20 Most Recent Rheem 81VP15S Point-of-Use Electric Water Heater, 15 Gallon, 120v Questions & Answers

HI Lawrence did you check to see if you have the right power goingto the unit

The reset button is set up to open the circuit if excess current is drawn by a failed Element. It works by getting hot and switching off due to current above its rating. The burnt wiring more llikely happened over a period of time because of a resistive joint in the block getting hot due to the high current that water heaters consume. It seems that the element has failed if the reset button does not get the system working.

It might make more sense to sit the heater on some inexpensive concrete blocks (like stepping stones, purchased at a local hardware store) to raise is off the floor. The heat is causing the cool moist air under your house to condense under the vinyl mat. You could shim it off the floor with most anything that is non combustible and as little as an inch would probably give you enough clearance to stop the problem. Hope this helps!

'Rheem 81VP15S point of use' is a single-element, 15 gallon, 120V electric.
Other 'point-of-use' sizes range from 2-1/2 to 6 gallon to 20 gallon.

Electric water heaters have 2 parts: thermostat and element. One is not functioning correctly. Most likely the element caused by sediment build-up.

How to determine if tank has element or thermostat problem:
Do not turn off water going into tank. Put hose on drain valve. Open drain valve. Does water come out like open spigot? If water does not flow, then heater is likely clogged with sediment.

Solution 1: If water flows out like a spigot, the thermostat is probably bad. Read: How to replace thermostat.

Solution 2: Water does not flow, so element is surrounded by sediment build-up and cannot heat water. You need to clean out tank with shop vac, and put in new element ... plan full day and 3 trips to hardware store. Simply draining tank will not remove sediment. Sediment is chunky and will not come out voluntarily.

Buy element before starting:
-Turn off electricity
-Open cover on side of tank, remove insulation (these have to be put back for proper operation of thermostat)
-The are 2 electrical parts >>the element and the thermostat which is located above element
-Element wattage is printed on element and also shows on label on side of tank
-I think Rheem element is held in place with 4 hex bolts
-Take photo of element to hardware store so you have part on hand before removing old element
-If element is 1-1/2' diameter hex type, you need inexpensive element wrench from hardware store + the element

Drain tank and clean sediment:
-Read: To open drain on water heater so water comes out
-Read: How to clean sediment out of water heater

You will need to remove the cover plate over the thermostat control. Press the red reset button; it should click. If you do not here or feel a click, the thermostat may be bad. Here is the manual for electric point-of-use water heaters. Use caution, turn the power off to the unit first.

Here is the link to a manual:
http://globalimageserver.com/fetchDocument.aspx?id=f43430fe-a847-4371-b6c7-cab5eb0e34a6

Be sure to have your circuit breaker off before you remove the cover.
220V and water together is not a good mix.

You can find the instructions here....

http://globalimageserver.com/fetchDocument.aspx?id=f43430fe-a847-4371-b6c7-cab5eb0e34a6

thats normall it just lets of presure when needed which will cause a little water

could be a pin hole leak some where on the tank and the insulation is absorbing it for now if it is older then 6 years and u havent replaced the anode rod or flushed the tank once a year you should probibly look to replace it

There is 2 ways to do this.
The first way is to turn off the power. Turn off the incoming water (cold) to the heater. Go to a faucet close to the location. Turn off the cold water supply under the sink. Open the hot water side of the faucet. Allow any water to drain from the faucet. Make sure that the water coming out is not under pressure. You should be able to tell by how it come out. Easy, or forceful. Now go to the heater and open the bottom drain valve. The reason it does not drain very easy is because you have a vacuum. Similar to having a soda bottle full of water and turning it upside down. It will drain but it will "Glug" and drain slow. Opening the hot side of the faucet relieves the vacuum and it should drain o.k. When you are done with your repair, leave the hot side of the faucet open and turn on the incoming water to the heater on. Let it fill till you get a steady stream of water from the faucet. This "Burbs" all air out and ensures the tank is full prior to turning on the power. When you get the steady stream, turn off the faucet and restore power. In some cases, the heater may sweat because you are heating very cold water. This is normal and will only happen this one time.
Now if you want to know the second way, let me know. I've done it dozens of times with plenty of success and minimal mess.
Good Luck

Thanks for your Question,
First thing to check is the breaker in the panel to see if its tripped, I would suggest turning to off, then back to on, if it trips right after you have a short, if not you will need to check your fuses at the disconnect, first, shut the breaker off to the condensor, then pull the fuses and Ohm check them, if you have no reading then one or both is bad, I would recommend replacing them both if thats the case, if they check good, then you have bigger issues with your heat pump, if these suggestions do not work let me know and I can go into more indepth proceedures with you on what to do, thanks again,
mr.grzz

Check the thermastat, located in removable panel. warning dont set above 120- 130. If not the case it could be a bad heating coil. Easy to change in electric just googl a how to sitr. If your not Real Handy with Your Handa I would recomend calling a plumber to check heating element, Could be cheaper to replace

I got a new Rheem heater and it's complete garbage. No water pressure.

recently installed?

Brian sounds like it's Leaking From Anode rod.... Check here.... https://lildutchuncle.com/rheem-water-heater-leaking/

The three most common reasons for this happening to you are 1) a defective gas valve, 2) a rusty thermopile, and/or 3) the automatic shut-off not working as it should. So, the most common reason for many people having this problem stems from having a gas valve that is not working as it should. When your gas control valve is faulty, it will mean that your burner is not going to be igniting as it should-or at all. Something that worked for me one time was to turn the Temp all the way down then all the way to Max a couple of times..gradually. Why it worked I don't know. Got a couple more years out of it though. Good luck! Best to you.

there is pressure adjustment, just temp. water pressure in + water pressure out

I don't know for sure but look at page 117.... http://snowcrest.net/thriftysupply/pdf/RTG-Service-Manual-REV-2.pdf