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Customer Service

T

roubleshooting Tips

Care and Cleaning

Operating Instructions

Installation Instructions

Safety Instructions

12

DANGER:

Failure to

install the draft hood and
properly vent the water
heater to the outdoors as
outlined in the Venting
section of this manual will
result in unsafe operation
of the water heater causing
bodily injury, explosion, 
fire or death. To avoid the
risk of fire, explosion, or
asphyxiation from carbon
monoxide, NEVER operate
the water heater unless 
it is properly vented and
has adequate air supply 
for proper operation as
outlined in the Venting
section of this manual.

!

WARNING:

If local

codes require external
application of insulation
blanket kits the
manufacturer’s instructions
included with the kit must
be carefully followed.

!

Installing the water heater.

The water heater must be installed with the factory supplied draft hood in place.

Venting

Vent connectors must be attached to the
draft hood outlet to connect the water
heater to the gas vent or chimney. The
vent connectors must be the same size
(diameter) as the draft hood or larger,
never smaller. 

For proper venting in certain installations 
a larger vent connector size may be
needed. Consult the Vent Tables in
Appendix G of the latest version of the
National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI booklet
Z223.1 or NFPA booklet 54.)

Horizontal vent connectors must be
pitched upward to the chimney at least
1/4” per foot of length. Single wall vent
connectors must be at least 6 from
adjacent unprotected combustible
surface. Vent joints must be securely
fastened by sheet metal screws or other
approved method.

Test for spillage at the draft hood relief
opening after 5 minutes of main burner
operation. Use a flame of a match or
candle or smoke. The flame or smoke
should be pulled into the draft hood’s 
relief opening(s).

Insulation Blankets

Insulation blankets, available to the
general public, for external use on gas
water heaters are not necessary. The
purpose of an insulation blanket is to
reduce the standby heat loss encountered
with storage tank heaters. This water
heater meets or exceeds the National
Appliance Energy Conservation Act
standards with respect to insulation 
and standby loss requirements making 
an insulation blanket unnecessary.

The manufacturer’s warranty does not
cover any damage or defect caused by
installation, attachment or use of 
any type of energy saving or other
unapproved devices (other than those
authorized by the manufacturer) into,
onto or in conjunction with the water
heater. The use of unauthorized energy
saving devices may shorten the life of the
water heater and may endanger life and
property. 

The manufacturer disclaims any
responsibility for such loss or injury
resulting from the use of such
unauthorized devices.

CAUTION:

If local codes require the

application of an external insulation
blanket to this water heater, pay careful
attention to the following so as not to
restrict the proper function and
operation of the water heater:

Do not cover the operating or warning
labels attached to the water heater or
attempt to relocate them on the
exterior of insulation blanket.

Do not apply insulation to the top of
the water heater. This will interfere with
the safe operation of the draft hood.

Do not cover the burner access door,
jacket door, gas control
(thermostat)/gas valve or pressure and
temperature relief valve.

Do not apply insulation to the bottom
of the water heater or the area where
the combustion air inlet openings are
located. This area must be
unobstructed so as not to restrict
combustion air flow to the burner.

Inspect the insulation blanket frequently
making certain it has not sagged and is
restricting the air flow to the
combustion air inlet openings
(perforation holes) located around 
the lower perimeter of the water heater.
This could result in an unsafe operating
condition.

!

Summary of Contents for AP13204-4

Page 1: ...ition System The purpose of this manual is twofold one to provide the installer with basic directions and recommendations for the proper installation and adjustment of the water heater and two for the...

Page 2: ...te is needed to obtain service under the warranty IMPORTANT Fill out and return the Consumer Product Registration Card that is in the back of this manual If you do need service you can relax knowing h...

Page 3: ...ate air supply for proper operation Be sure to inspect the vent system for proper installation at initial start up and at least annually thereafter Refer to the Care and Cleaning section of this manua...

Page 4: ...re Dial DANGER Hotter water increases the Potential for Hot Water SCALDS D A N G E R HOT Water temperature over 125 F can cause severe burns instantly or death from scalds Children disabled and elderl...

Page 5: ...federal state and or local laws rules regulations or customs LP gas must be used with great caution It is heavier than air and will collect first in lower areas making it hard to detect at nose level...

Page 6: ...a qualified technician SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING WARNING For your safety the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk o...

Page 7: ...not allow the water heater to ignite until examined by a Qualified Service Technician The water heater must be located so it is not subject to physical damage for example by moving vehicles area flood...

Page 8: ...directly or through vertical ducts there must be two openings located as specified above and each must have a minimum net free area of not less than one square inch per 4000 Btuh of the total input r...

Page 9: ...nk is designed with an air cushion built in that compresses as the system pressure increases thereby relieving the over pressure condition and eliminating the repeated operation of the relief valve Ot...

Page 10: ...lve and discharge line The end of the discharge line should not be threaded or concealed and should be protected from freezing No valve of any type restriction or reducer coupling should be installed...

Page 11: ...than 3 8 psi 10 5 w c for natural gas or 1 2 psi 14 w c for LP gas Gas Supply The branch gas supply line to the water heater should be clean 1 2 black steel pipe or other approved gas piping material...

Page 12: ...Blankets Insulation blankets available to the general public for external use on gas water heaters are not necessary The purpose of an insulation blanket is to reduce the standby heat loss encountered...

Page 13: ...the venting system complies with the guidelines found in the Use and Care Manual and National Fuel Gas Code DO contact a Qualified service technician if the pilot or main burner will not stay lit The...

Page 14: ...nt room to service heater Combustible materials such as clothing cleaning materials rags etc clear of the base of the heater Clearances from combustion air inlet openings observed see page 7 Gas Suppl...

Page 15: ...c chemicals such as those used for boiler treatment into this system Tee fitting for horizontal hot water supply lines Hot water supply to house From HOT outlet on water heater From HOT outlet on wate...

Page 16: ...heater be sure to read and follow the instructions on the label pictured below and all other labels on the water heater as well as the warnings printed in this manual Failure to do so can result in u...

Page 17: ...ps to accumulate near water heater Do Not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids such as adhesives or paint thinner in vicinity of this or any other appliance If such flammables m...

Page 18: ...ken The hottest temperature water will be at the top of the tank closest to the outlet pipe delivering hot water to the home Stacking can cause this top layer of water to be hotter than the water towa...

Page 19: ...rs of dependable trouble free service It is recommended that a periodic inspection of the gas control thermostat burner relief valve internal flue way and venting system should be made by service pers...

Page 20: ...g shut down period the water heater s operation and controls should be checked by qualified service personnel Make certain the water heater is completely filled again before placing it in operation NO...

Page 21: ...ed by a clogged qualified service technician Gas Cock Knob not See the Lighting The Water Heater section of this correctly positioned manual Pilot does not stay Loose thermocouple The connection at th...

Page 22: ...essary relight using the instructions in the Lighting The Water Heater section of this manual The gas control thermostat See the Water Temperature Setting of The Water may be set too low Heater sectio...

Page 23: ...Safety Instructions Installation Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Troubleshooting Tips Customer Service 23 Notes...

Page 24: ...Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Installation Instructions Safety Instructions 24 Notes...

Page 25: ...Tube The kit provides extra speed clips and tamper resistant screws Not supplied with all models Burner Assembly Kit Heat Trap Nipple Heat Trap Nipple Replacement parts For 30 40 and 50 gallon models...

Page 26: ...Manufacturer s National Service Department at the following address 2600 Gunter Park Drive Montgomery AL 36109 1413 When contacting the manufacturer the following information will be requested Model a...

Page 27: ...Rheem Manufacturing Company Warranty Registration Department P O Box 34070 Louisville KY 40232 4070 Please place in envelope and mail to Cut here Cut here 27...

Page 28: ...rs Miss Street Address City State Date Placed In Use Month Day Year Zip Code Apt Last Name Phone Number _ _ Complete and mail this Consumer Product Ownership Registration today After mailing the regis...

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