A.O. Smith Water Heater - Manual (Page 30)

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE(S) CORRECTIVE ACTION
HIGH OPERATION COSTS 1. Thermostat set too high
2. Sediment or lime in tank
3. Water heater too small for job
4. Wrong piping connections
5. Leaking raucets
6. Gas leaks
7. Wasted hot water
8. Long runs of exposed piping
9. Hot water piping in exposed wall
1. Set temperature dial to lower setting
2. Drain/flush-provide water treatment if needed
3. Install adequate heater
4. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
5. Repair faucets
6. Check with utility-repair at once
7. Advise customer
8. Insulate piping
9. Insulate piping
INSUFFICIENT HOT WATER 1. Thermostat set too low
2. Sediment or lime in tank
3. Water heater too small
4. Wrong piping connections
5. Leaking faucets
6. Wasted hot water
7. Long runs of exposed piping
8. Hot water piping in outside wall
9. Low gas pressure
1. Turn temperature dial to desired setting
2. Drain/flush-provide water treatment if needed
3. Install adequate heater
4. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
5 Repair faucets
6. Advise customer
7. Insulate piping
8. Insulate piping
9. Check with gas utility company
SLOW HOT WATER
RECOVERY 1. Insufficient secondary air
2. Water heater flue or vent system
blocked
3. Low gas pressure
4. Improper calibration
5. Thermostat set too low
6. Water heater too small
7. Wrong piping connections
8. Wastecf hot water
1. Provide ventilation to water heater. Check
flue way, flue baffle, and burner
2. Clean flue, locate source and correct
3. Check with gas utility company
4. Replace thermostat
5. Turn temperature dial to desired setting
6. Install adequate heater
7. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
8. Advise customer
DRIP FROM RELIEF VALVE 1. Excessive water pressure
2. Heater stacking
3. Closed water system
1. Use a pressure reducing valve and relief
valve
2. Lower the thermostat setting
3. See “Closed System/Thermal Expansion”
THERMOSTAT FAILS TO
SHUT-OFF 1. Thermostat not functioning prop­
erly
2. Improper calibration
1. Replace thermostat
2. Replace thermostat
COMBUSTION ODORS 1. Insufficient secondary air
2. Water heater flue or vent system
blocked
3. Heater installed in a confined area
1. Provide ventilation to water heater. Check
flue
way, flue baffle, and burner
2. Clean, locate source and correct
3. Provide fresh air ventilation
SMOKING AND CARBON
FORMATION (SOOTING) 1. Insufficient secondary air
2. Low gas pressure
3. Water heater flue or vent system
blocked
4. Thermostat not functioning prop­
erly
5. Heater installed in a confined area
6. Burner flame yellow-lazy
1. Provide ventilation to water heater. Check
flue way, flue baffle, burner
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Clean, locate source and correct
4. Replace thermostat
5. Provide fresh air ventilation
6. See “Burner Flame Yellow-Lazy”
CONDENSATION 1. Temperature setting too low 1. Increase the temperature setting
BURNER FLAME FLOATS
AND LIFTS OFF PORTS
1. Orifice too large
2. High gas pressure
3. Water heater flue or vent system
blocked
4. Cold drafts
1. Replace with correct orifice
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Clean flue and burner-locate source and cor­
rect
4. Locate source and correct
BURNER FLAME TOO HIGH 1. Orifice too large 1. Replace with correct orifice
FLAME BURNS AT ORIFICE 1. Thermostat not functioning prop­
erly
2. Low gas pressure
1. Replace thermostat
2. Check with gas utility company
PILOT FLAME
TOO SMALL
1. Pilot line or orifice clogged
2. Low gas pressure
1. Clean, locate source and correct
2. Check with gas utility company
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