Owner's Manual

18 49-6000226 Rev. 1
Troubleshooting
Before you call for service....
Save time and money! Review the chart below first and you may not need to call for service.
CAUTION
For your safety, DO NOT attempt repair of electrical wiring, controls, heating elements or other
safety devices. Refer repairs to qualified service personnel.
Problem Possible Causes What To do
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE
Not enough or no hot water Water temperature may be set
too low
• See the Water Temperature Adjustment and Water Heater
Capacity sections (see pages 4 and 6). If the product has an integrated
mixing valve, turn capacity setting up to “High” or “X-High” to increase
available hot water capacity.
Cold water inlet temperature
may be colder during the winter
months
•
This is normal. The colder inlet water takes longer to heat.
• Consider increasing the set temperature as described in the Water
Temperature Adjustment section or increase capacity setting on models
equipped with electronic mixing valve.
Leaking or open hot water
faucets
• Make sure all faucets are closed.
Long runs of exposed pipe, or
hot water piping on outside wall
• Insulate piping.
Dip tube damaged • Contact your local installer, plumbing contractor, or previously agreed upon
service agency.
A fuse is blown, circuit breaker
tripped, or electric service to
your home may be interrupted
• Replace fuse or reset circuit breaker.
• Contact the local electric utility.
Inadequate wiring • See the Installation Instructions.
Manual reset high limit (ECO) • See the Safety Controls section, see page 5.
Water Connections to unit
reversed
• Correct piping connections.
Recirculating System
Interference (if installed)
• Check flow rate is not set too high.
• Insulate piping
Water is too hot Water temperature is set too high • See the Water Temperature Adjustment section.
Electronic Control has failed • Contact your local installer, plumbing contractor, or previously agreed upon
service agency.
Control Panel
The heater is beeping, the
anode light is on (on some
models), and the display
says F70
The anode rod is approaching
end of life and it is recommended
to replace it in order to continue
to offer protection from
corrosion.
• Call for service or follow the instructions on how to replace the anode rod on
page 12. Ensure that the anode depletion sensing anode rod or other GE
Appliances approved anode rod is installed. Installation of an unapproved
anode rod will VOID the warranty.
The heater is beeping and
the display says F41
The anode rod is not connected
properly and the water heater
may not be protected from
corrosion.
• Check that the tank is filled completely with water.
• If the tank is full of water and the F41 code persists, contact GE Appliances
service.
• Press anode button to silence alarm.
The heater is beeping and
the screen flashes, F78.
Unit is not receiving 240VAC as
intended.
• Turn off power to water heater (generally at the breaker panel). Then read
Electrical Connections section of the installation Instructions, see page 17,
then contact the installer to verify electrical input to the water heater.
OTHER
Rumbling noise Water conditions in your home
caused a buildup of scale or
mineral deposits on the heating
elements
• Remove and clean the heating elements. This should only be done by a
qualified service person or plumbing contractor.
Water dripping down the
outside of the heater
Hot/Cold water connections or
other parts have loosened
•
Tighten the loose connections. This should only be done by a qualified
service person or plumbing contractor.
Relief valve producing
popping sound or draining
Pressure buildup caused by
thermal expansion to a closed
system
• This is an unacceptable condition and must be corrected. See Thermal
Expansion section on page 14. Do not plug the relief valve outlet. Contact
a plumbing contractor to correct this.
Hot water has a rotten egg
or sulfur smell
Certain water supplies with high
sulfate content will react with
the anode rod that is present in
all water heaters for corrosion
protection of the tank
• The odor can be reduced or eliminated in most water heaters by replacing
the anode rod with less-active material rod. In some cases, an added
step of chlorinating the water heater and all hot water lines may be
necessary, contact your local water professional or plumber for options and
instructions.
Go to GEAppliances.com/waterheater for information on purchasing
this replacement anode rod. A qualified servicer or plumber should do
this replacement. Use of a non-GE Appliances approved anode rod, or
operating the water heater without a GE Appliances approved anode rod
will VOID the warranty.
• In certain cases, increasing the tank temperature to 140°F (60°C) can
reduce this odor issue. Reference the Water Temperature Adjustment
section of the Important Safety Information of this manual for procedure and
dangers of scalding water. Installation of temperature limiting valves can be
used to reduce risk of scalding.
TROUBLESHOOTING