Richmond Water Heater Blinking Light Codes

The Short Answer: On a Richmond atmospheric gas tank, one blue blink every three seconds is normal. Red blinks are faults: 2 means low thermopile voltage, 4 a tripped high-temperature limit, 5 a water temperature sensor failure, 7 a gas control failure, and 8 a false pilot flame signal. Power-vent and powered-damper Richmond models use a different flash chart.

Which control is on your heater?

Atmospheric models: blue and red blinks

Richmond Essential and Encore atmospheric tanks with an electronic control use the chart in Use & Care manual AP16801 (opens in a new tab). The light gives a set number of blinks every three seconds. Watch two full cycles before deciding.

The label on these heaters also notes that if the pilot is lit, the light briefly stays on and turns from blue to red when the knob is turned to OFF. That’s expected.

With two blinks, the pilot is lit but the thermopile voltage is low, so the control may not have enough power to run the main burner. A dirty or weak pilot flame, a worn thermopile, or a loose connection at the control are the usual causes. See Rheem thermopile voltage low for what a technician tests. Four blinks means the water overheated. Don’t keep relighting a heater showing four; see water heater suddenly too hot.

Relighting after the light goes out

The AP16801 lighting instructions have you turn the knob to OFF and wait five minutes, then hold the knob at PILOT while pressing the piezo igniter several times until the STATUS light begins to blink. If the light hasn’t started blinking after 90 seconds and the pilot isn’t lit, start again. Follow the label printed on your heater; it’s the version that applies to your exact control. If the pilot won’t light at all, see Rheem gas water heater won’t light.

Power vent models: flash codes

Richmond Essential Power Vent models covered by manual AP23057 (opens in a new tab) flash a light on the gas valve. A short flash every four seconds, or a slow bright-dim “heartbeat,” is normal. Models with the optional display show a two-digit code instead.

Encore Powered Damper and Encore XR90 induced-draft models use a similar flash list in manual AP15696 (opens in a new tab), with 4 flashes as a TCO limit lockout and 7 as a flammable vapor sensor lockout.

The owner-level causes behind these codes are the gas supply and the vent. For the ignition lockouts (6-1 and 6-5), check that the gas valve to the heater is open and other gas appliances work. For the pressure switch codes (3 and 6-2), check that the vent termination outside isn’t blocked by snow, leaves or a nest. Seven flashes means the heater detected flammable vapors. Remove any gasoline, thinners or solvents, ventilate the area, and call a qualified technician. The manual says not to switch the heater off or adjust its ON/OFF switch yourself after a vapor shutdown. More on the power-vent codes is in Rheem code 11.

Power vent models with six lights

Essential Power Vent and Essential Plus Heavy Duty Power Vent models with a row of six lights (labeled from VACATION/WARM to C/VERY HOT) show faults as patterns of lit and unlit lights. Manual AP17505 (opens in a new tab) lists 15 patterns, covering ground faults, pressure switch faults, the igniter, lockout, ECO activation, sensor faults and flammable vapors. Photograph the pattern and compare it with the chart on page 35 of the manual or the label on the heater. Each pattern maps to one fault, so a photo saves time when you call for service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: The light is solid and won’t blink. What does that mean? A: On an atmospheric model, a steady light means the pilot recently went out or the knob was just turned to OFF, and the control is waiting for the thermopile to cool. Wait the full five minutes before relighting.

Q: My Richmond blinks red twice but the pilot is lit. Can I fix that? A: You can check that the pilot flame is steady and that the combustion air openings around the bottom of the heater aren’t blocked by stored items, dust or lint. If two blinks continue, the thermopile, pilot assembly or connection needs a technician.

Q: Are Richmond and Rheem blink codes the same? A: Richmond heaters are built by Rheem and the manuals linked from Richmond’s site are Rheem’s own. The charts above come from those manuals. Use the label on your heater if it differs.