 Ever wondered what is that red button on your electric water heater that keeps tripping for various reasons? The water heater reset button, also known as the high-temperature cutoff or high-limit switch is located at the center of the limit switch just above the water heater thermostat. Let’s look at the reset button in more detail.
What is the Use of the Reset Button? The red reset button is used to save the electric water heater from becoming inefficient or blasting. This button turns off automatically if the water temperature inside the water tank exceeds the temperature limit. This tripping of the red button protects you from getting scalded or burned when using hot water. What Causes the Reset Button to Trip? High Water Temperature Extremely hot water will majorly cause the water heater limit switch to trip. As the temperature of the water inside the water heater exceeds 820C, the high-limit switch trips. Hot water inside the tank can be because of several reasons. Defective Thermostat A stuck or defective thermostat is another reason why the high-limit switch keeps tripping. The heating element of a malfunctioning thermostat can operate continuously even when it is not in use This enormously increases the temperature inside the electric water heater. Use a digital multimeter to obtain the continuity reading from the thermostat. Shorted Heating Element It often happens that the thermostat is working properly, but the heating element may be working abnormally.. If the heated element is shorted to the ground, it will trip the reset button because of the excessive load. Disconnect the element wires, take the continuity reading from the terminals on the element and tank, and check the element. A "0.000" reading indicates a shorted element. Loose Wiring A loose wiring of the thermostat and heating element/s can generate high amounts of heat inside the water tank. This heat, as we know, is generally the cause of a tripped reset button. Faulty Button You checked everything and found no heating problem or defective elements, but the button still keeps on tripping. This can possibly be because the reset button itself is defective or faulty. A faulty high-limit switch can result in malfunctioning and tripping. Contact our professionals to examine the faulty button and repair or replace it as per the need. Fixing a tripping reset button is simple as you just have to replace the heating elements, thermostats, or the wiring. This can generally be done on your own. But, it is good to call Hot Water Tanks Edmonton professionals to avoid any mishap or problem during the repairing process.  Many of us don't know, but our water heaters are the large contributors to our energy bills. The electric water heaters use around 18% of the total energy usage in any house. But, the good part is that you can lower the energy usage without doing a lot. Find out how you can reduce the energy consumption easily.
Use Less Hot Water The water heater consumes energy while heating water. The more hot water you use, the more energy is consumed by the water heater. Hence, try to use less amount of hot water. You can take quick showers and turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, soaping, or shampooing. You can also wash utensils and laundry in cold water. Lower The Temperature For every 10° of temperature you turn down, you’ll save 3% to 5% on your energy bill. Turn down the temperature controlling thermostat and maintain the water temperature at 120°F in all the cases. This way you will save a huge amount of energy usage on a daily basis. Insulate The Tank and Pipes Insulating the tank and pipes near the tank can keep water inside the tank hot for a longer period. This reduces the energy used to reheat water every now and then. Insulate the water heater tank with an insulating blanket of R-value of at least 24. Insulate the pipes using a self-sticking foam seal. Install Low-Flow Faucets and Appliances Low-flow faucets, showerheads, toilets, dishwashers, and other fixtures and appliances reduce the water consumption by 25%-60%. These faucets and showerheads do not exceed the usage limit of 2.5 gallons per minute. Turn off When Away If you have a storage water heater, it will continuously consume energy to heat water, even when it is not in use. Hence, turn off the water heater electric supply when you are away for a while or on a vacation. When you return, you will just have to wait for an hour for water heating. But, this wait will be worth the usage that you’ll reduce. Replace with Energy Star-Rated Water Heater The Energy Star-rated appliances are considered to be more energy efficient. A Star-rated water heater uses 31% less energy and 33% less water. You can also consider installing other Star-rated appliances like dishwasher and washing machine. Regularly Maintain the Water Heater Maintaining your water heater regularly will help you identify and eliminate the possible defects and problems. Various water heater problems can affect the efficiency of your water heater. An inefficient water heater consumes a lot of energy and results in high energy bills. If your water heater requires repairs too often or if it has crossed its efficiency age, consider replacing it. Contact Hot Water Tanks Edmonton to know which water heater will suit you the best.  You do use hot water that comes out from a water heater, but you do not know how the water is heated. It is necessary to know how it works as it will help you fix some problems in the future. The working of an electric water heater may seem complex, but it is indeed simple. Here is what goes on inside an electric water heater while heating cold water:
Tank The tank is the most visible part of your electric water heater. It is that long cylinder which is usually a few feet high and around 20-25 inches in diameter. While the exterior part of the tank is metallic, the interior is made up of glass. This is because glass does not corrode with water. Between these two parts, there is a layer of insulation for efficiency purposes. Cold Inlet The water comes from the mainline into the unit through this supply line. It enters the unit from top. Dip TubeThe cold water from the supply line then passes through the dip tube. This tube delivers the cold water to the bottom of the unit. Heating Elements Electric water heaters use burners to heat water. Some water heaters may have one heating element, while some may have two: one to heat from the top and one to heat from the bottom. All the heating elements work together to heat the water efficiently. Thermostat The thermostat regulates the water temperature and turns the water heater on and off. If the water heater has two heating elements, it will also have two thermostats. Anode Rod Anode rod is also known as the sacrificial rod. The purpose of this tiny pole on the inside of the unit is to prevent corrosion. The pole is made from stainless steel and is coated with magnesium, zinc, or aluminium. Hot Water Outlet This is the supply line that carries the hot water out of the unit and delivers it to all the taps in your home. It is located at the top of the unit. These are the components of an electric water heater that should be in proper working condition to satisfy your hot water needs. When any of these components stop working, you cannot heat water. To know more about the working and maintenance of your electric water heater, you should get in touch with the professional technicians as they have the proper knowledge about the different types of hot water tanks in Edmonton. Many people and even the professional plumbers in Edmonton at times are not able to figure out why the electric water heater keeps tripping the breaker. The red reset button is also known as the high limit. It is designed in a way to trip when the water in the tank becomes too hot. This way it will cut off power to the elements. The red reset button is only a manually reset thermostatic switch that is designed to shut off the power to the electric water heater once the water in the tank becomes hot. This red reset button has no other function.  What Causes The Electric Water Heater to Trip The Breaker?Here are some different things that might be the reason why your electric water heater keeps tripping the breaker:
A Bad Thermostat A bad thermostat will not shut off and will allow continuous heating of water even after the set temperature has been reached. The hot water tanks in Edmonton have two thermostats, an upper and lower under the access panels, as well as two elements. When the thermostat keeps sticking in the on position it will cause the element it serves to continue heating the water in the tank and so the red reset button trips in order to cut power to the electric water heater. Loose Electrical Connection An internal loose connection or a loose electrical connection at the place where the wires connect to the upper thermostat might generate heat caused by the high resistance that is inside the thermostat. This will cause the breaker to sense the heat of the loose connection rather than the temperature of the water tank causing the electric water heater trip. Water Dripping on The Electrical Lines Water dripping on the electrical lines could be a problem with the breaker or a problem with the unit’s thermostat. In this case, the thermostat needs to be replaced. Any leak that comes in contact with the electrical components can be dangerous and cause the breaker to flip. A leak can also be caused by a failing gasket. You should get the failing gasket repaired quickly by professional plumbers. Troubleshooting Electric Water Heater That Keeps Tripping The Breaker Repairing hot water tanks in Edmonton is relatively easy. You can do the task by yourself with basic electrical skills and knowledge. You also need to have the basic tools like a screwdriver and a basic multimeter. You will have to be careful as the electrical voltage is very high and it can cause severe injury and can also result in death. The best way to deal with the problems associated with the hot water tanks in Edmonton is to call the professional plumbers in Edmonton. These professionals will be able to solve any problem with the electric water heater.  Image Source URL: https://www.pexels.com/photo/
Some people favor gas water heaters while the others opt for electric water heaters. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Before installing any water heater, consider what are your preferences and find out which resources are readily available in plenty around your locality. This will help you make an informed decision without worrying about the pros and cons. Although the basic price differences between gas and electricity, and the efficiency of gas heater may persuade you to choose a gas water heater over an electric water heater, however you could take a look at the number of benefits electric water heater provides: Safety Unlike a gas water heater, an electric water heater has no pilot light and requires no re-ignition. You do not need to worry about the odor of dangerous gas fumes or carbon monoxide. There are no chances of explosion from a gas leak. And you do not have to worry about pets and children coming close to it. You can store things around an electric water heater and do not worry about any damages to it. Installation costs When you install a gas water heater, you will have to pay the professional plumbers in Edmonton to vent the exhaust. That means you have to install PVC tubing up through your home and out of your roof. Whereas with an electric water heater, you just have to install a special outlet or bare wiring. Installing an electric water heater is very easy. It requires no ventilation or maintenance too. You also do not need to drill holes onto your roof. Space requirements Gas water heaters need a lot of ventilation around the sides and the top. Even the professional plumbers in Edmonton will not be able to install them in a small enclosure. On the other hand, one of the benefits of electric water heater is that it can be installed in a small place without the fear of gas buildup or an explosion. You can install these water heaters under the sink too. Hot water availability One of the benefits of electric water heater is that it heats water quickly and easily as compared to gas water heaters. Electric water heaters are designed in a way to maintain their temperature and provide water at all times. You will never be without hot water when you have an electric water heater. Lifespan There is no comparison between gas water heaters and electric water heater when it comes to life expectancy. The electric water heaters are made up of fewer parts and those parts are subjected to produce direct heat. They can last for years beyond the lifespan of a gas water heater. Electric water heaters are cost-effective options as they do not require fuel to operate. It is, therefore, more economical to invest in an electric water heater over a gas water heater. The benefits of electric water heater are too many as compared to that of gas water heaters. You should, therefore, consider electric water heaters as they are a better option to have. With electric water heaters, you will not have to worry about regular maintenance and repair of your water heater, and also you’ll be able to keep your house and your loved ones safe.  Image Source URL: https://pixabay.com/en/
There are a number of things that have to be kept in mind when deciding whether to buy an electric water heater or a gas water heater. A gas water heater makes use of heat that is generated by burning a fuel, while an electric water heater makes use of electric resistance coils. Before you purchase an electric water heater or a gas water heater, you should read the following comparison between the two as it will help you in picking the best water heater considering your need. Performance A gas heater can heat up to 50 gallons of water in an hour. It has a faster recovery rate as compared to the electric water heater. An advantage of traditional gas water heaters is that they can function even when there is an event of power failure. Gas water heaters are a great choice for families with more than 4 members as the electric water heaters will prove inefficient in fulfilling the hot water demands of larger families. Efficiency Traditional gas water heaters are less efficient because of the loss of heat from the exhaust gas and from the walls of the storage tank. The amount of water that is stored inside the tank is kept hot at all times which uses a lot of energy. The electric water heaters are more efficient in comparison to the gas hot water tanks. However, the savings in actual consumption of energy are mitigated by the higher electricity costs as opposed to gas. Life expectancy Where the average life expectancy of gas water heaters is only 5-8 years, the lifespan of an electric water heater is between 8-10 years. The gas water heaters have a slightly shorter life span, but the difference is not very significant. Cost Both the electric water heaters and the gas water heaters have similar price range. However, the installation of an electric water heater is more expensive. Also, the operational costs differ a lot. The electricity usage costs much more than gas, which means that in the future electric water heaters will be more expensive to operate. The gas water heaters are a cheaper option and so most of the customers prefer buying them. There are pros and cons to both types of water heaters. It is important for you to know about your hot water needs as it will help you in deciding the best type of water heater for your family. You can opt to consult the professional plumbers in Edmonton as they would be able to provide more essential information about the two types of water heaters and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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