ELECT_E1
American Water Heaters
Upper Thermostat / Control Fault
Electric American Water Heaters unit displays E1; no hot water or limited heating.
Advertisements
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.
Advertisements
Possible Causes
Failed upper thermostat, Loose wiring at upper element, Tripped ECO on upper thermostat, Faulty electronic control (hybrid models)
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
High voltage warning: Electric water heaters operate at 240 VAC. Turn off the breaker and verify power is off with a meter before removing covers.
- 1. Reset ECO: Remove the upper access panel and insulation. Press the red reset button on the upper thermostat firmly until it clicks.
- 2. Inspect wiring: Tighten all screw terminals on the upper thermostat and element. Look for burned wires.
- 3. Test thermostat: With power off, check continuity across the thermostat contacts when calling for heat. Replace if open when it should be closed.
- 4. Check upper element: Measure resistance of the upper heating element. Replace if open or shorted.
- 5. For electronic controls: Follow the service manual to test the control board outputs and replace the control if faulty.
Advertisements
Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Upper Thermostat / ECO Assembly
Check Price on Amazon
We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Advertisements