State Industries Power Vent/Power Direct Vent Gas Models Manuel D’Utilisation

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It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and

odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burning off of oil

from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.

Water  supply  systems  may,  because  of  such  events  as  high 

line  pressure,  frequent  cut-offs,  the  effects  of  water  hammer

among  others,  have  installed  devices  such  as  pressure 

reducing  valves,  check  valves,  back  flow  preventers,  etc. 

to  control  these  types  of  problems.  When  these  devices 

are  not  equipped  with  an  internal  by  pass,  and  no  other 

measures  are  taken,  the  devices  cause  the  water  system 

to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal expansion) 

and  closed  systems  do  not  allow  for  the  expansion  of 

heated water.

The  water  within  the  water  tank  expands  as  it  is  heated 

and  increases  the  pressure  of  the  water  system.  If  the 

relieving  point  of  the  water  heater’s  temperature-pressure 

relief valve is reached, the valve will release excess pressure. The

temperature-pressure relief valve is not intended for the constant

relief of thermal expansion. This is an unacceptable condition and 

must  be  corrected.  It  is  recommended  that  any  devices 

installed  which  could  create  a  closed  system  have  a 

by-pass  and/or  the  system  have  an  expansion  tank

or  device  to  relieve  the  pressure  built  by  thermal 

expansion  in  the  water  system.  Expansion  tanks  are 

a v a i l a b l e   f o r   o r d e r i n g   t h r o u g h   a   l o c a l   p l u m b i n g 

contractor.  Contact  the  local  water  heater  supplier 

or  qualified  service  agency  for  assistance  in  controlling  these

situations.

Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some metal

parts during periods of heat-up and cool-down do not necessarily

represent harmful or dangerous conditions.

Condensation causes sizzling and popping within the burner area

during heating and cooling periods and should be considered

normal. See “Condensate” in this section.

In each water heater there is installed at least one anode rod (see

parts  section)  for  corrosion  protection  of  the  tank.  Certain  water

conditions  will  cause  a  reaction  between  this  rod  and  the  water. 

The most common complaint associated with the anode rod is one

of a “rotten egg smell” in the hot water. The smell is a result of four

factors which must all be present for the odor to develop:

a.  A concentration of sulfate in the supply water.

b.  Little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.

c.  A sulfate reducing bacteria which has accumulated within the

water heater (this harmless bacteria is nontoxic to humans).

d.  An excess of active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused by the

corrosion protective action of the anode.

Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater 

models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material, and

then chlorinating the water heater tank and all water lines. Contact

the  local  water  heater  supplier  or  a  qualified  service  agency  for

further information concerning an Anode Replacement Kit and this

chlorination treatment.

If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and chlorination

treatment, we can only suggest that chlorination or aeration of the

water supply be considered to eliminate the water problem.

HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water

system that has not been used for a long period of time (generally

two  weeks  or  more).  Hydrogen  gas  is  extremely  flammable  and

explosive. To prevent the possibility of injury under these conditions,

we  recommend  the  hot  water  faucet,  located  farthest  away,  be 

opened  for  several  minutes  before  any  electrical  appliances

which are connected to the hot water system are used (such as a

dishwasher or washing machine). If hydrogen gas is present, there

will probably be an unusual sound similar to air escaping through the

pipe as the hot water faucet is opened. There must be no smoking

or open flame near the faucet at the time it is open.