Rheem 40 gal nat gas hot water heater too hot

[cw41]

Model Number

M142007809

Brand

-brand-

Age

Less than 1 year

I bought a new Rheem 40 gal 6yr nat gas from a big box store replacing a 10yr old tank and upon startup, I set the honeywell thermostat between vacation and low. Blue light is blinking proper. Got 137 deg from faucet. Rheem tech said that was too high and sent me new gas control valve. Installed new SP20832E and basiclly same problem. I've been on vacation setting for a week now and get 120 deg water at the faucet. According to instructions I should have 90 deg on vac setting? I don't have soft water to this tank as its in my shop. Big box warranty will not come to my area nor will Rheem and I'm well under the 1yr labor warranty. They want me to find my own plumber and submit charges out of my pocket for labor?? Any ideas as to what is going on here? Thank you

 

[rickgburton]

Big box warranty will not come to my area nor will Rheem and I'm well under the 1yr labor warranty. They want me to find my own plumber and submit charges out of my pocket for labor??

Lots of new rules with COVID-19. I'm not familiar with your area or how far away you are from an authorized Rheem service center. Rheem will reimburse you for any out of pocket labor costs. Might be a little inconvenient but better than doing nothing. Most big box stores have a 30 -60 day return policy. Again, a little inconvenient but if you're having trouble with it now it might be the better way to go. Exchange it. Check with the store where you bought it.

 

[cw41]

thank you, the store is a two hour round trip so not sure if they would refund it as its 4 months old now?? Nobody will answer the phone and no chat service and the last time I was there the return and cust assistance lines were long. I don't recall seeing it that bad before. Maybe so? I was sent another control thermostat and pilot assembly to try again. thanks

 

[rickgburton]

Good luck.

 

[cw41]

what brand of nat gas hot water heater should I look for next time? thank you

 

[rickgburton]

Rheem is suppose to be good. Appliance techs don't normally work on HWH. That's more along the lines of a plumber.

 

[cw41]

thanks, plumbers are a rare item right now. I have 2 Rheem A/C units and they works great. A O smith and richmond are two others available to me.

 

[rickgburton]

AO Smith is also a good brand.

 

[cw41]

thanks rick. Do you happen to know of a good thread sealant, pipe dope for metal and plastic alike? rectorseal?? some use teflon tape and pipe dope but most plastics don't recommend ptfe. rectorseal does, oatley says no.

 

[rickgburton]

teflon tape

 

[cw41]

I removed the Rheem 40 gal gas that has the honeywell gas control and replaced it with a Richmond which is made by Rheem but has the older style gas valve and have the proper water temp and no more air in the hot water side. The big box store had no problem returning my money for the defective one. That makes a first for installing a new tank and removing for refund in 5 months. Next one I will go electric.

 

[rickgburton]

FYI: gas is more efficient

 

[cw41]

thanks Rick. I don't want to deal with these honeywell controls ever again. I know it coming on all of them if not already. Do they have a long life battery to make that light blink? thanks again.

 

[rickgburton]

I'm not sure, sorry