21
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Because of the large amounts of water that can
condense, it is very important that a drain pan be
installed under the water heater (refer to Figure 12).
Under no circumstances is the manufacturer
to be held liable for any water damage, in con-
nection with this water heater. If the problem
does not go away and water continues to drip after the
water heater has heated up, check all of the plumbing
connections to make sure they are not leaking.
Burner Ignitor Assembly
Every three (3) months, check the burner and ignitor
assembly. Remove the outer access door and look
through the sight glass to examine the flames. A soft
blue flame indicates proper gas combustion. A yellow
tipped flame indicates poor combustion. With a vacuum
cleaner, remove any dust, lint, and dirt accumulation
on or around the combustion chamber and in the
combustion air intake holes.
Water Heater Tank
Drain a pail of water through the drain valve at least
once a year. This will remove excess sediment from the
bottom of the tank. This sediment, if allowed to accumu-
late, will reduce the efficiency and the life of the tank.
Temperature and Pressure-Relief Valve
Manually operate the temperature and pressure-relief
valve at least once a year, standing clear of the outlet to
avoid being burned. Lift and release the operating lever
on the valve to make it operate freely. If, after manually
operating the valve, it fails to completely reset itself and
continues to discharge water, replace it with a new one.
Venting System Inspection
The venting system must be thoroughly inspected
once a year. Check the area where the water heater
is located to make sure that there is enough clean
combustion and ventilation air. Remove any possible
obstructions that would prevent proper air circulation
and venting. Check the venting system to make sure
that all of the connections are securely fastened and
that all of the joints are properly sealed. If any part of
the venting system is damaged, it must be replaced
by a qualified service technician.
Anode
This water heater is equipped with an anode that
is designed to prolong the life of the glass-lined
tank. The anode is slowly consumed, protecting the
glass-lined tank from corrosion. The anode should be
checked every two (2) years. If more than half of the
anode has been consumed, it should be replaced.
Instructions on how to change the anode can be
obtained from the manufacturer.
The life expectancy of the water heater is reduced
where a water softener is introduced to fight hard
water, because the sodium salts added by a soft-
ener make this water extremely conductive. In these
conditions, the anode is consumed more rapidly and
should be verified every year.
In certain water conditions, the anode will react
with the water, producing discoloured or smelly
water. The most common complaint is hot water
that smells like rotten eggs. This phenomenon is
the result of the reaction between the magnesium
of the anode and hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in
the water, which occurs frequently in well systems.
This problem can usually be eliminated or reduced
by changing the magnesium anode to a type more
suitable for these conditions (aluminum anode) and
by chlorinating the water heater and plumbing sys-
tem. If the problem persists, special filtration equip-
ment may be required. Under no circumstances is
the anode to be removed from the water heater on a
permanent basis. Removal of the anode will lead
to premature failure of the water heater and
void the warranty.
WARNING
Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water sys-
tem that has not been used for a long period of time
(generally two [2] weeks or more). HYDROGEN GAS
IS EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. It is highly recom-
mended to open the hot water faucet in the kitchen for
several minutes before you use any electrical appli-
ances connected to the hot water system, such as a
dishwasher or washing machine. If hydrogen gas is
present, there will be an unusual sound, such as air
escaping through the pipe, as the hot water faucet is
opened. DO NOT smoke or introduce an open flame
near the faucet when it is opened.
Draining the Water Heater
To completely drain the water heater:
1) Unplug the power cord from the wall socket.
2) Close the gas supply manual shut-off valve.
3) Close the cold water supply manual shut-off valve.
4) Connect one end of a garden hose to the water
heater drain valve and put the other next to a free-
flowing drain.
5) Open the drain valve by inserting a flat-head
screwdriver into the slot on the head of the drain valve
and turning the knob counterclockwise .
6) Open a hot water faucet to allow air into the system.
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