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Check the Upper Heating Element

This is a continuation of previous steps. If you started here, please refer to previous steps to ensure you've followed all safety precautions.

Your water heater is equipped with an Energy Cutoff (ECO). The ECO is a safety device designed to cut power to the unit if the water becomes excessively hot. If the ECO has tripped, this is likely an indication of a non-functioning thermostat or a grounded heating element.

WARNING! A non-functioning thermostat or grounded heating element can cause the water heater to produce extremely hot water causing severe injury or death.

The information on this web site is supplemental to the printed instructions that came with your water heater. To reduce the risk of property damage, serious injury or death, read and follow all labels on the water heater and the safety instructions in the printed owner's manual.

Step 1: Test the Upper Heating Element

If the lower heating element is not shorted, test the upper heating element for a short.
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  • If the lower heating element is not shorted, test the upper heating element for a short.

  • Check for a short between each heating element screw and the inner steel tank.

  • If you get any kind of resistance reading or an audible beep, then it means the element is shorted.

  • If the upper element has a short, you will need to replace the upper heating element.

  • Select below whether the element was shorted or not.

Upper element was shorted
Upper element was not shorted