Whirlpool 50T12-40NG User Manual

100263111
January 2015
Residential Gas
Water Heater
Installa on Instruc ons and
Use & Care Guide
Keep this manual in the pocket on heater for future reference whenever maintenance, adjustment or service is required.
Retain your original receipt as proof of purchase.
Residen al Atmospheric Gas Water Heater
with the Flame Lock
®
Safety System
DO NOT RETURN THIS UNIT TO THE STORE
Read this manual and the labels on the water heater before you install,
operate, or service it. If you have diffi culty following the direc ons, or
aren’t sure you can safely and properly do any of this work yourself:
• Call your Lowe’s® store to have this water heater installed. Lowe’s® Professional
Installa on is available for this product and the work is guaranteed.
• Schedule an appointment with a qualifi ed person to install your water heater.
• Call our Technical Assistance Hotline at . We can help you with installa on, opera-
 ons, troubleshoo ng, or maintenance. Before you call, write down the model and
serial number from the water heater’s data plate.
Incorrect installa on, opera on, or service can damage the water heater, your house
and other property, and present risks including fi re, scalding, electric shock, and
explosion, causing serious injury or death.
Do not store or use gasoline or other
fl ammable vapors and liquids in the
vicinity of this or any other appliance.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS
• Do not try to light any appliance.
• Do not touch any electrical switch;
do not use any phone in your build-
ing.
• Immediately call your gas supplier
from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the
gas supplier’s instruc ons.
• If you cannot reach your gas sup-
plier, call the fi re department.
Installa on and service must be per-
formed by a qualifi ed installer, service
agency or the gas supplier.
WARNING: If the informa on in
these instruc ons is not followed
exactly, a fi re or explosion may
result causing property damage,
personal injury or death.
LOW LEAD
CONTENT
Table of Contents Page
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ............................................. 3
GETTING STARTED ........................................................................ 7
INSTALLATION ............................................................................. 14
OPERATION ................................................................................. 23
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................... 25
MAINTENANCE ........................................................................... 28
NOTES ......................................................................................... 31
REPAIR PARTS ............................................................................. 35

Whirlpool 50T12-40NG Specifications

General

Brand	Whirlpool
Model	50T12-40NG
Category	Water Heater
Language	English

Summary

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Safety Alert Symbol and Hazard Definitions

Explains safety alert symbol, DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, NOTICE terms for hazards.

Important Information to Keep

Section for recording installation date, model, serial numbers, and maintenance performed.

Lifting Risk During Installation

Precautions to reduce injury risk during lifting or impact injuries from dropping.

Operation Risks: Scalding and Explosion

Hazards encountered during operation, including scalding risks and explosion risks.

Fire Risk and Flammable Vapor Ignition

Details the risks associated with flammable vapors and the FVIR system.

Explosion Risk from High Pressure

Dangers of high temperatures and pressures leading to tank explosions.

Fire/Explosion Risk from Stagnant Water

Covers fire and explosion risks if hot water is unused for two weeks or more.

Carbon Monoxide and Burn Hazards

Hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning and burns from hot vent surfaces.

GETTING STARTED

General Installation Requirements

Covers initial instructions, codes, tools, and recommended accessories for installation.

Combustion and Ventilation Air Supply

Discusses the importance of adequate air supply for combustion and ventilation.

Ventilation Options and Calculations

Explains different ventilation methods and how to calculate required opening sizes.

Venting System Specifications

Details requirements for vent pipe material, clearance, installation, and termination.

Gas Piping and Pressure Guidelines

Covers gas supply line installation, leak testing, and pressure checks.

System Integration: Space Heating & Solar

Provides guidance for integrating the water heater with space heating or solar systems.

INSTALLATION

Plumbing System Checks

Verifies home plumbing, water pressure, and thermal expansion tank requirements.

Location and Leak Prevention Setup

Addresses selecting an appropriate location and setting up leak prevention measures like drain pans.

Removing the Old Water Heater

Step-by-step process for removing the old unit and installing the new one.

Installing the New Water Heater

General steps for setting up the new unit, including air filter installation.

Connecting Water and T&P Relief Systems

Covers connecting the T&P relief valve, shutoff valves, and mixing valves.

Connecting Water Supply and Draft Hood

Details connecting water lines and installing the draft hood.

Gas Connections and Final Checks

Final steps for making gas connections and performing pre-lighting checks.

OPERATION

Pilot Lighting and Status Indicators

Step-by-step guide to lighting the pilot and understanding status light codes.

Shutdown and Emergency Procedures

Instructions for normal shutdown and emergency shutdown protocols.

Vent System and Air Supply Testing

Procedures to ensure proper venting and adequate air supply for safe operation.

Temperature Adjustment and Modes

Guidance on setting water temperature and understanding operating modes like Standard and Vacation.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting No Hot Water

Diagnosing issues when the water heater produces no hot water, checking pilot and status lights.

Addressing Insufficient or Slow Hot Water

Identifying causes for low hot water volume or slow recovery times.

Resolving Drips, Odors, and Pressure Issues

Solutions for T&P valve drips, water odors, and low water pressure problems.

Using Status Light Codes for Diagnosis

A chart to interpret LED status codes and their corresponding corrective actions.

MAINTENANCE

Routine Maintenance and Flushing

Procedures for regular upkeep, including draining and flushing the tank.

Anode Rod Care and Replacement

Inspecting and replacing the anode rod to prevent tank corrosion.

System Inspections and Air Filter Cleaning

Annual visual checks of systems and cleaning the air filter for optimal performance.

T&P Relief Valve Maintenance

Guidelines for operating and maintaining the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve.

REPAIR PARTS

Ordering Replacement Parts

Information needed when ordering replacement parts, like model and serial numbers.

Illustrated Parts List

A numbered list of water heater components with their descriptions.

Parts Kits and Illustrations

Visuals and descriptions of specific replacement parts kits.