Is a 4500 watt water heater more efficient?

Generally, when utilizing a 4500 Watt heater, it can simply process where around 18 to 25 gallons of water every hour is heated compared to a 5500 Watt heater that heats between 25 and 35 gallons every hour.

Can I use a 4500 wattage element in my water heater?





There are no problems with this as long as heater is connected to 30 amp breaker using 10 gauge solid copper wire. 2) You can convert ordinary residential water heater from 4500 watt elements to 5500 watt by replacing elements and get ‘4-7 more gallons hot water’ per tank.

How many watts is a typical hot water heater?

A typical water heater will use around 4000 watts. Click calculate to find the energy consumption of a water heater using 4000 Watts for 3 hours a day @ $0.10 per kWh.

What size breaker do I need for a 4500 watt water heater?

To answer the common homeowner query, “What size breaker do I need for a 4500 watt water heater?”, you’ll need either a 25-amp or 30-amp circuit breaker.

How long does it take a 50 gallon 4500 watt water heater to heat up?

The average gas water heater is around 40 gallons and takes about 30 to 40 minutes to heat 40-degree water up to 120 degrees. A 50-gallon unit will take about 40 to 50 minutes to heat up.

What is better a short or tall water heater?





Short water heaters are generally more energy-efficient as they have a lower power rating. They also heat the cold water faster than the tall ones due to the lower water volume in the storage tank.

Can you use a higher wattage element in a water heater?

Larger wattage is not ok. Product warranty, and electrical safety code, support same-wattage or smaller-wattage element. Do not use larger wattage element than shows on water heater label.

Are water heater elements standard?

There are three types: screw in, bolt in and clamp in. They all have different wattage ratings and can work on either 120 or 240 voltage. Check your state and local codes before starting any project.

What size breaker do I need for a 5500 watt hot water heater?

Meanwhile, an 80-gallon heater powered by 5500 watts and 240 volts, will result in 5500W/240V x (1.25 continual load) = 28.64 amps. Meaning, a 30-amp dedicated circuit breaker is enough.

How many watts is a 50 gallon water heater?



A typical 50 gallon electric water heater runs at 4500 watts. In an electric circuit of 240 volts, 4500 watts is equivalent to 18.75 amps.

Can I use a 50 amp breaker for a 30 amp water heater?

30 amps is where a 30 amp breaker should cut off, and to avoid that, you should only use 80% of the breaker’s capacity. So for a 30 amp breaker, you shouldn’t be using more than 24 amps. Using a 50 amp breaker and a dedicated outlet ensures that you don’t exceed the capacity of the circuit with that appliance.

Why does my water heater keep tripping the breaker?

It could be a loose or bad wire, a bad connection in the electrical panel, or a worn-out breaker. Check the wiring on the line for broken or loose wires. If the breaker trips and there are no problems on the line, then you’ll need to replace the breaker.

How long should a water heater last?



between 6 and 13 years

It would be nice to know when the time is right to replace your water before it springs a leak and causes an inconvenience or worse yet, damage to your home. Typically a residential hot water heater lasts between 6 and 13 years. Beyond 12 years, you are on borrowed time!

How do I stop my breaker from tripping the heater?

The first thing to do when a space heater trips the circuit breaker is to see if you are running the heater on the highest level. Most heaters have 2 settings for watts used. If your has that, reset the breaker and try to use it at the lower level. It might work fine on LOW heat (without tripping) but not on HIGH heat.

Why do I have to keep resetting my hot water heater?

In some cases, the water heater reset button will repeatedly trip. This is a warning sign of a larger issue such as a faulty thermostat, loose wiring, corroded parts, a grounding problem, or a malfunctioning high limit switch.

When should you hit reset button on water heater?



Keep in mind that a water heater’s reset button serves an important purpose—interrupting power in the event of a malfunction, such as a power surge or a faulty thermostat. If your water heater loses power repeatedly, there’s likely a problem that should be addressed by a professional Culpeper County plumber.

How do you check a hot water heater thermostat?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Move the second lead to the lower heating element terminal and the meter should indicate no continuity.

What does the thermal switch do on a water heater?

A thermal switch is installed in newer gas water heaters as a safety device. Blocked vents at the top and bottom of the water heater can cause excessive heat buildup inside the chamber and trip the thermal switch, shutting off the gas supply to the burner assembly.

What are signs that your hot water heater is going out?

7 Tell-tale signs of a Water Heater not working

  • You don’t have enough hot water. …
  • You have varying water temperature issues. …
  • You have a leaking water heater. …
  • You notice reduced water flow. …
  • You’re hearing some concerning sounds. …
  • You have smelly or discolored water. …
  • Your water heater is on the older end of the spectrum.


How do I know if my thermal switch is working?

Watch the needle on the digital multimeter display to determine if your thermal overload switch needs to be replaced. A functional thermal overload switch will cause the needle to move to “0”. If your thermal overload switch is faulty, the needle on the digital multimeter will not move at all.