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PeeWee 1949
Jan 19, 2009, 02:10 PM
Recently I changed the elements in my water heater. Now I have about half the quantity of hot water than before. What do I do to check the problem?

Missouri Bound
Jan 19, 2009, 06:16 PM
Any chance you turned on the heater BEFORE it was full of water? It happens all the time and it's the best way to burn out a new element. Why did you change the elements in the first place?

PeeWee 1949
Jan 19, 2009, 06:37 PM
I was receiving high utility bills and the electrical provider advised me to change the elements in my water heater. It had been several years since I had done that, so I took their advice. After installing the elements. I bled the air from the lines while filling the tank and was sure the tank was full before energizing the elements.

Missouri Bound
Jan 19, 2009, 06:41 PM
But everything worked OK BEFORE you changed them?

PeeWee 1949
Jan 19, 2009, 06:56 PM
Yes. I bought new thermostats today and will install them shortly, and if that doesn't work I assume when I purchased new elements, one was bad from the manufacturer. Would you agree with that?

Missouri Bound
Jan 19, 2009, 06:58 PM
More than likely the elements are the wrong wattage. How old is the water heater? And quit listening to the electric company for advice.

PeeWee 1949
Jan 19, 2009, 07:03 PM
They are the right wattage. 4500 watts. And I agree with your advice about listening to the utility company

Missouri Bound
Jan 19, 2009, 07:06 PM
Any chance you mis-wired the thermostats? They work sequencially, never together.

PeeWee 1949
Jan 19, 2009, 07:12 PM
The wires were taken from the elements only. Not the thermostats, so there would be no way they could be wired wrong. 2 wires per element (top and bottom). I haven't replaced the thermostats yet.

Missouri Bound
Jan 19, 2009, 07:14 PM
If you have a voltmeter, check what's coming to the thermostats.. reset the breaker also. Seems unlikely you have a bad element, but you can test them without removing them if you have an ohm meter.

PeeWee 1949
Jan 19, 2009, 07:22 PM
I don't have a vltmeter, but do have a voltage tester. It shows 240 volts comining to the top of the top thermostat, but I can't get a reading of 240 to either of the elements. I can only get a reading of 120V. To each element.