Whirlpool 140389 User Manual

12

Manually operate the temperature and pressure relief valve 
at least once a year to make sure it is working properly. 
To prevent water 
damage, the valve 
must be properly 
connected to a 
discharge line which 
terminates at an 
adequate drain.

Standing clear of the 
outlet (discharged 
water may be 
hot), slowly lift and 
release the lever 
handle on the 
temperature and pressure relief valve to allow the valve to 
operate freely and return to its closed position. If the valve 
fails to completely reset and continues to release water, 
immediately disconnect the electrical power, close the cold 
water inlet valve and call a qualifi ed person. 

Figure 12

Temperature and Pressure
Relief Valve

Manual Relief
Valve

Discharge line to drain

The water heater should be drained if being shut down 
during freezing temperatures. It is recommended that the 
tank be drained, and fl ushed every 6 months to remove 
sediment which may buildup during operation. To drain the 
tank perform the following steps:

1.  Disconnect the electrical power to the water heater.
2. 

Open a hot water faucet until water is no longer hot.

3.  Close the cold water inlet valve and open a hot water 

faucet.

4.  Connect a hose to the drain valve and terminate it to an 

adequate drain.

5.  Open the water heater drain valve and the nearest    

hot water faucet. Allow all the water to drain from the  
tank. Flush the tank with water as needed to remove  
sediment.

6.    Close the drain valve and completely refill the water 

heater tank. 

7.  Reconnect electrical power to the water heater.

If the water heater is going to be shut down for an extended 
period, the drain valve should be left open.

Replacement heating elements must be of the same style 
and voltage/wattage rating as the ones presently in the 
water heater. This information can be found on the fl ange 
or terminal block of the element or on the water heater data 
plate.

1.  Disconnect the electrical power to the water heater.
2.  Drain the water heater as directed in the “Draining   

and Flushing” section.

3.  Remove the access cover(s). Fold up the insulation  

from the heater element(s). Remove the plastic 
thermostat cover from the thermostat(s) making sure to 
disengage the attachment point from the thermostat.

4.  Disconnect the electrical wires from the heating 

element(s) by loosening the screws (Figure 13). 
Remove the screw-in element(s) by turning the 
element(s) counterclockwise with a 1-1/2 inch socket 
wrench. Remove the existing gasket(s).