Perhaps you’re encountering a few gremlins with your Rheem tankless water heater, and you think resetting the unit may solve the problem.
But there’s one problem: you don’t know how to reset a Rheem tankless water heater! Well, not any longer!
Resetting a Rheem tankless water heater is a straightforward procedure.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to go about it and get your unit back up and running again:
- Locate the water heater circuit and flip it on
- Remove the panel cover to access the reset button
- Long-press the button and release
- Return the cover
- Reconnect gas valve
And voila! There you have your Rheem tankless water heater, all reset and ready to go! If you’re still having issues with your water heater, don’t panic.
Sometimes it may take two or three resets before everything returns to normal.
In this guide, I’ll help you figure out the issue and get your water heater running again so you can enjoy hot showers, cozy baths, and refreshing laundry. Of course, we’ve also provided answers to some FAQs! But, of course, first things first!
When a Reset for Your Rheem Tankless Water Heater Is Necessary
Before we get into the steps, it’s important to know when a reset is needed. After all, not every issue requires a reset.
Here are some occasions that call for one:
- Overloading
- Error codes
- The reset button keeps tripping
Let’s take a look at each situation:
1. Overloading
Overloading in water heaters occurs when the hot water requirement exceeds the heater’s capacity.
This is usually due to multiple people using hot water simultaneously or simply an appliance with a high demand for hot water.
A reset can relieve pressure on the system and get it back to its optimum performance levels.
2. Error Codes
Many modern Rheem tankless water heaters come with a digital display panel. If you see an error code on the panel, it could mean your heater requires a reset.
Resetting the system is one common way to clear out the error codes and restore heating operations to your heater.
3. The Reset Button Keeps Tripping
Sometimes, the reset button might keep tripping. That could be due to a faulty circuit or other system problems.
Every time that happens, the only way to restore heating operations to your heater is to reset the button. More often, when the reset button trips, the circuit breaker will also trip for additional safety.
Now that we know when a reset may be necessary let’s look at how to do it!
5 Simple Steps for Resetting Your Rheem Tankless Water Heater
Follow these straightforward steps to reset your Rheem tankless water heater:
Step 1: Locate the Water Heater Circuit and Flip It On
Before you get into the actual resetting, ensure the water heater circuit is turned on. You’ll need to access your home’s main electrical pane.
Find the circuit labeled “water heater” and flip it on if it’s in the “off” position.
Step 2: Remove the Panel Cover To Access the Reset Button
Once the switch is on, you must access the reset button. To do this, remove the panel cover of the heater, which is the casing that protects the interior components from mechanical damage.
To get the cover out of the way, remove the screws holding it in place.
Of course, you’ll need a screwdriver for the work, so get one before you begin the reset journey for your water heater. Then, pull and lift the cover to let you easily access the target button.
Step 3: Long-Press the Button In and Release
Once you’ve located the reset button, press and hold it, You’ll need to keep holding the cover for some seconds.
You should hear a click confirming the reset process has been activated. Once you hear it, you can now release the button.
Step 4: Return the Cover
Once the reset process is finished, put back the panel cover by tightening the screws that hold it. Make sure to tighten them carefully, but not too much, as you don’t want to damage the heater.
Step 5: Reconnect Gas Valve
Finally, reconnect the gas valve to the water heater using an appropriate wrench. Turn on the gas valve and see if the system is working again.
Usually, you should notice a change in the water heater’s functioning after the reset.
If the system doesn’t respond, try resetting it again and maybe the third time. If it doesn’t respond positively after the third attempt, that’s a sign that resetting it won’t help solve the problem.
In such cases, you’ll need to contact a technician and have them inspect the system.
5 Reasons Rheem Water Heater Reset Button Keeps Tripping
The reset button of a Rheem water heater is designed to trip when something is wrong with the system.
So, if you notice that the button of your heater is tripping more often, that’s a telltale sign that there’s a bigger problem you need to address.
It could be any of the following:
- Loose wire connections
- Faulty thermostat
- Defective reset button
- Short-circuited heating element
- Defective high-pressure limit switch
These are the most common reasons your Rheem water heater reset button keeps tripping.
It’s always a good idea to inspect these parts of your water heater to see if you can find the source of the problem.
And, of course, the inspection work here is quite on the delicate side, so it’s best to leave it in the hands of a professional technician.
The technician will diagnose the problem and provide an appropriate solution. And yes, ensure to work with only certified technicians with years of experience in the field.
It’s the only way to ensure you get quality work and that your Rheem tankless water heater is running again quickly!
Conclusion
Resetting your Rheem water heater’s reset button is a straightforward process that you can do quickly. Once you remove the panel cover of your heater, you’re done with the most difficult part.
However, you must get to the source of the problem if your system is tripping too often.
And for this, you need the services of a certified technician, who will also provide a permanent solution to the problem.
But for a couple of other minor hiccups, you can easily reset your Rheem tankless water heater and restore its optimal heating operations!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Tankless Hot Water Heater Not Turning On?
If your tankless water heater can’t turn on, check if the circuit breaker might have tripped. For a gas-powered heater, ensure the valve is open, and you’ve fully paid your gas bills.
If everything seems okay and the unit still can’t respond, it’s likely a mechanical problem, so get it tested.
Do Tankless Water Heaters Have a Fuse?
Yes, tankless water heaters have an overheat cut-off fuse. It’s a safety feature that disengages the gas valve if the heater detects a problem that could lead to serious injury.
How Do You Clear a Rheem Error Code?
To clear Rheem’s error code, try rebooting the unit. Unplug it from the power source and wait about 2 minutes before reconnecting it.
If the problem reappears, try resetting the unit. If this fails, contact a certified technician to help diagnose the issue.