GE GeoSpring GEH50DEED Owner's Manual page 15

Installation Instructions
LOCATION (CONT.)
Required clearances:
There must be a 7" (17.5cm) clearance between any object
and the Front and Rearcovers in the event serviceis needed.
A minimum of 7"(17.5cm) clearancewith the sides of the
water heater isalso recommendedfor serviceaccess.
A 6"(152.4cm)minimum clearance is required to removethe
filter for cleaning.Thehot and cold water plumbing and
electricalconnections must not interfere with the removal of
the filter.
Catch Pan Installation (If required)
Relief Valve Drain
Drain
Catch Pan
Catch Pan
Drain
NOTE:Auxiliary catch pan MUSTconform to local codes.
Catch PanKits are availablefrom the store where the water
heater was purchased,a builder store or any water heater
distributor. Thecatch pan should be 2" (51 cm) minimum
larger than the Water Heater base diameter. To prevent
corrosion and improve DrainValveaccessit is recommended
that the water heater be placedon spacersinsidethe catch
pan.
Condensation drain
The unit has a condensatedrain;therefore a drain must be
availablein close proximity to the unit. Thedrain must be no
higher than 36" (91./4 cm) above the floor (drain must meet
state and local codes),tf no drain is available,then a common
condensatepump with a capacity no lessthan i gallon (3.8L)/
day must be purchasedfrom a local builder supply store and
installed.
NONSTANDARD PARTS NEEDED:
1 - 3/8" x 6' Flexible Tubing
1 - 3/8" x 3/8" x 1/2" NPT Male Barbed Tee
(supplied on some models)
THERMAL EXPANSION
Determine if a check valve exists in the inlet water
line. It may have been installed in the cold water line as
a separate backflow preventer, or it may be part of a
pressure-reducing valve, water meter or water softener.
A check valve located in the cold water inlet line can
cause what is referred to as a "closed water system."
A cold water inlet line with no check valve or backflow
prevention device is referred to as an "open" water
system.
As water is heated, it expands in volume and creates
an increase in the pressure within the water system.
This action is referred to as "thermal expansion." In an
"open" water system, expanding water which exceeds the
capacity of the water heater flows back into the city main
where the pressure is easily dissipated.
A "closed water system," however, prevents the
expanding water from flowing back into the main
supply line, and the result of "thermal expansion" can
create a rapid and dangerous pressure increase in the
water heater and system piping. This rapid pressure
increase can quickly reach the safety setting of the relief
valve, causing it to operate during each heating cycle.
Thermal expansion, and the resulting rapid and repeated
expansion and contraction of components in the water
heater and piping system, can cause premature failure of
the relief valve, and possibly the heater itself. Replacing
the relief valve will not correct the problem!
The suggested method of controlling thermal expansion
is to install an expansion tank in the cold water line
between the water heater and the check valve (refer
to the illustration on page 15).The expansion tank is
designed with an air cushion built in that compresses
as the system pressure increases, thereby relieving the
over-pressure condition and eliminating the repeated
operation of the relief valve. Other methods of controlling
thermal expansion are also available. Contact your
installing contractor, water supplier or plumbing inspector
for additional information regarding this subject.
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