Ruud 33

What does Ruud 33 mean?

On Ruud RUTGH condensing tankless water heaters, error code 33 means the neutralizer is clogged. Condensing units produce acidic condensate that passes through a neutralizer before draining; when that neutralizer becomes clogged, condensate cannot drain properly and the controller displays code 33.

Symptoms

• 33 shown on the remote control LED display
• Condensate not draining properly
• Possible water around the unit's condensate path
• Heater faults or stops operating

Common causes

• Neutralizer media clogged or saturated
• Restricted condensate drainage
• Overdue neutralizer maintenance

Diagnostic steps

1. 01

   Note the code

   Record that 33 is displayed. The neutralizer and condensate system are not user-serviceable internals.

2. 02

   Check for obvious condensate drainage problems

   Without opening the unit, look for any blocked or kinked condensate drain routing to the proper drain.

3. 03

   Restart and recheck

   Turn off the faucets, turn off the heater, unplug for about 30 seconds, plug back in, restart, and recheck the display.

4. 04

   Contact a dealer or qualified service technician

   The manual's solution for code 33 is to contact a dealer or qualified service technician to service or replace the clogged neutralizer.

When to call a professional

Call a dealer or qualified service technician for code 33. The manual cautions that condensate is acidic and must be handled per federal, state, and local codes, and that the unit must not run without the condensate collector drain connected to a proper drain. Servicing the neutralizer and acidic condensate system is a job for a qualified professional, not a homeowner.