Whirlpool 211377 User Manual

18

Liquefi ed petroleum gas is over 50% heavier than air 
and in the occurrence of a leak in the system, the gas 
will settle at fl oor level. Basements, crawl spaces, skirted 
areas under mobile homes (even when ventilated), closets 
and areas below ground level will serve as pockets for 
the accumulation of gas. Before lighting an L.P. gas water 
heater, smell all around the appliance at fl oor level. If you 
smell gas, follow the instructions as given in the warning on 
the front page.
When your L.P. tank runs out of fuel, turn off the gas at 
all gas appliances including pilot lights. After the tank is 
refi lled, all appliances must be re-lit according to their 
manufacturer’s instructions.

After successfully lighting the water heater, allow the unit 
to operate for 15 minutes and check the drafthood relief 
opening for proper draft. Make sure all other appliances 
in the area are operating and 
all doors are closed when 
performing the draft test. Pass 
a match flame around the relief 
opening of the drafthood. A 
steady flame drawn into the 
opening indicates proper draft. 
If the flame flutters or is blown 
out, combustion products 
are escaping from the relief opening. If this occurs, do 
not operate the water heater until proper adjustments or 
repairs are made to the vent pipe system and/or air supply 
requirements.

Inspect the burner 
flames through the 
viewport and compare 
them to the drawings 
in Figure 18. A properly 
operating burner should 
produce a soft blue 
flame. Blue tips with 
yellow inner cones are 
satisfactory. The tips of the flame may have a slight yellow 
tint. The flame should not be all yellow or have a sharp 
blue-orange color. Contaminated air may cause an orange 
colored flame. Contact a qualified person if the flame is not 
satisfactory.

Stacking occurs when a series of short draws of hot water 
(3 gallons or less) are taken from the water heater tank. 
This causes increased cycling of the burner and can result 
in increased water temperatures at the hot water outlet. An 
anti-scald device is recommended in the hot water supply 
line to reduce the risk of scald injury.

IMPORTANT: Should overheating occur or the gas supply 
fails to shut off, turn off the water heater’s manual gas 
control valve and call a qualified person.

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The thermostat is adjusted to its lowest temperature 
when it is shipped from the factory. Water temperature 
can be regulated by moving the temperature dial to the 
preferred setting. The preferred starting point is 120°F. 
Align the index bar on the thermostat with the desired water 
temperature as shown in Figure 19. There is a hot water 
scald potential if the thermostat is set too high. 

IMPORTANT:  Adjusting the thermostat past the 120°F bar 
on the temperature dial will increase the risk of scald injury. 
Hot water can produce first degree burns within:

120°F (49°C) more than 5 minutes
130°F (54°C) at 20 seconds
140°F (60°C) at 3 seconds
150°F (66°C) at 1-1/2 seconds
160°F (71°C) at less than 1 second

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 temperature dial 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.

WARNING

WARNING