In various aspects, the present application describes a heating element assembly for a liquid heater, embodiments of which may include an electrically conductive termination rod with a base portion defining a securement opening. An electrically conductive fastener may include a shank portion for fitting into the securement opening. The heating element assembly may have a head portion larger than the securement opening, and an electrical resistance heating element comprising a continuous coil. An end portion of the continuous coil may be formed to loop around the fastener shank portion. The end portion may be in electrical contact with the fastener head portion and the termination rod base portion. An adjacent portion of the continuous coil may be formed to clear the fastener head portion as the adjacent portion extends from the end portion. The continuous coil may have a coil axis substantially aligned with a lengthwise axis of the fastener.