Reasons Water Heaters Tend To Overheat
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William Creamer • July 24, 2019
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How Do Water Heaters Work?
Why Do Water Heaters Overheat?
- Most residential electric water heaters have upper and lower thermostats, and they’re supposed to be set to the same temperature. When one of these thermostats become defective, it will help to test which of the thermostats is causing the problem.
- To do this, allow the water heater to sit for at least 30 minutes after running a considerable amount of hot water. The water heater is supposed to cycle the elements and stability of the water’s temperature. Turn off the heater’s power, then remove the covers of the thermostats. Pull the insulation away and make sure that the thermostats are set to the same temperature and that both are making full contact to the tank’s wall.
- Next, get a small flat screwdriver and adjust the thermostats’ dials to the highest setting, then back to the lowest setting. You need to hear an audible click when the thermostat contacts open and close. If any of the thermostats don’t open the contact when turned to the lower setting, then it’s defective and needs to be replaced.
Gas Water Heater
- In a gas water heater, the temperature is controlled by a gas valve, which has a dial that lets you adjust the temperature. The gas valve also has a probe that monitors the water temperature. If adjusting the dial doesn’t give you the temperature levels you are going for, then the valve assembly must be replaced.
Malfunctioning Thermostats
- Malfunctioning thermostats are among the most common reasons why a water heater would overheat. The thermostat’s main function is to control the on and off cycle of water heater elements. When it malfunctions, a safety feature is supposed to be triggered to prevent power from flowing to the heating elements. The result would be a lack of hot water. This is easier to remedy and poses less risk, as you won’t get burned by hot water.
- The problem is when both the thermostat and the safety mechanism fail, the elements continue to heat water. So, once you turn on the faucet or shower, you’ll get hot water that’s good enough for brewing coffee instead of for showering. Fortunately, thermostats can easily be replaced.


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