Common Reasons Water Heater Reset Buttons Trip

You may already know that 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended temperature setting for water heaters. What you may not know, though, is why this temperature is seen as the sweet spot by experts. Many homeowners choose this setting as opposed to a higher one to save on their energy bills, but that isn’t the only reason. 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. The water inside the tank may become dangerously hot for many reasons, but most often, a failed component is to blame. Let’s take a look at some of the most common culprits.

Bad Thermostat

Your water has two thermostats, and either one can go bad. Each controls one of the heating elements used to heat the water in your tank. Once the water reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat turns off the heating element. If one or both thermostats fails, however, it can cause the heating element(s) to run constantly and overheat the water.

Faulty Heating Element

Heating elements can also go bad with time. They usually stop heating altogether, but they sometimes develop electrical shorts that cause them to receive power even after the thermostat tries to turn it off. This can also result in overheated water and a tripped reset button.

Defective ECO

The ECO itself sometimes goes bad. This most commonly occurs as the result of wear and tear from repeated overheating, but it can also happen spontaneously. A failed ECO switch that trips constantly is annoying, but it won’t cause your water to overheat. It will need to be replaced to solve the problem, though.

Wiring Problems

If your ECO, thermostats and heating elements are all functioning properly, a wiring problem could be to blame. Loose connections may create another source of heat. In addition to tripping the reset problem, this type of problem poses a risk of electrical shock or fire.

No matter what is tripping your water heater’s ECO, it is a problem that needs to be addressed right away. If you are having trouble with your water heater, contact G.T. Campbell Plumbing today for expert water heater repair in Rochester and the surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment, please call 585-416-2243.