dan-nickie had the advice to provide hot water. I was referred to a thread for this model of water heater. Over half-dozen people had the exact same problem. There is a cheap and tiny white little button in the external box which is to the back left side that you have to push. It is an over-heat switch. Why Girard says nothing about this button in their printed manual or website leaves me wondering why they do that. Thank you to those who have spent such detail (old-biscuit) and time helping me figure this out.
