Water Heater Thermostat Location

On most gas water heaters the gas control valve which includes both a thermostat and a heat limiting device are located on the outside of the unit near the bottom.

Water heater thermostat location.

The one on the right in the picture above t stat is the actual thermostat that controls the heat of the water. An electric hot water heater has two thermostats controlling two separate heating elements one in the upper half of the tank one in the lower half. The thermostats regulate the temperature of the water by turning off and on the heating elements. When you open the door to your water heater you should see a rectangular black section of insulation like the one in the photo below.

An electric water heater has one or two thermostats depending on the gallon size of the tank. The exact location is different with each manufacturer or model but it probably. Don t worry we are here to explain to you one of the most important components of the water heater that is none other than the thermostat. Both of them control their respective heating elements.

One is at the top and the other is at the bottom. The majority of electric water heaters have two thermostats. Gas water heaters use a different type of thermostat system. 2 remove the access cover panels located on the side of the tank.

It can be identified as the component with the controls for temperature and the pilot light. If the hot water heater is not working one of the thermostats may be bad. You will find two thermostats in your water heater. Usually when the upper thermostat goes bad you will have no hot water at all while a bad lower thermostat makes itself known when there is only a small amount of hot water before the tap water goes cold.

An upper and a lower located under two control panels. An electric water heater has two thermostats located under access panels on the side of the tank. Each thermostat has two wires attached to it. Turn off the circuit breaker to the water heater.