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 di 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 quali 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 heaters data plate.
Incorrect installa on, opera on, or service can damage the water heater, your house
and other property, and present risks including re, scalding, electric shock, and
explosion, causing serious injury or death.
LOW LEAD
C
O
NTENT
COMPLETED INSTALLATION TYPICAL
Upper
Element and
Thermostat
access
Lower
Element and
Thermostat
access
T&P
relief
valve
Water
shut o
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 ush tank and remove and
inspect anode rod a er 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
con rm that power is o 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
manufacturers 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 heaters thermostat se ng.
To reduce the risk of unusually hot
water reaching the 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 heaters 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
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 res from
spreading.
Keep the water heater from becom-
ing wet. Immediately shut the water
heater o and have it inspected by a
quali ed person if you 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 re risk). If the water heater
is subjected to 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 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
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 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
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 quali 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 ( gure 1) for
the cold and hot water pipes
For homes plumbed with plas c
pipe, use threaded connectors
suitable for the speci 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 ngs that
don’t require soldering ( gure 1).
Compression ngs are easier
to install than soldering copper
pipes.
Te 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 ( gure 2)
Water Pressure Gauge (see next
page, gure 4)
Recommended Accessories:
Suitable drain pan (see page 8, gure 6)
Automa c leak detec on and shut-
o device
Pressure Reducing Valve ( gure 3)
Thermal Expansion Tank (see next
page, gure 5)
Point-of-use Thermosta c Mixing
Valves (see page 8, gure 7)
Figure 1 - Flexible connectors use compression
ngs and do not require soldering.
Figure 2 - Use a non-contact circuit tester to
insure that the power is o 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
o cial for more informa on.
Water pressure
We recommend checking your
home’s water pressure with a pressure
gauge ( 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 ( 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
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 back ow
preventers and check valves to restrict
water from your home reentering
the public water system. Back 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 brie 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 re risk.
Install an automa c leak detec on
and shuto device (available from
Lowe’s®). These devices can detect
water leaks and can shut o the water
heater’s water supply if a leak occurs.
Install a suitable drain pan (available
from Lowe’s®) under the water heat-
er ( 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 ( 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 manufacturers instruc ons or a
quali 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 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 quali ed person for
more informa on.
Figure 6 - A suitable drain pan piped to an
adequate drain can help protect 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 oor drain or external to
the building (See page 8, 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 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,
ooding, or other risks.
6Avoid loca ons such as a cs,
upper 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 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 quali ed person
perform the installa on.
2Locate the water heaters
circuit breaker and turn it OFF
(or remove the circuits
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
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 quali 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 quali 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
7
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, exible plas c pipe, or any
type of hose.
Terminate the discharge pipe a maxi-
mum of six inches above a 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 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 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 shuto and
tempering valves
1If one is not already installed,
install a manual shuto valve
in the cold water line that
supplies the water heater. Install the
shuto valve near the water heater so
that it is readily accessible. Only use
valves that are compa ble with
potable water. Use only full- ow ball
or gate valves. Other types of valves
may cause excessive restric on to the
water ow.
2Install a Thermosta c Mixing
Valve at each point-of-use
(for example, kitchen sink,
bathroom sink, bath, shower).
Consult the valve manufacturers
instruc ons or a quali 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
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 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
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 ngs which don’t require
soldering. Compression ngs
are easier to install than soldering
pipe. Check with local plumbing
o 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 heaters 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 heaters connec ons
(using Te 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
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 e ciency.
5Double check to make sure
the hot and cold water pipes
are connected to the correct
hot and cold water 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 ll tank
To remove air from the tank and allow
the tank to 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
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- 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 circuits fuses).
2Using a non-contact circuit
tester, check the wiring to
make certain the power is OFF.
3Check the water heaters
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 heaters 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 heaters 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 re and electric
shock.
Adjus ng the
Temperature
With the installa on steps completed,
you may adjust the water heaters
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 heaters 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 o .
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 thermostats 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 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
quali ed person.
Step 10:
7
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 e 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
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 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 heaters data plate.
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 17
TROUBLESHOOTING
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
TROUBLESHOOTING
WARNING! Working near an
energized circuit can result in severe
injury or death from electrical shock.
WARNING! When you are nished,
be sure all covers are secured to
reduce the risk of 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 O (red bu on
on upper thermostat)
The water heaters 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 heaters 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 heaters circuit
breaker and turn it o (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 o and replace the
cover on the electrical junc on box.
If the water heater is not ge ng
power, contact a quali 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
con rm that power is o (screw
terminals 1 and 3 in photo on next
page).
With the electrical power o , 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 O
(ECO) Bu on.
The Energy Cut O (ECO) shuts o pow-
er to the water heaters 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 quali 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 ed and repaired.
To check the Energy Cut O (ECO)
Turn o 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 o .
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 quali 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
quali ed person.
Replace the insula on and the upper
access panel.
WARNING! Be sure all covers are
secured to reduce the risk of re and
electric shock.
Insu cient Hot Water
or Slow Hot Water
Recovery
WARNING! Because of the in-
creased risk from scalding, if you set
the water heaters 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 heaters 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 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 O (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 manufacturers 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 t snuggly against the tank.
Very high water temperatures can also
cause the Energy Cut O (ECO) to trip
(see page 19). Turn power o un l this
problem is 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 ow
of hot water. If thats the case, replace
the heat traps or dip tube.
Par ally closed supply valve. Open
the water heaters 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 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 quali 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 o 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 quali 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
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
quali ed person.
Water Heater Maintenance
A er the rst six months, drain and
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 ushing the
water heater a er the 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 quali 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 ush the tank:
1Locate the water heaters
circuit breaker and turn it OFF
(or remove the circuits 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 sacri 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 rst six
months of opera on when you drain and
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 quali 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,
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 lling
the tank, follow Step 8 in the Installa-
on sec on.
9Re 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 o . Check wires with a non-
contact circuit tester to make sure
power is o . When you are nished,
be sure all covers are secured to
reduce the risk of re and electric
shock.
If you are not comfortable replacing a
hea ng element or thermostat your-
self, have this work done by a quali 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 heaters 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 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 o , 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 heaters
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 lling the tank,
follow Step 8 in the Installa on sec on.
10 Re 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 o . Check wires with a non-
contact circuit tester to make sure
power is o . When you are nished, be
sure all covers are secured to reduce
the risk of 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
di 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 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 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 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 ow freely from the end of the
discharge pipe, turn OFF the power
to the water heater. Call a quali 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 ow freely from the end of the
discharge pipe, turn the power to the
water heater OFF. Call a quali ed
person to determine the cause.
At least every ve years, have a quali-
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-
i 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
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
SAFETY LABELS
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 27
DIAGRAMS
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
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.
Speci y thermostat type when ordering
LOWE’S is a registered trademark of LF, LLC.
® Registered trademark/TM Trademark of Whirlpool, U.S.A.
© 2012 Whirlpool Corpora on. All rights reserved.
Manufactured under license by American Water Heater Company, Tennessee.
Warranty provided by Manufacturer.

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