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• 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 an Anode Replacement and this
Chlorination Treatment.
If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and
chlorination treatment, we can only suggest that chlorination
or aeration of the water supply be considered to eliminate the
water 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 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.
High Temperature Shut-Off System
(Auto Reset Type Energy Cut Off)
This water heater is equipped with an automatic reset type
high limit (energy cutoff) sensor. The high limit switch interrupts
the pilot and main burner gas flow when high water
temperatures are present. The high limit switch will
automatically reset when the water temperature drops below
140ºF (60ºC).