Official GE water heater parts

Most common GE water heater parts that need replacing

1. Anode rod. The anode rod extends into the tank from the top panel of the water heater. Made of aluminum or zinc, the anode rod helps prevent tank corrosion by aggressively attracting oxidizing compounds that would normally corrode the tank. The tank lasts longer because the anode rod corrodes instead of the tank.
2. Dip tube. The dip tube is a high-temperature plastic tube that is inserted into the tank through the cold-water inlet port. The dip tube extends far down into the tank to distribute incoming cold water at the bottom of the tank for efficient heating.
3. Expansion tank. The expansion tank is a small water tank installed in the water supply line to the water heater. The expansion tank contains an air bladder that partially fills the tank. The air bladder cushions water hammer and absorbs excessive water pressure caused by thermal expansion. Water hammer is a pressure surge caused when water flow is forced to stop or change direction suddenly, which results in a hammering sound. Thermal expansion is a change in volume in response to a change in temperature through heat transfer.
4. Heating element. The heating element, which is the heat source inside an electric water heater, extends directly into the tank, where it heats the water around it. Most electric water heaters have two heating elements, one at the bottom of the tank and one at the top. The bottom element handles most of the load, heating cold water as it enters at the bottom of the tank. The top element only operates to give water at the top of the tank a quick water-heating boost when needed.

How to replace an electric heating element in your GE water heater

• Switch the 2 house circuit breakers dedicated for the water heater to OFF. Wear work gloves to protect your hands.
• Turn off the cold water supply to the water heater. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the unit and run the garden hose outside. Open a hot water faucet in the house or flip the relief valve open on the water heater. Open the drain valve and allow the tank to drain until empty.
• Remove the heating element’s access cover mounting screw and pull off the cover. Fold the insulation back to expose the heating element. Lift up the tab located at the top of the plastic shield to release the shield from the thermostat and remove the shield. Loosen the screws securing the wires to the heating element and disconnect the wires. Unscrew the heating element from the tank using a heating element socket. Pull the heating element out of the tank.
• Insert the new heating element in the tank and tighten firmly. Reconnect the wires to the new heating element and tighten the screws. Reinstall the plastic shield over the thermostat and heating element. Fold the insulation back over the thermostat and heating element. Reinstall the heating element cover and screw.
• Close the drain valve and remove the garden hose. Flip the relief valve to the closed position. Turn the cold water supply on to the water heater and allow the tank to fill with water. Once you see water coming out of the hot water faucet, turn the hot water faucet off.
• Flip the house circuit breakers to the on position.

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