PV500-27A 07/04
3
VENTURA
®
LOW NOx WATER HEATER
MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS
1. Establish a preventive maintenance program
to assure a longer water heater life.
2. The tank should be flushed at two- or three-
month intervals depending on water
conditions in your location. To flush, turn off
electrical disconnect switch to prevent the
burner from operating. Open the drain valve
and allow water to flow through the tank until
it runs clear. Close the drain valve and turn
the electrical switch back on. Draining two or
three gallons from the bottom of the tank on
a weekly basis will also help prevent the
accumulation of sediment. Water impurities
consist of fine particles of soil or sand, which
will settle out and form a layer of sediment
on the bottom of the tank.
3. A scale of lime will normally form during
operation and will accumulate on the bottom
of the tank. Lime is formed from the natural
chemicals in the water, which precipitate out
during heating cycles. Some water supplies
contain more of these chemicals than others
do and scale buildup will occur more rapidly.
Other factors affecting scale buildup are the
amount of hot water used and the
temperature of the water. The more hot
water that is used, the more fresh water
containing scale-forming chemicals is
brought into the tank. As the temperature of
water increases, the rate of scale deposition
will be increased.
4. The tank will have a handhole for inspection
and cleaning. (See Figure 27A-1, page 1.)
To inspect tank for scale buildup, remove
the handhole cover. If scale is present, it
can be loosened with a high pressure
stream of water. The smaller pieces can be
flushed through the drain and the larger
pieces removed by hand through the
handhole. The frequency of inspections will
be determined by the rate of scale buildup.
Intervals of 30-60 days are recommended.
5. If a firetube leaks for any reason, consult
factory for instructions.
NOTE: Condensate coming from the tubes
on a cold start is normal and does not
indicate a leaking tube.
6. Regularly inspect the bottom tubesheet.
Inspect the SCALEGUARD
®
tubesheet
insulator for holes or areas that may have
pulled away from tubesheet. Repair or
replace as required.
CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING:
CAUTION: IMPROPER COMBUSTION MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.
PVI recommends a seasonal or annual combustion checkout be performed by a
qualified service agency to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Periodic Inspection of Operational Components
Periodic inspection and checkout of the burner ignition, control system, and fuel valve operation (for
tight close-off) should be made. Refer to the burner installation instruction for recommendations.
1. Examine the venting system at least once
each year for proper connections,
alignment and corrosion. The blower inlet
will collect dust from the air during
operation. Disconnect the power to the
heater and clean the blower wheel when
necessary.
Inspect all parts and make replacements
when necessary. Check wiring for loose
connections and burned wires.
