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.
Side note: the reset button is also sometimes referred to as the ECO (emergency cut off) switch or “high limit safety thermostat switch”.
So, what’s causing the button to keep tripping? There are a number of possible underlying problems. We’ll show you the 4 most common.
Note: We highly recommend hiring a licensed plumber to take care of any repairs on your water heater.
Reason #1: Bad thermostat
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
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.
But when a thermostat goes bad, it sometimes gets “stuck” and doesn’t turn off the element it serves. This allows the element to keep heating the water until the reset button trips. If this is the problem, you’ll need to replace the thermostat.
Reason #2: Loose electrical connection
Loose electrical connections are a hazard no matter where they occur. 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.
Reason #3: Bad heating element
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.
Reason #4: Bad reset button
Just like all parts of the water heater, the reset button will eventually suffer from wear and tear. This can cause it to perform less effectively and continually trip regardless of the temperature of the water in the tank.
The reset button is actually part of your upper thermostat. So, if this is the problem, you’ll need to replace the whole thermostat.
So, how do I know which is causing the reset button to trip?
Diagnosing this problem on your own is tricky and dangerous because you’re dealing with 240 volts of electricity.
Unless you’re experienced with wiring and electrical components, we suggest leaving it to a professional to pinpoint your specific issue. 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.
Related Reading:
- 3 Signs Your Water Heater Will Go Bad Soon
- Should I Repair or Replace my Old Water Heater?
Mr. Plumber is headquartered in Marietta, Georgia and has three locations to serving the Atlanta metro area.
From hot showers to washing the dishes, our hot water heaters are pretty important. Year after year, they constantly work hard for our families. However, as wear and tear is normal, these water heaters can experience problems at any time.
While a number of issues can happen, one of the most common is when a water heater reset button keeps tripping. When this happens, it can cause a lot of frustration for everyone. Luckily, finding where the problem lies is pretty simple, and reaching a solution is also pretty straightforward.
Keep reading to learn a few possible causes for an electric water heater reset button that keeps tripping, including how to fix the issue.
Potential Causes
Malfunctioning Thermostat
If a water heater reset button keeps tripping, the first area to inspect is the thermostat. With an electric water heater, you have two thermostats; one upper thermostat and one lower one. You’ll find the reset button on the top thermostat.
The purpose of these thermostats is to monitor the water temperature and turn off the heating element when the desired temperature is met. The reason for the two thermostats is that the water heater has an upper and lower heating element, which is controlled by the corresponding thermostat.
Both thermostats communicate with each other to ensure only one heating element is used at one time. However, when one of these thermostats experiences a problem, it may get stuck in the ON position. When this happens, the thermostat may never turn off the heating element, which causes the reset button to trip. This cycle can happen again and again until the issue is fixed.
Solution
If there’s a broken or malfunctioning thermostat, the best option is to call a professional for a replacement. An expert will identify which thermostat is malfunctioning, then replace it. Given how this solution involves electrical components, we highly suggest calling a professional for assistance.
Worn-out Heating Element
As we discussed, thermostats and heating elements are some essential components of an electric water heater. While we talked about problems with a malfunctioning thermostat, we’ll now discuss worn-out heating elements.
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. This exposes live wires to water, which causes a short in the system. When there’s a short, power will keep flowing to the heating element. The thermostat will continue to heat the water until it reaches 180 degrees. Once achieved, the reset button will trip to prevent the temperature from rising further.
One sign to look for is water that doesn’t feel hot. If you notice a decrease in water temperature, there may be a worn-out heating element.
Solution
Just like a thermostat, the solution also involves a simple replacement of a system component. If your hot water heater keeps tripping reset button, replacing one of the heating elements could do the trick. Be sure to contact a professional for this replacement service.
Broken Reset Button
When a water heater reset button keeps tripping, another common culprit is a damaged reset button. If this button isn’t working as it should, you may need a replacement.
The goal of this reset button is to shut off the unit if the water temperature goes higher than 180 degrees. However, this button can wear out over time, possibly causing malfunctions. One common issue is when the button fails to accurately gauge the water temperature. This may result in a system shutdown even when the water temperature is low.
Solution
When the reset button on a water heater thermostat keeps tripping, the best solution is to replace the thermostat. As this button is found on the upper thermostat, you’ll only need to replace that specific one; the lower thermostat should be fine. As mentioned earlier, be sure to call a professional to handle the replacement.
Poor Wiring or Bad Breaker
If there’s loose wiring or wires that weren’t installed correctly, this may also cause the electric water heater reset button issue. When this problem occurs in your home, you’ll need service right away. Not only can this cause water heater issues, but wiring problems can also be a huge safety concern. Luckily, your electric water heater is built with several safety features in place to save you from a catastrophe. Still, wiring issues should be handled ASAP.
When there’s a loose wire in the system, an abundance of heat will be produced. As the reset button can detect this heat, it will trip. This process will repeat until the problem is fixed.
Another issue that may be happening is a bad breaker. If your breaker is worn out or malfunctions, this could also cause the hot water heater reset button to trip.
Solution
First, call a plumber to check if they can handle this service. If not, you may need a professional electrician.
While this issue can be frustrating and time-consuming, calling a professional can get the problem fixed in no time.
Most homeowners in need of new heating or cooling equipment will do an internet search to get information. Such a search will typically yield two results: what to buy or where to buy but not why to buy. AtInterCounty Supply, as a wholesale supply house, we present all the options for what to buy and why it would be the best choice for YOUR situation. After all the options are presented a homeowner can decide for themselves what they need. ICS then has a licensed, factory trained contractor who SPECIALIZES in the equipment you need come to your home to provide the complete installation cost for the equipment you need.ICS will also handle all the paperwork for any rebates that are applicable.
Have questions, give us a call 914-939-4350 or fill out the form and one of our specialists will be in touch shortly.