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Troubleshooting
Start Up Conditions
CONDENSATION
Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, a certain amount of condensation 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:
"When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the first time.
•When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue
temperatures are lower.
•When you use large amounts of hot water in a short time and the refill water 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
pear.
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 oper- ate 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 high line pressure, fre- quent
expands (thermal expansion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of heated water.
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 cotdd 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 with the burner area during heating and cooling periods and should be consid- ered normal. See "Condensation" section.
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