Quck answer
To reset an electric water heater, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the power supply to the water heater at the circuit breaker.
2. Locate the reset button on the thermostat panel.
3. Press and hold the reset button for about 3-5 seconds.
4. Release the reset button and wait for a few minutes.
5. Turn the power supply back on at the circuit breaker.
6. Check if the water heater is functioning properly by running hot water from a faucet.
7. If the water is not heating, check the circuit breaker and thermostat settings.
8. If the issue persists, it may be necessary to call a professional plumber for further assistance.
Every electric water heater consists of a heating element, and most of them have two. Each element is controlled by a thermostat and protected by a high-limit switch. If the high-limit switch trips, you can reset it by using the reset button.
Locating the Reset Button on an Electric Water Heater
If you observe the front of the water heater tank, you will see one or two detachable panels, depending on the size of the tank. If there are two panels, one will be near the top of the tank, while the other will be near the bottom. If there are two panels, there will be two reset buttons, and you may have to reset both of them.
Use a screwdriver to remove one of the panels, and you will see the heating element, which is a circular component with attached wires. These wires connect to a pair of terminal bars, and the wires from the house circuitry are also attached to the same bars. The electric water heater reset button is typically located between these bars. It is usually red, and if it requires resetting, it is likely to be illuminated.
Resetting the Water Heater
You must reset the water heater if the reset button is illuminated, or there is no hot water in the house. In most cases, you can reset the water heater by just pressing the button. You will not receive a shock if you touch the button, but it is safer to push it with a pencil or a screwdriver, or you could wear gloves since it is close to wires that can give you a shock.
If the button remains pressed, and the light goes off, the reset has probably been successful. You should notice hot water flowing from the taps in an hour or two. If the button pops back out again, or the light does not go off, you have an issue. To comprehend what the problem might be, it helps to know why the button tripped in the first place.
Reasons for the Water Heater Reset Button Tripping
The high-limit switch activates the electric water heater reset button, which monitors the water temperature and turns off if the temperature goes too high. The reset button may trip if:
- The thermostat is defective or set too high.
- There is a short in the heater element.
- The high-limit switch itself is faulty.
- The water heater has no power.
You must always check the water heater breaker to ensure it is on before suspecting any issues with the water heater components. Like a GFCI breaker, a water heater reset button will not stay in if there is no power flow. The breaker has tripped if the rocker is tilted towards the panel’s outer side. To reset it, turn it off until it clicks, and then switch it in the opposite direction.
The water heater reset button may trip during a power outage, and you cannot reset it until the power comes back on.
What to Do About Gas Water Heaters?
If a gas water heater is not working, it is often because the pilot light has gone out. This could be caused by a problem with the gas supply. To reset the gas water heater, you may have to refill a propane tank or open a valve that was inadvertently closed.
After confirming that the gas is running, comply with the producer’s directions to relight the pilot light. If the water heater is outfitted with an electronic igniter, the pilot should ignite automatically when the gas starts to flow. For older models, you must use a match or a long-barreled lighter to relight it. Gas water heaters with electronic igniters may also go out during a power loss. They lack a reset button, but the igniter should begin operating as soon as electricity is restored.