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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
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 fl ammable 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 fl ame
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