FOR YOUR INFORMATION
START UP CONDITIONS
DRAFT HOOD OPERATION
Check draft hood operation by performing a worst case depressurization of the building. With all doors and windows closed, and with all air handling equipment and exhaust fans operating such as furnaces, clothes dryers, range hoods and bathroom fans, a match flame should still be drawn into the draft hood of the water heater with its burner firing. If the flame is not drawn toward the draft hood, shut off water heater and make necessary air supply changes to correct.
CONDENSATE
Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, some condensate will form while the burner is on. A water heater may appear to be leaking when in fact the water is condensation. This usually happens when:
a.A new water heater is filled with cold water for the first time.
b.Burning gas produces water vapor in water heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue temperatures are lower.
c.Large amounts of hot water are used in a short time and the refill water in the tank is very cold.
Moisture from the products of combustion condense on the cooler tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall onto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a “sizzling” or “frying” noise.
Excessive condensation can cause pilot outage due to water running down the flue tube onto the main burner and putting out the pilot.
Because of the suddenness and amount of water, condensation water may be diagnosed as a “tank leak”. After the water in the tank warms up (about
Do not assume the water heater is leaking until there has been enough time for the water in the tank to warm up.
An undersized water heater will cause more condensation. The water heater must be sized properly to meet the family’s demands for hot water including dishwashers, washing machines and shower heads.
Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and early spring months when incoming water temperatures are at their lowest.
Good venting is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and water vapor.
SMOKE / ODOR
It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and odor during the initial
THERMAL EXPANSION
Water supply systems may, because of such events as high line pressure, frequent
The water within the water heater tank expands as it is heated and increases the pressure of the water system. If the relieving point of the water heater’s
It is recommended that any devices installed which could create a closed system have a
STRANGE SOUNDS
Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some metal parts during periods of
Condensation causes sizzling and popping within the burner area during heating and cooling periods and should be considered normal. See “Condensation” in this section.
Operational Conditions
Smelly Water
In each water heater there is installed at least one anode rod (see parts sections) for corrosion protection of the tank. Certain water conditions will cause a reaction between this rod and the water. The most common complaint associated with the anode rod is one of a “rotten egg smell” in the hot water. This odor is derived from hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. The smell is the result of four factors which must all be present for the odor to develop:
a.A concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b.Little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
c.A sulfate reducing bacteria which has accumulated within the water heater (this harmless bacteria is nontoxic to humans).
d.An excess of active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused by the corrosion protective action of the anode.
Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material, and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all hot water lines. Contact
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