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GE Water Heater Troubleshooting
GE Water Heater Troubleshooting

GE Water Heater Troubleshooting

If you're looking for help fixing your GE Water Heater, look no further! Our comprehensive GE Water Heater Troubleshooting guide will explain common issues, provide tips, and show you how to read your model's error codes.

No Hot Water or Not Enough Hot Water 
Step 1 - Ensure that the water heater's power supply (gas or electricity) is on. If troubleshooting a gas water heater, make sure that the gas is on, then relight the pilot flame with a BBQ lighter at the base of the water heater. If troubleshooting an electric heater, make sure the heater is receiving electricity, then reset the thermostat by pressing down the red reset button on top of the thermostat. 
Step 2 - Flush the water heater system into a bucket to clear any deposits from the bottom of the tank by turning the drain handle in a counterclockwise direction. 
Step 3 - Wrap the hot water pipes with fiberglass strip insulation. The insulation should be wrapped around the pipes loosely, and secured with waterproof tape. 
Step 4 - Raise the temperature setting of the thermostat. The thermostat dial is located on the front of the water heater. 

Leaking Pressure-Relief Valve 
Step 1 - Lower the temperature setting of the thermostat. The thermostat dial is located on the front of the water heater. 
Step 2 - Remove the pressure relief valve. The pressure-relief valve is located on the side and at the top of the tank. The valve faces downwards, and drains into a pipe. Use a wrench to unscrew the pipe connected to the valve, then grasp the valve with the wrench and turn the valve in a counterclockwise direction. 
Step 3 - Ensure that the replacement pressure-relief valve matches the working pressure that the tank is rated at. Wrap the threads of the new valve with plumber's tape then screw the valve into the tank in a clockwise direction. Wrap the end of the pipe that connects to the valve with plumber's tape, then screw the end of the pipe into the valve. 

How to Clean a Hot Water Heater With Vinegar 
Step 1 - Turn off the water heater and disconnect from the power supply. Close the water valves for both the hot and cold water to the water heater. 
Step 2 - Close the hot water purge port, turning it until it is perpendicular to the port valve. Remove the purge port valve cap. 
Step 3 - Open the drain caps on both purge port valves, checking to make sure the rubber washer sealing remains in the cap. Rotate the T-handles on the port outlet pipes until parallel to the purge port body. 
Step 4 - Drain the water completely from the water tank. Close the drain valves. Attach a hose from the hot outlet port of the water heater to a large bucket, and attach a hose from the inlet of the pump to another bucket. Attach one last hose from the pump to the cold water inlet service port. 
Step 5 - Pour 2 gallons of white vinegar into the bucket that is attached to the pump. Open the service port valves and turn on the pump. This will send the vinegar into the water heater through the cold water service port and then back out the hot water outlet port, draining into the second bucket. 
Step 6 - Repeat as necessary until the vinegar runs clean into the second bucket. When the vinegar runs clean, empty out the buckets and rinse the first bucket with water until no vinegar odor is detected. Fill the bucket with 2 gallons of clean water and repeat Step 4 to flush the vinegar from the system. 
Step 7 - Repeat until five buckets of clean water have been run through the water heater. Remove the hoses, close the outlet ports and turn on the water valves. Restore power to the water heater.



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Product Reviews:

The defect is in the Gas Control and Thermal Coupling, per my licensed plum
The defect is in the Gas Control and Thermal Coupling, per my licensed plumber. GE tells me my water heater is still under warranty; therefore, I would like an authorization code to have it replaced by Home Depot where it was originally purchased. Home Depot tells me I need GE to give me the authorization code. BTW, your CS rep was very helpful. She is sending both items to me, but I prefer to have a replacement for the cost my plumber will charge to install parts in a questionable product. Thank you.
Published: March 21, 2015
LOIS of Sierra Madre, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

No matter what it is whether it's a GE hot water heater, an iPhone, a
No matter what it is whether it's a GE hot water heater, an iPhone, a car or a frozen TV dinner, you're going to find someone that had a bad experience. After a day of rain eight years after I put in my Home Depot GE hot water heater, the pilot was out. I don't know if it was wet in there or what but it took me 10 hours of repeated attempts and while I was searching online for answers and deals on replacing it, I kept trying. And tonight at 10:30 PM I didn't bugger about, I just held down the pilot for one minute, and then once the pilot remained lit on its own, as fast as I could I turned the thermostat to medium high and kaboom it lit up wonderfully. Maybe it dried out but I would not say that GE water heaters are a piece of Home Depot junk. As I said earlier I installed mine eight years ago and it has never had a problem and since tonight it restarted and I checked the tap and now have hot water. I suspect it will be fine but if I need a new one, eight years hasn't been a bad run. Just follow the instructions very carefully and repeat and repeat and repeat. Good luck.
Published: December 5, 2015
John of Any Town , CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I am writing this more as an educational notice for consumers of the G.E./R
I am writing this more as an educational notice for consumers of the G.E./Rheem gas water heaters to aid in uninterrupted service and understanding of the water heater. Installation locations: If you have installed your unit outside, all though in the owner’s manual, it states that G.E./Rheem says to never install the unit outside. People that live in warm climates do have their unit installed as such, but in a metal enclosure, of which to the city codes are fine, but again not by the G.E./Rheem standards. So being as this is accepted by city codes, people do and will continue to install water heater outside in enclosures.
Published: March 11, 2015
M. of Burbank, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

A GE water heater was installed in our new home in 1962. As of today, Novem
A GE water heater was installed in our new home in 1962. As of today, November 2, 2014, we are pleased to let you know it is still in excellent working condition 52 years later... Way to go GE... The only update we changed lower element twice in 52 years!!!
Published: November 3, 2015
Larry of Concord, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased a GE Smart water heater and installed in October 2004. I have n
I purchased a GE Smart water heater and installed in October 2004. I have not had any issue or problem. 50 gallon natural gas unit for 5 people. 40,000 BTU I am looking to replace before there is a problem and will certainly look at GE again, but these more recent reviews are a concern. The trouble is, these websites attract those who are dissatisfied and may give a biased view of a product.
Published: November 11, 2016
GEO of Gurnee, IL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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