A homeowner's alarming discovery of 160-degree tap water from an electric tank heater turned a simple repair question into a reminder that water-heater problems can quickly become a serious safety issue.
Here's what to know
After discovering that the lower heating element had failed, a homeowner went to the r/plumbing subreddit looking for an explanation for why the unit had also overheated.
"Water temp jumped to 160 degrees the other day," they revealed. "We shut off the heater at the breaker."
Several replies pointed away from the element and toward the thermostat.
"Probably a failed thermostat," one commenter wrote. "They are cheap enough so replace both elements and thermostats."
For homeowners facing a bigger repair-or-replace decision, a heat pump water heater can be worth considering. Households can see large energy bill savings thanks to the units' greater efficiency.
More background
In later comments, the homeowner said the 160-degree figure had been checked directly rather than estimated, noting that "160 was measured at the faucet a couple hours after it was felt as blistering hot."
A failed element may leave a home with inconsistent or insufficient hot water. A thermostat that sticks on, however, can keep heating past a normal set point, increasing the risk of scalding water coming out of the tap.
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What can be done?
When an electric water heater suddenly starts producing dangerously hot water, the issue should be treated as an urgent hazard, and shutting off power at the breaker is the safest immediate step.
Replacing thermostats and heating elements may resolve the issue, but the repair still calls for careful wiring, proper thermostat contact, and a full inspection, especially if the unit has already overheated. The original poster succeeded in their fix, with one hiccup.
"I did go ahead and replace both elements and thermostats (but I did minor f*** up and miss one of little pins to hold down one side of the upper thermostat)," they wrote. "All wires are fully back in place."
In cases where there are greater underlying issues than this one, a heat pump water heater is worth a further look.
One option is Cala, which makes customizable smart heat pump water heaters that help homeowners decrease their energy bills by heating water exactly when it's needed. That can reduce wasted energy from repeatedly reheating stored water and give households more control over when and how they use power.
For anyone replacing an older electric tank, Cala may be one way to turn a stressful repair into a longer-term upgrade.
Where can I learn more?
If you're dealing with an aging water heater or trying to decide whether it's time to replace it, there are numerous factors to consider, as well as ways to prolong an aging tank.
• Routine water heater maintenance tips can keep aging tanks running longer and avoid surprise bills.
• Many homeowners find tankless water heater benefits include tighter temperature control and lower bills.
• An HGTV renovation host said a tankless swap can shave hundreds off energy bills.
• Another homeowner said strange plumber advice pushed them to reject a water-heater plan.
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