Rheem GHE80SU Use & Care Manual page 40

Properly maintained, this water heater will provide years
of dependable, trouble free service. It is strongly
suggested that a regular routine maintenance program
be established and followed by the owner. It is further
recommended that a periodic inspection of the relief
valve and venting system should be made by service
technicians qualified in gas appliance repair.
1. ROUTINE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
A. PRESSURE SWITCH — Inspect the inlet to the
pressure switch and the tubing for debris or
blockage. Clean out the tubing periodically to
prevent buildup of debris.
B COLLECTOR PAN —Remove any particles.
C. CONDENSATE TRAP — Check for blockages.
D. ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS — Periodic inspection
of all electrical connections and wiring conditions.
For Triton HD, inspect relay to ensure operation of
contacts. Recommend yearly replacement
CAUTION
!
Label all wires prior to disconnection when servicing
controls. Wiring errors can cause improper and danger-
ous operation.
CAUTION
!
VERIFY PROPER OPERATION AFTER SERVICING !
Make certain all power to the water heater is turned
"OFF" before performing any maintenance or
inspection work on this water heater.
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.
NOTICE: 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 local
plumbing inspector on how to correct this. DO NOT
plug the relief valve outlet.
E. TANK— Good maintenance requires that the tank be
cleaned of deposits. Unless the water supply is soft
(0 to 5 grains hardness), scale or lime deposits will
accumulate in the tank. Hard water scale is deposited
at an increasingly high rate in proportion to increased
water temperature. Accumulation of these deposits
may reduce efficiency, and shorten the life of the
water heater.
Any new installation should have a tank inspection
program set up initially for frequent inspection. The
first inspection should be within a six month period.
Once the scaling tendencies have been established,
the inspection program can be modified to suit the
Maintenance
water conditions. Cleaning should be performed if
the scale has accumulated above the drain valve
opening.
A wet-dry shop vac with a nozzle fashioned from 1"
and/or 3/4" polyethylene pipe makes a good tool for
scraping and removing scale.
TO CLEAN OR INSPECT TANK:
1. Shut off gas valve and drain tank.
2. Remove the tank clean-out cover on the jacket
and, with a pocket knife, cut and remove a circular
plug of insulation the full size of the jacket open-
ing.
3. Loosen the nut on the seal plate assembly enough
to twist the yoke sideways. Hold the assembly se-
curely and push inward, then remove the assembly
from the tank.
4. Remove as much built-up scale from the flue tubes
and the tank bottom as practical. DO NOT allow
the cleaning tool to damage the glass lining.
5. Clean the seal plate and install a new gasket. Wipe
clean the interior surface of the tank that contacts
the gasket. Reinstall the seal plate and tighten
in position. Fill the tank with water and check for
leaks. If no leaks are found, install the insulation
plug and clean-out cover on the jacket and re-light
the water heater.
If chemical lime dissolving cleaners are preferred,
cautiously follow the instructions supplied with the
cleaner. DO NOT use a muriatic or hydrochloric acid
(HCl) base cleaner.
2. SEASONAL OPERATION - If the water heater is to
remain idle for an extended period (60 days or more)
the heater should be turned off. The water heater and
piping should be drained if they might be subjected
to freezing temperatures. It is recommended that the
water heater's operation is thoroughly checked (by a
qualified service technician) before it is placed back
in service. NOTICE: Refer to the Hydrogen Gas
caution notation on page 33.
F. VENTING SYSTEM — Inspect the venting system at
least yearly to make certain the passageways are free
and unobstructed, and that the vent connector from
the water heater's blower assembly is properly posi-
tioned and securely attached. Remove any obstruc-
tions in the vent connector or vent terminal.
Periodically clean the screens in the vent and air-
inlet terminals (if applicable).
In applicable climates, periodically inspect the vent
and air-inlet terminals to ensure they are not blocked
by snow.
G. BURNER- Cleaning of the burner is not necessary.
Flame rod and ignition cleaning yearly.
H. IGNITOR AND FLAME ROD - Cleaning of the ignitor
and flame rod yearly.
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