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Care Instructions
CARING FOR YOUR WATER HEATER
Preventive Maintenance
WARNING:
Failure to perform routine
preventive maintenance can prevent the water heater
from operating properly. Improper operation can cause
carbon monoxide dangers, excessive water temperatures,
and other potentially hazardous conditions resulting in
death, personal injury, and/or product damage.
Properly maintaining your water heater will ensure
dependable, trouble-free service.
User Preventive Maintenance
Establish and follow a routine preventive maintenance
program. The following suggested items should be
included in your program.
• Monthly check and clean the water filter. See “Water
Filter Cleaning” on page 17.
WARNING:
Hot water is released during
manual operation of the relief valve. Make sure all people
and animals are clear from the area before performing
this check to prevent death, personal injury, and/or
property damage from hot drain water.
• Annually check the operation of the pressure-relief
valve. Lifting the lever handle on the pressure-relief
valve opens the valve to flush hot water through the
discharge line to the drain. After several gallons have
drained, release the lever handle to close the valve and
stop draining.
NOTICE:
If the pressure relief valve on the hot
water heater discharges periodically, this may indicate a
problem in the water system. Contact the water supplier
or a plumbing contractor to correct the problem. DO NOT
plug the relief valve outlet.
• Inspect and keep the area around the water heater clear
and free of flammable materials, such as gasoline and
other flammable vapors and liquids.
• Visually inspect the water heater for damage and/or
denting. If present, contact a service personnel to verify
proper operation.
• Check for abnormal sound during normal operation
(e.g., hissing or banging noises). Contact a qualified
service technician or plumbing contractor.
• Check all gas and water pipes for leaks. See page 54.
NOTICES:
– DO NOT operate the water heater if you feel
something is wrong with the unit.
– DO NOT allow children to operate or handle
the unit.
• After inspections, maintenance, and/or cleaning, ensure
proper operation by turning on a hot water faucet.
Professional Preventive Maintenance
It is recommended that a periodic inspection of the water
heater burner, relief valve, air intake filter, water filter, and
venting system be made by a qualified service technician.
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Relief
Valve
