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MAINTENANCE
Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance will help your
water heater last longer and work bet-
ter. If you can't perform these routine
maintenance tasks yourself, contact a
qualified person.
Water Heater Mainte-
nance
After the first six months, drain and
flush the water heater and inspect the
anode rod. Depending on the hardness
of your water, repeat this process at
least annually, or more frequently if
needed. From time to time you may
need to replace a heating element or
a thermostat. All three maintenance
tasks are described below
Draining and Flushing
the Water Heater
Tap water contains minerals that can
form lime deposits on heating ele-
ments or sediment in the bottom of
the tank. The amount of lime deposits
or sediment depends on the hardness
of your tap water. The rate at which
sediment builds up depends on water
quality and hardness in your area,
the temperature settings, and other
variables. We recommend draining and
flushing the water heater after the first
six months of operation to determine
the amount of sediment build up.
Draining sediment extends the life of
the tank, heating elements, and drain
valves.
•
In areas with very hard water,
remove and check the heating
elements whenever you drain
the tank. If you have heavy lime
deposits on heating elements,
you will need to replace them
more often.
26 • Residential Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Use and Care Guide
• Sediment may form large masses that
can prevent the tank from draining.
Have a qualified person use a de-lim-
ing agent suitable for potable water
to remove the sediment buildup.
• In most cases, it is easier and less
expansive to replace lime-encrusted
elements than trying to remove
heavy lime deposits.
To drain and flush the
tank:
Locate the water heater's
1
circuit breaker and turn it OFF
(or remove the circuit's fuses).
Figure 31 - Circuit Breaker
Open a hot water faucet and
2
let the hot water run until it is
cool.
Figure 32 - Water Faucet
WARNING! Be sure the water runs
cool before draining the tank to
reduce the risk of scalding.
Connect a garden hose to the
3
drain valve and place the
other end of the hose in a
drain, outside, or in buckets.
Turn the cold water supply
4
valve OFF.
Open the drain valve on the
5
water heater.
Figure 33 - Drain Valve
Open a hot water faucet to
6
help the water in the tank
drain faster.
NOTICE! DO NOT turn electrical power
back on unless the tank is completely
full of water. This is an additional pre-
caution to protect the elements against
dry fire. Dry fire occurs when power is
supplied to the electric elements with-
out sufficient water in the heater. Dry
firing the unit will result in immediate
failure of the element. While this unit
is equipped with dry fire protection the
recommended practice is to ensure the
tank is filled with water prior to supply-
ing power to the unit.
Remove and inspect the
7
anode rod (see Repair Parts
Illustration on back cover for
location of the anode rod). Replace the
anode rod if it is depleted.
Figure 34 - Anode Rods from new (top)
to partially depleted (middle) to fully
depleted stages (bottom)
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