How to troubleshoot Rheem water heater
Not enough or no hot water from the heater
If your water heater makes a rumbling noise, remove and clean the heating elements. This is due to a mineral scale build up on the elements.If the relief valve makes a popping sound or drains water, this is due to excessive pressure in the plumbing system. Contact a qualified plumber to have your system checked out.If the water is coming out too hot, adjust the thermostat on the water heater.
Why is my Rheem water heater not heating?
There could be several reasons why your water heater is not heating:
How do I reset my Rheem water heater?
Rheem electric residential water heaters (HE, GE, PE, and SE Series) are equipped with a combination thermostat and temperature limiting control (ECO) that is located above the heating element in contact with the tank surface. If the water temperature, for any reason, becomes excessively high, the ECO breaks the power circuit to the heating element. Once the control opens, you must reset it manually. To reset the temperature limiting control:
Rheem water heater troubleshooting codes (continuous flow water heater)
Error/troubleshooting codes are displayed on the LED display on the front of your Rheem continuous flow water heater. Below is a listing of the various error codes and what they mean:
Rheem water heater reset button location
The reset button on a Rheem water heater is the red button located in the center of the limit switch just above the water heater thermostat.
Rheem water heater blinking light codes
There are fault codes that can be shown through the amount of blinking lights on the Rheem heat pump controller. The blinking light codes vary depending on the unit, either 310L or 325L. On the 310 series Heat Pumps, there are two variations of LED indication depending upon the version of the controllers software; however all versions use a red and green LED to display the operational status and/or fault condition of the appliance.
For controller software version HPV 3.1, HPV 3.2 or no HPV identification:
Controller version HPV 4.0 or higher
If no fault is present the green LED will flash to indicate the operation sequence number the heat pump is currently operating in: If a fault is present, the green and/or red LEDs will indicate the fault condition according to the list below:
Why is my water heater only lukewarm?
The water temperature may be lower than usual due to heavy hot water usage.Your water usage may have exceeded the capacity of the water heater. Please wait for the heater to recover after an abnormal demand. Also, this problem could be due to faulty tempering valve that is excessively cooling your hot water. Have your system tested by a plumber and replace the valve if necessary. If you have a solar water heater, check that the booster is being used as per the installation instructions for your model. If you have a timer installed, you will need to ensure that sufficient time is allowed to heat enough water to meet your household’s hot water needs. If you have a 500C temperature limited water heater then hot water to your whole house will be limited to 500C.
Rheem gas water heater pilot light how to and troubleshooting
How to light a Rheem water heater pilot
Rheem water heater pilots need to be manually lit using the piezo ignitor striker built into the water heater. Follow the steps below to light your water heater pilot:
Pilot light won’t light or stay lit
If the pilot light on your Rheem water heater won’t light or stay lit, it could be because of a blocked gas line. Other possible causes for this problem are a faulty thermocouple, malfunctioned gas valve, or something as minor as draft coming from a crack in the wall or under the door. To troubleshoot the problem, follow these instructions:
Open the valve on the gas line by turning the handle until it is parallel to the gas pipe. Turn the gas control knob to the “Pilot” position and push it in. Can you hear a faint hissing sound? If not, there may be a blockage on the pilot supply tube, or the heater gas tube may be faulty.Turn off the gas, disconnect the pilot supply tube using a small wrench and clean it out with compressed air. If the problem persists, you may need to clean or replace the gas valve.Light the pilot if you hear a hissing sound when you depress the gas control valve. If the flame starts but goes out shortly, check for drafts. Inspect the vent if you can’t find the source of draft in the room. It should extend 18-24 inches above the roof line and be free from obstructions. Even a small breeze will blow the pilot if the vent is too short.If the flame stays lit while holding down the button but goes out when you release it, adjust the thermocouple. This is the small device, shaped like a bulb, located near the pilot aperture. Check to make sure the thermocouple isn’t loose and fell slightly out of position.Replace the thermocouple if adjusting it doesn’t fix the problem. Turn off the gas, then disconnect the thermocouple, pilot tube, burner gas supply and pilot igniter from the gas valve and remove the sealed access door. Install a new sealed access door after replacing the thermocouple to prevent carbon monoxide getting into your home.If the above steps don’t fix the problem, contact your gas or propane supplier to inspect your service lines. The gas could be contaminated by water or oil that is restricting the gas flow.
Check this too: Mr. Heater troubleshooting & How-to Guide
Rheem water heater overheating
Likely causes for an overheating water heater include:
Temperature setting being too highMalfunctioning thermostatHigh mineral contentBlocked pressure relief valve
If your Rheem water heater is overheating, try these troubleshooting tips to fix the problem:
