How
to replace thermostat on
electric water heater
 Upper thermostats have ECO reset button that trips when temperature reaches 150°-170° |  Dual element has additional screw See Larger |
Or 20 Amp circuit breaker to 120V water heater
Check side of water heater for appliance voltage see label
Voltage is also written on end of element see example
Test for electricity
on 120 or 240
Volt water heater
For 120 or 240V:
1. Test black wire to ground wire
2. Test black wire to white wire
3. Test white wire to ground wire
If indicator lights up, then electricity is present.
Use screwdriver to remove covers and insulation from tank
Some tanks have a single access door and single thermostat
Buy new parts that match old / buy parts at hardware store
Thermostats and elements are generally interchangable between brands of electric water heater
Some tanks have plastic shield over electrical parts
Instructions are same for both upper and lower thermostats
Use digital camera and take photo of wires or draw picture showing location of each wire
Remove wires from thermostat
Thermostat is held in place by metal spring that snaps over ears on thermostat
Pull back metal spring on both sides (make a tool using piece of coat hanger wire)
Slide out old thermostat
Put new thermostat in place, wiggle it around to make sure it is held flat and tight against tank by metal spring
Thermostat reads temperature through surface of metal tank
Adjust temperature to 120°
Re-connect wires <> tighten screws very firm against copper wire
When top thermostat is replaced, push-in red reset button to make sure it is engaged
After thermostat is replaced, put insulation or plastic cover over thermostat
Insulation must cover thermostat to avoid higher water temperatures than desired set point
Turn on power
Put ear against water heater to hear bubbly fizzing sound that says water heater is 'on'
Put access doors back on tank
Access doors and insulation are required for thermostat to read correct temperature
If water heater is still not working, see troubleshooting
Access doors and insulation must be put back over thermostat to avoid higher water temperatures than desired set point, which leads to overheating, which will trip ECO reset.
 | ECO energy cut off turns off power to water heater when temperature reaches 150°-170° |
Temperature sensor sends information to self-diagnostic control on top of heater
If you have: Self diagnostic control
Temperature-sensor ordered from Whirlpool or Craftmaster etc
Serial number + $37 required > instructions included with order
See more about Whirlpool Energy Smart
