Rheem water heater troubleshooting allows you to find pressure relief valve to some common issues or indicates professional repair or replacement is needed. This guide to common water heater problems covers gas and electric models from Rheem, Ruud, and other brands.
Accordance with the installation instructions or if power is not available at the solar control unit (refer to “Terms of the Rheem Warranty” on page 51). Note: The Rheem warranty against freeze damage applies only to systems installed in Australia. In 2010 we found it difficult to find Rheem and Ruud gas furnace installation manuals online, and found that Rheem's website does not offer easy email or telephone contact information for consumers. At left is a Rheem gas furnace, RGOA100CER that was used in an energy efficiency study by energy.gov. Yee & Baker (2013).
Before taking the Rheem water heater pressure relief valve below, it’s worth remembering the potential dangers – burns from hot water or the tank, shock from electrical connections and the risk of a gas leak or carbon monoxide leak from gas models. Only take Rheem water heater troubleshooting steps you’re knowledgeable about and comfortable with. Calling a Rheem water repair technician is an affordable way to avoid serious injury.
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Here’s a list of the most common Rheem water heater problems to look for. Solutions requiring multiple steps are found below.
A tripped circuit breaker will shut down an electric heater and gas models that use electricity.
If the water heater is new, or if you’ve just moved into a new home and aren’t familiar with the water heater’s capability, it’s likely that the unit is undersized. You’re using hot water faster than it can make it. This problem is more common with electric models since they don’t heat water as quickly as gas models.
The water could be coming from a leaking tank, more common in old water heaters, a loose fitting or normal discharge from the temperature pressure T&P relief valve.
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This small collection of items will assist you in Rheem water heater troubleshooting and possibly making a repair.
Here are tips for solving your Rheem water heater problem or deciding to call a Rheem service company to handle the repair.
All electric water heaters and gas heaters that use electricity: The first issue to troubleshoot is a lack of power to the unit.
Gas water heater: If your unit has a pilot light and it isn’t lit, follow the instructions in your user’s manual to relight the pilot using the BBQ lighter. If the unit has an electronic ignition and it won’t fire, the ignition might require replacing. Since replacing it involves the potential for a gas leak if not handled properly, consider calling a repair technician for the work.
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If your gas water heater isn’t making enough hot water, try adjusting the thermostat to a higher setting. This might require a flat screwdriver placed in the slot on the adjuster. The manual has detailed instructions.
Caution: It’s recommended that you set the thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the risk of severe burns from scalding. If the unit still doesn’t make enough hot water, it is either undersized for your needs, partially filled with mineral sediment or has a plugged gas valve. A Rheem technician can check the gas valve and clean or replace it.
If you’re getting some hot water, and you can hear the unit heating, check the thermostat set point. Adjust it to a higher temperature, but no higher than 120F. If the water continues to be warm but not hot or heats very slowly, then one of the heating elements or thermostats is bad.
To replace an element or thermostat:
Note: If you’d prefer not to have a small amount of water leak from the tank while replacing the element, drain the tank first by attaching a garden hose to the threaded spigot near the bottom of the tank, running the hose to a floor drain or to the outside of your home and turning on the spigot.
If this problem starts immediately after you install or repair a water heater, a fitting is probably loose. Turn off power to the unit, if applicable, and check all pipe connections for water. Gently tighten any wet connection. The connection should have pipe tape on it and be very snug, not overly tight. If you replaced an electric element, remove the cover to it, and check/tighten the element if necessary.
If everything is tight, the next step is to determine if the relief valve releases water.
If water continues to drip or flow from the temperature/pressure relief valve, you can replace it with the following steps:
If water isn’t coming from a fitting or the T&P relief valve, the tank is leaking. It’s probably time for a new water heater.
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We’ve included several safety steps in this Rheem water heater troubleshooting guide to prevent burn and shock. Here are additional warnings:
If you didn’t find the issue you’re having here or these steps don’t solve it, a service technician can help. They can evaluate whether you can repair or replace your water heater. Replacement makes sense if the unit is 7+ years old and the repair is a costly one. Finally, if you managed to solve your issue, sharing these Rheem water heater troubleshooting tips on social media might benefit others. They apply to any brand water heater.
February 16, 2018
Heating and cooling equipment comes with manuals to keep users informed of their operation, maintenance, and other needs. Whenever you purchase a new Rheem heating or cooling system, be sure to store the manuals for future reference.
If you’ve lost your Rheem HVAC equipment manuals, HVAC.com is here to help! Download PDF copies of the manuals you need for quick access.
Below, find the selection of Rheem HVAC equipment manuals we have available.
Rheem gas furnaces offer reliable, efficient temperature control when outdoor conditions are chilly. The following Rheem gas furnace manuals are available for download.
Rheem Gas Furnace Customer Brochures:
RHEEMRGTM Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGTK Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGRM Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGRL Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGRK Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGPT Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGPS Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGPQ Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGPN Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGPE Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGLT Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGLS Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGLQ Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGLN Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGLE Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGJF Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGGE Consumer Manual
RHEEMRGFG Consumer Manual
RHEEMR96V Consumer Manual
RHEEMR96P Consumer Manual
RHEEMR95T Consumer Manual
RHEEMR95P Consumer Manual
RHEEMR92P Consumer Manual
Rheem Gas Furnace Owner’s Manuals:
RHEEMRGTM Owner Manual
RHEEMRGTK Owner Manual
RHEEMRGRM Owner Manual
RHEEMRGRL Owner Manual
RHEEMRGRK Owner Manual
RHEEMRGPT Owner Manual
RHEEMRGPS Owner Manual
RHEEMRGPQ Owner Manual
RHEEMRGPN Owner Manual
RHEEMRGPE Owner Manual
RHEEMRGLT Owner Manual
RHEEMRGLS Owner Manual
RHEEMRGLQ Owner Manual
RHEEMRGLN Owner Manual
RHEEMRGLE Owner Manual
RHEEMRGJF Owner Manual
RHEEMRGGE Owner Manual
RHEEMRGFG Owner Manual
RHEEM R96P Owner Manual
RHEEM R95T Owner Manual
RHEEM R95P Owner Manual
RHEEM R92P Owner Manual
Rheem Gas Furnace Specification Manuals:
RHEEMR96V Specification Manual
RHEEMR96P Specification Manual
RHEEMR95T Specification Manual
RHEEMR95P Specification Manual
RHEEMR92P Specification Manual
Rheem Gas Furnace Installation Manuals:
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGRM
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGPT
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGPS
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGPN
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGPE
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGLT
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGLS
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGLQ
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGLN
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGLE
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – RGFG
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – R96V
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – R96P
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – R95T
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – R95P
RHEEM Furnace Installation Manual – R92P
Rheem oil furnaces deliver comfortable, even heat throughout living areas to create ideal indoor environments. The following Rheem oil furnace manuals are available for download.
Rheem Oil Furnace Customer Brochures:
RHEEM ROLA-P Consumer Manual
RHEEM ROCB-P Consumer Manual
RHEEM ROCB-E Consumer Manual
RHEEM ROCA-E Consumer Manual
Rheem heat pumps offer energy efficient heating and cooling, keeping your home or business comfortable no matter the season. The following Rheem heat pump manuals are available for download.
Rheem Heat Pump Customer Brochures:
RHEEM RPRL-JEC Consumer Manual
RHEEM RPQL-JEZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM RPQL-JAZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM RPNL-JAZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM 15PJL Consumer Manual
RHEEM 14PJM Consumer Manual
RHEEM 13PJL Consumer Manual
Rheem Heat Pump Installation Manuals:
RHEEM Heat Pump RPRL-JEC Installation Manual
RHEEM Heat Pump RPQL-JEZ Installation Manual
RHEEM Heat Pump RPQL-JAZ Installation Manual
RHEEM Heat Pump RPNL-JAZ Installation Manual
RHEEM Heat Pump 13PJL Installation Manual
Rheem Heat Pump Owner’s Manuals:
RHEEM RPRL-JEC Owner Manual
RHEEM RPQL-JEZ Owner Manual
RHEEM RPQL-JAZ Owner Manual
RHEEM RPNL-JAZ Owner Manual
Rheem Heat Pump Specification Manuals:
RHEEM 15PJL Specification Manual
RHEEM 14PJM Specification Manual
RHEEM 13PJP Specification Manual
RHEEM 13PJL Specification Manual
Rheem air conditioners keep homes and businesses cool using innovative, energy efficient technology. The following Rheem air conditioner manuals are available for download.
Rheem Air Conditioner Customer Brochures:
RHEEM RSPM Consumer Manual
RHEEM RASL-JEZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM RASL-JEC Consumer Manual
RHEEM RARL-JEZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM RARL-JEC Consumer Manual
RHEEM RAPM-JEZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM RAPM-JAZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM RANL-JAZ Consumer Manual
RHEEM 16AJL Consumer Manual
RHEEM 14AJM Consumer Manual
RHEEM 13AJN Consumer Manual
Rheem Air Conditioner Owner’s Manuals:
RHEEM RASL-JEZ Owner Manual
RHEEM RASL-JEC Owner Manual
RHEEM RARL-JEZ Owner Manual
RHEEM RARL-JEC Owner Manual
RHEEM RAPM-JEZ Owner Manual
RHEEM RAPM-JAZ Owner Manual
RHEEM RANL-JAZ Owner Manual
RHEEM 14AJM Owner Manual
Rheem Air Conditioner Specification Manuals:
RHEEM 16AJL Specification Manual
RHEEM 14AJM Specification Manual
RHEEM 13AJN Specification Manual
Rheem air handlers work with forced air heating and cooling equipment to circulate conditioned air throughout the home or office. The following Rheem air handler manuals are available for download.
Rheem Air Handler Customer Brochures:
RHEEM RHWB Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHSL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHPN Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHPL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHML Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHLL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHKL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHBL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RHAL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RBHP Consumer Manual
Rheem Air Handler Owner’s Manuals:
Rheem Air Handler Installation Manuals:
RHEEM Air Handler RHWB Installation Manual
RHEEM Air Handler RHSL Installation Manual
RHEEM Air Handler RHPN Installation Manual
RHEEM Air Handler RHPL Installation Manual
RHEEM Air Handler RHML Installation Manual
RHEEM Air Handler RHLL Installation Manual
RHEEM Air Handler RHKL Installation Manual
RHEEM Air Handler RHBL Installation Manual
Rheem evaporator coils absorb heat to improve the efficiency of the cooling process. The following Rheem evaporator coil manuals are available for download
Rheem Evaporator Coil Installation Manuals:
Rheem packaged air conditioners combine reliable heating and cooling equipment into one convenient to install, easy to access cabinet. The following Rheem packaged air conditioner manuals are available for download.
Rheem Packaged Air Conditioner Customer Brochures:
RHEEM RSNM Consumer Manual
RHEEM RSPL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RSNL Consumer Manual
Rheem packaged gas/electric units combine gas and electric heating system in one convenient cabinet to fulfill the heating needs of your home or business. The following Rheem packaged gas/electric unit manuals are available for download.
Rheem Packaged Gas/Electric Unit Customer Brochures:
RHEEM RRRL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RRPL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RRNL Consumer Manual
Rheem packaged heat pumps combine efficient heat pump and air handling equipment in one convenient cabinet to deliver comfort throughout your home or workplace. The following Rheem packaged heat pump manuals are available for download.
Rheem Packaged Heat Pump Customer Brochures:
RHEEM RQRM Consumer Manual
RHEEM RQPM Consumer Manual
RHEEM RQPL Consumer Manual
RHEEM RQNM Consumer Manual
RHEEM RQNL Consumer Manual
Rheem Packaged Heat Pump Installation Manuals:
RHEEM RQRM Installation Manual
RHEEM RQPM Installation Manual
RHEEM RQNM Installation Manual
Use HVAC.com’s Contractor Directory is a resource for homeowners, connecting you to skilled, local heating and cooling professionals who perform installation, repair service, and maintenance for Rheem heating and cooling equipment. Input your ZIP code to find contact details and services provided by each company so you can make the best decision when selecting an HVAC pro to work with.
December 20, 2019
December 20, 2019