So you’ve chosen to drastically reduce your energy output by purchasing an electric water heater. Or maybe you’ve heard about one but are hesitant to get one due to maintenance concerns. Water heating is essential to most daily life. Whether you’re making your morning cup of coffee or just getting started on a home cooked meal.

But how do they work?

Unlike their gas counterparts, electric water heaters work by directly heating the water through the use of an internal electric element. Typically a rod mechanism. However that is only the base design. One of the best designs for energy efficiency is the hybrid heat pump. This electric water heater design works by using the natural room temperature to essentially preheat the water. So that when it comes time to heat it doesn’t have to significantly increase the temperature.

How do I maintain them?

Electric water heaters are known to last in excess of a decade with little to no required maintenance. That being said its surprisingly simple to reset them if need be.

Step 1: Cut the power.

For safety reasons its best to cut the power to the water heater before resetting it. Put simply the trip switch is a safety feature. the water heater tripped due to some sort of unsafe change in power. If you find yourself having to constantly reset it then it may be time to call in a professional. The reason we’ll cut power first is to ensure we don’t reintroduce electricity to an unstable environment. We can cut the power by locating the circuit breaker box and flipping the water heater buttons to off.

Step 2: Remove the panel.

Most electric waters have either one reset panel. Which is located directly above the thermostat. If yours has two panels then you’ll want to unscrew both of them. The panels will be in clear view so need to go searching for hidden buttons.

Step 3: Flip the switch

Once the panels are removed you will typically come across insulation padding. Gently pull the padding out of the way and press the reset button. If you have two panels you’ll want to reset both of them. After this is complete you can retrace your steps back to one.

This is about all the maintenance you’ll typically need for an electric water heater. And in return you’re able to drastically reduce the energy output of your home.

 

For more information on plumbing and electric water heaters, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other towns in New Jersey, such as Livingston, Bergenfield and West Orange.