Bradford White RE340S6 40 Gallon 4500W Short Electric Water Heater with Glass Lining MECH-ECO-TRIP Error Fix: ECO (Energy Cut Off) Tripped — Red Reset Button

Error code MECH-ECO-TRIP on the Bradford White RE340S6 40 Gallon 4500W Short Electric Water Heater with Glass Lining means: ECO (Energy Cut Off) Tripped — Red Reset Button. The water heater has stopped heating because the ECO (Energy Cut Off) high-limit safety switch has tripped. The ECO is a red button on the upper thermostat that trips when water temperature exceeds approximately 170°F (77°C). To reset, turn off power at the circuit breaker, remove the upper access panel and insulation, and press the red reset button firmly until it clicks. Restore power. If the ECO trips again shortly after resetting, the upper thermostat may be defective and not shutting off the heating element at the set temperature — replace the upper thermostat. A grounded (shorted to tank) heating element can also cause ECO trips. Test each element for ground fault with a multimeter — check continuity between each element terminal and the tank body (should read open/infinite).

The most successful fix is "Test and Replace Upper Thermostat or Heating Element" (hard difficulty, ~90 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $20-$40. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

This error is rated high severity. You should address it promptly — continued use could cause damage or safety concerns.

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Test and Replace Upper Thermostat or Heating Element") is rated hard difficulty and takes about 90 minutes. Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, Multimeter, Nut driver set.

DIY cost: $20-$40. Professional repair typically costs $180-$250. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

The Bradford White RE340S6 40 Gallon 4500W Short Electric Water Heater with Glass Lining has 8 other known error codes, including: MECH-ANODE (Anode Rod Depleted — Rotten Egg Smell or Corrosion), MECH-ELEMENT-LOWER (Lower Heating Element Failed), MECH-ELEMENT-UPPER (Upper Heating Element Failed), MECH-INSUFFICIENT-HOT (Not Enough Hot Water — Runs Out Quickly), MECH-LEAK (Tank Leaking from Bottom), and 3 more.

Error code MECH-ECO-TRIP also appears on 1 other Bradford White model: RE350T6 50 Gallon 4500W 6-Year Warranty Upright Electric Water Heater. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.