Operating Your Water Heater; Before Using; Water Temperature Regulation - Whirlpool 121802 Installation Instructions And Use & Care Manual

OPERATING YOUR WATER HEATER

Before Using

1. Make sure the water heater has been properly
installed. See "Installing Your Water Heater" section.
2. Completely fill the tank with water. (See Figure 2)
3. After the water heater tank is completely filled with
water, connect electrical power to the water heater.
4. Read the "Water Temperature Regulation" section of
this manual. If the instructions are not clear, contact a
qualifi ed person.
5. Adjust the thermostat to the desired temperature
setting as described under "Adjusting the Thermostat/
High Limit Control" section.
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to operate this water heater
if the thermostat(s), or surrounding insulation has been
exposed to water in any way. Immediately call a qualifi ed
person to inspect the water heater and replace any
thermostat or insulation that has been exposed to water.
Do not attempt to repair these parts. Water heaters
subjected to fl ood conditions or any time the thermostat(s)
have been submerged in water require replacement of the
entire water heater.
Safety Shut-off
This water heater is designed to automatically shut-off
in the event that the water temperature exceeds 170°F
or 77°C. A high limit control switch is used to shut off the
power to the elements if the water temperature exceeds
170°F or 77°C. The high limit control switch can be
reset by fi rmly pushing in the red reset button located on
the thermostat. Follow the instructions under "Adjusting
the Thermostat/High Limit Control", section to properly
reset the high limit control. If the high limit control switch
continues to shut-off the water heater contact a qualifi ed
person for service.

Water Temperature Regulation

WARNING
Water temperature over 125°F can cause
severe burns instantly or death from scalds.
Children, disabled and elderly are at highest
risk of being scalded.
Feel water before bathing or showering.
Temperature limiting valves are available.
The thermostat is adjusted to a temperature setting
of 120°F or lower when it is shipped from the factory.
Water temperature can be regulated by adjusting the
thermostat to the preferred setting as shown in "Adjusting
the Thermostat/High Limit Control." The preferred starting
point is 120°F. There is a hot water scald potential if the
thermostat is set too high.
IMPORTANT: Adjusting the thermostat past 120°F on the
thermostat will increase the risk of scald injury in the times
shown below.
Time for 1st
Water
Degree Burn
Temperature °F
(Less Severe Burns)
110 (normal shower temp.)
116 (pain threshold)
116 35 minutes
122
131 5 seconds
140 2 seconds
149
154 instantaneous
(U.S. Government Memorandum, C.P.S.C., Peter L. Armstrong, Sept. 15,1978)
NOTE: During low demand periods when hot water is not
being used, a lower thermostat setting will reduce energy
losses and may satisfy your normal hot water needs. If hot
water use is expected to be more than normal, a higher
thermostat setting may be required to meet the increased
demand.
When leaving your home for extended periods (vacations,
etc.) turn the thermostat to its lowest setting. This will
maintain the water at low temperatures with minimum
energy losses and prevent the tank from freezing during
cold weather.
Time for
Permanent Burns
2nd & 3rd Degree
(Most Severe Burns)
45 minutes
1 minute 5 minutes
25 seconds
5 seconds
1 second 2 seconds
1 seconds
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