Sears POWER MISER 153.335914 - Manual (Page 28)

Troubleshooting Guide
Start Up Conditions
CONDENSATION
Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, a certain
amount of condensation will form while the burner is on, A
water heater may appear to be leakine when in feet the water is
condensation. This usually happens when:
• When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the
first time.
• When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water
heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue tem­
peratures are lower.
• When you use large amounts of hot water in a short time
and the refill water 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 run­
ning 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 disap­
pear.
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.
AWARNING
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD: Water heaters are intended to
produce hot water. Water heated to a temperaftire which will
satisfy clothes washing, dish washing, and otho' sanitizing needs
can scald and permanently injure you upon contact Some peo­
ple are more likely to be permanently injured by hot water than
others. These include the elderly, children, the infirm, or phy»cal-
ly/mentally handicapped. If anyone using hot water in your home
to into one of these groups or if there is a local code or state law
requiring a certain temperature water at the hot water tap, then
you mu^ take special precautions. In addition to using the lowest
possible temperature setting that satisfies your hot water needs,
a means such as a mixing valve, should be used at the hot water
taps used by these people or at the water heater. Mixing valves
are available at plumbing sufqily or hardware stores. Follow man­
ufacturers instructions for installation of the valves. Before
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the
"lemperature Regulation” section in this manual.
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.
THERMAL EXPANSION
Water supply systems may, because of high line pressure, fre­
quent cut-ofe, the effects of water hammer and others, have
installed devices such as pressure reducing valves, check valves,
back flow preventers, etc. to control these types of problems.
When these devices are not equipped with an internal by-pass,
and no other measures are taken, the devices cause the water sys­
tem to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal expan­
sion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of heat­
ed water.
The water within the water heater tank expands as it is heated
and increases the pressure of the water system. If the relieving
point of the water heater’s temperature-pressure relief valve is
reached, the valve will relieve the excess pressure. The tempeia-
ture-mressurc relief valve is not intended for the constant
relief of thermal expansion. This is an unacceptable condition
and must be corrected.
It is recommended that any devices installed which could create
a closed system have a by-pass and/or the system have an expan­
sion tank to relieve the pressure built by thermal expansion in
the water system. Expansion tanks are available for ordering
through the Sears Service Center, Contact the local plumbing
inspector, water supplier, and/or the Sears Service Center for
assistance in controlling these situations.
STRANGE SOUNDS
Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some metal
parts during periods of heat-up and cool-down do not represent
harmful or dangerous conditions.
Condensation causes sizzling and popping with the burner area
during heating and cooling periods and should be considered
normal. See “Condensation” section.
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