Use and Care Manual

LP-436 Rev. 5.2.18
5
A. Improper Combustion
Do not obstruct the ow of combustion and ventilating air.
Adequate air is necessary for safe operation. Obstructing the ow
of combustion or ventilating air could result in property damage,
serious personal injury, or death.
B. Gas
Should overheating or gas supply fail to shut o, turn o the manual
gas control valve to the water heater.
C. When Servicing the Water Heating System
To avoid electric shock, disconnect electrical supply before
performing maintenance.
NOTE: When inquiring about service or troubleshooting, reference
the model and serial numbers from the water heater rating label.
To avoid severe burns, allow water heater and associated equipment
to cool before servicing.
D. Heater Water
Do not use petroleum-based cleaning or sealing compounds in
a water heating system. Gaskets and seals in the system may be
damaged. This can result in substantial property damage.
Do not use “homemade cures” or “patent medicines”. Damage to the
water heater, substantial property damage, and/or serious personal
injury may result.
E. Freeze Protection
NOTE: Consider piping and installation when determining heater
location.
Failure of the water heater due to freeze related damage IS NOT
covered by product warranty.
Be sure to disconnect electrical power before performing service.
Failure to do so could result in electrical shock, property damage,
serious personal injury, or death.
NEVER use any toxic chemical, including automotive, standard
glycol antifreeze, or ethylene glycol made for hydronic (non-
potable) systems. These chemicals can attack gaskets and seals
in water systems, are poisonous if consumed, and can cause
personal injury or death.
Households with small children, disabled, or elderly persons may
require a 120
o
F or lower temperature setting to prevent severe
personal injury or death due to scalding.
F. Water Temperature Adjustment
If the water heater is going to have a set temperature above 120
o
F,
you must use an ASSE 1017 rated mixing valve to avoid severe burns
or death from scalding temperatures.
Approximate Time / Temperature Relationships in Scalds
120
o
F More than 5 minutes
125
o
F 1 1/2 to 2 minutes
130
o
F About 30 seconds
135
o
F About 10 seconds
140
o
F Less than 5 seconds
145
o
F Less than 3 seconds
150
o
F About 1 1/2 seconds
155
o
F About 1 second
Table 1 - Approximate Time / Temperature Relationships in Scalds
Outlined below are water quality parameters that need to be met in
order for the system to operate eciently for many years.
Water Hardness
Water hardness is mainly due to the presence of calcium and
magnesium salts dissolved in water. The concentration of these salts is
expressed in mg/L, ppm, or grains per gallon as a measure of relative
water hardness. Grains per gallon is the common reference used in
the US water heater industry. Hardness expressed as mg/L or ppm
may be divided by 17.1 to convert to grains per gallon. Water may be
classied as very soft, slightly hard, moderately hard, or hard based on
its hardness number. The minerals in the water precipitate out as the
water is heated and cause accelerated lime scale accumulation on a
heat transfer surface. This lime scale build-up may result in premature
failure of the water heater. Operating temperatures above 135
o
F will
further accelerate the build-up of lime scale and may shorten the
service life of the water heater.
Water that is classied as hard and very hard must be softened to avoid
water heater failure.
CLASSIFICATION MG/L OR PPM GRAINS/GAL
Soft 0 - 17.1 0 - 1
Slightly Hard 17.1 - 60 1 - 3.5
Moderately Hard 60 - 120 3.5 - 7
Hard 120 - 180 7 - 10.5
Very Hard 180 and over 10.5 and over
If the hardness of the water exceeds the maximum level of 7 grains per
gallon, the water should be softened to a hardness level no lower than
5 grains per gallon. Water softened as low as 0 to 1 grain per gallon
may be under-saturated with respect to calcium carbonate, resulting
in water that is aggressive and corrosive.
pH of Water
pH is a measure of relative acidity, neutrality, or alkalinity. Dissolved
minerals and gases aect water pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.
Water with a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Water with pH lower than
7 is considered acidic. Water with a pH higher than 7 is considered
G. Water Chemistry Requirements
Chemical imbalance of the water supply may aect eciency and
cause severe damage to the water heater and associated equipment.
The manufacturer recommends having water quality professionally
analyzed to determine whether it is necessary to install a water
softener. It is important that the water chemistry on both the
domestic hot water and central heating sides are checked before
installing the water heater, as water quality will aect the reliability
of the system. In addition, operating temperatures above 135
o
F will
further accelerate the build-up of lime scale and may shorten the
service life of the water heater. Failure of a water heater due to lime
scale build-up, low pH, or other chemical imbalance IS NOT covered
by the warranty.