orange-colored 10 gauge wire recommended for water heater circuit. Use same gauge wire as original wire from circuit breaker. Do not use smaller gauge wire. Larger wire is fine since it runs with less heat loss. See wire sizes Connect one end of new wire to lower prongs on meter box. Connect other end to water heater.
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 Larger image | If you are connecting 10-3 wire to meter The Neutral wire does not connect to meter For example when installing meter on electric dryer.  10-3 w/g (with ground) NM-B indoor household wire How to wire 240Volt outlets See wire gauges and charts | |||||||||||||||
| Turn breaker(s) OFF when installing and removing electric meter | ||||||||||||||||
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 Anticipate
that Kwh usage recorded on meter is
for your specific water heater, at your location,
in the heater's current age and condition, with your thermostat setting, and local incoming water temperature, and your
usage pattern. Figures should not be generalized and do not
apply to all water heaters.Best way to get accurate measure is to run meter test for entire year. e-mail your scientific results Note: Water heaters run more when temperature of incoming water is colder. So water heater runs more in winter. Set thermostat lower and water heater will run less. When hot water consumption is greater, then water heater runs more. If house has hot water dripping from faucet, then water heater runs more. If water heater has sediment that fills close to lower element, then water heater runs more, etc. Read 9 ways to save with water heater | ||||||||||||||||
 Installing in-line electric meter shown above in Method 1 above will not void warranty Altering water heater in Method 2 below will void water heater warranty Method 2: Installing Hour meters  Altering
water heater by adding hour meter as shown below will void warrantyIf hour meter is installed directly to incoming wires at top of water heater, the meter will run full-time since it will receive power full time. Advantage of Hour meters is ability to measure run-time difference between upper and lower elements. | ||||||||||||||||
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Use
240 Volt Hour meter Requires two 240Volt hour meters. One meter for each element. Install meter on each element as shown in illustration. 240Volt potential exists across element terminals. When thermostat closes the circuit, then 240Volt element is turned ON. The hour meter will turn ON at same time. Do not
install stranded wire and solid wire under same screw terminal. Do not
install 2 different gauge wires under same screw terminal. Doing so can
result in loose wires and heat damage to element and wires. Connect wires with wire nut, then put one wire under element screw plate. |
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 Larger image | Factory protector, insulation and covers must be put over both elements and thermostats so water heater thermostat will read correct temperature. Thermostat exposed to cooler room temperatures and will misread tank temperature, leading to scalding and overheating dangers. Water heater safety precautions Troubleshoot electric water heater | |||||||||||||||
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Elements and thermostats on electric water heater. See larger wiringHow to wire water heater thermostats How to troubleshoot electric water heater For more Do-it-yourself water heater How-to's |
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Install
Hour meters Illustration is for illustration purpose only. Wiring should NOT be open as shown in illustration. All wiring should be enclosed inside covered electrical box. Actual installation might require drilling holes in water heater covers and installing electrical box directly to front of water heater. Factory
insulation and covers must be put over both elements and
thermostats so water heater thermostat will read correct temperature Altering
water heater will void warranty |
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Wattage of each element is
printed on side of element. Label on side of tank also shows watt rating. How to figure volts, amps, watts for electric water heater How to test elements |
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How much does it cost to run electric water heater Compare your meter results with charts below and then e-mail your scientific results
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3
hours is approximate daily run-time for water heater
[depending on
usage and temperature of incoming water etc] Bath uses 12-15 Gallons hot water <> shower uses 5-9 Gallons hot water > Hot water use chart Example 5500 Watts x 3 hours = 16,500 watt-hours or 16.5 Kwh per day For a full 30-day month <=> 30 days x 16.5 Kwh per day = 495 Kwh per month for water heater electricity Calculate cost <=> 495 Kwh x $.10 per Kwh = $49.50 + add tax |
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3 hours per day
5500 Watt = 495 Kwh per month4500 Watt = 405 Kwh per month 3500 Watt = 315 Kwh per month 1500 Watt = 135 Kwh per month Watts appear on water heater label |
3
hours a day @ 10¢ per
Kwh 5500 Watt tank = $49.50 per month 4500 Watt tank = $40.50 per month 3500 Watt tank = $31.50 per month 1500 Watt tank = $13.50 per month + add tax |
3
hours a day @ 12¢ per
Kwh 5500 Watt tank = $59.40 per month 4500 Watt tank = $48.60 per month 3500 Watt tank = $37.80 per month 1500 Watt tank = $16.20 per month |
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| 3
hours a day @ 14¢ per
Kwh 5500 Watt tank = $69.30 per month 4500 Watt tank = $56.70 per month 3500 Watt tank = $44.10 per month 1500 Watt tank = $18.90 per month |
3
hours a day @ $.16 per Kwh 5500 Watt tank = $79.20 per month + tax 4500 Watt tank = $64.80 per month 3500 Watt tank = $50.40 per month 1500 Watt tank = $21.60 per month |
3
hours a day @ $.20 per Kwh 5500 Watt tank = $99.00 per month + tax 4500 Watt tank = $81.00 per month 3500 Watt tank = $63.00 per month 1500 Watt tank = $27.00 per month |
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| Average electric price by state |
Avg state price chart in pdf | ||
 Larger image | 120Volt Use Kill A Watt meter to measure 120V electric usage for TV, refrigerator, etc Instruction .pdf More energy meters More energy meters Energy savers at Smarthome | ||
 | Family charts: Math charts for setting water heater timer by incoming water temperature Calculation for heating water with electricity | ||
 How to flush gas water heater |
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 9 ways to save with water heater |
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