Whirlpool E2F40Rd045V Owners Manual 323099 000 Approved Copy

2014-08-26

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323099-000

March 2012

Residential Electric

Water Heater

Installa on Instruc ons and

Use & Care Guide

Keep this manual in the pocket on heater for future reference whenever maintenance, adjustment or service is required.

Retain your original receipt as proof of purchase.

Table of Contents ................................... Page

Important Safety Informa on ............................................... 3

Ge ng Started ....................................................................... 6

Installa on .............................................................................. 7

Troubleshoo ng ................................................................... 17

Maintenance ........................................................................ 21

Safety Labels ......................................................................... 25

Diagrams............................................................................... 27

Repair Parts .......................................................................... 28

DO NOT RETURN THIS UNIT TO THE STORE

Read this manual and the labels on the water heater before you install,

operate, or service it. If you have diﬃ culty following the direc ons, or

aren’t sure you can safely and properly do any of this work yourself:

• Call your Lowe’s® store to have this water heater installed. Lowe’s® Professional

Installa on is available for this product and the work is guaranteed.

• Schedule an appointment with a qualiﬁ ed person to install your water heater.

• Call our Technical Assistance Hotline at 1-877-817-6750. We can help you with in-

stalla on, opera ons, troubleshoo ng, or maintenance. Before you call, write down

the model and serial number from the water heater’s data plate.

Incorrect installa on, opera on, or service can damage the water heater, your house

and other property, and present risks including ﬁ re, scalding, electric shock, and

explosion, causing serious injury or death.

LOW LEAD

NTENT

COMPLETED INSTALLATION TYPICAL

Upper

Element and

Thermostat

access

Lower

Element and

Thermostat

access

T&P

relief

valve

Water

shut oﬀ

Electrical

junc on

box

Expansion

tank

T&P

discharge

pipe

Drain pan

discharge

pipe

Data

plate

Drain pan Drain valve

Cold

water

line

Hot

water

line

ECO Reset

Bu on

(on most

models)

SAFETY

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Important informa on to keep

Fill out this sec on and keep this

manual in the pocket of the water

heater for reference.

Date Puchased:

Model number:

Serial number:

Maintenance performed:* Date:

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to

poten al physical injury hazards. Obey all safety mes-

sages that follow this symbol to avoid possible property

damage, serious injury or death. Do not remove any

permanent instruc ons, labels, or the data plate from either the outside of

the water heater or on the inside of the access panels. Keep this manual

near the water heater.

DANGER

Read and follow all safety messages and instruc ons in

this manual.

DANGER indicates hazardous

situa on that, if not avoided, will

result in death or serious injury.

WARNING WARNING indicates a hazardous

situa on that, if not avoided, could

result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION CAUTION indicates a hazardous

situa on that, if not avoided, could

result in minor or moderate injury.

NOTICE NOTICE indicates prac ces not

related to physical injury.

The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act requires the

Governor of California to publish a list of substances known to the State of

California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and

requires businesses to warn of potential exposure to such substances.

WARNING! This product contains one or more chemicals known to the

State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

This appliance can cause low-level exposure to some of the substances

included in the act.

*Drain and ﬂ ush tank and remove and

inspect anode rod a er ﬁ rst six months

of opera on and at least annually

therea er. Operate the Temperature

and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P) annu-

ally and inspect T&P valve every 2-4

years (see the label on the T&P valve for

maintenance schedule). See the Main-

tenance sec on for more informa on

about maintaining this water heater.

4 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

To reduce the risk of property

damage, serious injury or death,

read and follow the precau ons below,

all labels on the water heater, and

the safety messages and instruc ons

throughout this manual.

RISKS DURING INSTALLATION

AND MAINTENANCE

Electric Shock Risk

Contact with the electrical

parts in the junc on box

and behind the access

doors can result in severe injury or

death from electrical shock:

• Disconnect power by opening the

circuit breaker or removing the fuses

before installing or servicing.

• Use a non-contact circuit tester to

conﬁ rm that power is oﬀ before

working on or near any electrical

parts.

• Replace the junc on box cover and

access doors a er servicing.

Li ing Risk

WARNING! The

water heater is heavy.

Follow these precau-

 ons to reduce the risk of property

damage, injuries from li ing or impact

injuries from dropping the water

heater.

• Use at least two people to li the

water heater.

• Be sure you both have a good grip

before li ing.

• Use an appliance dolly or hand truck

to move the water heater.

RISKS DURING OPERATION

Scalding Risk

This water heater

can make water hot

enough to cause

severe burns instantly, resul ng in

severe injury or death.

• Feel water before bathing or

showering

• To reduce the risk of scalding, install

Thermosta c Mixing Valves (tempera-

ture limi ng valves) at each point-

of-use. These valves automa cally

mix hot and cold water to limit the

temperature at the tap. Mixing valves

are available from Lowe’s®. Follow

manufacturer’s instruc ons for instal-

la on and adjustment of the valves.

• The thermostat(s) on this water

heater have been factory set to

approximately 120°F to reduce the

risk of scalding. Higher temperatures

increase the risk of scalding, but

even at 120°F, hot water can scald.

If you choose a higher temperature,

Thermosta c Mixing Valves located

at each point-of-use are par cularly

important to help avoid scalding.

For informa on about changing the

factory thermostat se ng(s), refer to

the “Adjus ng Temperature” sec on in

this manual (see page 15, step 10).

Even if you set the water heater

thermostat(s) to a low se ng, higher

temperatures may occur in certain

circumstances:

• In some cases, repeated small draws

of water can cause the hot and cold

water in the tank to “stack” in lay-

ers. If this happens, the water can

be as much as thirty degrees ho er

than the thermostat se ng. This

temperature varia on is the result

of your usage pa ern and is not a

malfunc on.

• Water temperature will be ho er if

someone adjusted the thermostat(s)

to a higher se ng.

• Problems with the thermostat(s),

or other malfunc ons may result in

higher than expected water tempera-

tures.

• If the water heater is in a hot envi-

ronment, the water in the tank can

become as hot as the surrounding air,

regardless of the thermostat se ng.

• If the water supplied to the water

heater is pre-heated (for example,

by a solar system) the temperature

in the tank may be higher than the

water heater’s thermostat se ng.

To reduce the risk of unusually hot

water reaching the ﬁ xtures in the

house, install Thermosta c Mixing

Valves at each point-of-use.

If anyone in your home is at par cular

risk of scalding (for example, the elder-

ly, children, or people with disabili es)

or if there is a local code or state law

SAFETY

Temperature Time to Produce

a Serious Burn

120°F (49°C) More than 5 minutes

125°F (52°C) 1½ to 2 minutes

130°F (54°C) About 30 seconds

135°F (57°C) About 10 seconds

140°F (60°C) Less than 5 seconds

145°F (63°C) Less than 3 seconds

150°F (66°C) About 1½ seconds

155°F (68°C) About 1 second

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 5

SAFETY

requiring a certain water temperature

at the hot water tap, then these precau-

 ons are par cularly important.

According to a na onal standard

American Society of San ary Engineer-

ing (ASSE 1070) and most local plumbing

codes, the water heater’s thermostat

should not be used as the sole means to

regulate water temperature and avoid

scalds.

Properly adjusted Thermosta c Mixing

Valves installed at each point-of-use al-

low you to set the tank temperature to

a higher se ng without increasing risk

of scalds. A higher temperature se ng

allows the tank to provide much more

hot water and can help provide proper

water temperatures for appliances such

as dishwashers and washing machines.

Higher tank temperatures (140°F)

also kill bacteria that cause a condi-

 on known as “smelly water” and can

reduce the levels of bacteria that cause

water-borne diseases.

Water Contamina on Risk

Do not use chemicals that could con-

taminate the potable water supply. Do

not use piping that has been treated

with chromates, boiler seal, or other

chemicals.

Fire Risk

To reduce the risk of a

ﬁ re that could destroy

your home and seriously

injure or kill people:

• Do not store things that can burn

easily such as paper or clothes next to

the water heater.

• Be sure the junc on box cover and

the access door covers are in place.

These covers keep debris from enter-

ing and poten ally being ignited,

and help keep any internal ﬁ res from

spreading.

• Keep the water heater from becom-

ing wet. Immediately shut the water

heater oﬀ and have it inspected by a

qualiﬁ ed person if you ﬁ nd that the

wiring, thermostat(s) or surrounding

insula on have been exposed to wa-

ter in any way (e.g., leaks from plumb-

ing, leaks from the water heater

itself can damage property and could

cause a ﬁ re risk). If the water heater

is subjected to ﬂ ood condi ons or the

thermostat(s) have been submerged

in water, the en re water heater must

be replaced.

• Make electrical connec ons properly,

according to the instruc ons on page

14. Use 10 gauge solid copper wire.

Use a UL listed or CSA approved strain

relief. Connect ground wire to green

ground screw.

Explosion Risk

High temperatures and

pressures in the water

heater tank can cause an

explosion resul ng in property damage,

serious injury or death. A new Tem-

perature and Pressure (T&P) Relief

Valve is included with your water heater

to reduce risk of explosion by discharg-

ing hot water. Addi onal temperature

and pressure protec ve equipment may

be required by local codes.

A na onally recognized tes ng labo-

ratory maintains periodic inspec on

of the valve produc on process and

cer ﬁ es that it meets the requirements

for Relief Valves for Hot Water Supply

Systems, ANSI Z21.22. The T&P Relief

Valve’s relief pressure must not exceed

the working pressure ra ng of the wa-

ter heater as stated on the ra ng plate.

Maintain the T&P Relief Valve properly.

Follow the maintenance instruc ons

provided by the manufacturer of the

T&P Relief Valve (label a ached to T&P

Relief Valve) and the procedure that

starts on page 24.

An explosion could occur if the T&P Re-

lief Valve or discharge pipe is blocked.

Do not cap or plug the T&P Relief Valve

or discharge pipe.

Fire and Explosion Risk if Hot Water is

Not Used for Two Weeks or More

CAUTION! Hydrogen gas builds up

in a hot water system when it is not

used for a long period (two weeks or

more). Hydrogen gas is extremely

ﬂ ammable. If the hot water system has

not been used for two weeks or more,

open a hot water faucet for several

minutes at the kitchen sink before

using any electrical appliances con-

nected to the hot water system. Do

not smoke or have an open ﬂ ame or

other igni on source near the faucet

while it is open. ■

6 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

GETTING STARTED

1Review all of the instruc ons

before you begin work.

If you aren’t sure that you

can safely and properly do this work

yourself, call your Lowe’s® store to

arrange for Professional Installa on

(you may also call a qualiﬁ ed person

of your choice, such as a licensed

plumber or electrician, to have the

work done). Improper installa on can

damage the water heater, your home

and other property, and can present

risks of serious injury or death.

2Check with your local and

state authori es for any local

or state codes that apply to

your area. In the absence of local and

state codes, follow Na onal Fire

Protec on Associa on (NFPA-70) and

the current edi ons of the Na onal

Electric Code (NEC) and the Interna-

 onal Plumbing Code (IPC). The

instruc ons in this manual comply with

na onal codes, but the installer is

responsible for complying with local

codes.

Massachuse s code requires this wa-

ter heater to be installed in accordance

with Massachuse s 248-CMR 2.00 and

248-CMR 5.00: State Plumbing Code.

Other local and state authori es may

have similar requirements or other

codes applicable to the installa on of

this water heater.

3Before you start, be sure you

have, and know how to use, the

following tools and supplies:

• Plumbing tools and supplies appropriate

for the type of water pipes in your home

• Threaded connectors (ﬁ gure 1) for

the cold and hot water pipes

• For homes plumbed with plas c

pipe, use threaded connectors

suitable for the speciﬁ c type of

plas c pipe used: CPVC and PEX

(cross-linked polyethylene). Do

not use PVC pipe.

• For homes with copper pipes,

you may purchase connector kits

with compression ﬁ  ngs that

don’t require soldering (ﬁ gure 1).

Compression ﬁ  ngs are easier

to install than soldering copper

pipes.

• Teﬂ on® tape or pipe joint compound

approved for potable water

• Tools to make the electrical connec-

 ons (for example, screwdrivers, wire

strippers)

• Non-Contact circuit tester to check

for power (ﬁ gure 2)

• Water Pressure Gauge (see next

page, ﬁ gure 4)

Recommended Accessories:

• Suitable drain pan (see page 8, ﬁ gure 6)

• Automa c leak detec on and shut-

oﬀ device

• Pressure Reducing Valve (ﬁ gure 3)

• Thermal Expansion Tank (see next

page, ﬁ gure 5)

• Point-of-use Thermosta c Mixing

Valves (see page 8, ﬁ gure 7) ■

Figure 1 - Flexible connectors use compression

ﬁ  ngs and do not require soldering.

Figure 2 - Use a non-contact circuit tester to

insure that the power is oﬀ before you work on

a circuit.

Figure 3 - Install a Pressure Reducing Valve set to

50 to 60 PSI.

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 7

INSTALLATION

Follow these steps for proper

installa on:

✓Verify that your

home is equipped

and up-to-date for

proper opera on

Installing a new water heater is the

perfect  me to examine your home’s

plumbing system and make sure the

system is up to current code standards.

There have likely been plumbing code

changes since the old water heater

was installed. We recommend install-

ing the following accessories and any

other needed changes to bring your

home up to the latest code require-

ments.

Use the checklist below and inspect

your home. Install any devices you need

to comply with codes and assure that

your new water heater performs at its

best. Check with your local plumbing

oﬃ cial for more informa on.

✓Water pressure

We recommend checking your

home’s water pressure with a pressure

gauge (ﬁ gure 4). Most codes allow a

maximum incoming water pressure of

80 psi. We recommend a working pres-

sure no higher than 50-60 psi.

HOW: Purchase an inexpensive water

pressure gauge from Lowe’s®. Connect

the Water Pressure Gauge to an out-

side faucet and measure the maximum

water pressure experienced through-

out the day (highest water pressures

o en occur at night).

To limit your home’s water pressure:

Locate your home’s Pressure Reduc-

ing Valve (PRV) on the main incoming

(cold) water supply line and adjust the

water pressure control to between 50

and 60 psi. If your home does not have

a Pressure Reducing Valve, install a

PRV on the home’s main water supply

line and set it to between 50 and 60

psi. Pressure Reducing Valves are avail-

able at Lowe’s®.

BACKGROUND: Over the years, many

u li es have increased water sup-

ply pressures so they can serve more

homes. In some homes today, pres-

sures exceed 100 psi. High water

pressures can damage water heaters,

causing premature leaks. If you have

replaced toilet valves, had a water

heater leak, or had to repair applianc-

es connected to the plumbing system,

pay par cular a en on to your home’s

water pressure. When purshasing a

PRV, make sure the PRV has a built-in

bypass.

✓Water pressure

increase caused by

thermal expansion

Verify that you have a properly sized

Thermal Expansion Tank (ﬁ gure 5). We

recommend installing an expansion

tank if your home does not have one.

Codes require a properly pressurized,

properly sized Thermal Expansion Tank

in almost all homes. (See photo on

inside front cover.)

HOW: Connect the Thermal Expansion

Tank (available from Lowe’s®) to the

cold water supply line near the water

heater. The expansion tank contains

a bladder and an air charge. To work

properly, the Thermal Expansion Tank

must be sized according to the water

heater’s tank capacity and pressurized

to match the home’s incoming water

pressure. Refer to the installa on

instruc ons provided with the Thermal

Expansion Tank for installa on details.

BACKGROUND: Water expands when

heated, and the increased volume

of water must have a place to go, or

Figure 4 - Use a Water Pressure Gauge to make

sure your home’s water pressure is not too high.

Figure 5 - A Thermal Expansion Tank helps

protect the home’s plumbing system from pres-

sure spikes.

Step 1:

INSTALLATION

8 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

INSTALLATION

thermal expansion will cause large

increases in water pressure (despite

the use of a Pressure Reducing Valve

on the home’s main water supply

line). The Safe Drinking Water Act of

1974 requires the use of backﬂ ow

preventers and check valves to restrict

water from your home reentering

the public water system. Backﬂ ow

preventers are o en installed in water

meters and may not be readily visible.

As a result, most all plumbing systems

today are now “closed,” and almost all

homes now need a Thermal Expan-

sion Tank.

A Thermal Expansion Tank is a prac -

cal and inexpensive way to help avoid

damage to the water heater, washing

machine, dishwasher, ice maker and

even toilet valves. If your toilet oc-

casionally runs for no apparent reason

(usually brieﬂ y at night), that may be

due to thermal expansion increasing

the water pressure temporarily.

Water pipe and tank

leaks

Leaks from plumbing pipes or from

the water heater itself can damage

property and could cause a ﬁ re risk.

• Install an automa c leak detec on

and shutoﬀ device (available from

Lowe’s®). These devices can detect

water leaks and can shut oﬀ the water

heater’s water supply if a leak occurs.

• Install a suitable drain pan (available

from Lowe’s®) under the water heat-

er (ﬁ gure 6) to catch condensa on

or leaks in the piping connec ons

or tank. Most codes require and

we recommend installing the water

heater in a drain pan that is piped

to an adequate drain. The drain pan

must be at least two inches wider

than the diameter of the water

heater. Install the drain pan so the

water level would be limited to a

maximum depth of 1-3/4”.

✓Water tempera-

ture regula on

Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves (ﬁ g-

ure 7) to regulate the temperature of

the water supplied to each point-of-

use (for example, kitchen sink, bath-

room sink, bath, shower). Consult the

valve manufacturer’s instruc ons or a

qualiﬁ ed person.

WARNING! Even if the water heater

thermostat is set to a rela vely low

temperature, hot water can scald.

Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves at

each point-of-use to reduce the risk of

scalding (see page 4).

BACKGROUND: A Thermosta c Mix-

ing Valve, installed at each point-

of-use, mixes hot water from the

water heater with cold water to more

precisely regulate the temperature of

hot water supplied to ﬁ xtures. If you

aren’t sure if your plumbing system

is equipped with properly installed

and adjusted Thermosta c Mixing

Valves at each point where hot water

is used, contact a qualiﬁ ed person for

more informa on. ■

Figure 6 - A suitable drain pan piped to an

adequate drain can help protect ﬂ ooring from

leaks and drips.

Figure 7 - Thermosta c Mixing Valves installed

at each point-of-use can help prevent scalding.

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 9

INSTALLATION

Verify that the loca on

is appropriate

Before installing your water heater,

ensure that:

1The water heater will be:

• Installed indoors close to

the center of the plumbing

system.

• In a suitable drain pan piped to an

adequate ﬂ oor drain or external to

the building (See page 8, ﬁ gure 6).

• In an area that will not freeze

• In an area that is suitable for install-

ing the water heater ver cally

2The loca on has adequate

space (clearances) for periodic

servicing.

3The ﬂ oor can support the

weight of a full water heater.

4Your area is not prone to

earthquakes. If it is, use

special straps as required by

local building codes.

NOTICE: The state of California re-

quires bracing, anchoring, or strapping

the water heater to avoid its moving

during an earthquake. Contact local

u li es for code requirements in your

area, visit h p://www.dsa.dgs.ca.gov,

or call 1-916-445-8100 and request

instruc ons. Other loca ons may have

similar requirements. Check with your

local and state authori es.

5The loca on is not prone to

physical damage by vehicles,

ﬂ ooding, or other risks.

6Avoid loca ons such as a cs,

upper ﬂ oors, or where a leak

might damage the structure

or furnishings. Due to the normal

corrosive ac on of water, the tank will

eventually leak. To minimize property

damage from leaks, inspect and

maintain your water heater in accor-

dance with this manual’s instruc ons.

Install a suitable drain pan under the

water heater piped to an adequate

drain. Inspect the drain pan, pipes, and

surrounding area regularly and ﬁ x any

leaks found. Drain pans are available

from Lowe’s®. Leaks are frequently in

the plumbing system itself and not the

water heater.

Removing the old water

heater

1Read each installa on step

and decide if you have the

necessary skills to install the

water heater. Only proceed if you can

safely perform the work. If you are not

comfortable, have a qualiﬁ ed person

perform the installa on.

2Locate the water heater’s

circuit breaker and turn it OFF

(or remove the circuit’s

fuses).

3On the old water heater,

remove the electrical

junction box access panel.

Using a non-contact circuit tester,

check the wiring to make certain the

power is OFF.

WARNING! Working on an ener-

gized circuit can result in severe injury

or death from electrical shock.

4Disconnect the electrical

wires.

5Open a hot water faucet and

let the hot water run un l it is

cool (This may take 10

minutes or longer).

WARNING! Be sure the water runs

cool before draining the tank to reduce

the risk of scalding.

6Connect a garden hose to the

drain valve and place the

other end of the hose in a

drain, outside, or a bucket. (Note that

sediment in the bo om of the tank

may clog the valve and prevent it

from draining. If you can’t get the

Vehicle

Stop

Drain

Pan

Step 2:

In a garage, install a vehicle stop to avoid water

heater damage.

Step 3: Let the hot water run un l it is cool.

10 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

INSTALLATION

tank to drain, contact a qualiﬁ ed

person.)

Turn the cold water supply

valve OFF.

8Open the drain valve on the

water heater.

9Also open a hot water faucet

to help the water in the tank

drain faster.

10 When the tank is empty,

disconnect the Temperature &

Pressure (T&P) Relief Valve

discharge pipe. You may be able to

reuse the discharge pipe, but do not

reuse the old T&P Relief Valve. A new

T&P Relief Valve comes installed on

your water heater (or on some models,

is in the carton with the water heater).

11 Disconnect the water pipes.

Many water pipes are

connected by a threaded

union which can be disconnected with

wrenches. If you must cut the water

pipes, cut the pipes close to the water

heater’s inlet and outlet connec ons,

leaving the water pipes as long as

possible. If necessary, you can make

them shorter later when you install

the new water heater.

12 Remove the old water heater.

WARNING! Use two or more people

to remove or install water heater.

Failure to do so can result in back or

other injury.

Installing the new

water heater

1Completely read all instruc-

 ons before beginning. If you

are not sure you can com-

plete the installa on, DO NOT

RETURN THIS UNIT TO THE STORE.

Seek assistance from any of the

following sources:

• Lowe’s® Professional Installa on

is available for this product and

the work is guaranteed. Call your

Lowe’s® store to have this water

heater installed.

• Schedule an appointment with

a qualiﬁ ed person to install your

water heater.

• Call our Technical Assistance Hotline

at 1-877-817-6750.

2Install a suitable drain pan

that is piped to an adequate

drain.

3Set the water heater in place

taking care not to damage

the drain pan.

NOTICE: Most codes require se ng

the water heater in a suitable drain

pan piped to an adequate drain. The

drain pan helps avoid property dam-

age which may occur from condensa-

 on or leaks in the piping connec ons

or tank. The drain pan must be at

least two inches wider than the diam-

eter of the water heater. Install the

drain pan so the water level is limited

to a maximum depth of 1-3/4”.

4Verify that the water heater

is set in place properly. Check

that:

• The T&P Relief Valve will not be in

contact with any electrical parts.

• There is adequate space to install

the T&P Relief Valve discharge pipe

and that it can be piped to a sepa-

rate drain (and not into the drain

pan).

• There is adequate access and space

around the water heater for future

maintenance.

INSTALLATION

Draining the old water heater.

Removing the T&P Relief Valve discharge pipe.

Step 4:

DO NOT CONNECT ELECTRICAL

WIRING UNTIL YOU ARE

INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

NOTICE: Connec ng electrical power

to the tank before it is completely

full of water (water must run FULL

STREAM from a hot water tap for a full

three minutes) will cause the upper

hea ng element to burn out.

Connect the Tempera-

ture and Pressure (T&P)

Relief Valve/Pipe

Most T&P Relief Valves are pre-installed

at the factory. In some cases, they are

shipped in the carton and must be

installed in the opening marked and

provided for this purpose and according

to local codes.

WARNING! To avoid serious injury

or death from explosion, install a T&P

Relief Valve according to the following

instruc ons:

1If your water heater does not

have a factory installed T&P

Relief Valve, install the new

T&P Relief Valve that came with your

water heater. Do not reuse an old T&P

Relief Valve. Install a T&P Relief Valve

discharge pipe according to local codes

and the following guidelines:

• The discharge pipe should be at least

3/4” inside diameter and sloped for

proper drainage. Install it to allow

complete drainage of both the T&P

Relief Valve and the discharge pipe.

• The discharge pipe must withstand

250°F (121°C) without distor on. Use

only copper or CPVC pipe. Do not

use any other type of pipe, such as

PVC, iron, ﬂ exible plas c pipe, or any

type of hose.

• Terminate the discharge pipe a maxi-

mum of six inches above a ﬂ oor drain

or outside the building. Do not drain

the discharge pipe into the drain

pan; instead pipe it separately to

an adequate drain. In cold climates,

terminate the discharge pipe inside

the building to an adequate drain.

Outside drains could freeze and

obstruct the drain line. Protect the

drain from freezing.

• Do not place any valve or other re-

stric on between the tank and T&P

Relief Valve. Do not cap, block, plug,

or insert any valve between the T&P

Relief Valve and the end of the dis-

charge pipe. Do not insert or install

any reducer in the discharge pipe.

2Install the foam insulator (sup-

plied) on the T&P Relief Valve

body. Locate the slit running

the length of the insulator. Spread the

slit open and ﬁ t the insula on over the

T&P Relief Valve body. Apply gentle

pressure to the insula on to ensure

that it is fully seated on the T&P Relief

Valve. Once seated, secure the

insula on with tape. Make sure that

the insula on and tape:

• Do not block or cover the T&P Relief

Valve drain opening.

• Do not block or hinder access to the

manual lever on the valve.

• Do not interfere with the T&P Relief

Valve’s opera on.

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 11

INSTALLATION

Step 5:

The T&P Relief Valve discharge pipe must be in-

stalled properly and piped to an adequate drain.

The end of the T&P Relief Valve discharge pipe

must stop no more than six inches above a ﬂ oor

drain or outside.

DISCHARGE

PIPE

DRAIN

PIPE

Make sure the insula on does not interfere with

the T&P Relief Valve’s opera on.

Install shutoﬀ and

tempering valves

1If one is not already installed,

install a manual shutoﬀ valve

in the cold water line that

supplies the water heater. Install the

shutoﬀ valve near the water heater so

that it is readily accessible. Only use

valves that are compa ble with

potable water. Use only full-ﬂ ow ball

or gate valves. Other types of valves

may cause excessive restric on to the

water ﬂ ow.

2Install a Thermosta c Mixing

Valve at each point-of-use

(for example, kitchen sink,

bathroom sink, bath, shower).

Consult the valve manufacturer’s

instruc ons or a qualiﬁ ed person.

WARNING! Even if the water

heater’s thermostat(s) are set to a

rela vely low temperature, hot water

can scald. Install Thermosta c Mixing

Valves at each point-of-use to reduce

the risk of scalding. (See page 4.)

3For water heaters that are fed

by a solar water hea ng

system (or any other pre-hea ng

system), always install a Thermosta c

Mixing Valve or other temperature

limi ng device in the inlet water supply

line to limit water supply inlet tem-

perature to 120°F. Solar water hea ng

systems can supply water with

temperatures exceeding 170°F and

may result in water heater malfunc-

 on.

WARNING! Hot water provided by

solar hea ng systems can cause

severe burns instantly, resul ng in

severe injury or death (see page 4).

1Connect the water

supply

Determine the type of water pipes in

your home. Most homes use copper

water pipes, but some use CPVC or

cross-linked polyethylene (PEX). Use

ﬁ  ngs appropriate for the type of pipe

in your home. Do not use iron or PVC

pipe – they are not suitable for potable

water.

2Connect the cold water

supply using 3/4 inch

Na onal Pipe Thread “NPT”

to the ﬁ  ng marked “C” (COLD).

For ease of removing the water heater

for service or replacement, connect

the water pipes with a coupling called

a union. We recommend using a

dielectric-type union (available from

Lowe’s®). Dielectric unions can help

prevent corrosion caused by  ny elec-

tric currents common in copper water

pipes and can help extend the life of

the water heater.

12 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

INSTALLATION

Step 6:

Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves at each point

where hot water will be used.

Step 7:

IF YOU HAVE COPPER

PIPES:

If your home has copper water

pipes, you can solder the water

pipe connec ons or use compres-

sion ﬁ  ngs which don’t require

soldering. Compression ﬁ  ngs

are easier to install than soldering

pipe. Check with local plumbing

oﬃ cials to determine what types

of pipe materials are suitable for

your loca on. Do not use lead-

based solder.

NOTICE: Do not solder pipes while

they are a ached to the water

heater. The water heater’s inlet

and outlet connec ons contain

non-metallic parts which could be

damaged. The proper way to con-

nect the water heater to copper

water pipes is as follows:

• Solder a short length of pipe

(about a foot or so) to a thread-

ed adapter using only 95/5  n-

an mony or equivalent solder.

A ach the threaded adapters to

the water heater’s connec ons

(using Teﬂ on® tape or pipe joint

compound). Connect the home’s

water pipes by soldering, keep-

ing the connec ons at the water

heater cool with wet rags.

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 13

INSTALLATION

NOTICE: Most water heater models

contain energy saving heat traps in the

inlet and outlet connec ons to avoid

the circula on of hot water within the

pipes. Do not remove the heat traps.

3Connect the hot water supply

using 3/4 inch NPT to the

ﬁ  ng marked “H” (HOT).

Follow the same connec on guidelines

as for the cold water supply.

4Install insula on (or heat

tape) on the water pipes

especially if the indoor

installa on area is subject to freezing

temperatures. Insula ng the hot water

pipes can increase energy eﬃ ciency.

5Double check to make sure

the hot and cold water pipes

are connected to the correct

hot and cold water ﬁ  ngs on the

water heater.

6If needed, install (or adjust)

the home’s Pressure Reducing

Valve to 50-60 psi and install a

Thermal Expansion Tank.

Verify connec ons and

completely ﬁ ll tank

To remove air from the tank and allow

the tank to ﬁ ll completely with water,

follow these steps:

1Remove the aerator at the

nearest hot water faucet. This

allows any debris in the tank

or plumbing system to be washed out.

2Turn the cold water supply

back on.

3Open a hot water faucet and

allow the water to run un l it

ﬂ ows with a full stream.

4Let the water run full stream

for three full minutes.

5Close the hot water faucet

and replace the aerator.

6Check inlet and outlet

connec ons and water pipes

for leaks. Dry all pipes so that

any drips or leaks will be apparent.

Repair any leaks. Almost all leaks occur

at connec ons and are not a tank leak.

Heat traps installed in the inlet and outlet con-

nec ons help save energy.

Full-ﬂ ow ball valve

A Pressure Reducing Valve is required if your

home’s water pressure is above 80 psi.

The Thermal Expansion Tank should be pres-

surized with air, to match the home’s incoming

water pressure.

Step 8:

Fully open the cold water supply valve.

14 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

INSTALLATION

Make electrical

connec ons

WARNING! Working on an ener-

gized circuit can result in severe injury

or death from electrical shock.

NOTICE: Do not turn electrical power

on unless you are sure all of the air

is out of the tank and the tank is

completely full of water. If power is

applied before the tank is completely

full of water, the upper element will

burn out (Dry Fire).

1Be sure the electrical power

to the water heater is turned

OFF at the circuit breaker

panel (or remove the circuit’s fuses).

2Using a non-contact circuit

tester, check the wiring to

make certain the power is OFF.

3Check the water heater’s

data plate and ensure that

the home’s voltage, wiring

size (ampacity) and circuit breaker

ra ng and type are correct for this

water heater. Refer to the wiring

diagram located on the water heater

for the correct electrical connec ons.

Ensure that wire sizes, type, and

connec ons comply with all appli-

cable local codes. In the absence of

local codes, follow NFPA-70 and the

current edi on of the Na onal Electric

Code (NEC).

4Remove the cover on the

electrical junc on box on the

top of the water heater.

5Install wiring in an approved

conduit (if required by local

codes). Use a UL listed or CSA

approved strain relief to secure the

electrical wiring to the water heater.

6Connect the ground wire to

the green ground screw.

Connect the home’s two

power wires to the water heater’s two

power wires. Use suitable wire nuts or

other approved means to make the

power connec ons.

INSTALLATION

NOTICE: The tank must be com-

pletely empty of air and full of

water before connec ng electrical

power to avoid “Dry Firing.” Dry

Firing may result in the upper ele-

ment burning out. This is a com-

mon installa on mistake. A er

you make the water connec ons,

but before you connect the electri-

cal power, open a hot water faucet

and let the water run full un l all

the air is removed. Let the “hot”

water run full for three minutes

or longer before connec ng any

electrical wires. A Dry Fired upper

hea ng element is an installa on

error and is not covered under

warranty.

If Dry Firing occurs, replace the up-

per hea ng element according to

the instruc ons on page 22.

Step 9:

The water heater’s electrical requirements can

be determined from the data plate.

Connec ng the electrical wires.

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 15

INSTALLATION

Replace the junc on box

cover and secure with the

screws provided.

WARNING! Be sure cover is secured

to reduce the risk of ﬁ re and electric

shock.

Adjus ng the

Temperature

With the installa on steps completed,

you may adjust the water heater’s

temperature se ng if desired.

1Set the thermostat(s) to

desired temperature. The

thermostat(s) on this water

heater have been factory set to

approximately 120°F to reduce the risk

of scald injury. You may wish to set a

higher temperature to provide hot

water for automa c dishwashers or

laundry machines, to provide more hot

water capacity, and to reduce bacterial

growth. Higher tank temperatures

(140° F) kill bacteria that cause a

condi on known as “smelly water”

and can reduce the levels of bacteria

that cause water-borne diseases.

WARNING! Higher temperatures

increase the risk of scalding, but even at

120°F, hot water can scald (see page 4).

If you increase the water heater’s tem-

perature se ng, install Thermosta c

Mixing Valve(s) at each point-of-use to

reduce the risk of scalding.

To adjust the water heater’s thermo-

stat:

• Be sure the electrical power to the

water heater is turned OFF at the

circuit breaker panel (or remove the

circuit’s fuses).

WARNING! Working near an

energized circuit can result in severe

injury or death from electrical shock.

Check wires with a circuit tester to

make sure power is oﬀ .

• Remove the upper and lower access

panels and fold away the insula on.

• Turn the water temperature dial

clockwise ( >>) to increase the tem-

perature, or counter clockwise ( << )

to decrease the temperature. Adjust

both thermostats to the same tem-

perature se ng. To avoid a shortage

of usable hot water, do not adjust

the upper thermostat to a tempera-

ture se ng that is higher than the

lower thermostat’s temperature

se ng.

NOTE: Most models have two thermo-

stats, but some models may only have

one. If your water heater has only one

thermostat, it is located behind the

lower access panel.

• Fold the insula on back in place and

replace the access panels.

WARNING! Be sure panels are

secured to reduce the risk of ﬁ re and

electric shock.

2Turn the electric power back

on.

3Wait for the water to heat up.

It may take several hours for a

tank of cold water to heat up.

If you have no hot water a er two

hours, refer to the Troubleshoo ng

Sec on (see page 17).

WARNING! If you have increased

the temperature se ng and the

Thermosta c Mixing Valves are not set

properly (or not installed) you could

scald yourself while checking the

temperature.

4Check water temperature at

several points of use in your

home (for example, bathtub

faucet, shower, or lavatory sink) and

adjust the Thermosta c Mixing Valves

as needed. If you aren’t sure how to

adjust the Thermosta c Mixing Valve

se ngs, or aren’t sure if you have

Thermosta c Mixing Valves, contact a

qualiﬁ ed person.

Step 10:

Adjust Thermosta c Mixing Valves at each point-

of-use to 120°F or lower.

16 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

INSTALLATION

Opera on

The water heater is now ready for

normal opera on. To keep your water

heater working safely and eﬃ ciently

and extend its life, perform mainte-

nance according to the schedule on

page 21.

Vaca on

To save energy, lower the temperature

se ng on the thermostat(s) if you

plan to be gone for an extended  me.

Follow the instruc ons in Step 10 for

adjus ng the thermostat to a lower

temperature se ng before you leave

and to properly raise the temperature

se ng when you return.

CAUTION! Hydrogen gas builds up

in a hot water system when it is not

used for a long period (two weeks or

more). Hydrogen gas is extremely

ﬂ ammable. If the hot water system

has not been used for two weeks or

more, open a hot water faucet for

several minutes at the kitchen sink

before using any electrical appliances

connected to the hot water system.

Do not smoke or have an open ﬂ ame

or other igni on source near the

faucet while it is open. ■

INSTALLATION

Step 11:

Need Assistance?

Call our Technical Assistance Hotline at 1-877-817-6750.

We can help you with installa on, opera on, troubleshoo ng, or maintenance.

Before you call, write down the model and serial number from the

water heater’s data plate.

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 17

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE(S) CORRECTIVE ACTION

See explanaons on the following pages.

NO HOT WATER • No power to water heater Check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breaker.

(page 18) Check for power.

• Burned out upper heang element (Dry Fired) Replace upper heang element.

• Energy Cut Oﬀ Switch tripped See page 19, step 5.

• Faulty Thermostac Mixing Valve Check hot water at other faucets.

• Non-Funconing upper thermostat Check/replace upper thermostat. (See page 23)

• Leak in plumbing system Check hot water side of home’s plumbing system

for leaks.

INSUFFICIENT HOT WATER • Thermostats set too low Set thermostats to desired temperature.

(page 19) See page 15.

• Non-Funconing lower heang element Replace lower heang element. (See page 22)

• Water heater’s capacity too small (or usage too high) Install adequately sized water heater

(or reduce usage).

• Thermostac Mixing Valve faulty/set too low Check hot water at other faucets.

• Non-Funconing lower thermostat Replace lower thermostat. (See page 23)

• Hot and cold pipe connecons reversed Correct piping.

• Leak in plumbing system Check hot water side of home’s plumbing system

for leaks.

• Melted dip tube Check/replace dip tube.

SLOW HOT WATER RECOVERY • Low supply voltage Check power (voltage).

(page 19)

• Malfunconing lower heang element Check lower element and replace if burned out.

(See page 22)

TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH • Non-funconing thermostat Replace thermostat. (See page 23)

(page 20)

• Grounded/shorted heang element Replace heang element. (See page 22)

• Thermostac Mixing Valve faulty/set too high Check hot water at other faucets.

LOW WATER PRESSURE (page 20) • Parally closed supply valve. See Low Water Pressure secon on page 20.

DRIPS FROM T&P RELIEF VALVE • Excessive water pressure Use Pressure Reducing Valve set to 50-60 psi.

(page 20)

• Thermal expansion Install a Thermal Expansion Tank.

• Debris under valve seat See page 20.

WATER ODOR (page 20) • Bacteria in the water See Water Odor secon on page 20.

18 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING

WARNING! Working near an

energized circuit can result in severe

injury or death from electrical shock.

WARNING! When you are ﬁ nished,

be sure all covers are secured to

reduce the risk of ﬁ re and electric

shock.

No Hot Water

The most likely reasons for an electric wa-

ter heater to produce NO hot water are:

• No electric power—a common prob-

lem with new installa ons

• Burned out upper element (Dry

Fired) — a common problem with

new installa ons

• Tripped Energy Cut Oﬀ (red bu on

on upper thermostat)

• The water heater’s inlet and outlet

connec ons are reversed (usually

only in new installa ons)

• Broken upper thermostat (or wiring)

• A leak in the hot water side of the

plumbing system that exceeds the

water heater’s hea ng capacity and

makes it appear that the water heater

is producing li le to no hot water

Follow these steps to diagnose and

correct common electrical problems:

1Check the electric power to

the water heater. No hot

water is o en caused by a

problem with the home’s electrical

wiring or circuit breakers. You’ll need a

non-contact circuit tester. Follow these

guidelines:

• Locate the water heater’s circuit

breaker and turn it oﬀ (or remove the

circuit’s fuses).

• Locate the electrical junc on box on

top of the water heater and remove

the cover.

• Iden fy the two power wires. The

power wires are usually black/black

or black/red—the green or copper

wire is the ground wire.

• Turn the circuit breaker back on

(or install the fuses) and check the

power on both incoming power wires

using a non-contact circuit tester.

• Turn the power oﬀ and replace the

cover on the electrical junc on box.

If the water heater is not ge ng

power, contact a qualiﬁ ed person to

have your home’s wiring or circuit

breakers checked.

2Check the upper hea ng

element. If the water heater is

ge ng electrical power, check

to see if the upper hea ng element has

burned out. If the upper element is

burned out, you’ll have no hot water.

To check the upper element, you’ll

need a mul meter capable of reading

resistance.

• Turn the power OFF at the circuit

breaker or remove fuses.

• Remove the upper access panel.

• Remove the insula on to access the

upper thermostat and hea ng ele-

ment.

3Check the top two screws of

the upper thermostat using a

non-contact circuit tester and

conﬁ rm that power is oﬀ (screw

terminals 1 and 3 in photo on next

page).

• With the electrical power oﬀ , remove

the two power wires from the upper

hea ng element.

4Check the resistance of the

upper hea ng element using

a mul meter. Measure the

resistance between the two screw

terminals on the upper hea ng

element. A good element will have a

resistance ranging between 5 and 25

Ohms. If the resistance is:

Outside this range. Replace the ele-

ment (see the Rou ne Maintenance

sec on on page 22). On a new water

heater, a burned out upper hea ng

element is almost always caused by

turning the power on before the tank

was completely full of water (Dry Fire).

(See Step 8 in the Installa on sec on.)

Within this range. Rea ach the power

wires, making sure the wires are in

good condi on and the connec ons

are clean and  ght. Next, check the

following:

Use a non-contact circuit tester to check for

electrical power.

Use a mul meter to check the resistance of the

upper hea ng element.

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 19

TROUBLESHOOTING

5Check/Reset Energy Cut Oﬀ

(ECO) Bu on.

The Energy Cut Oﬀ (ECO) shuts oﬀ pow-

er to the water heater’s elements if the

temperature of the water in the tank

gets too hot. If the ECO has tripped,

you’ll have no hot water. A tripped ECO

can usually be reset, but you should

have a qualiﬁ ed person inves gate the

cause of the overhea ng and repair the

problem. Do not turn the power back

on un l the cause of the overhea ng

has been iden ﬁ ed and repaired.

To check the Energy Cut Oﬀ (ECO)

• Turn oﬀ the power to the water

heater.

WARNING! Working near an

energized circuit can result in severe

injury or death from electrical shock.

Check power wires in the electrical

junc on box with a non-contact circuit

tester to make sure power is oﬀ .

• Press the red ECO reset bu on (see

photo above).

• The ECO was tripped if you hear a

click when it is reset. In most cases,

a tripped ECO indicates that the tank

overheated due to a problem with

one of the elements or thermostats—

have a qualiﬁ ed person check the up-

per and lower elements and thermo-

stats and replace if necessary.

• The ECO was not tripped if you didn’t

hear a click. In that case, the upper

thermostat should be checked by a

qualiﬁ ed person.

• Replace the insula on and the upper

access panel.

WARNING! Be sure all covers are

secured to reduce the risk of ﬁ re and

electric shock.

Insuﬃ cient Hot Water

or Slow Hot Water

Recovery

WARNING! Because of the in-

creased risk from scalding, if you set

the water heater’s thermostat(s)

higher than 120°F, Thermosta c Mixing

Valves at each point-of-use are

par cularly important (see page 4).

If the hot water is simply not warm

enough, there are several possible

causes:

• Faulty Thermosta c Mixing Valve in a

faucet or shower control (check other

faucets in the house for hot water)

• One (or both) of the thermostats set

too low

• Water heater’s capacity too small (or

usage too high)

• Reversed plumbing connec ons or

melted dip tube (usually found soon

a er new installa on)

• Plumbing leak

• Bad lower hea ng element (or lower

thermostat)

• Low supply voltage

Thermosta c Mixing Valves. If the

hot water is simply not warm enough,

make sure the faucet you are checking

doesn’t have a defec ve Thermosta c

Mixing Valve. Many shower controls

now have built-in mixing valves. If

these devices fail, they can reduce the

amount of hot water the shower or

faucet delivers even though there is

plenty of hot water in the tank. Always

check the water temperature at several

faucets to make sure the problem is not

in a faucet or shower control.

Thermostats set too low. If the water

temperature at several faucets is too

cool, adjust the thermostat(s) accord-

ing to the instruc ons in Step 10 of the

Installa on sec on of this manual.

Undersized water heater. If your water

heater runs out of hot water too quick-

ly, it may be too small for your needs. If

the water heater is old, consider replac-

ing it with a larger model. If the water

heater is in good condi on, you may

be able to meet your family’s hot water

needs with the exis ng water heater by

installing Thermosta c Mixing Valves at

each point-of-use and then turning the

thermostat(s) to a higher se ng. See

page 15, step 10.

You can also reduce your home’s hot

water needs by washing clothes in cold

water, installing ﬂ ow restrictors on

shower heads, repairing leaky faucets,

and taking other conserva on steps.

Reversed connec ons or melted dip

tube. Check the hot and cold connec-

 ons and make sure your home’s hot

water pipe is connected to the hot wa-

ter outlet on the water heater. Usually,

reversed connec ons are found soon

a er the installa on of a new unit. If

copper pipes were soldered while they

were a ached to the water heater, the

dip tube may have melted. The dip tube

is a long plas c tube inside the tank

a ached to the cold water inlet. If the

dip tube has melted, it can be replaced

by removing the cold water inlet con-

nec on, removing the old dip tube and

installing a new one.

Plumbing leak. Even a small leak in the

hot water side of the home’s plumbing

system can make it appear that the wa-

ter heater is producing li le to no hot

water. Locate and repair the leak.

Lower hea ng element not working.

If the lower hea ng element (or, more

Energy Cut Oﬀ (ECO) bu on

20 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING

rarely, the lower thermostat) is not

working, you will have some hot water

but not as much as before. Because

the lower element does most of the

work, the lower element usually wears

out before the upper element. Replace

the lower element and/or thermostat

if necessary (see page 22-23).

Temperature Too High

If the water temperature is too hot:

• Install or adjust the Thermosta c

Mixing Valves for each point-of-use

(see manufacturer’s instruc ons), or

• Adjust the thermostat(s) on the wa-

ter heater (see Step 10 in the installa-

 on sec on of this manual).

A nonfunc oning thermostat or a

shorted hea ng element can cause ex-

tremely hot water. If the Temperature

and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve)

releases large amounts of very hot

water, it is likely due to a shorted heat-

ing element, or more rarely a nonfunc-

 oning thermostat, or the thermostat

does not ﬁ t snuggly against the tank.

Very high water temperatures can also

cause the Energy Cut Oﬀ (ECO) to trip

(see page 19). Turn power oﬀ un l this

problem is ﬁ xed.

Low Water Pressure

Check both the cold and hot water at a

sink to determine if the lower pressure

is only on the hot water side. If both hot

and cold faucets have low pressure, call

your local water u lity. If the low pres-

sure is only on the hot water side, the

primary causes of this are:

• Melted heat traps or dip tube. Solder-

ing copper pipes while they are con-

nected to the water heater can melt

the heat traps inside the hot and cold

water connec ons or the dip tube

(cold water side). Melted heat traps or

a melted dip tube can restrict the ﬂ ow

of hot water. If that’s the case, replace

the heat traps or dip tube.

• Par ally closed supply valve. Open

the water heater’s supply valve fully.

Drips from T&P Relief

Valve Discharge Pipe

A small amount of water dripping from

the Temperature and Pressure (T&P)

Relief Valve usually means the home’s

water pressure is too high or you need

a properly sized and pressurized Ther-

mal Expansion Tank. Refer to Step 1 in

the Installa on sec on of this manual

for more informa on. A large amount

of hot water coming from the T&P

discharge pipe may be due to the tank

overhea ng.

WARNING! Do not cap or plug the

T&P relief valve or discharge pipe, and

do not operate the water heater

without a func oning T&P Relief Valve

- this could cause an explosion.

Water pressure too high. High water

pressure can cause the T&P Relief

Valve to drip. Install a Pressure Reduc-

ing Valve (PRV) on the main cold water

supply line. Adjust the PRV to between

50 and 60 psi.

Thermal Expansion Tank. Install a

Thermal Expansion Tank. If a Thermal

Expansion Tank is already installed and

the T&P Relief Valve discharge pipe

drips, the Thermal Expansion Tank may

be pressurized to the wrong pres-

sure or the internal bladder may be

defec ve. Refer to the instruc ons that

came with the Thermal Expansion Tank

for more informa on.

Debris. In rare cases, debris can s ck

inside the T&P Relief Valve preven ng

the valve from sea ng fully. In that

case, the T&P Relief Valve discharge

pipe will drip. You may be able to clear

debris from the T&P Relief Valve by

manually opera ng the valve, allowing

small quan  es of water to ﬂ ush out

the debris. See the label on the T&P

Relief Valve for instruc ons.

If the water pressure is between 50

and 60 psi, a Thermal Expansion Tank

is installed and properly pressurized,

and the valve has been cleared of any

debris, and it s ll drips, the valve may

be broken—have a qualiﬁ ed person

replace the T&P relief valve.

Water Odor

Harmless bacteria normally present in

tap water can mul ply in water heat-

ers and give oﬀ a “ro en egg” smell.

Although elimina ng the bacteria that

causes “smelly water” with a Chlorina-

 on system is the only sure treatment,

in some cases, the standard anode

rod that came with your water heater

can be replaced with a special zinc

anode rod which may help reduce or

eliminate the odor. Contact a qualiﬁ ed

person.

NOTE: To protect the tank, an anode

rod must be installed in the water

heater at all  mes or the warranty is

void.

In cases where the “ro en egg” smell

is pronounced, you can raise the tank

temperature to 140°F in order to re-

duce bacteria growth in the tank.

WARNING! Because higher

temperatures increase the risk of

scalding, if you set the thermostat(s)

higher than 120°F, Thermosta c

Mixing Valves at each point-of-use are

par cularly important (see page 4). ■

TROUBLESHOOTING

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 21

MAINTENANCE

Rou ne Maintenance

Rou ne maintenance will help your

water heater last longer and work bet-

ter. If you can’t perform these rou ne

maintenance tasks yourself, contact a

qualiﬁ ed person.

Water Heater Maintenance

A er the ﬁ rst six months, drain and

ﬂ ush the water heater and inspect the

anode rod. Depending on the hard-

ness of your water, repeat this process

at least annually, or more frequently if

needed. From  me to  me you may

need to replace a hea ng element or a

thermostat. All three maintenance tasks

are described below.

Draining and Flushing the

Water Heater

Tap water contains minerals that can

form lime deposits on hea ng elements

or sediment in the bo om of the tank.

The amount of lime deposits or sedi-

ment depends on the hardness of your

tap water. The rate at which sediment

builds up depends on water quality and

hardness in your area, the tempera-

ture se ngs, and other variables. We

recommend draining and ﬂ ushing the

water heater a er the ﬁ rst six months

of opera on to determine the amount

of sediment build up. Draining sedi-

ment extends the life of the tank, heat-

ing elements, and drain valves.

• In areas with very hard water, remove

and check the hea ng elements

whenever you drain the tank. If you

have heavy lime deposits on hea ng

elements, you will need to replace

them more o en.

• Sediment may form large masses that

can prevent the tank from draining.

Have a qualiﬁ ed person use a de-liming

agent suitable for potable water to

remove the sediment buildup.

• In most cases, it is easier and cheaper

to replace lime-encrusted elements

than trying to remove heavy lime

deposits.

To drain and ﬂ ush the tank:

1Locate the water heater’s

circuit breaker and turn it OFF

(or remove the circuit’s fuses).

2Open a hot water faucet and

let the hot water run un l it is

cool.

WARNING! Be sure the water runs

cool before draining the tank to reduce

the risk of scalding.

3Connect a garden hose to the

drain valve and place the other

end of the hose in a drain,

outside, or in buckets.

4Turn the cold water supply

valve OFF.

5Open the drain valve on the

water heater.

6Open a hot water faucet to

help the water in the tank

drain faster.

NOTICE: DO NOT turn electrical power

back on unless the tank is completely

full of water.

7Remove and inspect the anode

rod (see Repair Parts Illustra-

 on on back cover for loca on

of the anode rod). Replace the anode

rod if it is depleted.

Anode Rod. The anode rod is a sacriﬁ cial

metal rod that helps reduce corrosion

and premature failure (leaks) in the tank.

The anode rod is a consumable item.

Inspect the anode rod a er the ﬁ rst six

months of opera on when you drain and

ﬂ ush the tank. Replace the anode rod if

it is substan ally worn out or depleted.

Therea er, inspect the anode rod annu-

ally or more frequently if needed. If you

use a water so ener, your anode rod

will deplete faster than normal. Inspect

the anode rod more frequently, replac-

ing the anode rod as needed. Obtain

new anode rods from Lowe’s® or have

a qualiﬁ ed person replace it. (Anode

rods are a consumable item and are not

covered under warranty).

8If the sediment was present

when the tank was drained,

ﬂ ush the tank by opening the

cold water supply valve and le ng the

water run un l no more sediment

Anode Rods from new (top) to par ally depleted

(middle) to fully depleted stage (bo om)

22 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

MAINTENANCE

drains from the tank. Close the drain

valve when you are done.

NOTICE: Do not turn power back on

un l the tank is completely full of wa-

ter. For complete instruc ons on ﬁ lling

the tank, follow Step 8 in the Installa-

 on sec on.

9Reﬁ ll the tank by opening the

cold water supply valve. Make

sure a hot water faucet is

open and the drain valve is closed.

Allow the hot water to run full for at

least three minutes to make sure the

tank has all the air removed and is

completely full of water. Failure to

perform this step can cause the upper

hea ng element to burn out. Once you

are certain the tank is completely full

of water, close the hot water faucet.

10 Restore power to the water

heater. It may take two hours

for the tank to heat up.

Replacing the Hea ng Element

WARNING! Working on an ener-

gized circuit can result in severe injury

or death from electrical shock. Turn

power oﬀ . Check wires with a non-

contact circuit tester to make sure

power is oﬀ . When you are ﬁ nished,

be sure all covers are secured to

reduce the risk of ﬁ re and electric

shock.

If you are not comfortable replacing a

hea ng element or thermostat your-

self, have this work done by a qualiﬁ ed

person. To replace the hea ng ele-

ment, you’ll need the following tools

and supplies:

• Always turn power OFF and check

the power wires with a non-contact

circuit tester before working on the

water heater.

• Check your water heater’s data plate

for the correct wa age and voltage.

Hea ng elements are available at

Lowe’s®.

• Some regular sockets (1 1/2 inch)

may work, but regular sockets are

o en beveled and may slip. Inexpen-

sive element wrenches are available

at Lowe’s®.

• Garden hose to drain the tank

• Hand dishwashing soap to lubricate

the gasket

• A clean cloth to clean the threaded

opening

• A ﬂ at blade and a Phillips screwdriver

Steps for Replacing the Hea ng

Element:

1Turn the power OFF at the

circuit breaker or remove fuses.

2Open the electrical junc on

box on top of the water

heater. Using a non-contact

circuit tester, check the power wires to

make certain the power is OFF.

3Open a hot water faucet and

let the hot water run un l it is

cool.

WARNING! Be sure the water runs

cool before draining the tank to

reduce the risk of scalding.

4Connect a garden hose to the

drain valve and place the other

end of the hose in a drain or

outside (or use buckets). Turn OFF the

cold water valve that supplies the water

heater. Open the drain valve on the

water heater. Opening a hot water

faucet will help the tank drain faster.

MAINTENANCE

Non-Contact Circuit Tester

Hea ng Element (with gasket)

Element Wrench

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 23

MAINTENANCE

5Remove the upper or lower

access panel on the water

heater, and then fold back the

insula on and remove the plas c

element/thermostat cover.

6With the tank drained and

power oﬀ , remove the power

wires from the element you

intend to replace.

7Remove the bad element using

an element wrench.

8Make sure the new element is

the correct replacement by

referring to the water heater’s

data plate for voltage and wa age

informa on.

9Clean the threads in the tank

opening with a rag. Insert the

new element equipped with a

rubber gasket. NOTE: Use a drop of

hand dishwashing liquid to lubricate the

gasket to help avoid damaging the

gasket as it is being  ghtened. Tighten

with an element wrench.

NOTICE: Do not turn power back on un l

the tank is completely full of water. For

complete instruc ons on ﬁ lling the tank,

follow Step 8 in the Installa on sec on.

10 Reﬁ ll the tank by opening the

cold water supply valve. Make

sure a hot water faucet is open

and the drain valve is closed. Allow the

hot water to run full for at least three

minutes to make sure the tank has all

the air removed and is completely full

of water. Failure to perform this step

can cause the upper hea ng element to

burn out. Once you are certain the tank

is completely full of water, close the hot

water faucet.

11 Check the newly installed

element for leaks. If a leak is

present,  ghten the element

un l the leak stops. If you cannot stop

the leak, drain the tank and remove the

element. Inspect the gasket for dam-

age. If the gasket is damaged, replace

the gasket and re-install the element.

12 Once the element is success-

fully installed and there are no

leaks, replace the power wires,

thermostat cover, insula on, and access

panel. Make sure all wire connec ons

are  ght. Replace the cover on the

electrical junc on box.

13 Restore power to the water

heater. It may take two hours

for the tank to heat up.

Replacing the Thermostat

WARNING! Working on an ener-

gized circuit can result in severe injury

or death from electrical shock. Turn

power oﬀ . Check wires with a non-

contact circuit tester to make sure

power is oﬀ . When you are ﬁ nished, be

sure all covers are secured to reduce

the risk of ﬁ re and electric shock.

To replace the thermostat, you’ll need

the following tools and supplies:

• A non-contact circuit tester. Always

turn power OFF

and check with a non-contact circuit tes-

ter before working on the water heater.

• A replacement thermostat (available

at Lowe’s®). Take the old thermostat

to the store to ensure the replace-

ment thermostat is correct. Note that

the upper and lower thermostats are

diﬀ erent (above). Some models only

have one thermostat.

• A business card to check the gap be-

tween the thermostat and the tank

• Tape and a permanent marker to

mark the wires

• A ﬂ at blade and a Phillips screwdriver

Steps for Replacing the

Thermostat:

1Turn the power OFF at the

circuit breaker or remove fuses.

NOTICE: It is not necessary to drain the

tank to replace a thermostat.

2Open the electrical junc on box

on top of the water heater. Using

a non-contact circuit tester, check

the power wires to make certain the

power is OFF.

24 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

MAINTENANCE

3Remove the upper or lower

access panel on the water

heater and carefully fold back

the insula on and plas c element/

thermostat cover.

4Make sure the replacement

thermostat matches the

original thermostat.

5Mark the wires with tape so

you’ll know how to put them

back on.

6Disconnect the wires from the

bad thermostat and remove

the thermostat from the

metal moun ng clip.

7Install the new thermostat in

the metal moun ng clip.

8Make sure the new thermo-

stat ﬁ ts snuggly against the

tank. You should NOT be able

to slip a business card between the

thermostat and the tank. If you can,

bend the thermostat moun ng clip

un l the thermostat ﬁ ts  ghtly against

the tank.

9A ach the wires following the

wiring diagram on the water

heater’s label. Make sure all

wire connec ons are  ght.

10 Replace the plas c element/

thermostat cover, insula on,

and access panel.

11 Replace the cover on the

electrical junc on box.

12 Restore power to the water

heater. It may take two hours

for the tank to heat up.

T&P Relief Valve Maintenance

Read and follow the opera ng and

annual maintenance instruc ons

provided by the manufacturer of the

T&P Relief Valve (yellow label a ached

to T&P Relief Valve). Minerals in the

water can form deposits that cause

the valve to s ck or create blocked

passages, making the T&P Relief Valve

inopera ve. Follow these guidelines:

• At least annually, operate the T&P

Relief Valve manually to ensure the

waterways are clear and the valve

mechanism moves freely (above).

Before opera ng the valve manually,

check that it will discharge in a place

for secure disposal. If water does

not ﬂ ow freely from the end of the

discharge pipe, turn OFF the power

to the water heater. Call a qualiﬁ ed

person to determine the cause.

WARNING! Hot water will be

released. Before opera ng the T&P

relief valve manually, check that it will

discharge in a safe place. If water does

not ﬂ ow freely from the end of the

discharge pipe, turn the power to the

water heater OFF. Call a qualiﬁ ed

person to determine the cause.

• At least every ﬁ ve years, have a quali-

ﬁ ed person inspect the T&P Relief

Valve and discharge pipe. Damage

caused by corrosive water condi ons,

mineral deposits, or other problems

can only be determined when a qual-

iﬁ ed person removes and inspects

the valve and its components.

• Note that a dripping T&P Relief Valve

is usually caused by the home’s water

pressure being too high or the lack

of a Thermal Expansion Tank. If your

T&P Relief Valve drips, see page 20.

■

MAINTENANCE

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 25

SAFETY LABELS

Safety Labels

The following safety labels are provided on the water heater. If these labels are damaged

or missing, call 1-877-817-6750 for replacements.

26 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide

SAFETY LABELS

Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 27

DIAGRAMS

Thermostat Wiring Diagram

Repair Part Illustra on

Repair parts may be ordered through your

plumber, local distributor, Lowe’s®, or by

calling 1-877-817-6750. When ordering

repair parts always give the following

informa on:

1. Model and serial number.

2. Item number and part descrip on.

Repair Parts List

REPAIR PARTS

ITEM

NO.

PARTS DESCRIPTION

1 ACCESS DOORS

2 THERMOSTAT COVERS (UPPER & LOWER)

3UPPER THERMOSTAT

4LOWER THERMOSTAT

5 ELEMENT

6ELEMENT GASKET

7TEMPERATURE & PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES

8HEAT TRAPS

9 DIP TUBE

10 HEAT TRAP/DIP TUBE COMBINATION

11 ANODE ROD

12 HEAT TRAP/ANODE ROD COMBINATION

13 JUNCTION BOX COVER

14 DRAIN VALVE

LEGEND

Special anode rod (See “Anode Rod/Water Odor” sec on)

Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve is required, but may not

be factory installed.

Speciﬁ y thermostat type when ordering

LOWE’S is a registered trademark of LF, LLC.

® Registered trademark/TM Trademark of Whirlpool, U.S.A.

Manufactured under license by American Water Heater Company, Tennessee.

Warranty provided by Manufacturer.

Whirlpool E2F40Rd045V Owners Manual 323099 000 Approved Copy

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