Replace an Electric Water Heater

Six hours. One Saturday. Cold showers Friday night,hot water Saturday night.

An electric water heater is the single most DIY-able major appliance in a house. The connections are simple (two 240V wires, two water lines, one drain line), the plumbing is standard, and the electrical is straightforward - but the combination of 50 gallons of hot water and 240V in the same fixture means the sequence matters.

This book walks the complete replacement:

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• Diagnosis: is it actually the heater, or the thermostat?
• Sizing the replacement (gallons, height, width, connection
• Shutoff and drain (the step that takes the longest).
• Disconnecting supply lines and electrical.
• Getting the old tank out (always heavier than you think).
• Positioning the new tank.
• Plumbing the supply lines with flex connectors.
• Wiring the 240V supply.
• The T&P valve and drain pan - code requirements.
• Filling and purging air (the step that fries elements if
• Energizing and testing temperature.

Written for the homeowner with basic electrical and plumbing experience. If you've replaced a faucet and changed a 240V circuit breaker, you have the skill to do this.