36
for Your InforMatIonstart up condItIons
sMoKe/odor
Itisnotuncommontoexperienceasmallamountofsmokeand
odorduringtheinitial start-up.Thisisdue toburningoffof oil
frommetalparts,andwilldisappearinashortwhile.
therMal eXpansIon
Watersupplysystems may, because of such events as high
linepressure, frequent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer
amongothers, have installed devices such as pressure
reducingvalves, check valves, back flow preventers, etc.
tocontrol these types of problems. When these devices
arenot equipped with an internal by pass, and no other
measuresare taken, the devices cause the water system
tobeclosed.Aswaterisheated,itexpands(thermalexpansion)
andclosed systems do not allow for the expansion of
heated water.
Thewater within the water tank expands as it is heated
andincreases the pressure of the water system. If the
relieving���point of the water heater’s temperature-pressure
reliefvalveisreached,thevalvewillreleaseexcesspressure.The
temperature-pressurereliefvalve isnotintended fortheconstant
reliefofthermalexpansion.Thisisan unacceptableconditionand
must be corrected. It is recommended that any devices
installed which could create a closed system have a
by-passand/or the system have an expansion tank
or device to relieve the pressure built by thermal
expansionin the water system. Expansion tanks are
available for ordering through a local plumbing
contractor.Contact the local water heater supplier
orqualifiedservice agencyfor assistanceincontrolling these
situations.
stranGe sounds
Possiblenoisesduetoexpansionandcontractionofsomemetal
partsduringperiodsofheat-upandcool-downdonotnecessarily
representharmfulordangerousconditions.
Condensationcausessizzlingandpoppingwithintheburnerarea
duringheatingand coolingperiods andshouldbe considered
normal.See“Condensate”inthissection.
operatIonal condItIons
sMellY water
Ineachwaterheaterthereisinstalledatleastoneanode rod(see
partssection) for corrosion protection of the tank. Certain water
conditions will cause a reaction between this rod and the water.
Themostcommoncomplaintassociatedwiththeanoderodisone
ofa“rotteneggsmell”inthehotwater.Thesmellisaresultoffour
factorswhichmustallbepresentfortheodortodevelop:
a.Aconcentrationofsulfateinthesupplywater.
b.Littleornodissolvedoxygeninthewater.
c. Asulfate reducing bacteria which has accumulated within the
waterheater(thisharmlessbacteriaisnontoxictohumans).
d.Anexcessof activehydrogeninthetank.Thisiscausedbythe
corrosionprotectiveactionoftheanode.
Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater
modelsbyreplacingtheanode(s)withoneoflessactivematerial,and
thenchlorinatingthewater heatertankandall waterlines.Contact
thelocal water heater supplier or a qualied service agency for
furtherinformationconcerninganAnodeReplacementKitandthis
chlorination treatment.
Ifthesmellywaterpersistsaftertheanodereplacementandchlorination
treatment,wecanonlysuggestthatchlorinationor aerationofthe
watersupplybeconsideredtoeliminatethewaterproblem.
do not remove the anode leaving the tank unprotected. By doing
so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
“aIr” In hot water faucets
HYDROGENGAS:Hydrogengascanbeproduced inahotwater
systemthathasnotbeenusedforalongperiodof time(generally
twoweeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely ammable and
explosive.Topreventthepossibilityofinjuryundertheseconditions,
we recommend the hot water faucet, located farthest away, be
openedfor several minutes before any electrical appliances
whichareconnectedtothehot watersystemareused(suchasa
dishwasherorwashing��machine).Ifhydrogengasispresent,there
willprobablybeanunusualsoundsimilartoairescapingthroughthe
pipeasthehotwaterfaucetisopened.Theremustbenosmoking
oropenamenearthefaucetatthetimeitisopen.