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Your water heater is designed to automatically shut off if the water inside it exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This is to prevent scalding hot water from coming out of your showers and sinks.
However, water heaters are also designed to not reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit at all. So, if your water heater is constantly reaching these temperatures and tripping its reset button, then there is something else going on that needs to be fixed.
Your Thermostat Is Faulty
The most common reason why water heaters keep resetting is a faulty thermostat. The thermostat in your water heater will tell the heating element to stop the heat once the water reaches your set temperature.
If the thermometer is malfunctioning, then the heating element will continue to heat the water until it reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, the emergency cut off (ECO) will kick in and trip your reset button.
Your Heating Element Is Burnt Out
Your heating element may experience a short if there is an issue with its wiring. When this happens, power will continue to flow into the heating element even after the thermometer has told it to stop.
When this happens, the water temperature will continue to increase until it reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches this maximum temperature, the ECO will shut off your water heater.
Your Emergency Cut Off (ECO) Is Bad
The ECO is designed to shut off your water heater when the temperature exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit. As the water heater gets old, the ECO may start to struggle to correctly read the water temperature in the heater.
If this happens, the ECO might trigger before the water actually hits 180 degrees Fahrenheit. A plumber will likely have to replace the ECO if this is the case.
You Have Electrical Issues
A loose wiring connection could be the reason why your water heater keeps overheating your water. It could also cause the ECO to pick up the heat from the loose wire instead of the water temperature, which would also trip the reset button.
Not only could loose wiring cause the reset button to trip, but it could also pose a risk of fire or cause a major electrical issue. If you think your water heater is experiencing electrical issues, you should contact a licensed plumber with experience repairing electrical heaters right away.
How Can I Stop The Water Heater From Constantly Tripping Its Reset Button?
Even if you’ve identified the reason why your water heater keeps shutting off, you will likely need a licensed plumber to come and repair your water heater.
After inspecting your water heater, your plumber will be able to replace the faulty parts of the heater and stop it from constantly tripping its reset button.
Remember that doing regular maintenance and fixing issues as they arise is the best way to prevent your water heater from failing early. If you keep putting off repairs, you may end up having to replace your water heater entirely.
Your water heater is designed to automatically shut off if the water inside it exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This is to prevent scalding hot water from coming out of your showers and sinks.
However, water heaters are also designed to not reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit at all. So, if your water heater is constantly reaching these temperatures and tripping its reset button, then there is something else going on that needs to be fixed.
Your Thermostat Is Faulty
The most common reason why water heaters keep resetting is a faulty thermostat. The thermostat in your water heater will tell the heating element to stop the heat once the water reaches your set temperature.
If the thermometer is malfunctioning, then the heating element will continue to heat the water until it reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, the emergency cut off (ECO) will kick in and trip your reset button.
Your Heating Element Is Burnt Out
Your heating element may experience a short if there is an issue with its wiring. When this happens, power will continue to flow into the heating element even after the thermometer has told it to stop.
When this happens, the water temperature will continue to increase until it reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches this maximum temperature, the ECO will shut off your water heater.
Your Emergency Cut Off (ECO) Is Bad
The ECO is designed to shut off your water heater when the temperature exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit. As the water heater gets old, the ECO may start to struggle to correctly read the water temperature in the heater.
If this happens, the ECO might trigger before the water actually hits 180 degrees Fahrenheit. A plumber will likely have to replace the ECO if this is the case.
You Have Electrical Issues
A loose wiring connection could be the reason why your water heater keeps overheating your water. It could also cause the ECO to pick up the heat from the loose wire instead of the water temperature, which would also trip the reset button.
Not only could loose wiring cause the reset button to trip, but it could also pose a risk of fire or cause a major electrical issue. If you think your water heater is experiencing electrical issues, you should contact a licensed plumber with experience repairing electrical heaters right away.
How Can I Stop The Water Heater From Constantly Tripping Its Reset Button?
Even if you’ve identified the reason why your water heater keeps shutting off, you will likely need a licensed plumber to come and repair your water heater.
After inspecting your water heater, your plumber will be able to replace the faulty parts of the heater and stop it from constantly tripping its reset button.
Remember that doing regular maintenance and fixing issues as they arise is the best way to prevent your water heater from failing early. If you keep putting off repairs, you may end up having to replace your water heater entirely.
