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hotwater .com
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSE(S)
CORRECTION
BURNER WILL NOT
IGNITE
1. Pilot not lit
2. Thermostat set too low
3. No gas
4. Dirt in the gas lines
5. Pilot line clogged
6. Main burner line clogged
7. Defective thermopile
8. Defective gas control/thermostat
1. Light pilot
2. Turn temp. dial to desired temperature
3. Check with gas utility company
4. Notify utility-install trap in gas line
5. Clean, locate source and correct
6. Clean, locate source and correct
7. Replace thermopile
8. Replace gas control/thermostat
SMELLY WATER
1. Sulfur in the water
1. Replace the anode with a special
anode
2. Raising the water heater temperature
setting to 140°F may help to eliminate
the odo r (will require the use of a
mixing valve)
BURNER FLAME
YELLOW-LAZY
1. Low gas pressure
2. Flue clogged
3. Main burner line clogged
4. Obstruction in main burner orifice
5. Insufficient combustion air
1. Check with gas utility company
2. Clean, locate source and correct
3. Clean, locate source and correct
4. Clean or replace orifice
5. Check that the vent termination hood
and venting pipe is not blocked
PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT
OR REMAIN LIT
1. Air in gas line
2. No gas
3. Dirt in gas lines
4. Pilot line or orifice clogged
5. Defective thermopile
6. Insufficient combustion air
7. Gas control/thermostat ECO switch
open
8. Defective igniter or electrode
9. Low gas pressure
10. Incorrect gas
1. Bleed the air from the gas line
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Notify utility-install sediment trap (dirt
leg) in gas line
4. Clean, locate source and correct
5. Replace thermopile
6. Check that the vent termination hood
and venting pipe is not blocked
7. Replace gas control/thermostat
8. Replace igniter or pilot assembly
9. Check with gas utility company
10. Check rating plate for correct gas type.
Check with gas utility company
HIGH OPERATION
COSTS
1. Thermostat set too high
2. Sediment or lime in tank
3. Water heater too small for job
4. Wrong piping connections
5. Leaking faucets
6. Gas leaks
7. Wasted hot water
8. Long runs of exposed piping
9. Hot water piping in exposed wall
1. Set temperature dial to lower setting
2. Drain/Flush-Provide water treatment if
needed
3. Install adequate size heater
4. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold
inlet
5. Repair faucets
6. Check with utility-repair at once
7. Advise customer
8. Insulate piping
9. Insulate piping
PILOT FLAME TOO
SMALL
1. Pilot line or orifice clogged
2. Low gas pressure
3. Defective pilot
4. Incorrect gas
1. Clean, locate source and correct
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Replace pilot
4. Check rating plate for correct gas type.
Check with gas utility company
