Manual

Troubleshooting Guide (cont'd)
Start Up Conditions (cont'd)
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 [_roduced in water
heaters, particularly high efficiency moaels 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
O _ , ,
nto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a sizzhng 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
W r * u . .
a er may be &agnosed as a tank leak. After the water m the
tank warms up (about 1-2 hours), the condition should
disappear.
SMOKE/ODOR
It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and
odor during the initial statr-up. This is due to burning offof oil
from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.
Operational Conditions
SMELLY WATER
In each glasslined water heater there is installed at least one
anode rod (see parts section) for corrosion protection of the
tank. Certain water conditions will cause a reaction between this
rod and the water. The most common complaint associated with
the anode rod is one of a rotten egg smell". This odor is derived
from hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. The smell is
the result of four factors which must all be present for the odor
to develop:
a. a concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b. little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
c. a sulfate reducing bacteria within the water heater. (This
harmless bacteria is non-toxic to humans.)
d. an excess of active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused by
the corrosion protective action of the anode.
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.
Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater
models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material,
and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all hot water
lines. Contact Sears Service for further information concerning
an Anode Replacement Kit #9001453 and this Chlorination
Treatment.
I.fthe. smelly water persists after the anode replacement and chlo-
rmauon treatment, we can only suggest that continuous chlori-
nation and filtering conditioning equipment be considered to
eliminate the water problem.
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.
Do. not remove the anode leaving the tank unprotected. By
doing so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
AWARNING
HOTTERWATERCAN SCALD:Water heatersare intendedto
producehot water.Water heatedto a temperaturewhichwill
satisfyclotheswashing,dishwashing,andothersanitizingneeds
canscaldandpermanentlyinjureyouuponcontact.Somepeo-
pleare more likelyto be permanently injuredbyhot waterthan
others.Theseincludetheelderly,children,theinfirm,or physical-
ly/mantallyhandicapped.Ifanyoneusinghotwater inyourhome
nts intooneofthesegroupsor ifthereisa localcodeorstatelaw
requiringacertaintemperature waterat the hotwatertap,than
roumustteke specialprecautiontInadditionto usingthelowest
)osubletemperature settingthat satisfiesyourhotwater needs,
t meanssuchasa mixingvalve,shouldbeusedat the hotwater
tapsusedby thesepeopleor at the waterheater.Mixingvalves
areavailableat plumbingsupplyorhardwarestore_Followman-
ufacturersinstructionsfor installationof the valves.Before
changingthe factory setting on the thermostat, read the
'q'emperetureRegulation"sectioninthis manual
"AIR" IN HOT WATER FAUCETS
at WARNING
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogengascan be producedin a hot
watersystemthat hasnot beenusedfor a longperiodoftimo
(generallytwo weeks or more). Hydrogengas isextremely
flammableand explosive. To preventthe possibility of injury
undertheseconditions, we recommendthe hot water faucet
be openedfor severalminutesat the Idtthen sinkbeforeany
electricalapplianceswhich are connectedto the hotwatersys-
tem are used(suchas a dishwasheror washingmachine).If
hydrogengasis present, there will probablybe an unusual
soundsimilar to air escapingthroughthe pipeasthe hot water
faucetis opened.There must be no smobingor open flame
nearthe faucetat thetime it isoperh
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