Condensation, Smoke odor, Operational conditions – Kenmore 153.331492 User Manual

Page 34: Smelly odor, Air” in hot water faucets, Safety shut-off and thermal switch, Operational conditions -35, Warning

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drawn toward the draft hood, shut off water heater and make
necessary air supply changes to correct.

Condensation

Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, some
condensate will form while the burner is on. A water heater may
appear to be leaking when in fact the water is condensation.
This usually happens when:

A new water heater is filled with cold water for the first

time.

Burning gas produces water vapor In water heaters,

particularly high efficiency models where flue temperatures
are lower.

Large amounts of hot water are used in a short time and the

refill water in the tank is very cold.

Moisture from the products of combustion condense on the
cooler tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall

onto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a “sizzling” or
“frying” noise.

Excessive condensation can cause pilot outage due to water
running down the flue tube onto the main burner and putting

out the pilot.

Because of the suddenness and amount of water, condensation

water may be diagnosed as a “tank leak”. After the water in
the tank warms up (about 1-2 hours), the condition should
disappear.

Do not assume the water heater is leaking until there has been

enough time for the water in the tank to warm up.

An undersized water heater will cause more condensation.
The water heater must be sized properly to meet the family’s
demands for hot water including dishwashers, washing machines

and shower heads.

Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and

early spring months when incoming water temperatures are at
their lowest.

Good venting is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate
properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and

water vapor.

Smoke Odor

It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and

odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burning off of oil
from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.

Operational Conditions

Smelly Odor

In each water heater there is installed at least one anode rod

(see parts section) for corrosion protection of the tank. Certain

water conditions will cause a reaction between this rod and the
water. The most common complaint associated with the anode

rod is one of a “rotten egg smell”. This odor is derived from
hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. The smell is the

result of four factors which must all be present for the odor to
develop:

a concentration of sulfate in the supply water.

little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.

a sulfate reducing bacteria within the water heater. (This
harmless bacteria is non-toxic to humans.)

an excess of active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused by
the corrosion protective action of the anode.

Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water
heater models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active
material, and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all
hot water lines. Contact Sears Service for further information
concerning this chlorination treatment and an anode replacement
kit #9001453. (For short heaters, use anode replacement
kit #9006299.) Anode replacement and chlorination of the tank
are not covered by the water heater’s limited warranty.

If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and

chlorination treatment, it may be necessary to chlorinate or
aerate your water supply to eliminate the problem.

Do not remove the anode, leaving the tank unprotected. By
doing so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.

“AIR” In Hot Water Faucets

A

warning

Explosion Hazard

Flammable

hydrogen

gases may be present.

Keep all ignition sources
away from faucet when

turning on hot water.

HYDROGEN

GAS:

Hydrogen

gas

can

be

produced

in

a

hot

water

system that has not been used for a long period of time (generally

two

weeks

or

more).

Hydrogen

gas

is

extremely

flammable

and

explosive.

To

prevent

the

possibility

of

injury

under

these

conditions,

we

recommend

the

hot

water

faucet,

located

farthest

away,

be

opened for several minutes before any electrical appliances which are

connected to the hot water system are used (such as a dishwasher

or washing machine). If hydrogen gas is present, there will probably

be an unusual sound similar to air escaping through the pipe as the

hot water faucet is opened. There must be no smoking or open flame

near the faucet at the time it is open.

Safety Shut-off and Thermal Switch

This water heater is designed to automatically shut-off in the
event of the following:

1. The pilot flame is extinguished for any reason.

2.

The water temperature exceeds 195°F (91°C).

3.

Excessive build up of dust on the base ring filter or flame
arrestor. See Maintenance of your Water Heater Section.

4.

The ignition of flammable vapors.

A thermocouple is used to determine if a pilot flame is present,

and will shut off the gas supply to the main burner and the pilot

34

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