| It can get really uncomfortable to go without a working hot water heater in the months of winter. What to do if your appliance is not functioning? The most common solution is often so simple which is to simply hit the water heater reset button. But what if the button simply will not click? Here is what you need to know if this is the case for your appliance. Show
Resetting an Electric Water Heater When the switch was tripped, it just needs to be reset. If you are still not aware of how you can achieve this, it is actually pretty easy. All you need is to find out where the reset button is located at. You do not need any skills at all! A water heater reset button is often located on the upper thermostat of the appliance. If you are not able to find it there, try searching for it on the lower part of the water heater. Some water heater models have a button in each location to make it easy for you to perform a reset. Why Reset Button Will Not Click What if the reset button of the water heater will not do its work? This may be the case of a faulty thermostat. If the hot water heater keeps tripping the reset button, it may be caused by the high limit switch. What is happening is that the thermostat is not able to properly manage the heat. The high limit switch is programmed to trip when the faulty thermostat makes it possible for the temperature to get to a dangerous level. You would not want to shower in boiling water that can injure you to a critical extent. This is why the trip feature is a huge necessity. The trip switch will continue tripping until you replace the faulty thermostat. Another possible reason for the constant tripping could be due to a grounded element that causes the water to become overheated. You can learn how to test a water heater element to determine if this is causing the tripping problem. Other Causes of Continuous Tripping A faulty thermostat is the most common reason but there may also be other common causes of this problem. Loose wiring that is comprised in some way may also be the reason behind this problem. Heating elements that might have a short on one or both sides may also be the cause of continuous tripping. Lastly, electrical problems in your whole home setup may also be causing the tripping and it may not even be a problem with your water heater. Resetting a Gas Water Heater
For most units, you can get in the hot shower within 30 to 40 minutes for gas water heaters. For electric tanks, you need to wait for approximately an hour to an hour and a half. You know how cold it gets here in Chicago in the winter. It is frigid for all of winter and it takes every ounce of us to get out from the nice warm bed when the alarm goes off to jump into the shower. If you are like many people, you turn the water on and let it warm up before jumping in. However, what if you are standing there waiting and the water is NOT warming up? Every thought goes through your head about what could be wrong on this cold Monday morning. It could be the water heater reset button tripped. How do you reset a water heater? Check the electrical panel and flip the button to on (if it was in the off position and vice versa). Then, push the red reset button on the water heater. If those don’t work, you will need to call a professional. Let’s take a look at why this is important, checking the electrical panel, the purpose of the reset button, what to do if it does not come back on, maintenance of the water heater, and when to call a professional. Why This is ImportantIt is important that you have hot water coming out of the faucets, appliances, and showerheads. The warm water is not only for showers but to properly clean clothes and dishes. Water heaters last about 8-12 years but sometimes need replacing before that. Why Water Heaters Stop WorkingOften the water heater reset button trips because something is faulty on the water heater or issues such as:
 Check the Electrical PanelWander over to the electrical panel. It is often in the garage, basement, or storage closet. There is a circuit breaker that is labeled “Water heater.” If the breaker is in the “off” position, flip it to “on.” If it stays “on”, even after a few minutes, it was a minor issue and all seems to be well. If it goes off, follow the directions below. However, if the breaker is in the “on” position, flip it to “off.” Purpose of the Water Heater Reset ButtonThe purpose of this button is to stop the flow of power from the water heater. This is a safety feature and happens when there is an issue in the water heater such as a thermostat not working properly or a power surge. The reset button keeps the water from getting too hot in the unit. Water Heater Reset Button: Location and How to Reset ItThe 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. Push this and then release it. Does the water heater trip again right away after pushing either button? Then there is an issue with a part and you will need to call a professional. If it does not trip, replace the metal panel on the unit and go to the electrical box and flip the circuit breaker back to the “on” position. Does the water heater turn on? Yes? This is great! If it does not turn on, switch the breaker back to “off” and call a professional. Possible Reason The Water Heater Won’t WorkIn a water heater unit, there is an upper and lower heating unit. If the thermometer is not working correctly, the water can become scalding hot as mentioned above. Thus, the reset button will trip to keep the water from coming out, as this is not normal. How a Water Heater WorksThe water fills in the bottom of the tank and the lower thermostat heats the water up. As the water travels up the tank, the upper heating element continues to keep the water hot in the unit. When the water sits in the tank, it cools down. Then, when the water is needed, the thermostats heat it up. There is a temperature on the high limit thermostat in the upper heating element and when the water heats to that temperature, the thermostat shuts off. Lower Heating ElementIf the lower heating element or thermostat in that area stops working, then the cold water goes up to the upper heating level. When the water comes out in whichever appliance you are using or in the shower, the cold water is what will come out. This is because it did not heat up on its travels to the top. Upper Heating ElementIf this part stops working and the lower heating element works, you may get hot water for a little bit. However, it will turn cold once it starts pulling the water from the upper element. It will be cold because there is no continuous heating element at the top working to keep it from getting cold. The high limit switch will trip as the water continues to heat up in the higher element to avoid it coming out scalding hot. Maintenance of a Water HeaterAs with all appliances, you may be able to find this issue early if you properly maintain the unit. Here are a few ideas:
Check the Anode Rod in a Tank Style Water HeaterInside a tank-style water heater is an anode rod. This keeps the middle of the tank from rusting. Changing this out as it starts to rust will keep the water heater working longer. How do you know if the anode rod is bad? There is a rusty smell, a sulfur smell, brown or rusty water, a gel-like substance, or the water heater is leaking or making noise. If your water heater is 5 years old, it is time to change the rod. Check the Age of a Water HeaterNot sure when the water heater was last replaced? You can find out the age of a water heater by the label on the unit. Usually, the last two digits of the year are listed on the serial number. However, if you have a Bradford water heater, it is a little more difficult to find it. Replacing a Water HeaterThere are a lot of things to think about when replacing the water heater if it comes down to that point. The style of heater, the tank size, etc. Take a look at this article to see what might work best for you! When to Call a ProfessionalCall a professional if your water heater is tripping or not working at all. There also could be an issue with appliances sharing a circuit breaker and you want to make sure this is not the case. A professional can let you know if there is life left in your water heater or if you need to replace it. Additionally, if you need your water tested, it is a good idea to call a professional to make sure it is safe to drink. ConclusionWater heaters are essential in our lives as we use hot water for showers and our appliances to make sure they are clean. When they are working properly, they can last 8-12 years. If your water heater is having issues, check out the steps above and call a professional if you need assistance. Hopefully, it is a minor issue with the reset button and you can fix it. We will inspect your water heater during our home inspections in Chicago. Do all hot water heaters have a reset button?Yes, all water heaters should have a reset button. 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”.
What trips the reset button on a hot water heater?When the water in your water heater gets too hot, it trips the emergency cut off, or ECO. In other words, water that is too hot will cause your water heater's reset button to trip. If your water heater is tripping the ECO repeatedly, there is likely a problem with the system that needs to be repaired immediately.
How long do you hold reset button on hot water heater?Some heaters may not click when you press on the reset button. If you don't hear the click even after pressing on the button for about five seconds, reassemble the heater anyway. It will probably still restore hot water.
Where is the reset button on a gas hot water heater?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.
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Where is the reset button on a hot water heater
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