A.O. Smith 318257-000 Water Heater User Manual


 
14
MAINTENANCE OF YOUR WATER HEATER
Temperature and Pressure
Relief Valve
Manually operate the temperature and pressure relief valve
at least once a year to make sure it is working properly.
To prevent water
damage, the valve
must be properly
connected to a
discharge line which
terminates at an
adequate drain.
Standing clear of the
outlet (discharged
water may be
hot), slowly lift and
release the lever
handle on the
temperature and
pressure relief valve to allow the valve to operate freely and
return to its closed position. If the valve fails to completely
reset and continues to release water, immediately
disconnect the electrical power, close the cold water inlet
valve and call a quali ed person.
Draining and Flushing
It is recommended that the tank be drained and ushed
every 6 months to remove sediment which may build up
during operation. The water heater should be drained if
being shut down during freezing temperatures. To drain the
tank, perform the following steps:
Figure 11
T emperature and Pressure
Relief V alve
Manual Relief
Va lv e
Discharge line to drain
Place the water heater in Standby Mode by pressing 1.
the power button on the user interface module.
Turn off the power to the water heater at the circuit 2.
breaker/fuse box.
Open a nearby hot water faucet until the water is no 3.
longer hot.
Close the cold water inlet valve.4.
Connect a hose to the drain valve and terminate it to an 5.
adequate drain or external to the building.
Open the water heater drain valve and allow all of the 6.
water to drain from the tank. Flush the tank with water
as needed to remove sediment.
Close the drain valve, re ll the tank (open the cold 7.
water inlet valve), and restart the heater as directed in
this manual.
IMPORTANT: Do not turn on power to the water heater
unless it is completely lled with water. To ensure that
the tank is full, open a hot water faucet and allow the
water to run until the air is purged and the water ows
uninterrupted from the faucet.
Press the power button to turn the water heater on. 8.
NOTE: The water heater will conduct a system
diagnostic prior to operation.
If the water heater is going to be shut down for an extended
period, the drain valve should be left open.
Heating Element Replacement
WARNING
Electric Shock Hazard
Disconnect power before
servicing.
Replace all parts and panels
before operating.
Failure to do so can result in
death or electrical shock.
Replacement heating elements must be of the same style
and voltage/wattage rating as the ones originally in the water
heater. This information can be found on the ange or terminal
block of the element or on the water heater data plate.
IMPORTANT: Before replacing any element con rm that
you have the correct replacement element (wattage). This
water heater has a 4500 watt upper element and a 2000
watt lower element. DO NOT replace the element(s) with a
wattage different than the ones speci ed for the upper and/
or lower element.
IMPORTANT: Using an element greater than 2000 watts
in place of the lower element will damage the water heater
and void the warranty.
Press the power button on the user interface module to 1.
place the water heater in Standby Mode.
Turn off the power to the water heater.2.
Drain the water heater as directed in the “Draining 3.
and Flushing” section.
Explosion Hazard
If the temperature and pressure relief valve
is dripping or leaking, have a qualified
person replace it.
Examples of a qualified person include:
licensed plumbers, authorized electric
company personnel, and authorized service
personnel.
Do not plug valve.
Do not remove valve.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in death or explosion.
WARNING