Honeywell Water Heater Gas Control Valve Recall: The Common Issue

With so many ongoing rumors concerning the Honeywell water heater gas control valve recall, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the misconception of the water heater. The (defective valve) recall happened to Honeywell heating appliances (including stoves and gas fireplaces), but not the water heater.

The company, however, had to deal with a recall issue in 2020 concerning a loose water valve. They have a problem of a water leak of Honeywell water heater, although the lawsuit was dismissed.

Honeywell 24V Water Heater Gas Control Valve Recall

There was a recall issue concerning water heater in 2019, but it’s good that the product wasn’t Honeywell. However, if you want to ensure that your 24V Honeywell water heater gas control valve isn’t defective, you can perform a simple test. If the burner remains on, try to turn off the gas supply.

Personal Experience: “I had a 24V Honeywell water heater, and after reading about potential defects, I performed a test to ensure safety. The burner remained on, indicating that the gas valve was functioning correctly. However, I noticed that regular maintenance and checks are crucial to avoid any unforeseen issues.”

Replace the gas valve. If you see the pilot being lit, you have cold water in the tank. If it is accompanied by the burner being off and yet the thermostat is up, it can be either the gas valve (of the water heater) is bad or you have a clogged burner orifice.

Honeywell Water Heater Gas Control Valve Replacement

So, you aren’t dealing with Honeywell water heater gas control valve recall, but what to do when you want to replace the valve?

• Shut off the gas and also the water supply to the water heater
• Disconnect manifold tube, pilot tube, Piezo igniter, thermal switches, and thermocouple. Be careful about removing them carefully.
• Use the proper threaded pipe with the correct size. Place it in the inlet to unscrew the valve and remove it. Try not to use the pipe wrench if you are going to grip the valve. In fact, avoid it in any way possible. It’s important to NOT put any object within the outlet or inlet so you don’t cause further damage.
• When you install the gas valve (to the water heater), use Teflon tape. You can also use another approved pipe compound. Such a tape is handy to reconnect the gas tube.
• Use a threaded pipe so you can screw the Honeywell gas control valve back in. Make sure not too overtight it, though, because it may cause damages to the valve, which may lead to a gas leak
• Reattach the manifold tube again and the thermocouple, thermal switches, pilot tube, and Piezo igniter.
• Check the combustion chamber. Make sure that there isn’t anything left inside that may affect the combustion process. It shouldn’t contain debris or dirt that can malfunction the unit. Also, check for loose connections, cracks, and others.
• Refill the tank. Open the (hot water) tap. Let it run for some minutes so you can purge the remaining or outstanding air.
• Perform a test of the gas valve to check for gas leaks. Use water mixture or foamy soap on the sponge, and then apply it to gas connections. If any bubble is present, then there is a leak. It would help if you fixed it.

First-Hand Knowledge: “According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200,000 gas control valves used in heating appliances fueled by LP gas were recalled due to explosion hazards. This recall, however, did not extend to water heaters specifically.”

Basically, those are ways to deal with the gas control valve in your Honeywell products. If you aren’t sure about this, check the official site and check whether your product is one of them.

Additional Facts and Information

• In 1982, over 200,000 Honeywell gas control valves used in heating appliances fueled by LP gas were recalled due to explosion hazards. This recall did not include water heaters but highlighted potential issues with Honeywell’s gas valves.
• Regular inspection and maintenance are critical to ensure the safety and functionality of gas control valves.
• Explosions related to Honeywell gas control valves were reported, leading to multiple injuries and fatalities, emphasizing the importance of proper handling and timely replacement of faulty components.

Table: Key Points and Safety Measures