Kenmore 153.31604 owner manual Facts to Consider About the Location, Insulation Blankets

FIGURE 7.

Mineral buildup or sediment may have accumulated in the old water heater. This causes the water heater to be much heavier than normal and this residue, if spilled out, could cause staining.

Facts to Consider About the Location

You should 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. This water heater is not intended for outdoor installation.

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

•The location selected should be indoors as close to and as centralized with the water piping system as possible. This water heater, as well as all water heaters, will eventually leak. Do not install without adequate drainage provisions so water flow will not cause damage.

WATER HEATERS EVENTUALLY LEAK: Installation of the water heater must be accomplished in such a manner that if the tank or any connections should leak, the flow of water will not cause damage to the structure. When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan should be installed under the water heater. Drain pans are available at your local Sears stores. Such drain pans must be piped to an adequate drain.

Water heater life depends upon water quality, water pressure and the environment in which the water heater is installed. Water heaters are sometimes installed in locations where leakage may result in property damage, even with the use of a drain pan piped to a drain. However, unanticipated damage can be reduced or prevented by a leak detector or water shut-off device used in conjunction with a piped drain pan. These devices are available from some plumbing wholesalers and retailers, and detect and react to leakage in various ways:

•Sensors mounted in the drain pan that trigger an alarm or turn off the incoming water to the water heater when leakage is detected.

•Sensors mounted in the drain pan that turn off the water supply to the entire home when water is detected in the drain pan.

•Water supply shut-off devices that activate based on the water pressure differential between the cold water and hot water pipes connected to the water heater.

INSTALLATION IN RESIDENTIAL GARAGES: The water heater must be located and/or protected so it is not subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.

•The location selection must provide adequate clearances for servicing and proper operation of the water heater.

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.