Manual

49-50300-2 11
CARE AND CLEANING
Anode Rod
Anode rods are designed and installed to protect and
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The anode rod must be removed from the water heater’s
tank and inspected annually, and replaced when more than
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rod.* Note: Artificially softened water will cause the anode
rod to consume more rapidly.
Due to shock hazard and to prevent accidental water leaks,
this inspection should be done by a qualified servicer or
plumber, and requires that the electric power and cold water
supply be turned off before servicing the anode rod.
NOTICE: Do not remove the anode rod from the water
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operation with the anode rod removed will shorten the life of
the glass-lined tank and will void warranty coverage.
Some areas have water conditions that may cause an
odor to develop in the water heater. Aluminum-Zinc alloy
replacement rods are available to address the condition.
*NOTE: Failure to replace the anode rod when consumed
risks voiding the warranty for the tank. Warranty coverage
for all other components remains intact, and is unaffected
by this maintenance requirement. The replacement anode
rod, and the inspection for consumption are not covered by
warranty.
Additional information for models with an anode
depletion sensing feature (Anode button on the
control):
When the depletion-sensing anode rod nears end of life,
the red light above the ANODE button will illuminate and
the control will beep and display F16. When this occurs, the
anode rod must be inspected and replaced if the core wire
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replace the anode rod as soon as possible to ensure that
the tank will continue to be protected from corrosion. Call
GE Appliances Service to order or to replace the anode rod.
(See page 12 for instructions to change the anode rod.) GE
Appliances Service: 888.4GE.HEWH (888.443.4394).
Press the ANODE button once to silence the alarm. Once
replaced, reset the alarm by pressing and holding the
ANODE button for 10 seconds until the control beeps and
the LED above the button turns off.
If an Aluminum-Zinc anode rod is installed to address a
water odor condition, the anode depletion sensing feature
must be disabled. If disabled, annual inspections of the
anode rod are required since the water heater will no longer
be capable of alerting for a depleted anode rod.
To disable the feature:
1. Upon power-up following an Aluminum-Zinc anode rod
installation, the control will sound an alarm and F17 will
display. Press the ANODE button to quiet the alarm.
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display confirming that the feature has been disabled/
enabled.
To enable the feature if a new anode depletion sensing
anode rod is installed, follow Step 2 above.
Note: If the display is blank, press any button to wake the
control before entering a button combination.
NOTE: If the water heater has been installed with a
device that periodically cuts power to the water heater, the
accuracy of the anode rod depletion sensing feature may
become compromised and anode rod inspection every 2-3
years is required.
If the water heater will be inactive for a long period of time
and the water heater cannot be drained, it is recommended
to leave the power turned on with the water heater in
vacation mode to ensure that the feature will continue to
operate properly while still conserving energy.
NOTE: Refer to the Hydrogen Gas Caution in the
Operating Instructions (see page 3).
Care and Cleaning
Routine Preventative Maintenance