My powerbill was twice this month what it was last month. We do not heat with electricity - only hot water, lights, appliances. Checking the meter and turning breakers off and on points to one of the water heaters as the culprit. How can I tell which element or thermostat is the problem without buying an expensive amp meter?

It wouldn't be the thermostat that draws down the current. You really need a Amp-Probe to check the elements. Start with the hardest working one. The bottom one. Each element should draw no more then 19 amps. If it does, change it out. Good luck , Tom

Unless tvhasben's heating system was electric. We purchased a gold medallion home in 1972 with radiant heat in the ceiling. Each room had a separate thermostat; all the original equipment in a ten-year-old home. Many had failed and all in the "on" position. Our first electric bill was outrageous and improved dramatically after we replaced the bad thermostats. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tvhasben

My powerbill was twice this month what it was last month. We do not heat with electricity - only hot water, lights, appliances. Checking the meter and turning breakers off and on points to one of the water heaters as the culprit. How can I tell which element or thermostat is the problem without buying an expensive amp meter?

---

Buy a clamp type amp probe. You can get one at harbor freight or sears for under 20 dollars

I am an electrician who needs some information on the gold medallion radaint ceiling heat used in the 1970's. I would lke to know if you can tell me how the radiant heat elements actually run through the ceiling itself. I was trying to look at it directly up in the attic but could not visibly see it. How can I tell where the elemnts run through the sheetrock itself. A clint of mine wants me to cut in ceiling lights but he is afraid I will cut into the heating elements. Can you answer this for me? I would really appreciate it. It actually means quite a bit of money for me. Thank you Brendan J Hehir

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bjhehir77

I am an electrician who needs some information on the gold medallion radaint ceiling heat used in the 1970's. I would lke to know if you can tell me how the radiant heat elements actually run through the ceiling itself. I was trying to look at it directly up in the attic but could not visibly see it. How can i tell where the elemnts run through the sheetrock itself. A clint of mine wants me to cut in ceiling lights but he is afraid I will cut into the heating elements. Can you answer this for me? I would really appreciate it. It actually means quite a bit of money for me. Thankyou Brendan J Hehir

---

Almost certainly he will cut the heat cable. I can't speak for the specific brand, but whatever brand(s) I have run into, there is a single conductor stapled to the room side of the rock lath and then the plaster is applied over that. This cable will usually be one continuous run back and forth about 4 to 6 inches apart.

I have already found the wires by spraying the ceiling lightly and evenly with water and then turning the heat on. The water drys first where there is heat cable. Mark your spot quickly before everything drys. Or just sigh in disappointment when you realize you can't do it. :( Sometimes, if you are really fortunate, you can find them with a non-contact voltage tester, but that is iffy.

EPM