Rheem Solaraide HE Use and Care Manual - Page 8

Operation mostat protective cover SHOULD NOT be removed. (Refer to Fig. 4.) Press red "RESET" button. Replace insulation and jacket access panel before turning on power to water heater. 3. EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS - In order to drain water heater, turn off cold water supply, then it is necessary to open a hot water faucet or lift the handle on the relief valve to admit air to the tank. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve on the water heater and direct the stream of water to a drain where it will do no damage. ! WARNING If water heater has been subjected to flood, fire, or physical damage, turn off power and water to water heater. Do not operate the water heater again until it has been thoroughly checked by qualified service personnel. In cases of flood or fire, the manufacture recommends replacement. 4. VACATION AND LONG TIME SHUT-DOWN - If the water heater is to remain idle for an extended period of time, the power and water to the water heater should be turned off to conserve energy. The water heater and piping should be drained if they might be subjected to freezing temperatures. NOTE: Refer to "Hydrogen Gas Caution" in Safety Precautions Section on page 7. After a very long shut-down period, the water heater's operation and controls should be checked by qualified service personnel. Make certain the water heater is completely filled before again placing it in operation . 5. DRAINING HEATER - ! DANGER The water drained from the tank may be hot enough to present a SCALD HAZARD and should be directed to a suitable drain to prevent injury or damage. 6. ANODE - This water heater is equipped with an anode rod designed to prolong the life of the glass lined tank. The anode is slowly consumed cathodically, thereby eliminating or minimizing corrosion of the glass lined tank. Water sometimes contains a high sulfate and/or mineral content and together with the cathodic protection process can produce a hydrogen sulfide or rotten egg odor in the heated water. Chlorination of the water supply should minimize the problem. NOTE: Do not remove the anode rod from the water heater's tank, except for inspection and/or replacement, as operation with the anode removed will greatly shorten the life of the glass lined tank and will exclude warranty coverage. ! CAUTION Shut off power to water heater before draining water. Maintenance Properly maintained, your water heater will provide years of dependable trouble-free service. It is suggested that a routine preventive maintenance program be established and followed by the user. It is further recommended that a periodic inspection of the operating controls, heating element and wiring should be made by service personnel qualified in electric appliance repair. 1. ROUTINE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE A. Most electrical appliances make some sound when in operation, even when new. If the hissing or singing sound level increases excessively, the electric heating element may require cleaning. Contact your installer or plumbing contractor to inspect. NOTE: If the temperature and pressure relief valve on the water heater discharges periodically, this may be due to thermal expansion in a "Closed" water system. Contact the water supplier or your plumbing contractor on how to correct this. DO NOT plug the relief valve outlet. D. A water heater's tank can act as a settling basin for solids suspended in the water. It is, therefore, not uncommon for hard water deposits to accumulate in the bottom of the tank. It is suggested that a few quarts of water be drained from the water heater's tank every month to clean the tank of these deposits. B. The area near the water heater must be kept free of flammable liquids such as gasoline or paint thinners, adhesives or other combustible materials. C. At least once a year, lift and release the lever handle on the temperature pressure relief valve, located near the top of the water heater, to make certain the valve operates freely and allow several gallons to flush through discharge line. Make certain the discharged water is directed to an open drain. E. Rapid closing of faucet(s) or solenoid valves in automatic water using appliances can cause a pounding "water hammer" sound. "Water hammer" can be described as a banging noise heard in a water pipe following an abrupt alteration of the flow with resulting pressure surges. Strategically located risers in the water pipe system can be used to minimize the problem. Also water hammer arresting devices are usually available from your plumber or local plumbing supply store. ! DANGER Before manually operating the relief valve, make certain no one will be exposed to the danger of coming in contact with the hot water released by this valve. The water may be hot enough to create a SCALD hazard. The water released should be directed to a suitable drain to prevent injury or damage. 2. ANODE ROD INSPECTION - The anode rod should be removed from the water heater's tank annually for inspection and replaced when more than 6" of core wire is exposed at either end of the rod. Refer to Fig. 2 for anode rod location. Make certain cold water supply is turned off before removing anode rod. 8