Water Heaters - Hot Water Odor

Certain water supplies with high sulfate content will react with the anode rod that is present in all water heaters for corrosion protection of the tank. The reaction can result in the hot water having a rotten egg or sulfur smell.  
 
This odor can be reduced or eliminated in most water heaters by:
  • Replacing the anode rod with a less-active material rod. In some cases, an added step of chlorinating the water heater and all hot water lines may be necessary. Contact your local water professional or plumber for options and instructions. A qualified servicer or plumber should do this replacement.
    • Use of a non-GE Appliances approved anode rod, or operating the water heater without a GE Appliances approved anode rod will void the warranty.
  •  In certain cases, increasing the tank temperature to 140°F (60°C) can reduce this odor issue.
    • Installation of temperature-limiting valves can be used to reduce the risk of scalding.
    • Reference the Owner's Manual for Water Temperature Adjustment procedures and the dangers of scalding water. 
 

Note: On units with Sensing Anodes, the sensing feature must be deactivated when using a special alloy anode rod. Increasing the capacity setting on Electronic Mixing Valve (EMV) models can also address this situation, without change to the user set point (for water exit temperature). The special alloy anode rod is available for all water heaters to address odor issues.