American Water Heater vG6250t76nv User Manual

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Carefully choose an indoor location for the new water heater, because 

the placement is a very important consideration for the safety of the 

occupants in the building and for the most economical use of the 

appliance. 

Whether replacing an old water heater or putting the water heater in 

a new location, the following critical points must be observed:

1.  Select a location indoors as close as practical to the vent terminal or 

location to which the water heater vent piping is going to be connected, 

and as centralized with the water piping system as possible.  

2.  Selected location must provide adequate clearances for servicing 

and proper operation of the water heater.

Installation of the water heater must be accomplished in such a manner 

that if the tank or any connections should leak, the flow will not cause

damage to the structure. For this reason, it is not advisable to install 

the water heater in an attic or upper floor. When such locations cannot

be avoided, a metal drain pan should be installed under the water 

heater. Drain pans are available at your local hardware store.  Such 

a drain pan must have a clearance of at least 1.0” (2.5cm) greater

than any point on the water heater’s outer jacket and must be piped

to an adequate drain. The pan must not restrict combustion air flow.

For example, if a circular pan is used, it must be a minimum of 27”

(69cm) in diameter. See Figure 1.

Water heater life depends upon water quality, water pressure and 

the environment in which the water heater is installed. Water heaters 

are sometimes installed in locations where leakage may result in 

property damage, even with the use of a drain pan piped to a drain. 

However, unanticipated damage can be reduced or prevented by 

a leak detector or water shuttoff device used in conjunction with a 

piped drain pan. These devices are available from some plumbing 

supply wholesalers and retailers, and detect and react to leakage 

in various ways:

•  Sensors mounted in the drain pan that trigger an alarm or turn off the

incoming water to the water heater when leakage is detected.

•  Sensors mounted in the drain pan that turn off the water supply to

the entire building when water is detected in the drain pan.

•  Water supply shuttoff devices that activate based on the water

pressure differential between the cold water and hot water pipes 

connected to the water heater.

•  Devices that will turn off the gas supply to a gas water heater while

at the same time shutting off its water supply.

INSTALLATIONS  IN AREAS  WHERE  FLAMMABLE  LIQUIDS 

(VAPORS)  ARE  LIKELY  TO  BE  PRESENT  OR  STORED

(GARAGES, STORAGE AND UTILITY AREAS, ETC.): Flammable

liquids (such as gasoline, solvents, propane (LP or butane, etc.) and

other substances (such as adhesives, etc.) emit flammable vapors

which can be ignited by a gas water heater’s hot surface igniter or

main burner. The resulting flashback and fire can cause death or

serious burns to anyone in the area.

Also, the water heater must be located and/or protected so it is not 

subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.

This  water  heater  must  not  be  installed  directly  on  carpeting. 

Carpeting must be protected by metal or wood panel beneath the 

appliance extending beyond the full width and depth of the appliance 

by at least 3” (7.6 cm) in any direction, or if the appliance is installed