Electric water heaters are equipped with an emergency cutoff switch, also known as a reset button. Running the shower in the morning only to discover you have no hot water suggests checking the switch first. If it is tripped, a simple push will reset it and get your water heating again.
The same trick will not work for a gas heater. Why? Because gas water heaters don’t have reset buttons. Gas-powered units are far more complicated than their electric counterparts. As such, they are designed with additional safety features that render the reset button moot.
The Reset Button: A Quick Description
The plumbing experts at Salt Lake City Superior Water & Air describe the reset button on an electric water heater as a circuit breaker of sorts. If a thermometer embedded in the water heater registers a temperature of 180°F or higher, it trips a switch inside the reset button. This immediately cuts the electricity to the heating element.
Electric water heaters are simple enough in design that the reset button is a sufficient safety measure to prevent overheating. But as previously mentioned, gas water heaters are considerably more complex. Superior W&A says they require more robust safety features.
5 Safety Features of Gas Units
A gas water heater utilizes open flame to heat water. As you can imagine, there is a lot more involved in preventing accidents. But thanks to great designs and reliable technology, gas water heaters are every bit as safe as their electric counterparts. There are five safety features that ensure it:
1. Gas Control Valve
Gas units are equipped with a control valve that regulates the flow of gas to the unit’s burner. It has a built-in thermostat that constantly monitors the water temperature in order to maintain the right amount of heat. If water gets too hot, the thermostat shuts off the gas flow.
2. Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve
Every gas water heater is equipped with a temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve. This critical safety component prevents overheating by releasing water if it gets too hot. The valve is a pressure-activated valve. As water heats up, it expands and creates pressure inside the sealed tank. If pressure reaches a certain threshold, the valve opens and water is released.
3. Automatic Shut-Off Valve
Modern gas water heaters are also equipped with shut-off valves. They work in tandem with a number of embedded sensors that constantly monitor for abnormal conditions. If any sort of unsafe condition is detected, the valve immediately shuts off the gas flow.
4. Ventilation Systems
Gas water heaters generate carbon monoxide during the combustion process. To prevent carbon monoxide leakage in the home, the heaters need to be equipped with proper ventilation. This particular feature isn’t directly related to overheating, but it is still critical to occupant safety. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that kills.
5. Gas Spillage Detector
This final safety feature also isn’t directly related to preventing overheating. But like ventilation, it is crucial to ensure occupant safety. The feature is a gas spillage detector capable of detecting gas leakage and subsequently shutting off the heater so no further gas escapes.
Safe and Effective Units
Modern gas water heaters are safe and effective units that serve the needs of millions of households around the country. You will never find a reset button on a gas unit because it doesn’t need one. It has other built-in safety measures.
As for electric water heaters, the reset button is a simple but effective safety feature. It prevents dangerous overheating that could lead to catastrophic water heater failure.