Rheem Rheem Performance 40 Gal. 4500-Watt 6-Year Tank Electric Water Heater ECO TRIPPING Error Fix: High-Limit Reset Button Keeps Tripping

Error code ECO TRIPPING on the Rheem Rheem Performance 40 Gal. 4500-Watt 6-Year Tank Electric Water Heater means: High-Limit Reset Button Keeps Tripping. The red ECO (Energy Cut Off) reset button on the upper thermostat repeatedly trips, cutting all power to the heating elements. This safety device activates when water temperature exceeds approximately 170°F. Recurring trips indicate a potentially dangerous condition: (1) A thermostat stuck in the ON position — not shutting off power to the element when the water reaches the setpoint, causing continuous heating until the ECO trips. Test thermostats with a multimeter. (2) A grounded heating element — the element sheath has corroded, allowing electrical current to flow from the element wire through the water to the tank shell (ground), which generates heat continuously regardless of thermostat position. Test for ground fault by measuring resistance between each element terminal and the tank (element mounting flange) — ANY resistance reading indicates a grounded element that MUST be replaced. (3) Loose wire connections generating heat. Replace faulty thermostats or grounded elements immediately.

The most successful fix is "Test and Replace Faulty Thermostats or Heating Elements" (hard difficulty, ~90 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $15-$40. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

This error is rated critical severity. It is generally not urgent and can often be resolved with a simple DIY fix.

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Test and Replace Faulty Thermostats or Heating Elements") is rated hard difficulty and takes about 90 minutes. Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, Multimeter, 1-1/2 inch element wrench, Pipe thread sealant.

DIY cost: $15-$40. Professional repair typically costs $200-$350. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

The Rheem Rheem Performance 40 Gal. 4500-Watt 6-Year Tank Electric Water Heater has 5 other known error codes, including: ELEMENT SCALE (Heating Element Scale and Sediment Buildup), INSUFFICIENT HOT (Runs Out of Hot Water Too Quickly), LEAKING (Water Heater Leaking), NO HOT WATER (No Hot Water — Complete Failure), RUMBLING (Rumbling, Popping, or Banging Noises).