SP10869MM Screw-In 240-volt by 4500-watt Element, Premium Resistored Stainless Steel

Exactly as described

Installed on a 19 year old electric A.O Smith 50 gallon(tall). I was kind of apprehensive on not using OEM coils, but these were a huge step up. Turns out, the previous owner of my house had put in some extra cheap and undersized elements that were rated for a tank that’s half the size. Here’s some basic tips aside from normal procedure: When removing the elements, assuming you are using these Rheems, or anything alike, forget the flimsy element wrench. Get a 1- 1/2 inch (one and a half inch) socket. Attach it to a breaker bar and a extension. Sounds like over kill but it was absolutely needed. Wouldn’t budge when just using my large socket wrench. When installing the new elements, coat the seal that comes with each element with a light coat of dawn dish soap. This will prevent the seal from getting torn when you tighten them. Just a note, I didn’t use my breaker bar to tighten. I used my large socket wrench for that. And here’s my biggest tip. Assuming you drained the tank(like you should…some people actually yank the elements with water I’m still in the tank, and try to change elements as quickly as possible. You might save a few minutes but you created a huge mess and probably cross threaded your element from rushing) Back to that big tip…when the element are installed and you start to fill up the tank, go crack open your HOT water on as many faucets throughout your house. Do not flip on the breaker to give it power yet!! You’ll notice tons of air coming through your faucets. When it is a steady stream coming out of all of them, you’re good to go. Then flip on the breaker. Just wanted to mention, I had hot water within 40 minutes after installing. Pretty impressive Hope this helps.

nices

Bought a house with all-electric 50 gal hot water heater. Was having issues running out of hot water fairly quickly. Thought the issue was due to sediment. After draining, cleaning out sediment (not as much as feared), I realized the bottom element had been replaced with a cheap "simple loop" element. Not sure why the previous owner didn't replace with OEM or at least a similar fold-back LWD (low watt density) element. Maybe they had an emergency on Thanksgiving and 7-11 was the only store open? Not sure. I swapped the 3rd party element with this model. My hot water is now far more stable and lasts longer.

Prefect replacement part