This is a troubleshot for when your whole home water heater 7GB is giving you an E1 error.
An E1 error is related to an issue involving your gas supply on your 7GB Tankless Water Heater.
Please follow the steps below:
Correct Gas Type
First, verify that your water heater is the correct gas type. On the right or left side of the water heater, there is a plate that specifies LP for Liquid Propane or NG for Natural Gas. This should match the type of gas that is being supplied. If this matches, verify that your installer checked to make sure that the gas is the correct pressure for your 7GB.
Gas Pressure
Check if you have enough gas pressure by using a manometer. Please see how on this link.
The gas pressure needs to be measured in water columns, for Liquid Propane it is 10-13 inches of water column, and for Natural Gas is 4-8 inches of water column. If pressure drops during use it will cause an E1 error code.
Gas Piping Size
Did you know flexible gas lines are all rated differently? The same gas hose that you would purchase for your gas stove or other gas appliance will not work for your tankless water heater since they are rated at different BTUs and that means everything when it comes to gas-powered products.
A common mistake made by homeowners when installing gas tankless water heaters is improper sizing of the gas lines. It is important to keep the same line size all the way. If your water heater requires 3/4" lines, you must follow 3/4" all the way. You cannot have 3/4" to 1/2" back to 3/4". Inconsistent sizing in the lines will cause gas flow issues and you will begin to see error codes. It may not happen right away, but you will see them if improperly installed.
Check if you have the correct gas piping size. We recommend a minimum of 3/4 to 1-inch black steel gas line. If using a flex steel gas line, it must be rated a minimum of 199K BTU and will be marked on the package. Please check this link for more details.
Regulator
Make sure your installer used a regulator capable of delivering the proper gas pressure needed for your water heater: 199,000 BTU. Next, verify that your gas supply is turned on.
Gas Line Setup
How many elbows do you have in your gas line setup? Did you know that too many elbows can lower the pressure and cause issues with your gas?
Always refer to the user manual to make sure your installation is proper.
Propane Tank
If using LPG (Liquid Propane Gas) please ensure that your propane tank is not low or out of gas.
Ignition Pack
Can you hear the water heater trying to ignite?
In a proper ignition sequence:
The fan will come on, the display will show groundwater temperature, and you will hear a series of fast, high-pitched clicking followed by a few lower-pitched clicks, which are noticeably slower. It should go through this sequence twice if it does not ignite.
If you do not hear the ignition sequence happen like listed above, you could possibly have an issue with the ignition pack.
Obstruction of the Ventilation or Exhaust
Sometimes, unintentional debris will get into the exhaust on top of the unit and keep the system from correctly releasing and ventilating the fumes.
This will cause you to get an error code. You can check if this is the problem, by following the steps below:
Remove the ventilation from the top of the unit.
Look down into the exhaust on the top to see if anything has fallen into it: screws, sheetrock pieces during installation, etc.
If it looks clear, try running the unit without the exhaust connected to the ventilation. It could be something clogging the ventilation that is not attached to the unit. (the piping leading outdoors).
If the unit runs fine without being connected to the ventilation outside, then something is clogging your ventilation system. It's not the unit.
Contact Our Support
If after checking all of the above, you are still having problems with the E1 code, please contact your support by live chat or sending us an email at [email protected].
Please be advised that you will need to provide us with:
Pictures of your gas pressure at all 2 places in your gas setup while the water heater is not in use and while in use. We need readings from your manometer at the regulator and on the gas valve inside your water heater. Once more, here is the file on where to take the readings.
Pictures of your gas regulator with specs and your gas line setup all the way to your tankless water heater.