Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat Reset Button

The high limit switch is bad.

Electric hot water heater thermostat reset button.

An electric water heater reset button is positioned above the thermostat which is behind a panel on the front of the tank. When a water heater starts tripping the eco repeatedly it s time to call a plumber for service. 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. Other reasons for a hot water heater reset button to trip.

When the water temperature in your water heater exceeds 180 the red reset button also known as the high limit switch trips. 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. If it won t stay in it may mean that you have to make repairs. The hot water heater reset is actually a high limit safety thermostat switch that disconnects the power to the water heater if the water exceeds a preset temperature.

Here s the most likely problem. When the button trips you reset it by pushing it in. To reset it you ll need to press the red reset button on the eco which is usually attached to the upper thermostat. Some tanks have two thermostats and two reset buttons.