- Instruction Manual Residential Gas Water Heater

36
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
START UP CONDITIONS
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
Water supply systems may, because of such events as high
line pressure, frequent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer
among others, have installed devices such as pressure
reducing valves,check valves, back flow preventers, etc.
to control these types of problems. When these devices
are not equipped with an internal by pass, and no other
measures are taken, the devices cause the water system
tobeclosed.Aswaterisheated,itexpands(thermalexpansion)
and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of
heated water.
The water within the water tank expands as it is heated
and increases the pressure of the water system. If the
relieving point of the water heater’s temperature-pressure
reliefvalveisreached,thevalvewillreleaseexcesspressure.The
temperature-pressurereliefvalveisnotintendedfortheconstant
reliefofthermalexpansion.Thisisanunacceptableconditionand
must be corrected. It is recommended that any devices
installed which could create a closed system have a
by-p a s s  and/or  t h e  s y st e m  hav e  a n  e x pa n s i on  tank
or device to relieve the pressure built by thermal
expansion in the water system. Expansion tanks are
available for ordering through a local plumbing
contractor. Contact the local water heater supplier
or qualified service agency for assistance in controlling these
situations.
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.Thesmellisa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waterlines.Contact
the local water heater supplier or a qualied 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.
“AIR” IN HOT WATER FAUCETS
HYDROGENGAS:Hydrogengascanbeproducedinahotwater
systemthathasnotbeenusedforalongperiodoftime(generally
two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely ammable and
explosive.Topreventthepossibilityofinjuryundertheseconditions,
we recommend the hot water faucet, located farthest away, be
opened for several minutes before any electrical appliances
whichareconnectedtothehotwatersystemareused(suchasa
dishwasherorwashingmachine).Ifhydrogengasispresent,there
willprobablybeanunusualsoundsimilartoairescapingthroughthe
pipeasthehotwaterfaucetisopened.Theremustbenosmoking
oropenamenearthefaucetatthetimeitisopen.