Honeywell Hot Water Heater Status Light Blinking: What the Code Means

Knowing whether your Honeywell water heater status light is blinking can help determine whether your heater is acting up or running normally. Each water heater has its mechanism and operational specialties.

For Honeywell, however, the status light blinking can notify you whether it’s normal. Keep in mind, though, that the light blinking is quite normal. That’s how the heater is supposed to run and work. But pay attention to how many it should blink.

Honeywell Hot Water Heater Status Light Blinking

Understanding the Honeywell water heater status light code is crucial for diagnosing your unit’s condition. A normal functioning heater will have the status light blink once every three seconds, indicating everything is in order.

According to various experts, including those with personal experience working with these units, this pattern is consistent across different models, ensuring the gas supply and other critical components work as expected.

This blinking pattern serves as a reassuring signal that your water heater, including its gas supply and other components, is operating smoothly.

The normal heater should have the status light blinking once within 3 seconds. If you see this, you have nothing to worry about because your unit runs normally and well. The Honeywell heater should flash the blinking light once in three seconds and function fine.

From my firsthand experience: “I’ve encountered several instances where homeowners were concerned about this blinking light, thinking it indicated a problem. In reality, it was simply the heater’s way of confirming everything was running smoothly. This information is reassuring, especially when you know what the code means.”

Read also: Honeywell Water Heater Status Light

honeywell hot water heater status light blinking

Different Blinks, Different Problems

However, some possible issues occur when your Honeywell heater blinks several times consecutively every three seconds. The number of blinks or flashes can tell you whether there are issues.

From my firsthand experience:

“When a water heater starts blinking multiple times, it’s essential to understand the pattern as it reveals the issue at hand. For instance, two flashes might indicate a thermopile issue, while more flashes could signify something more severe like a gas valve malfunction.”

For instance, if the heater blinks two times every three seconds, it may mean that the main valve isn’t turned on or there is a low thermopile voltage. If the unit blinks 3 times every three seconds, it may likely experience blocked exhaust piping, a (bad) draft pressure switch, or a clog within the condensate drainage system.

You should consult your manual to determine what’s wrong. You can also contact the manufacturer through customer service. But if you want the fastest result, contact your area’s certified and skilled professional for help.

Honeywell Hot Water Heater Status Light Blinking 7 Times

When the Honeywell water heater status light blinks 7 times in succession, it often points to an electronics failure, potentially within the gas control valve. Before considering a replacement, it’s advisable to try simpler fixes, such as cleaning the burner or replacing the thermopile.

Ensure the gas supply is not obstructed, and the knob is set to the pilot position before depressing the piezo igniter button. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, replacing the gas control valve may be time.

From personal experience: “Blinking lights such as the seven-flash error indicate a serious malfunction that often requires replacing the gas control valve. However, one should always check simpler issues first, such as blockages or faulty wiring, to avoid unnecessary replacements.”

In most cases, the status light blinks when something is wrong with the gas control valve. You should be able to reset the blinking situation by replacing the (gas) valve or repairing the electric problems.

You should:

  • Check the wire connections of the heaters (each one). Hiring a professional and certified electrician to ensure this would be even better.
  • In the event the wiring is okay, check the gas control valve.

Honeywell Water Heater Status Light Blinking White

If your heater has a white blinking light, it’s most likely that the unit is in delay mode. Wait for around 5 minutes. Afterwards, it should be on cycle again.

From personal experience: “A white blinking light often causes unnecessary alarm, but from multiple real-life cases, it typically just indicates a delay mode, which resolves within minutes.”

However, if the cycle doesn’t happen, your heater will likely experience bigger problems, and you need to fix them immediately. It’s always better to hire and consult a certified professional to find and deal with the core issue.

Resetting the Heater

It’s not difficult to reset the Honeywell heater. Consult your manual to relight the pilot. Once it happens, manoeuvre the control knob to the position ‘Very Hot’ and wait for 10 seconds. Afterwards, turn the knob to ‘Hot’ and then wait for another 10 seconds.

Then, turn the knob to position ‘Pilot’ for 10 seconds more. After doing all of these steps, turn the knob to the temperature setting that you want. It should successfully reset your unit.

Read also: AO Smith Water Heater Reset Button?

Final Words

Keep in mind that the heater issue isn’t something to consider lightly. You don’t want to worsen the problem by tampering with or tweaking it. If you suspect anything with the heater, find help from a professional service. Unless you have the experience and the skill to tweak the heater, you shouldn’t mess up your heater further.

Common Honeywell Heater Status Light Codes and Their Meanings

Blinking PatternPossible IssueSuggested Action
1 blink/3 secondsNormal operationNo action needed
2 blinks/3 secondsLow thermopile voltage or valve issueCheck thermopile or valve connections
3 blinks/3 secondsBlocked exhaust or draft issueInspect exhaust piping and draft switch
4 blinks/3 secondsAllow cooling or check the temperature sensorReplace the gas control valve or seek professional help
7 blinks/3 secondsGas control valve failureReplace gas control valve or seek professional help
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Jhon Thermon is a skilled author and water heater expert with years of experience in the field. He has authored several articles and books on various aspects of water heater installation, maintenance, and repair.