50 gallon Rheem electric water heater and stupid son

[techiegirl]

I have a 50 gallon water heater. The water heater has been winterized, water lines shut off and electric breaker to the heater off.

The lights went off and my son freaked out and turned all the breakers that I have off to the ON position. I noticed when I went in the stove time was lit on and went to check and he turned on the electricity to the water heater. This was Oct 16 when he did it and now is Nov 3 and I shut if off. I was wondering why the electricity use was more as the water heater was attempting to fill up with no water. From my understanding, will this damage the heating element with it running with no water on and off for 18 days? I don't want to fill it up and check it that way as it is a pain to drain it again. Do you know if the water heater will be fine? I don't even know how much it would cost to replace it if it was damaged... It was a new water heater when I got the place. No one used the house where the water heater is. when shaking the unit, I do hear a bit of water still on the bottom, even tho we drained it all out before... Thanks

 

[GReynolds929]

If the water heater was drained and there was no water covering the elements when power was turned on the elements are destroyed and need replaced. I always replace the thermostats when I replace elements, but yours may not need replaced. With the water heater drained the element replacement is pretty straightforward. Just make sure to keep power of until there is water coming out of the hot side of a faucet.

 

[techiegirl]

Thank you