What's Inside An Electric Water Heater? - Plumbing Basics - The Expert Plumber

What's Inside An Electric Water Heater? - Plumbing Basics - The Expert Plumber - Water Heaters 101

Have you considered switching from a gas water heater to an electric water heater? Are you worried about how the difference between electric water heaters and gas water heaters might affect your house?

Today we're taking a look inside of an electric water heater to show you what's inside and how electric water heaters work. These electric water heaters are designed very well have a few parts (some simple, some intricate) that make them work the way they do.

We'll cover some of the highlights of this specific model as well of some of the key features that make electric water heaters so unique.

Thanks for watching!

#TheExpertPlumber #HowToPlumbing #WaterHeaters

Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, LEED AP, The Expert Plumber and welcome to my channel. On this channel, I teach Realtors, homeowners, and home buyers how to save money on plumbing by showing them DIY plumbing, how to work with plumbers, and how to protect their plumbing.

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[RogerWakefield]

Thanks for watching!
💧Have something you've always wanted to ask a plumber?
💧 Leave it here in the comments and we'll answer it in a future episode!

[H.pylori]

This is exactly what I was looking for...an explanation of how this heater works. I have the same model. Thank you.

[DavidClawson-gm]

Thank you, now I know for sure my bottom heating element is bad.

[mguerramd]

Install a Corro-Protec powered anode rod and it's good for 20 years. It eliminates the sulfuric stink that is caused by the magnesium anode rods. If you have a water softener as well, you might easily get 20 to 30 years life out of your water heater. IF you change your regular anode rod out regularly, and flush the calcium out often if you don't have a water softener, you could also extend dramatically you water heater life. But the Corro-Protec anode rod eliminates the PIA of changing out the anode rod every few years. And really you need to pull and inspect the standard anode rod EVERY year so you know when to replace it. Now, if you do want to stick with regular anode rods (why?!) get an impact wrench and make life easier!

[JakeLosh]

Thanks for the high quality video. In a future video, would you consider discussing solar heating set-ups? Thanks very much!

[Initial_Gain]

Knew nothing about heated water tanks so thank you very much for this video. My electric water tank has been working for over 36 years and I didn't even know it needed maintenance. It had a 10 year guarantee by brand name SITAM. Never replaced anode and never flushed. Don't even know how. All I did was remove the thermostat-switch inside and clean it's contacts as it wasn't switching on. I did this twice during periods of time when it was necessary. It is now leaking slightly from 5 tiny holes at the bottom. They seem to be breather holes but don't really know. Don't know what to do should I keep using it or get it replaced or what. I took some photos of the thermostat-switch to remember how it was should I forget (if that is it's proper name). Any suggestions are welcome as to what I should do after all these years...

[whycantthisbeblank]

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you for calling this unit a "water heater" and not a "hot water We all know that is the correct term since hot water does not need to be heated. Nice video as well.

[jonathan]

Excellent video of explaining the inside of a water heater and how it works, I have a Question I have Ruud electric water heater 40 gallon, I'm replacing the elements and when I looked inside after removing the top element I see what looks like a wire running parallel top to bottom. It's close to the anode rod. What is that?

[joedaj]

What’s your thoughts on using the Turbo Tank Cleaner attachment?

[phillipcoiner]

The sacrificial anode has a lower electrolysis voltage than the other metal in your system. The erosion due to electrolysis comes out of the sacrificial anode and not the metal in your plumbing or tank. It does not fill in anything.

[MicahFunk]

Has something changed in regards the pressure relief valve, in that it's now recommended to open them regularly to test them? Years ago the instructions from the water heater companies were to never open that valve because it weakens the spring and can cause the valve to leak prematurely.

I guess I need to research this to see if things have indeed changed.

[jonathankeenan]

How do you safely set water temperature when changing the thermostats? Can you do a video on that?

[toddflack]

Just out of curiosity, is the insulation surrounding the interior water tank the same as the insulation that is under the access panels where the thermostat/element is? Or is it a more substantial foam type insulation?

[chaibanengineer]

great video informative about anatomy of water heaters great

[Mmmm.Bacon.]

Great video. What if you replace the thermostats and elements and the water heater still does not perform? I get a voltage of 232 across the top element, but the water temperature at the sink a few feet away never gets above 87°.

What might cause this? 7 year old water heater.

[ashwantnaidu]

Can You Do A Full Tank Demo And How It Looks With A Full Tank Of Water. I Always Think When Full Tank How Does It Shut Off

[LarryB-inFL]

@1:34 The longer heating element does not help heat the water faster...that is entirely dependent upon the number of Watts you are putting in. The longer element reduces the Watt density, which keep the heat spread over a bigger area and that keeps the element from scaling so badly.

[danielmadera]

What prevents the water from being electrified?

[Anonymous-wbyj]

Can a roof water tank work on the same principal as that of a water heater, that is without an overflow valve?

[cathydurham]

I have a Whirlpool electric heater. No hot water. Have replaced both heating elements and both thermostats, still no hot water. What else could it be. It's getting electric to it . Could it be the Anode rod ? How long is it, I only have 33 inches from top of heater to the ceiling. Thanks