GE Appliances GEH5ODNSRSA Operating instructions

GEAppliances.com
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Safety Information ........... 2,s
Operating Instructions ..... 4-11
Care and Cleaning ......... 12,13
Installation Instructions...14-1s
Troubleshooting Tips ...... 19,20
Consumer Support ......... 22,68
GEH5ODNSRSA
GEH5ODXSRGA
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Write the model and serial
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Model #
Serial #
Youcan find them on the rating label
on the front sideof your water heater.
49-50254 10-09 JR

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IMPORTANTSAFETYINFORMATION.
READALL INSTRUCTIONSBEFOREUSING.
AWARNING!
For your safety, the information in this manual must befollowed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion,electric shock, or to
prevent property damage, personal injury, or lossof life.
Be sureto read and understand the entire Owner's Manual before attempting to install or operate this water heater.It may
save you time and cost. Pay particular attention to the Safety Instructions. Failureto follow these warnings could result in
serious bodily injury or death. Should you have problems understanding the instructions in this manual, or have any questions,
STOPand get help from a qualified servicetechnician or the local electric utility.
WATER TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT
Safety and energy conservation are factors to be considered when selecting the water temperature setting via the water
heater's user interface. Water temperatures above 125°Fcan cause severe burns or death from scalding. Besure to read and
follow the warnings outlined on the label pictured below.This label isalso located on the water heater near the top of the tank.
HOT
Water temperature over 125°F can
cause severe burns instantly or
death from scalds.
The electronic temperature control
setting usually approximates tap
water temperature. However,
factors could cause water
temperature to reach 180°F
regardless of the control setting.
Always feel water before bathing
and showering.
Children, disabled and elderly are
at highest risk of being scalded.
See instruction manual before
setting temperature at water
heater.
Feel water before bathing or
showering.
Temperature limiting valves are
available; see manual.
Mixingvalvesfor reducing point-of-use water temperature by
mixing hotand coldwater in branch water linesare available.
Contact a licensedplumberor the local plumbingauthority for
further information.
Time/Temperature Relationship in Scalds
120°F
125°F
130°F
135°F
140°F
145°F
150°F
155°F
TablecourtesyofShrinersBUm Institute
More thon 5 minutes
1-1/2 to 2 minutes
About 30 seconds
About 10 seconds
Less thon 5 seconds
Less thon 3 seconds
About 1-1/2 seconds
About i second
Thechart shown above may be usedas a guide in determining
the proper water temperature for your home.
NOTE:Households with small children, disabled or elderlg
persons mag require a 120°For lower thermostat setting
to prevent contact with "HOT"water.
ADANGER: ThereisaHotWaterSCALDPotential
if thecontrolwater temperature is set too high.
2SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

GEAppliances.com
WARNING!
Gasoline, as well as other flammable materials
and liquids (adhesives, solvents, etc.), and the
vapors theg produce are extremelg dangerous.
DONOT handle, use or store gasoline or other
flammable or combustible materials angwhere
near or in the vicinitg of a water heater. The arc
drawn in the water heater controls can ignite
these vapors. Failure to do so can result in
propertg damage, bodilg injurg or death.
_, FOR INSTALLATIONS
IN THE STATEOF CALIFORNIA
California Law requires that residential water
heaters must be braced, anchored or strapped
to resist falling or horizontal displacement due
to earthquake motions. For residential water
heaters up to 52 gallon capacity, a brochure with
generic earthquake bracing instructions can be
obtained from: Office of the State Architect, 400 P
Street, Sacramento, CA95814 or gou mag call
916.324.5315 or ask a water heater dealer.
However, applicable local codes shall govern
installation. For residential water heaters of a
capacitg greater than 52 gallons, consult the local
building jurisdiction for acceptable bracing
procedures.
California Proposition 65 Warning: This product
contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
READAND FOLLOWTHISSAFETYINFORMATIONCAREFULLY.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Operating the water heater.
A,_ WARNIN G: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system served by this water heater that has not been
usedfor a long period of time (generallytwo weeks or more).HYDROGENGASISEXTREMELYFLAP1P1ABLE!!Todissipatesuch gas
and to reduce riskof injury, it isrecommended that the hot water faucet be opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink
before usingany electrical appliance connected to the hot water system. Ifhydrogen ispresent,there will be an unusual sound
such asair escaping through the pipe asthe water beginsto flow. Do not smoke or usean open flame near the faucet at the
time it isopen.
Safety Precautions
A. Doturn off power to water heater if
it has been subjectedto overheating,
fire, flood or physical damage.
B.Do Not turn on water heater unless
it isfilled with water.
C.
D.
Do Not turn on water heater ifcold
water supply shut-off valve isclosed.
Do Not store or usegasoline or other
flammable vapors and liquids,such as
adhesivesor paint thinner,in the vicinity
of this or any other appliance. If such
flammables must be used,open doors
and windows for ventilation.
NOTE:Flammable vapors mag be drawn
bg air currents from surrounding areas to
the water heater.
E.If there isany difficulty in understanding
or following the Operating Instructions
or the Care and Cleaningsection, it is
recommended that a qualified person
or serviceman perform the work.
WARNING:
If the water heater has been
subjected to flood, fire, or phgsical
damage, turn off power and water
to the water heater.
Do not operate the water heater
again until it has been thoroughly
checked by qualified service
personnel.
Safetg Controls
Thewater heaterisequippedwith two
temperature-limitingcontrols(TCOs)that
are located abovethe heating elementin
contact with thetank surface.Iffor any
reasonthewater temperaturebecomes
excessivelyhigh,thetemperature-limiting
control (TCO)breaksthe powercircuitto
the heatingelement.Oncethe control
opens,itmust be resetmanually.Resetting
of thetemperature limiting controlsshould
bedone by a qualifiedservicetechnician.
CAUTION: Thecause
of the high temperature condition must
be investigated bg a qualified service
technician and corrective action must
be taken beforeplacing the water heater
in serviceagain.
To reset the temperature-limiting
control:
1.Turn off the power to the water
heater.
2. Remove the jacket access ponel(s)
and insulation.
The thermostat protective cover
should not be removed.
3. Press the red RESETbutton.
4. Replace the insulation and jocket
occess panel(s) before turning on
the power to the water heater.
/4

About the controls. GEApp,ionces.com
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Controls
Display
Lock
Pressond hold this button for 3 secondsto
lock or unlock the woter heoter touch button
controls. Green light isilluminoted when the
controls ore locked.
oFilter
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The filter is dirtg ond requires cleoning when
the Redlight is illuminoted. Filter is Iocoted on
top of the woter heoter. Pressbutton to reset
filter olorm.
High Demand
Usethis button when extro hot water is
needed.This feoture increoses the speed thot
the woter isheoted using more electricitg.
Green light isilluminoted when feoture ison.
Vacation Or Awag
Usethis button during times of no water
usoge, such osvocotion for on extended
period of time. Feoture will reduce the energg
used during the obsence. Green light is
illuminoted when feoture is on.
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Stop Cold Air
Usethis button to tempororily stop cold air
coming from the unit or to stop fon noise.
However,the unit will usemore electricitg,
sothis mode should generollg be used onlg
for short periods of time. Green light is
illuminoted when feoture ison.
Energg Menu
Chonge the woter heoter Operoting Modes
bg pressing this button. You con olso chonge
the temperoture displog from °Fto °Cond
view FAQs.
Power
Usethis button to activate or deactivate
all heating sources on this product.
NOTE:The user interface will still function
when the power button is off.
Arrow Pads
Usethe up, down, left and right arrows to
navigate through menus or to change the
water temperature.

Turning on the water heater.
The first time you press the power button and the
water heater is powered on, the screen will ask for
confirmation that the tank has been filled with
water. The tank must be full of water before the
heater isturned on to prevent damage.
The water heater warrantg does not cover damage
or failure resulting from operation with an emptg
or partiallg emptg tank. (Referto the Certificate of
Limited Warrantg for complete terms and
conditions.)
If the tank has NOTbeen filled, vent and fill tank
with water before pressing the POWERbutton
again.
• Hake sure the drain valve iscompletelg closed.
• Open the shut-off valve in the cold water supplg
line.
• Open each hot water faucet slowlg to allow the
air to vent from the water heater and piping.
• A steadg flow of water from the hot water
faucet(s) indicates a full water heater.
After the tank has been filled with water, pressthe
POWERbutton again.
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Once the water heater has been powered on, the
main screen will be shown. The displag will show
the current water temperature setting and the
current operating mode for the water heater.
Tocomplg with safetg regulations, the controls are
factorg preset to 120°F and Hgbrid Mode.These are
the recommended settings for the water heater.
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_OR AWAY___
Ifthe displaggoesblank,pressang kegto reactivate
the displag.Togo back to the default (HOME)screen,
pressthe left arrow button untilthe default (HOME)
screenappears.
6

About the water temperature setting. GEAppliances.com
Thetemperature of the water inthe water heater
can be regulated by adjusting the temperature
setting up or down using arrow kegs on the control
panel.
Safety and energy conservation are factors
to be considered when selecting the water
temperature setting of the water heater. The lower
the temperature setting, the greater the savings
in energy and operating costs.
Tocomply with safety regulations, the water
temperature isfactory set at 120°Fwhere local
codes require. This isthe recommended starting
point.
Water temperatures above 125°Fcan cause severe
burns or death from scalding. Besure to read and
follow the warnings outlined in this manual and on
the label on the water heater. This label is located
on the water heater near the upper element access
panel.
Mixing valves for reducing point-of-use water
temperature by mixing hot and cold water in
branch water linesare available. Contact a licensed
plumber or the local plumbing authority for further
information.
The chart below may be used as a guide in
determining the proper water temperature for your
home.
DANGER: Thereisahotwaterscald
poten_al if thewater temperatureis set toohigh.
Householdswith small children,disabled,or elderly
persons may requirea 120°Forlowerthermostat
setting toprevent contactwith HOTwater.
Time/Temperature Relationship in Scalds
_i TimetOProduceoSeriousBurn )
120°F
125°F
130°F
135°F
140°F
145°F
150°F
155°F
TabEecourtesvofShrinersBurnh_stitute
More thon 5 minutes
1-1/2 to 2 minutes
About 30 seconds
About 10 seconds
Less than 5 seconds
Less than 3 seconds
About 1-1/2 seconds
About isecond
To Adjust the Temperature
Press the UP or DOWN arrow on the control panel
key pad, You will be asked to press the ENTERkey
to acknowledge that increasing temperature
increases scald risk.Then the temperature can
be increased or decreased by pressing the UPor
DOWN arrows. After the desired temperature
setting has been achieved, you can press ENTER
to accept or simply walk away. (After 3 seconds of
no key presses, the control will accept the new
temperature setting.)
DANGER:ThereisaHotWaterSCALD
Potentialif thewatertemperatureisset toohigh.
120°Fisthe recommended water temperature
setting, but it can be adjusted to any temperature
between 100°Fand 140°F.
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VA_._ATION _'_STO P_

Adjusting the water temperature and function mode.
This water heater defaults to the Hybrid operating
mode. The Hybrid mode isthe recommended
setting for this water heater, but can be changed
if desired. Available modes are listed below and
can be found under the ENERGYMENUbutton.
eHeat TM Mode
eHeatTM isthe most energy-efficient mode for this
water heater. It takes heat from the surrounding
air to heat the water. The time it takes to heat
the water is longer in this mode, so it may NOT
be sufficient if you have a high-demand situation
such as a large household or company.
Standard Electric Mode
This mode uses only the upper and lower heating
resistance elements to heat the water. The time it
takes to heat the water is less in this mode, but it
isthe LEASTenergy-efficient mode.
Hybrid Mode--RECOMMENDED MODE
Hybrid mode combines the energy efficiency of
eHeatTM with the recovery speed and power of the
Standard Electric mode, with normal water usage.
High Demand
This mode is only necessary if your household
has a higher-than-average water usage or the unit
isundersized for the household water demands.
Inthis mode, the unit will use the electric heating
elements only when the water demand ishigher
than normal. When using the heating elements,
the water temperature will recover at a faster
rate but it will take more energy to heat it. Unlike
Standard Electric mode, it will use the heating
elements only when needed.
Toaccess any of these modes:
r_l Pressthe ENERGYMENU button and then
press ENTER.
_] Select "Operating Modes" on the menu list and
press ENTER.
Select the desired operating mode by using
the UPand DOWN arrow buttons and then
press ENTERagain.
Tocancel end return to the main energy menu:
Press the LEFTarrow button.
General navigation of energy menu:
F_For more information on each mode, while the
mode is highlighted, press the RIGHTarrow
button to read a description.
1-_1Use the UP and DOWN arrow buttons to scroll
through the description screens.
r_use the LEFT arrow button to return to the
"Operating Modes" menu list.
8

About the feature buttons on the user interface. 6EAppliances.com
Vacation Or Away
This feature is used when you will be away from
the home for an extended period of time and hot
water is not needed. Inthis mode, the unit will
drop the water temperature down to 50°F and will
use the most efficient heating mode to conserve
energy while the heater is sitting idle.The unit will
automatically resume heating one day before
your return, so that hot water will be available.
For example if you will be gone 1/4days, press the
VACATIONORAWAYbutton, press the UParrow
button until the display reads 1/4days (the default
is 7 days) and press ENTER.The unit will drop
the water temperature down to 50°F for 13 days.
At the end of the 13th day, it will automatically
return to the previous operating mode and heat
the water to the original temperature setting.
The green light will be illuminated when this
feature is on.
Stop Cold Air
The Hybrid and eHeatTM modes save energy by
using heat from the air to heat the water. The
warm air is pulled through the system by fans
and isthen cooled. That cool air then moves out
the back of the heater.
You can temporarily stop the cold air and fan
noise coming from the unit by pressing the STOP
COLDAIR button.
To adjust the number of days this feature will be
on, simply use the UP and DOWN arrow buttons
and press ENTER(the default is3 days). The unit
will automatically return to the previous operating
mode after the number of days selected has
passed.
This mode should only be used on a temporary
basis because you do NOTget the energy savings
while in this mode.
The green light will be illuminated when this
feature is on.
High Demand (on some models)
This mode isonly necessary if your household
has a higher-than-average water usage or
the unit is undersized for the household water
demands.
Inthis mode, the unit will use the electric heating
elements only when the water demand ishigher
than normal. When using the heating elements,
the water temperature will recover at a faster rate
but it will take more energy to heat it.
Unlike Standard Electric mode, it will use the
heating elements only when needed.
The green light will be illuminated when this
feature ison.
Control Lock
The control pad can be locked out to prevent
accidental key presses.
Simply press and hold the LOCI( button for three
seconds. The display will show "controls are
locked" and the green light will be illuminated
when this feature has been activated. No other
key presses will be allowed when the controls are
locked.
To deactivate the lock, press and hold the LOCI(
pad for three seconds. The green light will fade
and the screen will go to the default display.

UsingtheEnerggMenu.
TheEnergyMenuisalsousedtochangethewaterheater
operatingmodes,to convertthetemperaturedisplayfrom
°Fto %,orto viewtheFAgs.Thereisalsoa Diagnostic
Menuthat isonlyaccessibleto a certifiedservice
technicianor plumberintheeventserviceisneeded.
Operating Modes
UsethisoptiontochangebetweeneHeatTM, Hybrid,
StandardElectricand HighDemandmodes(described
onpage8).
r_To accessany of these modes, pressthe ENERGY
MENUbutton and then pressENTER.
_] elect Operating Modes on the menu listand
pressENTER.
r_ Selectthe desiredoperating mode by using the UPor
DOWNarrow buttons and then pressing ENTERagain.
[_-] To cancel and return to the main Energy Menu, press
the LEFTarrow button.
r_To getmoreinformationoneachmode,whilethe
modeishighlighted,presstheRIGHTarrowbutton
to reada description.
B-] UsetheUPor DOWNarrowbuttonstoscrollthrough
thedescriptionscreens.
E]Use theLEFTarrowbuttonto returnto theOperating
Nodemenulist.
°Fand °CConversion
Thewatertemperaturedisplaywilldefaultto °F.Toshow
thetemperaturesin °C,presstheENERGYMENUbutton;
thenpressENTER.Thesesettingswillberemembered
andreturnedfollowinga poweroutage.
r_-] PresstheDOWNarrowbuttontogoto "Choose°F
and°C"and pressENTER.
o o
PressENTERto changefrom Fto C.Themainscreen
o
willthenbeshownwiththetemperaturein C.
r_To cancelandreturntothemainEnergyMenu,press
theLEFTarrowbutton.
NOTE:Tochangebackto°F,repeatSteps1and 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thismenuitemanswersbasicquestionson coldair,
thefilter,operatingmodesandnoise.Allofthisinformation
iscoveredinthisUseandCaremanual.Ifthismanualis
misplaced,youcanrefertothissectionfor answers.
r_-]Toaccessthe FAQs,presstheENERGYMENUbutton
andthenpressENTER.
_] PresstheDOWNarrowpadtogoto "FAQs"andthen
pressENTER.
Therearefourquestioncategories:
ColdAir:
Q:Whyistherecoldair?
A:Hybrid,eHeatTM andHighDemandmodessaveenergy
by usingheatfromtheairto heatthewaterandthereby
coolingthesurroundingair.Thisgivessizableenergy
savings.
Q:Howto stopcoldair?
A:PresstheSTOPCOLDAIRbuttononthekeypad.This
reducestheefficiencyofthe heater.Unitwillchange
backto previousmodeafternumberof daysselected.
Filter:
Q:Whyisthereafilter?
A:InHybridandeHeatTM theunitmovesairthroughthe
system.Thefilterprotectsthe unitfromdirt.Acleanair
filter improvesefficiency.
Q:Howto cleanthefilter?
A:Leavepoweronandremovefilterfromtopofunit.Filter
canbewipedcleanor rinsedwithwarmwater.Adirty
filterwillreducewaterheaterefficienc!!
Modes:
Q:WhatisHighDemand?
A:HighDemandcanbeusedwhenhotwater usageis
higherthannormal.Theunitwillbelessefficientbutwill
heatwaterfasterinresponseto longwaterdraws.Forall
normaldraws,theunitwillstilluseefficienteHeatTM.
Q:WhatisStopColdAir?
A:Thismodewillstopcoldairtemporarilybutreduces
theefficiencyoftheheater.Theunitwillchangeback
to thepreviousmodeafterthenumberofdaysselected.
Q:WhatisVacationOrAway?
A:Ifyouaregoneforanextendedperiod,thismode
lowersthewatertemperaturetoreduceenergyused.
Unitwillswitchtothepreviousmodeonedaybefore
yougetback.
Q:WhatiseHeatZM?
A:eHeatTM isthemost-efficientmode.Ittakesheatfrom
theairto heatwater,therebycoolingthesurroundingair.
Slowerrecoverybutmost-efficientmode.
Q:WhatisHybrid?
A:TheHybridmodecombinesbenefitsofeHeatTM withthe
speedandpowerof StandardElectric.Thisprovidesgreat
performancewithlessenergy.(Recommendedmode.)
Q:WhatisStandardElectric?
A:StandardElectricmodeusesonlytheresistanceheaters
to heatthewater.Thisgivesfasterhotwaterrecovery
than Hybridmode,butusesmoreenergy.
Noise:
Q:Whyistheunitnoisy?
A:Inthemostenergy-efficientmodes,eHeat TM, Hybrid
andHighDemand,themethodusedto heatthewater
generatessomenoise.Someamountoffan noiseis
normal.
I_1 Usethe UPorDOWNarrowbuttonsto selectthe
categorythat pertainsto yourquestionand press
ENTER.
I_-I TocancelandreturntothemainEnergyMenu,press
theLEFTarrowbutton.
I_1 Oncethecategoryisselected,usethe UPor DOWN
arrowbuttonstoselectthedesiredquestionsand
pressENTER.
B-] Usethe UPorDOWNarrowbuttonsto readthrough
theinformationscreens.
E] Whendone,presstheLEFTarrowbuttontoreturn
totheFAQsmenu.
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