Whirlpool 6510413, E2F50HD045V, W10123243 Maintenance of Your Water Heater, Draining and Flushing

MAINTENANCE OF YOUR WATER HEATER

Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve

WARNING

Explosion Hazard

If the temperature and pressure relief valve is dripping or leaking, have a qualified person replace it.

Examples of a qualified person include: licensed plumbers, authorized gas company personnel, and authorized service personnel.

Do not plug valve.

Do not remove valve.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or explosion.

Manually operate the temperature and pressure relief valve at least once a year to make sure it is working properly.

To prevent water	Figure 12
damage, the valve
must be properly		Temperature and Pressure
		Relief Valve
connected to a
			Manual Relief
discharge line which			Valve
terminates at an
adequate drain.
Standing clear of the
outlet (discharged
water may be
hot), slowly lift and
	Discharge line to drain
release the lever
handle on the

temperature and pressure relief valve to allow the valve to operate freely and return to its closed position. If the valve fails to completely reset and continues to release water, immediately disconnect the electrical power, close the cold water inlet valve and call a qualifi ed person.

Draining and Flushing

The water heater should be drained if being shut down during freezing temperatures. It is recommended that the tank be drained, and fl ushed every 6 months to remove sediment which may buildup during operation. To drain the tank perform the following steps:

1.Disconnect the electrical power to the water heater.

2.Open a hot water faucet until water is no longer hot.

3.Close the cold water inlet valve and open a hot water faucet.

4.Connect a hose to the drain valve and terminate it to an adequate drain.

5.Open the water heater drain valve and the nearest hot water faucet. Allow all the water to drain from the tank. Flush the tank with water as needed to remove sediment.

6.Close the drain valve and completely refill the water heater tank.

7.Reconnect electrical power to the water heater.

If the water heater is going to be shut down for an extended period, the drain valve should be left open.

Heating Element Replacement

WARNING

Electric Shock Hazard

Disconnect power before servicing.

Replace all parts and panels before operating.

Failure to do so can result in death or electrical shock.

Replacement heating elements must be of the same style and voltage/wattage rating as the ones presently in the water heater. This information can be found on the fl ange or terminal block of the element or on the water heater data plate.

1.Disconnect the electrical power to the water heater.

2.Drain the water heater as directed in the “Draining and Flushing” section.

3.Remove the access cover(s). Fold up the insulation from the heater element(s). Remove the plastic thermostat cover from the thermostat(s) making sure to disengage the attachment point from the thermostat.

4.Disconnect the electrical wires from the heating element(s) by loosening the screws (Figure 13). Remove the screw-in element(s) by turning the element(s) counterclockwise with a 1-1/2 inch socket wrench. Remove the existing gasket(s).

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