American Power Vent WH - 3 Flashes on controller

[VegasRe]

I just had a brand new PowerVent WH installed by a licensed plumber. It fires for about 5 minutes then shuts down with 3 flashes. Pressure switch failed open. Orders per manufacturer American new Pressure Switch. Doesn't work, eventually American sends their own plumber they cant get it to work. American allows me to replace the brand new WH with another brand new WH and pay for the new install at my expense. Still doesn't work 3 flashes. All 3 plumbers have left me on my own after paying $$$ and still no hot water.

 

[MACPLUMB]

Have a Electrician check your power plug it may be reversed polarity, or something of that type,
Then if that doe's not work time to replace with either a Rheem or a Bradford White anything else it is something owned
by A.O. Smith same as American

 

[Sponsor]

 

[VegasRe]

Thank you for the reply. I had a Bradford white plugged into the same electrical outlet for 9 years no problem. I did run an extension cord and plugged the American to another outlet. Same problem. What would be the justification for going back to BW? Does American just not work. Need to know to fight with warranty company.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

american water heaters are ALL junk.... and they are now owned and made by A.O.Smith
you should be able to raise hell and at the very least get your money back on
the unit if it is so new....

If the gods honest truth be known, they probably have recently thrown some new power
vent design together in their factory without doing enough research and development and testing
on the unit and then put it out into the field..... this basically makes you their crash test dummy


This is what happened 16 years ago with their FVIR heaters..
they had a class action lawsuit against them in california. .
Just ask for your money back or claim you are gonna start a class
action lawsuit against them....that will get their attention
I am sure you are not the first person that has had this problem.....


good luck




Bradfords are ok units and Rheems are a long lasting brand to look at too....
I prefer the Rheems over the bradfords....

 

[Dj2]

You don't have to specify the amount of money you spent out so far, but just out of curiosity...how much money did you spend?

 

[VegasRe]

Keep in mind this was covered under my home warranty, so they covered labor and parts. My out of pocket for uncovered costs and reinstall is about $1000. I am looking at another $1900 to have a Bradford White instllalled.

Just got off the phone with American, they are telling me it is my venting. I explained they vented directly to garage and still same error. It is 3 inch venting that was perfectly fine with Bradford White. Their comeback was the federal govt has implemented new laws and I may not be in compliance.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Keep in mind this was covered under my home warranty, so they covered labor and parts. My out of pocket for uncovered costs and reinstall is about $1000. I am looking at another $1900 to have a Bradford White instllalled.

Just got off the phone with American, they are telling me it is my venting. I explained they vented directly to garage and still same error. It is 3 inch venting that was perfectly fine with Bradford White. Their comeback was the federal govt has implemented new laws and I may not be in compliance.

Thats a total load of horse crap...
American has made a defective product and now are blaming the venting that
has worked fine for years for the original bradford unit.......

It sounds like they are gonna have another Whirlpool fiasco on their hands.... American blamed and
claimed the same issue with poor venting and lint on the FVIR Whilrpool heaters..

this ought to be interesting to watch.....



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