GE AP12170-4 Use And Care Manual

Also see for Profile Series: Manual Quick Use & Care Owner's manual Owner's manual Installation instructions

Contents

GE AP12170-4 Use And Care Manual Manual pdf 14 page image

14Routine Preventative MaintenanceProperly maintained, your water heaterwill provide years of dependable trouble-free service.It is suggested that a routine preventivemaintenance program be establishedand followed by the user.It is further recommended that aperiodic inspection of the operatingcontrols, heating element and wiringshould be made by service personnelqualified in electric appliance repair.Most electrical appliances, even whennew, make some sound when inoperation. If the hissing or singingsound level increases excessively, theelectric heating element may requirecleaning. Contact a qualified installer orplumbing contract to inspect.At least once a year, lift and release thelever handle on the temperaturepressure relief valve, located near thetop of the water heater, to make certainthe valve operates freely. Allow severalgallons to flush through the dischargeline to an open drain.A water heater’s tank can act as asetting basin for solids suspended inthe water.It is therefore not uncommonfor hard water deposits to accumulatein the bottom of the tank. It is suggestedthat a few quarts of water be drainedfrom the water heater’s tank every monthto clean the tank of these deposits.Rapid closing of faucets or solenoidvalves in automatic water usingappliances can cause a banging noiseheard in a water pipe. Strategicallylocated risers in the water pipe systemor water hammer arresting devices canbe used to minimize the problem.The anode rod should be removed from thewater heater’s tank annually for inspectionand replaced when more than 6″ of corewire is exposed at either end of the rod.Make sure the cold water supply isturned off before removing anode rod.NOTICE: Do not remove the anode rodfrom the water heater’s tank, except forinspection and/or replacement,as operation with the anode rodremoved will shorten the life of theglass lined tank and will excludewarranty coverage .Care and cleaning of the water heater.Draining the Water HeaterCAUTION: Shut off power to thewater heater before draining water.DANGER: Before manually operatingthe relief valve, make certain no one willbe exposed to the hot water releasedby the valve. The water drained fromthe tank may be hot enough to presenta scald hazard and should be directedto a suitable drain to prevent injury ordamage.In order to drain the water heater, turnoff the cold water supply. Open a hotwater faucet or lift the handle on therelief valve to admit air to the tank.Attach a garden hose to the drain valveon the water heater and direct thestream of water to a drain. Open thevalve.Vacation and Extended Shut-DownIf the water heater is to remain idle for anextended period of time, the power andwater to the appliance should be turnedoff to conserve energy and prevent abuild-up of dangerous hydrogen gas.The water heater and piping should bedrained if they might be subjected tofreezing temperatures.After a long shut-down period, the waterheater’s operation and controls shouldbe checked by qualified service personnel.Make certain the water heater iscompletely filled again before placing itin operation.NOTICE: Refer to theHydrogen Gas Caution inthe Operating Instructions.DANGER: Beforemanually operating therelief valve, make certainno one will be exposed tothe danger of coming incontact with the hot waterreleased by the valve. Thewater may be hot enoughto create a scald hazard.The water should bereleased into a suitabledrain to prevent injury orproperty damage.NOTICE: If the temperatureand pressure relief valveon the hot water heaterdischarges periodically,this may be due to thermalexpansion in a closedwater system. Contactthe water supplier oryour plumbing contractoron how to correct this.Do not plug the reliefvalve outlet.Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Installation Instructions Safety Instructions