Sears 153.335844 Troubleshooting Guide, Start Up Conditions, Thermal Expansion, Strange Sounds

Troubleshooting Guide

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 leakingwhen 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 tem- peratures 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 run- ning 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 1-2 hours), the condition should disap- 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 sizedproperly to meet the family's demands

for hot water including dishwashers, washing machines and shower heads.

SMOKE/ODOR

It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burning off of oil from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.

THERMAL EXPANSION

Water suppl_ systems may, because of high line pressure, fre- quent cut-otis, the effects of water hammer and 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 sys- tem to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal expan-

sion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of heat- ed 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 temperature-pressure relief valve is reached, the valve will relieve the excess pressure. The tempera-

ture-pressurerelief valve is not intended for the constant

refi_ of thermal expansion. This is an unacceptable condition and must be corrected.

It is recommended that any devices installed which could create a closed system have a by-pass and/or the system have an expan- sion tank to relieve the pressure built by thermal expansion in the water system. Expansion tanks are available for ordering

through the Sears Service Center. Contact the local plumbing inspector, water supplier, and/or the Sears Service Center for assistance in controlling these situations.

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.

AWARNING

HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD:Water heatersareintendedto ,reducehot water.Water heatedto a temperaturewhichwill satisfyclotheswashing,dishwashing,andother sanitizingneeds canscald and permanentlyinjureyou uponcontact.Somepeo- deare more likelyto be permanentlyinju_l byhot water than other_ Theseindudethe elderly,children,the infirm,or physical- ly/mant_dlyhandicappedIf. anyoneusinghot water in yourhome

Etsintoone ofthesegroupsor ifthere isa localcodeor statelaw requiringa certaintomperatore waterat the hotwater _ then _u musttake specialprecautionsIn. additionto usingthe lowest x_ssibietemperaturesettingthat satisfiesyourhot water needs, a meanssuchasa mixingvalve,shouldbe usedat the hot water tapsusedby these peopleor at the water heater.Mixingvalves

are availableat plumbingsupplyor hardwarestore_Followman- ufacturers instructionsfor installationof the valves. Before

changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the 'TemperatureRegulation"sectioninthismanual.

STRANGE SOUNDS

Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some metal

_arts during periods of heat-up and cool-down do not represent armful or dangerous conditions.

Condensation causes sizzling and popping with the burner area

during heating and coofin_ periods and should be considered

normal. See Condensation section.

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