Maintenance

Venting System

Examine the venting system every six months for obstructions and/or deterioration of the vent piping. Check all vent system connections for leakage and repair or reseal as necessary.

Remove all soot or other obstructions from chimney which will retard free draft.

Intake Air Screen

The intake air screen is attached to the inlet end of the combustion blower. Inspect the intake air screen every six months. The intake air screen should be cleaned of any buildup of debris or foreign material.

Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve Test

• Burn hazard.

•Hot water discharge.

•Keep clear of Temperature- Pressure Relief Valve discharge outlet.

It is recommended that the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve should be checked to ensure that it is in operating condition every 6 months.

When checking the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve operation, make sure that (1) no one is in front of or around the outlet of the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve discharge line, and (2) that the water discharge will not cause any property damage, as the water may be extremely hot. Use care when operating valve as the valve may be hot.

To check the relief valve, lift the lever at the end of the valve several times, see Figure 25. The valve should seat properly and operate freely.

If after manually operating the valve, it fails to completely reset and continues to release water, immediately close the cold water inlet to the water heater and drain the water heater, see Draining and Flushing on page 29. Replace the Temperature-Pressure Relief

Valve with a properly rated/sized new one, see Temperature- Pressure Relief Valve on pages 13-14 for instructions on replacement.

Figure 25.

If the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve on the water heater weeps or discharges periodically, this may be due to thermal expansion.

NOTE: Excessive water pressure is the most common cause of Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve leakage. Excessive water system pressure is most often caused by "thermal expansion" in a "closed system." See Closed Water Systems and Thermal

Expansion on page 13. The Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve is not intended for the constant relief of thermal expansion.

Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve leakage due to pressure build up in a closed system that does not have a thermal expansion tank installed is not covered under the limited warranty. Thermal expansion tanks must be installed on all closed water systems.

DO NOT PLUG THE TEMPERATURE-PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE OPENING. THIS CAN CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

explosion hazard

Temperature-Pressure relief Valve must comply with AnSI Z21.22- CSA 4.4 and ASMe code.

Properly sized temperature- pressure relief valve must be installed in opening provided.

Can result in overheating and excessive tank pressure.

Can cause serious injury or death.

Anode Rod Inspection

The anode rod is used to protect the tank from corrosion. Most hot water tanks are equipped with an anode rod. The submerged rod sacrifices itself to protect the tank. Instead of corroding tank, water ions attack and eat away the anode rod. This does not affect water’s taste or color. The rod must be maintained to keep tank in operating condition.

Anode deterioration depends on water conductivity, not necessarily water condition. A corroded or pitted anode rod indicates high water conductivity and should be checked and/or replaced more often than an anode rod that appears to be intact. Replacement of a depleted anode rod can extend the life of your water heater. Inspection should be conducted by a qualified technician, and at a minimum should be checked annually after the warranty period.

Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions.

The use of a water softener may decrease the life of the water heater tank.

The anode rod should be inspected after a maximum of three years and annually thereafter until the condition of the anode rod dictates its replacement. Anode replacement is not covered by warranty.

NOTE: Artificially softened water requires the anode rod to be inspected annually.