Installation Guide

25
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
START UP CONDITIONS
CONDENSATE
Whenever the water heater is fi lled with cold water, some condensate
will form while the burner is on. A water heater may appear to be
leaking when in fact the water is condensation. This usually happens
when:
a. A new water heater is fi lled with cold water for the fi rst time.
b. Burning gas produces water vapor in water heaters, particularly
high effi ciency models where fl ue temperatures are lower.
c. Large amounts of hot water are used in a short time and the refi ll
water in the tank is very cold.
Moisture from the products of combustion condense on the cooler
tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall onto the burner
or other hot surfaces to produce a “sizzling” or “frying” noise.
Excessive condensation can cause pilot outage due to water running
down the fl ue tube onto the main burner and putting out the pilot.
Because of the suddenness and amount of water, condensation water
may be diagnosed as a “tank leak”. After the water in the tank warms
up (about 1-2 hours), the condition should disappear.
Do not assume the water heater is leaking until there has been enough
time for the water in the tank to warm up.
An undersized water heater will cause more condensation. The water
heater must be sized properly to meet the family’s demands for hot
water including dishwashers, washing machines and shower heads.
Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and early
spring months when incoming water temperatures are at their lowest.
Good venting is essential for a gas fi red water heater to operate
properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and water
vapor.
SMOKE / ODOR
It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and odor
during the initial start-up. This is due to burning off of oil from metal
parts, and will disappear in a short while.
THERMAL EXPANSION
As water is heated, it expands (thermal expansion). In a closed
system, the volume of water will grow. As the volume of water grows,
there will be a corresponding increase in water pressure due to
thermal expansion. Thermal expansion can cause premature tank
failure (leakage). This type of failure is not covered under the limited
warranty. Thermal expansion can also cause intermittent temperature-
pressure relief valve operation: water discharged from the valve due to
excessive pressure build up. The temperature-pressure relief valve is
not intended for the constant relief of thermal expansion. This condition
is not covered under the limited warranty.
A properly-sized thermal expansion tank should be installed on all
closed systems to control the harmful effects of thermal expansion.
Contact a plumbing service agency or your retail supplier regarding
the installation of a thermal expansion tank.
STRANGE SOUNDS
Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some metal parts
during periods of heat-up and cool-down do not necessarily represent
harmful or dangerous conditions.
Condensation causes sizzling and popping within the burner area
during heating and cooling periods and should be considered normal.
See “Condensate” in this section.
OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS
SMELLY WATER
In each water heater there is installed at least one anode rod (see
parts section) for corrosion protection of the tank. Certain water
conditions will cause a reaction between this rod and the water. The
most common complaint associated with the anode rod is one of a
“rotten egg smell” in the hot water. This odor is derived from hydrogen
sulfi de gas dissolved in the water. The smell is the result of four factors
which must all be present for the odor to develop:
a. A concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b. Little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
c. A sulfate reducing bacteria which has accumulated within the water
heater (this harmless bacteria is nontoxic to humans).
d. An excess of active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused by the
corrosion protective action of the anode.
Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater
models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material, and
then chlorinating the water heater tank and all hot water lines. Contact
the local water heater supplier or service agency for further information
concerning an Anode Replacement Kit and this chlorination treatment.
If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and
chlorination treatment, we can only suggest that chlorination or
aeration of the water supply be considered to eliminate the water
problem.
Do not remove the anode leaving the tank unprotected. By doing
so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.