
All water heaters use a thermostat and an ECO (Emergency Cut Out) or high limit switch. Some models use a reset switch and can be reset by simply pressing the black rubber push button or a small pin type button located on the ECO switch. … Retrieve Full Source Direct Vent Tankless Water Heater Operation And Installation …
Full Answer
How do I reset the heater?
– Detailed Tutorial
- Things You Will Need for This Guide. Resetting a tankless water heater is not as complicated as you might think. ...
- Steps for Resetting a Tankless Water Heater. Cut off the power to the tankless water heater. ...
- Some Notes on Resetting Specific Tankless Water Heater Brands. ...
- Conclusion. ...
Why your water heater reset button keeps tripping?
- Thermostat has failed. One of the reasons why the reset button trips is when the thermostat has failed and got locked in the ON position, making one of the heating ...
- Loose wire connections. ...
- Inaccurate temperature reading. ...
- Heat element shorted to ground. ...
- Other reasons. ...
- Summary. ...
How to reset your water heater?
How will you know when it's time to replace your water heater? You'll notice that the water doesn't get nearly as hot or the water pressure is odd. Some people notice a change in the smell or color of hot water in their tap. These are all signs that the ...
How do you turn up the hot water heater?
- Use water softener. The sediment build-up is much more likely to happen in hard water. ...
- Flush the water tank annually. ...
- Treat your water heater with an adequate cleaner after flushing. ...
- Make sure your pipes are in good condition. ...
- Be on the lookout for any signs of sediment build up. ...

Do all electric water heaters have a reset button?
Somewhere on your electric water heater, you'll find a reset button. It's usually red and often located near the thermostat. It may also be hidden behind a removable metal panel on the unit—and then behind some insulation. Once you find the button, push and release it.
Where is reset button on hot water heater?
1:123:17HOW TO RESET ELECTRIC WATER HEATER - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere is our reset button this one is red we're going to press the button and sometimes the button isMoreHere is our reset button this one is red we're going to press the button and sometimes the button is black.
Why can't I reset my water heater?
What do you do if the water heater reset button doesn't reset? You might have a faulty thermostat. If the hot water heater keeps tripping the reset button, the cause may be the high limit switch. What's happening is that the thermostat is not properly managing the heat.
What causes hot water heater reset button to trip?
The high resistance caused by a loose wire produces a substantial amount of heat that can eventually cause fires. If there is a loose electrical connection within your water heater's system, your reset button's thermometer can trip (regardless of the water's temperature) if it picks up the heat from that loose wire.
Do gas hot water heaters have a reset button?
The reset button is often red and located near the thermostat or behind a metal panel that is removable on the unit. When you find it, push the reset button and then release it. There may be a lower thermostat button also known as a second reset button.
What causes hot water to stop working?
No Power or Gas If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Additionally, some electric water heaters have a circuit-style safety switch located near or on the thermostat.
How do I restart my water heater?
0:503:06How to Reignite a Hot Water Heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAround inside the panel to familiarize yourself with the pilot. And thermocouple. That are locatedMoreAround inside the panel to familiarize yourself with the pilot. And thermocouple. That are located on the burner assembly. The pilot assembly is usually silver in color and has two small lines
How do I know if my water heater is bad?
5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Water HeaterYour Water Heater is too Old.Rusty Water or Heater Inlet Valve.Water Heater Noise.Water Heater Leaking.Water Heater Not Heating.
How do I reset my heater?
1:192:03How to Troubleshoot and Reset a Furnace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're gonna come to a light switch it can be located on your left side of the furnace. Or on theMoreYou're gonna come to a light switch it can be located on your left side of the furnace. Or on the right this happens to be on the right side.
How long does it take for hot water to reset?
Your average gas tank water heater takes about 30 to 40 minutes to heat water once it gets in the tank....Water Heater Recovery Heat Up Times Comparison Chart.Water Heater TypeTime to Heat Back UpGas – Conventional Tank30-45 minsGas Tankless0 minsElectric – Conventional Tank60-80 minsElectric Tankless0 minsOct 27, 2021
How do I know if my hot water heater thermostat is bad?
How Do I Check My Water Heater Thermostat?No hot water – This most likely indicates a problem with the upper thermostat.Not enough hot water – This most likely indicates a problem with the upper thermostat.Slow hot water recovery – This is another problem that can occur when the lower thermostat is malfunctioning.More items...•
Why does the red button on my water heater keep tripping?
If your water heater reset button keeps tripping, one of your heating elements may be broken or worn out. As this component is used to heat water, your hot water heater won't work without it. When the reset button on a water heater thermostat keeps tripping, the metal casing of the heating element may have cracks.
Why does my water heater reset button trip?
Thermostats aren’t the only parts on an electric water heater that can wear out and trip the reset button, especially if you’re finding you have to reset the water heater frequently or you run out of hot water fast and often . The high-limit switch is bad.
Why does my water heater reset switch keep tripping?
Why Does the Switch Keep Tripping? One of the main causes for the reset switch to trip is because the water heater is actually letting the water get too hot. This is probably an indication of a faulty thermostat in either the upper or lower heating element.
What to check when you have hot water?
What To Check When You’re Having Hot Water Problems. The first thing you should check is the water heater’s reset switch , which is usually a red button on the upper thermostat of an electric water heater (you will need to remove the small panel to access it).
What happens if a water heater tripping a circuit breaker?
If your circuit breaker trips and needs to be reset, the water heater stops getting electricity to run. If the water heater keeps tripping the circuit breaker, you should get a professional in to check the water heater and the circuit breakers themselves to make sure there aren’t any other electrical appliances sharing that same breaker.
What controls the temperature of water in a water heater?
These thermostats control the heating elements in the water heater. As the water sits in the tank, it will start to cool off. The thermostats kick in to reheat the water. Once the water heats to the temperature set on the high-limit switch, the thermostats shut off. If the lower heating element or thermostat goes bad, ...
How does a water heater work?
The way a water heater works is pretty simple. Water in the pressurized tank fills from the bottom up and heats from the bottom up as well. Fresh water fills at the bottom and the lower heating element heats that water. As the water fills to the top, the upper heating element keeps the water hot. Each section has its own heating element ...
What happens if you short a thermostat?
You have a short in the heating element. If this happens, the thermostat may still work correctly, but the short will continue to heat the water beyond the correct temperature and trip the high-limit switch.
What is the reset button on a water heater?
Your water heater reset button is a safety device that shuts off power to your water heater when the water temperature inside it exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
How many thermostats does an electric water heater have?
Electric water heaters have 2 thermostats and 2 heating elements. There is an upper and lower thermostat/element pairing as seen in the diagram below. Diagram of electric water heater. Photo courtesy: Waterheatertimer.org.
Why does my water thermometer have a short?
A short in one of the heating elements allows power to flow through the element even after the thermometer shuts off its power. This means the heating element is still working and will continue to increase the water temperature, eventually tripping the reset button.
What is the job of a thermostat?
The thermostat’s job is to monitor the temperature of the water in the tank and shut off the heating element when it reaches your set temperature.
Can a plumber repair a water heater?
The good news is that a professional can both test and repair your water heater. If you’re in the Atlanta area and are in need of a professional plumber to repair your water heater, schedule your appointment with Mr. Plumber today.

What to Check When You’Re Having Hot Water Problems
Upper and Lower Heating Elements – How An Electric Water Heater Works
- The way a water heater worksis pretty simple. Water in the pressurized tank fills from the bottom up and heats from the bottom up as well. Fresh water fills at the bottom and the lower heating element heats that water. As the water fills to the top, the upper heating element keeps the water hot. Each section has its own heating element and thermostat. These thermostats control the h…
What Is The High-Limit Switch?
- The high-limit thermostat should be set at a temperaturethat gives you nice, hot water, but not boiling water that can burn or scald you. Your tap water should never come out as hot as boiling water. Once you set the thermostat, the water should never heat above that set temperature. If it does, the high-limit switch will trip and the upper heating element will shut off.
Other Reasons For A Hot Water Heater Reset Button to Trip
- Thermostats aren’t the only parts on an electric water heater that can wear out and trip the reset button, especially if you’re finding you have to reset the water heater frequently or you run out of hot waterfast and often. 1. The high-limit switch is bad. If the high-limit switch starts malfunctioning and overheating the water, the switch will trip. 2. Wiring is loose. A loose wire in …