WATER HEATERS BASICS

Below are resources for homeowners to get basic info on Water Heaters, including care, maintenance, and troubleshooting tips.

CARE AND CLEANING OF THE WATER HEATER:

Venting System Inspection

The water heater’s internal flue must be inspected annually to be certain it is clean by removing the draft hood and flue baffle. When reinstalling the flue baffle make certain it is hung securely by its hanger at the top of the flue way.
Reinstall the draft hood.
Inspect the gas venting system and the chimney.
Make certain the vent connector from the draft hood to the chimney is properly positioned and securely attached.
If after inspection of the vent system you found soot or deterioration; call the local gas utility to correct the problem and clean the flue, or replace the flue, flue baffle, and venting system before resuming operation of the water heater.
Test for spillage at the draft hood relief opening after 5 minutes of burner operation. Use a flame of a match or candle or smoke.

Burner Inspection

Visually inspect the pilot burner and main burners annually.
Through the sight glass, inspect the pilot burner flame with the main burner off and inspect the main burner while firing.
If any unusual burner operation is noted, the water heater should be shut off until qualified service assistance can be obtained.

CAUTION: For your safety, cleaning of the burner must be performed only by qualified service personnel. The burnerchamber is a sealed area. If the burner access door is removed, the burner access door gasket must be replaced.

For cleaning, remove the burner from the water heater. A vacuum cleaner can be used on the burner and floor shield inside the water heater.The burner can also be cleaned by scrubbing with mild detergent.

Vacation and Extended Shut-Down

If the water heater is to remain idle for an extended period of time, the power and water to the appliance should be turned off to conserve energy and prevent a build-up of dangerous hydrogen gas.
The water heater and piping should be drained if they might be subjected to freezing temperatures.
After a long shut-down period, the water heater’s operation and controls should be checked by qualified service personnel. Make certain the water heater is completely filled again before placing it in operation.

Anode Rod

This water heater is equipped with an anode rod designed to prolong the life of the glass lined tank. The anode rod is slowly consumed, thereby eliminating or minimizing corrosion of the glass lined tank.
Water sometimes contains a high sulfate and/or mineral content and together with cathodic protection process can produce a hydrogen sulfide, or rotten egg odor in the heated water. Chlorination of the water supply should minimize the problem.

NOTICE: Do not remove the anode rod from the water heater’s tank, except for inspection and/or replacement, as operation with the anode rod removed will greatly shorten the life of the glass lined tank and will exclude warranty coverage.

TROUBLESHOOTING BEFORE YOU CALL FOR SERVICE...

Troubleshooting Tips
Save time and money! Review teh information below first and you many not need to call for service.

Problem	Possible Causes	What To Do
Condensation	This usually happens when a new water heater is filled for the first time.	This is normal. After the water in the tank warms the condensation will disappear. If, however, the condition persists, examine the piping and fittings for possible leaks.
	Moisture from the products of combustion condensing on the tank surface.	This is normal and will disappear in time. Excessive condensation can cause pilot burner outage.
	An undersized water heater will cause condensation.	Use a water heater that meets the requirements of your needs.
Yellow flame or soot	Scale on top of the burner.	Contact a qualified service technician to remove scale.
	Flue or combustion air inlet openings are restricted	Remove obstruction or debris from flue or combustion air inlet openings on water heater jacket.
	Scale on top of burner	Proper iperation of the water heater requires air for combustion and ventilation.
Unable to loght the pilot burner.	Air in gas line.	Contact a qualified service technician to purge the air from the gas line
	Pilot burner orifice clogged.	The pilot burner should be cleaned or replaced by a qualified service technician.
	Pilot burner tube pinched or clogged.	The pilot burner should be cleaned, repaired or replaced by a qualified service technician.
	Gas cock knob not correctly positioned.	See the “Lighting The Water Heater” section of this manual.
Pilot burner does notstay when the RED button is released.	Loose thermocouple.	The connection at the gas control (thermostat) should be tightened by a qualified service technician.
	Thermocouple defective.	The thermocouple should be replaced by a qualified service technician.
	Safety magnet defective.	The gas control (thermostat) should be replaced by a qualified service technician.
	Gas Controls (Thermostat’s) single use gas shut-off device has opened.	The gas control (thermostat) should be replaced by a qualified service technician.
	Combustion Shutoff Device Tripped.	The combustion shutoff device should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Rumbling noise.	Scale and sediment in tank.	Clean tank.
Relief valve producing popping noise or draining.	Pressure build up caused by thermal expansion to a closed system.	This is an unacceptable condition and must be corrected. Contact the water supplier or plumbing contractor on how to correct this. Do not plug the relief valve outlet.
Not enough or no hot water.	Water usage may have exceeded the capacity of the water heater.	Wait for the water heater to recover after an abnormal demand.
	Low gas pressure.	Check gas supply pressure and manifold pressure.
	The pilot burner may be out.	Check the pilot burner. If necessary, relight using the instructions in the “Lighting The Water Heater” section of this manual.
	The gas control (thermostat) may be set too low.	See the “Water Temperature Setting” of The Water Heater section of this manual.
	Leaking or open hot water faucets.	Make sure all faucets are closed.
	Combustion Shutoff System tripped	Contact a qualified service technician.
Water is too hot	The gas control (thermostat) is set too high.	See the “Water Temperature Setting” of The Water Heater section of this manual.
	Gas Control (Thermostat) Defective.	Contact a qualified service technician to replace the Contact a qualified service technician to replace the
Pilot Burner Lights, but Main Burner will not stay lit.	Combustion Shutoff System tripped.	Contact a qualified service technician.