A.O. Smith WATER HEATERS Locating The New Water Heater, Installing The New Water Heater

LOCATING THE NEW WATER HEATER

FACTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE LOCATION

Carefully choose an indoor location for the new water heater, because the placement is a very important consideration for the safety of the occupants in the building and for the most economical use of the appliance.

Whether replacing an old water heater or putting the water heater in a new location, the following critical points must be observed:

1.Select a location indoors as close as practical or centralized to the water piping system as possible. The water heater should be located in an area not subject to freezing temperatures.

2.Selected location must provide adequate clearances (4”) for servicing parts such as the thermostats, drain valve and relief valve. Adequate clearance for servicing this appliance should be considered before installation, such as changing the anodes, etc.

Installation of the water heater must be accomplished in such a manner that if the tank or any connections should leak, the flow will not cause

damage to the structure. For this reason, it is not advisable to install the water heater in an attic or upper floor. When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan should be installed under the water heater. Drain pans are available from your local plumbing contractor. Such a drain pan must have a minimum length and width of at least 2 inches (51 mm) greater that the water heater dimensions and must be piped to an adequate drain.

Also, the water heater must be located and/or protected so it is not subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.

INSULATION BLANKETS

Insulation blankets are available to the general public for external use on electric water heaters but are not necessary with this product. The purpose of an insulation blanket is to reduce the standby heat loss encountered with storage tank heaters. Your water heater meets or exceeds the National Appliance Energy Conversation Act standards with respect to insulation and standby loss requirements, making an insulation blanket unnecessary.

Should you choose to apply an insulation blanket to this heater, you should follow these instructions below. Failure to follow these instructions can result in fire, serious personal injury, or death.

•Do not cover the temperature and pressure relief (T & P) valve with an insulation blanket.

•Do not cover the instruction manual. Keep it on the side of the water heater or nearby for future reference.

•Do obtain new warning and instruction labels for placement on the blanket directly over the existing labels.

INSTALLING THE NEW WATER HEATER

WATER PIPING

HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD:

Water heaters are intended to produce hot water. Water heated to a temperature which will satisfy space heating, clothes washing, dish washing, cleaning and other sanitizing needs can scald and permanently injure you upon contact. Some people are more likely to be permanently injured by hot water than others. These include the elderly, children, the infirm, or physically/mentally handicapped. If anyone using hot water in your home fits into one of these groups or if there is a local code or state law requiring a certain temperature water at the hot water tap, then you must take special precautions. In addition to using the lowest possible temperature setting that satisfies your hot water needs, a means such as a *mixing valve, shall be used at the hot water

taps used by these people or at the water heater. Valves for reducing point of use temperature by mixing cold and hot water are also available.

Consult a Qualified Installer or Service Agency. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for installation of the valves. Before changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the “Temperature Regulation” section in this manual.

This water heater shall not be connected to any heating systems or component(s) used with a non-potable water heating appliance.

Toxic chemicals, such as those used for boiler treatment shall not be introduced into this system.

Water supply systems may, because of such events as high line pressure, frequent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer among others, have installed devices such as pressure reducing valves, check valves, back flow preventers, etc. to control these types of problems. When these devices are not equipped with an internal by-pass, and no other measures are taken, the devices cause the water system to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal expansion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of heated water.

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