E18
Geo
Accessory Control Circuit Error
Thermostat displays E18 and indicates a dehumidifier or humidifier accessory fault.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Incorrect wiring of whole‑home humidifier/dehumidifier to Geo AUX terminals, Accessory drawing more current than AUX output rating, Shorted accessory coil, Failed AUX output driver on Geo PCB
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn off power to the HVAC system and any accessory devices at the breaker before working on wiring.
- Step 1 – Identify accessory: Determine whether a humidifier, dehumidifier, or ventilation device is connected to the Geo thermostat's AUX or HUM terminals.
- Step 2 – Verify wiring: Compare the accessory wiring to the Geo installation manual. Ensure the accessory is connected to the correct low‑voltage terminals and not directly to high‑voltage outputs.
- Step 3 – Check accessory coil resistance: Disconnect the accessory leads and measure resistance across the coil with a multimeter. A very low resistance may indicate a shorted coil.
- Step 4 – Test without accessory: Leave the accessory disconnected and power the system back on. If E18 clears, the accessory or its wiring is the cause.
- Step 5 – Use an isolation relay: If the accessory current draw exceeds the thermostat's AUX rating, install an isolation relay powered by the HVAC transformer, controlled by the Geo AUX output.
- Step 6 – Replace thermostat if AUX driver failed: If wiring and accessory are correct but E18 persists, the AUX driver on the Geo PCB may be damaged. Replace the thermostat head unit.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
AUX / HUM Output Circuit
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