Whirlpool 188414 User Manual

7.

Close the drain valve. Open the nearest hot water 
faucet and allow the tank to fill completely with 
water. To purge the lines of any excess air and 
sediment, keep the hot water faucet open for 3 
minutes after a constant flow of water is obtained.

8.

Check for leaks around the element(s).

9.

Connect the electric wires to the heater element. 
Make sure all wires are secure.

10. Replace the insulation and access door(s).

Important: Operation of this water heater without 
access doors or insulation could result in much higher 
temperatures than the desired set point, increasing the 
risk of scald injury. Do not operate water heater with the 
access doors or insulation removed.

11. Make certain the tank is filled with water.

12. Restore the electric power supply to the water 

heater.

Replacement heating elements must be of the same 
style and voltage/wattage rating as the ones presently 
in the water heater. This information can be found on 
the flange or terminal block of the element or on the 
water heater data plate.

1.

Shut off the electric power to the water heater.

2.

Drain the water heater as directed under "Draining 
and Flushing".

3.

Remove the access door(s), insulation and element 
cover(s).

4.

Disconnect the electric wires from the heating 
element (Figure 9). Remove the screw-in elements 
by turning the element counterclockwise with an
1-½ inch socket wrench. Remove the existing 
gasket.

5.

Clean the area where the gasket fits to the tank. If 
you are replacing the bottom element, remove the 
accumulated sediment on the bottom of the tank. 
Refer to “Draining and Flushing.”

6.

Make sure the replacement element has the correct 
voltage and wattage rating. Position the new gasket 
on the element and insert it into the water heater 
tank (Figure 10). Tighten the element by turning it 
clockwise until secure.