100324051_2000579115 _Rev. 01
www.hotwater .com 57
OTHER SYMPTOMS
WARNING! Because of the increased risk from scalding, if you set the water heater’s gas control knob higher
than 120°F, install Thermostatic Mixing Valves (see Figure 6) at each point-of-use. Due to the increased risk of
scalding, do not set the temperature of the Thermostatic Mixing Valves above 120°F.
Problem
Possible Cause(S)
Corrective Action
Insufficient
Hot Water
1. Thermostat set too low
2. Leaking faucets/Wasted hot water
3. Wrong piping connections
4. Water heater too small
5. Sediment or lime in tank
6. Long runs of exposed piping
7. Hot-water piping in outside wall
1. Turn temperature knob to higher setting
2. Repair faucets
3. Correct piping: dip tube must be in cold inlet
4. Install adequate heater
5. Drain/flush-provide water treatment if needed
6. Insulate piping
7. Insulate piping
Water Is
Too Hot
1. Thermostat setting is too high
2. Heater stacking (Failure to install
the proper vent screens)
1. Turn temperature knob to lower setting. Install or
adjust Thermostatic Mixing Valves (see Figure 6)
for each point-of-use (see the valve manufacturer’s
instructions).
2. Ensure correct size of exhaust and air intake pipes
were used per the instruction manual for vent
length. Ensure proper vent screens were used.
Slow Hot
Water Recovery
1. Thermostat set too low
2. Wrong piping connection
3. Wasted hot water
4. Heater too small
1. Turn temperature knob to higher setting
2. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
3. Advise customer
4. Install adequate heater. If the water heater is in
good condition, you may be able to meet your
family’s hot water needs with the existing water
heater by installing Thermostatic Mixing Valves
(see Figure 6) at each point-of-use and then
turning the gas control knob to a higher setting.
Drip From
Relief Valve
1. Heater stacking (Failure to install
the proper vent screens)
2. Closed water system
3. Pressure build-up
4. Improperly seated valve
1. Ensure the correct size of exhaust and air intake
pipes were used per the instruction manual for vent
length. Ensure the proper vent screens were used.
2. See thermal expansion section
3. Use a pressure-reducing valve and relief valve
4. Check Relief valve for proper operation (Do Not
plug T&P valve)
Smelly Water
1. Sulfides in water supply
2. Bacteria in water supply
3. Incompatible anode
1. Chlorination procedure
2. Chlorination procedure
3. Replace with anode appropriate for water
conditions
Condensation
1. Filling the new water heater for the
first time
2. Water dripping from blower
assembly
1. Normal operation: the condensation should
disappear after heater warms up
2. Install condensate hose to drain port on the rubber
coupling
Water Leakage
1. Check "Leakage Checkpoints"
Exhaust Pipe
Too Hot
1. Failure to use correct size of
exhaust and air intake pipes;
2. Failure to install the vent screens;
3. Blower high limit switch fails to
open - switch defective
1. Ensure the correct size of exhaust and air intake
pipes were used per the instruction manual for
vent length. Ensure maximum number of elbows or
equivalent feet of both pipes was not exceeded.
2. Ensure that the proper vent screens were used.
3. Replace blower high limit switch
WARNING! Because higher temperatures increase the risk of scalding, if you set the thermostat(s) higher than
120°F, Thermostatic Mixing Valves (see Figure 6) at each point-of-use are particularly important.