Reliance electric water heater has some hot water but runs out quickly

Safety first: Turn OFF power at the breaker and verify with a tester. Allow water to cool before draining or removing elements.

Steps to check:

• 1. Access lower compartment: Remove the lower access panel and insulation to expose the lower thermostat and element.
• 2. Inspect wiring: Check for loose or burned wires at the thermostat and element terminals. Tighten or repair as needed.
• 3. Test element resistance: With wires removed from the element, measure resistance across the element terminals. A typical 4500W/240V element reads around 12–13Ω. Infinite resistance indicates a failed element.
• 4. Check for ground fault: Measure between each element terminal and the metal tank. Any continuity indicates a shorted element that must be replaced.
• 5. Replace element/thermostat: If the element is bad, drain the tank below element level, remove the element, and install a new Reliance-compatible element with a new gasket. If the element is good but not powered, replace the lower thermostat.

Note: Always refill the tank completely and purge air from hot taps before restoring power to avoid dry-firing the new element.