Resetting the water heater will typically fix the issue if it stops producing warm water. How to reset the water heater? The process is straightforward as long as you can locate the water heater and recognize the reset button. Continue reading, we introduce the simple four steps to reset the water heater.
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Why do the Water Heaters Quit?
What then is the cause of Hot Shower Interruptus? If you have an electric water heater, it’s possible that the unit’s reset button tripped. Every once in a while, those buttons randomly trip. Often, though, it happens because:
- The thermostat in the appliance is broken.
- The reset button itself is broken.
- The high-limit switch, a component of the device that keeps water from getting too hot, is no longer functional.
- There is a shortage in the heating element.
- Somewhere, a wire is unfastened.
Remember that the reset button on a water heater has a vital function: it cuts off power in the event of a malfunction, like a power surge or a broken thermostat. If your water heater frequently loses power, there is probably a problem that needs to be fixed by a qualified Culpeper County plumber. Furthermore, keep in mind that electricity and water combined can be fatal. Never be reluctant to ask a professional to check something out. For the purposes of this post, we’re assuming your water heater typically minds its manners and this isn’t a recurring issue. With that knowledge, let’s go over two easy steps to restart it.
Why Do You Have to Reset Water Heater?
Occasionally, the emergency limit switch may trip and turn off your water heater. The occasional trip could be brought on by something like a power surge or a thunderstorm. You can reset it yourself and avoid the hassle and expense of calling a plumber if it only trips occasionally for one of these causes.
You should call a professional if your water heater keeps tripping your circuit breaker or if the water heater keeps tripping on its own for no apparent reason. It might be a more complicated mechanical problem, such as a heating system short, a loose wire, or a broken thermostat.
How to Reset Water Heater?
There are four steps for you to follow.
Step 1: Flip Circuit Breakers Off for Safety
- Find your circuit breakers. They are located inside the fuse box, a metal box that is typically flush with the wall. Circuit breakers can be found in other places besides the typical basement, garage, storage, or utility room.
- See if you can locate a breaker marked for the hot water heater by opening the metal door. It should be turned off.
- To be safe, you should turn off each one if you can’t find one specifically for the hot water heater. In order to work in the light, make sure a flashlight is with you.
- Turn the hot water heater breaker back on if you find it and it’s already off. You need to call a professional if it flips back off right away, which indicates a bigger issue.
Step 2: Locate and Identify the Hot Water Reset Button
- Go to your hot water heater after you’ve turned off the electricity.
- Find the metal access panel on the hot water heater’s side.
- When there are two access panels, you should take the upper one-off.
- There may occasionally be no access panel. To find the reset button in that situation, walk around the area with the thermometer.
- By removing the screw holding the access panel in place, the panel can be removed.
- There will be insulation positioned below the panel. Remove this layer to expose the inner workings.
- Your hot water tank may be leaking if you detect moisture on this insulation. This might be a sign that it’s about to stop working, in which case you need to call a plumber.
Step 3: Press Reset
- Now you ought to be able to see the reset button for the electric water heater. The heater has only one button, which is red.
- Press the button firmly, then let go.
- You ought to hear a click after releasing the button.
- You’ve just restarted your hot water heater, which is great. As simple as pressing a button, it was.
- As a final step, make sure to screw the panel back in place and replace the insulation.
Step 4: Switch Breakers Back on and Check Hot Water Levels
- Reconnecting your electricity is time. Return to your breakers and turn on either the hot water heater’s single switch or the entire panel.
- Observation: Depending on how long the water heater has been off, it might take some time for your water to warm back up. Just be patient; as soon as the electricity is restored, the water heater should begin to function. The water is starting to heat up when it starts to bubble.
- Test the hot water’s durability by running your sink or shower on hot.
- Monitor your water temperature to make sure it’s both hot enough and not overheating. The emergency limit switch tripped for a reason, and it’s not unusual for the real problem to be a shorted heating element or a broken thermostat.
- To prevent scalding, you’ll need to fix overheating issues. Never allow water to get hotter than 120 degrees.
Is There a Reset Button on Hot Water Heaters?
In fact, a reset button ought to be present on every water heater. They can also be known as the “emergency limit switch”, “emergency cut off (ECO)”, “high-limit safety thermostat switch”, or “electric water heater reset button”.
Where is the Reset Button on Water Heater?
Normally red, this button can be found above the heating element that is in contact with the tank surface. A removable panel covers it most of the time, but occasionally it can be seen on the water heater’s exterior.
When to Reset Water Heater?
Use the steps below to diagnose the issue if you’ve run out of hot water and are unsure whether you need to reset your hot water heater.
- Make sure the breaker connected to your water heater hasn’t tripped by inspecting the circuit breaker box or panel.
- if the breaker has been tripped and you can turn the breaker back on without the breaker tripping again. This might make things right.
- Keep going down the list if it hasn’t been tripped.
- Verify that there isn’t a visible leak or another obvious issue causing a problem by looking at the water heater directly.
- You probably need to reset the electric water heater if the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped and there are no visible leaks in the water heater. For a quick how-to, read the paragraphs below.
Reset the water heater has pressed the button to reset the heater. Here are four steps flip circuit breakers off for Safety, locate and identify the hot water reset button, press reset, switch the breakers back on and check the hot water levels, for you to
