State GS6 65 XRRT - Manual (Page 17)

Start Up Conditions
DRAFT HOOD OPERATION
Check draft hood operation by performing a worst case depressur-
ization of the building. With all doors and windows closed, and
with all air handling equipment and exhaust fans operating, such
furnaces, clothes dryers, range hoods and bathroom fans, a match
flame should still be drawn into the draft hood of the water heater
with its burner firing. If the flame is not drawn toward the draft
hood, shut off the water heater and make necessary air supply
changes to correct.
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 leaking when in fact the water is conden-
sation. This usually happens when:
a. When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the
first time.
b. When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water
heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue tem-
peratures are lower.
c. 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 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 show-
er 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.
THERMAL EXPANSION
Water supply systems may, because of such events as high line
pressure, frequent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer among
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 system to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal
expansion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of
heated 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 temperature-pressure
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 a
local plumbing contractor. Contact the local water supplier and/or
plumbing inspector 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” in this section.
Operational Conditions
SMELLY WATER
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. a concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b. little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
c. a sulfate reducing bacteria within the water heater. (This
harmless bacteria is non-toxic to humans.)
d. 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 the local water heater supplier for further informa-
tion concerning an Anode Replacement Kit #9000029 and this
Chlorination Treatment.
If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and chlo-
rination treatment, we can only suggest that continuous chlorina-
tion and filtering conditioning equipment be considered to elimi-
nate the water problem.
Do not remove the anode leaving the tank unprotected. By doing
so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
For Your Information
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