Hybrid Heater Codes

Cleaning a heat pump water heater air filter, by brand

What each manufacturer's manual says about the filter alarm, whether to turn the power off, and how to clean it.

Updated 2026-10-03

Why the filter matters

A heat pump water heater pulls room air through a filter on top of the unit. When the filter clogs, Bradford White's AeroTherm switches itself to Electric (Only) mode [5], which heats the water with the resistance elements instead of the heat pump. GE's manual says a clean filter is necessary for effective operation [8].

Every manual below tells you when to clean it: a code, a light or a reminder on the display. GE's GEH50DEED manual also says to clean it at least once a year [7], and A. O. Smith's maintenance schedule includes it after the first six months and at least yearly after that [4].

Power on or off? The manuals disagree

Bradford White and GE say to leave the power on while you clean the filter [5] [8] [9]. A. O. Smith says to turn the power off at the breaker first, or unplug the 120V model [1] [2]. Rheem's T131 alert steps say to set the mode to Electric or OFF first [12]. Follow the manual for your own brand.

A. O. Smith, State and American

Current models show code 080 when the filter needs cleaning; the older letter-code models show SF [1] [3].

  1. Turn off power at the breaker (unplug a 120V model) [1] [2].
  2. Pull the filter out by its tab from the air intake on top [1].
  3. Clean it with a vacuum hose attachment, or fit a new filter [1] [3].
  4. Slide the filter back in and restore power [1].

Bradford White AeroTherm

The G2 shows a fault code when the filter needs cleaning; the earlier AeroTherm lights the red light above the FILTER button and sounds an alarm [5] [6].

  1. Leave the power on [5].
  2. Pull the filter out of its slot on top. On the earlier AeroTherm, squeeze the two tabs and lift [5] [6].
  3. Vacuum it, wipe it with a damp cloth, or rinse it with warm water, then let it dry [5].
  4. Push it back into the slot. On the earlier AeroTherm, hold the FILTER button to reset the alarm [6].

GE GeoSpring

GeoSpring models light a red Filter light and sound an alarm; the current Profile GEOSPRING Smart can also show F74 [8] [10]. The current models have three filters: one on top and two on the sides [9].

  1. Leave the power on [8] [9].
  2. Remove the filter (on 2015–2016 models, squeeze the two tabs and lift; on current models, take out the top and both side filters) [8] [9].
  3. Vacuum, wipe with a damp cloth or rinse with warm water, and let them dry [8] [9].
  4. Put them back and press and hold the filter reset button until the light goes off [8] [9].

Rheem, Ruud and Richmond

Rheem's hybrids show a "Clean filter reminder" alert (T131) [11].

  1. Set the mode to Electric or OFF [12].
  2. Lift the filter out of its slot on top of the heat pump [11].
  3. Wash it with mild detergent and water, then dry it [11] [12].
  4. Lower it back into the slot and set the heater back to your usual mode [11] [12].

If the alarm keeps coming back

Bradford White's earlier AeroTherm manual and GE's current manual say that a dirty-filter alarm returning within a few days of cleaning may mean a refrigerant leak and needs a service technician [6] [9]. GE's 2015–2016 manual says repeated filter alarms that cleaning doesn't fix may mean a sealed system failure, and to contact service [8]. Either way, it is not a filter problem you can fix yourself.

Sources

  1. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100379659 (Standard models) (page 37)
  2. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100379653 (120V models) (page 37)
  3. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100323093 (2019, letter-code models) (page 30)
  4. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100379659, maintenance schedule (page 3)
  5. Bradford White AeroTherm G2 I&O manual 238-55123-00C (pages 29–30)
  6. Bradford White AeroTherm I&O manual 238-52169-00C (RE2H…-1NCTT) (page 24)
  7. GE GeoSpring Owner's Manual 49-50292-1 (GEH50DEED) (page 12)
  8. GE GeoSpring Owner's Manual 49-50300-2 (DEEJS/DFEJS) (pages 10 and 20)
  9. GE GeoSpring Hybrid Heat Pump Owner's Manual 49-6000330 Rev 1 (page 13)
  10. GE GeoSpring Hybrid Heat Pump Owner's Manual 49-6000330 Rev 1, troubleshooting (page 31)
  11. Rheem Use & Care Manual AP23657 Rev 04 (page 29)
  12. Rheem Use & Care Manual AP23657 Rev 04, alarm T131 (page 34)