Hybrid Heater Codes

Clogged condensate drain: codes and fixes by brand

Heat pump water heaters make water as they cool the air. When the drain blocks, most stop the heat pump and show a code. Here is what each manual says.

Updated 2026-10-03

What happens when the drain blocks

When the condensate drain blocks, Bradford White, GE and Rheem heaters stop using the heat pump and heat with the electric elements instead [6] [11] [13]. A. O. Smith's control goes into "Limp Mode 3" until the problem is corrected [1].

The code to look for

A. O. Smith, State and American: 081 on current models, EoF on the older letter-code models [1] [4]. Bradford White: 94 on the AeroTherm G2, F20 on the earlier AeroTherm [6] [7]. GE: F20 on 2015–2016 GeoSpring models, F73 on the current Profile GEOSPRING Smart [10] [11]. Rheem: A108 [13].

The earlier GeoSpring models covered by GE manuals 49-50254 (GEH50DNSRSA, GEH50DXSRGA) and 49-50292 (GEH50DEED) have no condensate code in their code tables. Their manuals describe a second, overflow drain tube instead: condensate coming out of it onto the floor is the warning [8] [9].

Clearing it: Bradford White and GE

  1. Press any button to silence the alarm [5] [10].
  2. Remove the drain lines and connections and clear out the debris [5] [10].
  3. Reattach the drain lines and let the heater run [5] [10].

Clearing it: A. O. Smith, State and American

  1. Check that the heater is standing level [1].
  2. Turn off power at the breaker (unplug a 120V model) [2].
  3. Check the drain pan and drain lines and clear debris with a pipe cleaner [2].
  4. If an accessory condensate pump is fitted, the manual has extra checks for it on the code page [1].
  5. Restore power [2].

Clearing it: Rheem, Ruud and Richmond

Rheem's owner care section says to make sure condensate can flow freely and to unclog the drain if needed [12]. The A108 entry in Rheem's alarm table is a service procedure (remove the top cover, check the pan, replace the condensate sensor if the pan is dry), and Rheem's manual tells owners not to attempt electrical repairs [13] [14]. If clearing the drain line doesn't stop A108, call a qualified technician [14].

Preventing it

Rheem's manual says to pour a cup of bleach into the condensate drain's access opening at least once a year to kill algae, mold and mildew in the pipe [12]. A. O. Smith includes cleaning the condensate pan in its maintenance after the first six months and at least yearly [3]. Bradford White and GE say to inspect the drain lines periodically and clear any debris [5] [10].

Sources

  1. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100379659 (Standard models), code 081 (page 27)
  2. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100379659, condensate maintenance (page 37)
  3. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100379659, maintenance schedule (page 3)
  4. A. O. Smith Use & Care Guide 100323093 (2019, letter-code models) (page 21)
  5. Bradford White AeroTherm G2 I&O manual 238-55123-00C, condensate drain (page 30)
  6. Bradford White AeroTherm G2 I&O manual 238-55123-00C, fault table (page 35)
  7. Bradford White AeroTherm I&O manual 238-52169-00C (RE2H…-1NCTT) (pages 24 and 29)
  8. GE GeoSpring Owner's Manual 49-50254-3 (GEH50DNSRSA, GEH50DXSRGA) (page 13)
  9. GE GeoSpring Owner's Manual 49-50292-1 (GEH50DEED) (page 12)
  10. GE GeoSpring Owner's Manual 49-50300-2 (DEEJS/DFEJS) (pages 10 and 21)
  11. GE GeoSpring Hybrid Heat Pump Owner's Manual 49-6000330 Rev 1 (pages 13 and 32)
  12. Rheem Use & Care Manual AP23657 Rev 04, care and cleaning (page 29)
  13. Rheem Use & Care Manual AP23657 Rev 04, code A108 (page 33)
  14. Rheem Use & Care Manual AP23657 Rev 04, troubleshooting caution (page 31: refer repairs to qualified service personnel)