Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat Troubleshooting

Check electrical panel to be sure that circuit breaker is in the on position not in tripped or off or fuses if used are installed securely and not blown.

Electric hot water heater thermostat troubleshooting.

If that doesn t work perform a hard reset by shutting off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker box. If the electric water heater output water is too hot you can adjust the thermostat to a lower setting. Locate the screws that hold the electric access panel to the water heater. That helps when troubleshooting the cause of the problem.

Electric water heaters have one or two elements and each is controlled by a thermostat. Reset circuit breaker to on or replace any blown fuse s and wait 30 60 minutes for the water to warm. Electric water heater thermostats are a fairly simple devices that can fail from time to time. Typical settings are 140 to 160 degf.

You can test them with the power off using an ohmmeter to measure resistance or with the power on using a voltmeter to measure voltage. You will see the electric wiring that handles the water heater. Begin by turning the breaker inside the breaker panel of water heater off. Beware that any temperature above 120 degf.

See testing electric water heater elements for more information. Also check the reset button on the thermostat the red button located at the top of the thermostat. To check the thermostat settings. On electric water heaters it is usually located under the access panel on the side of the heater or it may be located on the front.

An electric hot water heater is actually not a complicated device. If the thermostats are okay you need to test the water heater elements. Is scalding and a mixing valve may be needed for safety. Too much hot water can be almost as frustrating as not enough hot water.

If water has remained cool continue troubleshooting steps below. For electric hot water heaters start troubleshooting with a quick reset. The cure for a hot water problem may be as simple as turning the temperature setting up. Our two photos above are of the lower heating element on this electric water heater.

Turn off the water heater for a few minutes and then turn it back on. Wait about hour and see if your water heats up. Next remove the screws and open the panel. Testing is the only option if you want to determine whether or not one or both of them has failed.