Why is my hot water heater so hot?

The most likely cause of this problem is a malfunctioning thermostat. Although you’ve kept the thermostat at the same level (around 120 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal), your water heater can heat water to much hotter temperatures. The first thing you should do is to turn down the temperature on your thermostat.Click to see full answer. Also asked, what would cause a hot water heater to overheat?A malfunctioning thermostat is most likely the culprit of why your water heater is suddenly hot. A thermostat controls the on and off cycle of water heater elements. In the case of a malfunction, a safety feature is triggered if the thermostat fails to shut off power to the boiler elements during routine cycling.Subsequently, question is, how do I reset my hot water heater? The water heater reset button is the red button located on the water heater itself (just above the thermostat). Some water heaters may have two reset buttons-one for each thermostat. To access the reset button, you may have to remove the metal plate covering the thermostat that’s held in place by screws. Also asked, should a water heater be hot to the touch? Even though it’s designed to boil water, your water heater shouldn’t get so hot that you can’t touch it. Water heaters are designed to be well insulated so that heat stays in. A water heater that gets too hot could have one of several issues, including: A blocked flue.How much is a hot water heater thermostat? Thermostat Replacement – $150-$200 On their own, the parts cost up to $20. Each heating element is connected to its own thermostat. If you or your plumber find that the elements are in working condition, your problem is likely one or two malfunctioning thermostats.