No Hot Water
Rheem Water Heater
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
A Rheem water heater that produces no hot water has either lost power, lost gas/pilot, or has a failed heating element or burner. Check the breaker (electric) or pilot light (gas) first.
Affected Models
- Rheem Performance
- Rheem Performance Plus
- Rheem Marathon
- Rheem ProTerra Hybrid
- Rheem Tankless Gas
- Rheem Tankless Electric
Common Causes
- Tripped circuit breaker (electric water heater)
- Pilot light out (older gas units) or gas supply off
- Failed upper or lower heating element (electric)
- Failed thermostat
- Tripped high-temperature cutoff (manual reset button)
How to Fix It
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Check the circuit breaker (electric).
An electric water heater is on a 240V double-pole breaker. If tripped, reset it. If it trips again immediately, a heating element has shorted to ground — call a technician.
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Check the pilot light (older gas units).
Modern Rheem gas units use electronic ignition, but older models have a standing pilot. If the pilot is out, follow the relight procedure on the unit's label. If the pilot will not stay lit, the thermocouple has failed.
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Reset the high-temperature cutoff (electric).
Press the red Reset button on the upper thermostat assembly. The button trips when water exceeds about 180°F. If it trips repeatedly, the thermostat or heating element is faulty and needs replacement.
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Test the heating elements (electric).
Turn off power at the breaker. Use a multimeter to test continuity across each heating element. No continuity means the element is broken — replace it. Most Rheem electric units have an upper and lower element.
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Verify gas supply (gas units).
Check the gas shutoff valve at the unit and at the meter. Verify other gas appliances are working. If only the water heater has no gas, check the unit's internal gas valve and ignition.
When to Call a Professional
If basic checks do not restore hot water, a licensed plumber or technician should diagnose. Electric heating elements and thermostats are user-serviceable; gas burner components and reset switches usually require a professional.