Kenmore THE ECONOMIZER 153.33205 - Manual (Page 8)

Removing the Old Water Heater
1. Turn “OFF” the gas supply to the water
heater.
If the main gas line Shut-off valve
serving all gas appliances is used, also
shut “OFF” the gas at each appliance.
Leave all gas appliances shut “OFF”
until the water heater installation is
completed, see Figures 2 and 3.
2. Turn “OFF" the water supply to the
water heater at the water shut off
valve
or water meter. Some
installations require that the water be
turned off to the entire house, see
Figures 2 and 4.
Check again to make sure the gas supply is “OFF” to the water
heater. Then disconnect the gas supply connection from the gas
control valve.
4. Attach a hose to the water heater drain
valve and put the other end in a floor
drain or outdoors. Open the water
heater drain valve. Open a nearby hot
water
faucet which will relieve
pressure in the water heater and speed
draining. The water passing out of the
drain valve may be extremely hot. To
avoid being scalded, make sure all
connections are tight and that the water
flow is directed away from any person,
see Figures 2 and 5.
Disconnect the vent pipe from the blower assembly where it connects
to the water heater. In most installations the vent pipe can be lifted off
after any screw or other attached devices are removed. Make sure
existing vent complies with maximum and minimum vent lengths on
page 17.
If you have copper piping to the water heater, the two copper water
pipes can be cut with a hacksaw approximately four inches away
from where they connect to the water heater, see Figures. This will
avoid cutting off pipes too short. Additional cuts can be made later If
necessary. Disconnect the temperature-pressure relief valve drain
line. When the water heater is drained, disconnect the hose from the
drain valve. Close the drain valve. The water heater is now completely
disconnected and ready to be removed.
FIGURE 6.
If you have galvanized pipes to the water heater, loosen the two
galvanized pipes with a pipe wrench at the union in each line. Also
disconnect the piping remaining to the water heater, see Figure 7.
These pieces should be saved since they may be needed when
reconnecting the new water heater. Disconnect the temperature-
pressure relief valve drain line. When the water heater is drained,
disconnect the hose from the drain valve. Close the drain valve.
The water heater is now completely disconnected and ready to be
removed. Mineral buildup or sediment may have accumulated in the
old water heater. This causes the water heater to be much heavier
than normal and this residue, if spilled out, could cause staining.
FIGURE?.