Heating Element Replacement: Quick DIY Guide for Home Appliances

If your oven takes forever to heat up, your dishwasher leaves dishes damp, or your kettle sputters and stops, the culprit is often a faulty heating element. Swapping it out is usually cheaper and faster than calling a technician, and you don’t need a degree in engineering to do it. This guide walks you through the basics, so you can get your appliance back in action without the headache.

Why Replace the Heating Element?

The heating element is the part that turns electricity into heat. Over time it can burn out, develop cracks, or get coated in mineral deposits that reduce performance. When it fails, you’ll see symptoms like uneven heating, longer cooking times, error codes, or no heat at all. Replacing it restores the appliance’s original efficiency and can extend its life by several years. Plus, a new element prevents you from over‑working a struggling motor or pump, which could cause more expensive repairs later.

Step‑by‑Step Replacement Process

1. Gather the right tools. You’ll need a screwdriver set (usually Phillips), a nut driver or socket wrench, safety gloves, and a multimeter to confirm the element is dead. Have the replacement element on hand – match the model number or part number exactly.

2. Disconnect power. Unplug the appliance or switch off the circuit breaker. Even if you’re only working on a small part, a stray voltage can give you a nasty shock.

3. Access the element. For ovens, remove the back panel or the bottom drawer to expose the element housing. Dishwashers typically hide the element behind the bottom front panel. Take a picture before you undo anything – it helps you remember where screws and brackets go.

4. Remove the old element. Unscrew the mounting brackets and carefully pull the element out. Some models have a spring‑loaded clip; release it gently. If the element is soldered, you may need to cut the wires with wire cutters – note which wire is which.

5. Test the old element (optional). Hook up a multimeter on the ohms setting. A healthy element reads between 10‑30 Ω depending on wattage. If it reads infinite or zero, it’s definitely broken.

6. Install the new element. Position it in the same slot, re‑attach brackets or clips, and reconnect any wires exactly as they were. Tighten screws but don’t over‑torque – you want a snug fit without bending the element.

7. Reassemble and restore power. Put panels back, screw everything tight, and plug the appliance back in. Run a short test cycle (pre‑heat the oven to 180 °C or start a wash on a quick setting) to verify heat builds as expected.

8. Clean up. Dispose of the old element according to local electronics waste rules. Store any leftover screws in a small bag for future fixes.

If after the test the appliance still won’t heat, double‑check the wiring connections and the fuse in the power board. Sometimes a blown fuse mimics a dead element.

When to call a professional. If the element is hard‑wired behind a sealed panel, if you encounter corroded terminals, or if the appliance throws error codes you can’t decode, it’s safer to let a qualified technician step in. The cost of a professional visit in Northampton is usually around £60‑£80, plus the price of the part.

Replacing a heating element yourself can save you £50‑£150 on parts and labour. With the right tools, a clear set of steps, and a bit of patience, you’ll have hot meals, sparkling dishes, and steaming kettles again in no time.