A.O. Smith 184769-000 User Manual

RESIDENTIAL GAS WATER HEATER

OWNER'S MANUAL

Thank you for buying this energy efficient water heater from
A.O. Smith Water Products Company. We appreciate your
confidence in our products.

You should thoroughly read this manual before installation
and/or operation of this water heater. Please pay particular
attention to the important safety and operating instructions as
well as the WARNINGS and CAUTIONS.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GET TO KNOW YOUR WATER HEATER 2

GAS

PAGE

GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION 3

INSTALLATION 4 -6

OPERATION 6 -8

MAINTENANCE AND
TROUBLESHOOTING 8 -10

WARRANTY 11

CAUTION

TEXT PRINTED OR OUTLINED IN RED CONTAINS
INFORMATION RELATIVE TO YOUR SAFETY. PLEASE
READ THOROUGHLY BEFORE INSTALLING AND
USING THIS APPLIANCE.

A DIVISION OF A.O. SMITH CORPORATION

www.aosmithwaterheaters.com

KEEP THIS MANUAL IN THE POCKET ON HEATER FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

WHENEVER MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENT OR SERVICE IS REQUIRED.

PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0104 PART NO. 184769-000

1

GET TO KNOW YOUR WATER HEATER

REPLACEMENT PARTS AND DELIMING PRODUCTS

Replacement parts and recommended delimer may be ordered
through authorized servicers or distributors. Refer to the Yellow
Pages for where to call or contact A.O. Smith Water Products
Company, 5621 W. 115th Street, Alsip, Illinois 60803,
1-800-433-2545. When ordering parts, provide complete model
and serial numbers (see rating plate), quantity and name of part
desired (as listed in Figure 1). Standards hardware items may
be purchased locally.

*INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LOCAL CODES.

( A ) VENT PIPE
(B) DRAFT HOOD
(C) ANODE
(D) HOT WATER

OUTLET
(E) OUTLET
(F) INSULATION
(G) GAS SUPPLY
(H) MANUAL GAS SHUT

OFF VALVE
(J) GROUND JOINT UNION
(K) DIRT LEG
(L) INNER DOOR
(M) OUTER DOOR

(N) UNION
O) INLET WATER SHUT OFF

VALVE
(P) COLD WATER INLET
(Q ) INLET DIP TUBE
(R ) TEMPERATURE AND

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
(S ) RATING PLATE
(T) FLUE BAFFLE
(U ) THERMOSTAT
(V) DRAIN VALVE
(W ) PILOT AND MAIN BURNER
(X) FLUE
( Y) DRAIN PAN

(U) THERMOSTAT

GAS MODELS

CERTAIN MODELS ARE

EQUIPPED WITH SIDE

PLUMBING CONNECTIONS

FOR SPACE HEATING. THE

HOT AND COLD FITTING

ASSEMBLIES

(PART #900126-2).

FIGURE 1

(W) PILOT & MAIN BURNER

2

GENERAL SAFETY

INFORMATION

EXTERNAL DAMAGE

The design of this gas-fired water heater complies with the
latest version of ANSIZ21.10.1/CSA4.1 or ANSIZ21.10.3/CSA4.3
as a automatic storage type water heater.

Do not operate the water heater until it has been fully checked
out by a qualified technician, if the water heater:

• Has been exposed to fire or damage.

• Displays evidence of sooting.

• Produces steam or unusually hot water.

If the water heater has been flooded it must be replaced.

CHEMICAL VAPOR CORROSION

suspected, do not attempt to find the cause yourself. Go to a
neighbor's house, leaving your doors open to ventilate the house,
then call your gas supplier or service agent. Keep area clear
until a service call has been made.

At times you may not be able to smell an LP gas leak. One
cause is odor fade, which is a loss of the chemical odorant that
gives LP gas its distinctive smell. Another cause can be your
physical condition, such as having a cold or a diminishing sense
of smell with age. For these reasons, the use of a propane gas
detector is recommended.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN OUT-OF-GAS SITUATION, DO NOT
TRY TO RELIGHT APPLIANCES YOURSELF. Ask your LP
delivery person to relight pilots for you. Only trained LP
professional should conduct the required safety checks in
accordance with industry standards.

EXTENDED NON-USE PERIODS

WARNING

CORROSION OF THE FLUEWAYS AND VENT SYSTEM MAY
OCCUR IF AIR FOR COMBUSTION CONTAINS CERTAIN
CHEMICAL VAPORS. SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN
FAILURE AND RISK OF ASPHYXIATION.

Spray can propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerator and air
conditioning refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium
and sodium chloride (water softener salt), waxes, and process
chemicals are typical compounds which are potentially
corrosive.

Do not store products of this sort near the heater. Also, air
which is brought in contact with the heater should not contain
any of these chemicals. If necessary, uncontaminated air should
be obtained from remote or outside sources. Water heater
failure due to a corrosive atmosphere is not covered by the
limited warranty.

IMPROPER COMBUSTION

WARNING

ATTIC AND/OR EXHAUST FANS OPERATING ON THE
PREMISES WITH A WATER HEATER CAN RESULT IN
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND DEATH.

OPERATION OF THESE FANS CAN PRODUCE A NEGATIVE
DRAFT IN THE AREA OF THE WATER HEATER
PREVENTING THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION FROM
EXHAUSTING THROUGH THE CHIMNEY OR VENT PIPE.

The venting of the water heater should be inspected by a
qualified service technician at the time of installation and
periodically thereafter to ensure a down-draft condition does
not exist.

DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE FLOW OF COMBUSTION AND
VENTILATING AIR. ADEQUATE AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND
VENTILATION MUST BE PROVIDED FOR SAFE OPERATION.

LIQUID PETROLEUM MODELS

Water heaters for propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
are different from natural gas models. A natural gas heater will
not function safely on LP gas and no attempt should be made to
convert a heater from natural gas to LP gas.

LP gas must be used with great caution. It is highly explosive
and heavier than air. It collects first in the low areas making its
odor difficult to detect at nose level. If LP gas is present or even

WARNING

HYDROGEN GAS CAN BE PRODUCED IN A HOT WATER
SYSTEM SERVED BY THIS HEATER THAT HAS NOT BEEN
USED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME (GENERALLY TWO
WEEKS OR MORE).
FLAMMABLE. To reduce the risk of injury under these conditions,

it is recommended that the hot water faucet be opened for several
minutes at the kitchen sink before using any electrical appliance
connected to the hot water system. If hydrogen is present, there
will probably be an unusual sound such as air escaping through
the pipe as the water begins to flow. THERE SHOULD BE NO

SMOKING OR OPEN FLAME NEAR THE FAUCET AT THE TIME
IT IS OPEN.

HYDROGEN GAS IS EXTREMELY

INSULATION BLANKETS

Insulation blankets available to the general public for external
use on gas water heaters are not necessary with A. O. Smith
products. The purpose of an insulation blanket is to reduce the
standby heat loss encountered with storage tank heaters. Your
A. O. Smith water heater meets or exceeds the National
Appliance Energy Conservation Act standards with respect to
insulation and standby loss requirements, making an insulation
blanket unnecessary.

WARNING

Should you choose to apply an insulation blanket to this heater,
you should follow these instructions (See Figure 1 for
identification of components mentioned below). Failure to follow
these instructions can restrict the air flow required for proper
combustion, potentially resulting in fire, asphyxiation, serious
personal injury or death.

•

Do not apply insulation to the top of the water heater, as this
will interfere with safe operation of the draft hood.

• Do not cover the outer door, thermostat or temperature &
pressure relief valve.

• Do not allow insulation to come within 2" of the floor to
prevent blockage of combustion air flow to the burner.

•

Do not cover the instruction manual. Keep it on the side of
the water heater or nearby for future reference.

•

Do obtain new warning and instruction labels from A.O.Smith
for placement on the blanket directly over the existing labels.

•

Do inspect the insulation blanket frequently to make certain it
does not sag, thereby obstructing combustion air flow.

3

INSTALLATION

REQUIRED ABILITY

INSTALLATION OR SERVICE OF THIS WATER HEATER
REQUIRES ABILITY EQUIVALENT TO THAT OF A LICENSED
TRADESMAN IN THE FIELD INVOLVED. PLUMBING, AIR
SUPPLY, VENTING AND GAS SUPPLY ARE REQUIRED.

WARNING

For California installation this water heater must be braced,
anchored, or strapped to avoid falling or moving during an
earthquake. See instructions for correct installation procedures.
Instructions may be obtained from your local dealer, wholesaler,
public utilities or California's Office of the State Architect,
400 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

AIR REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL

The installation must conform to these instructions and the
local code authority having jurisdiction. In the absence of local
codes, the installation must comply with the latest editions of
the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54. The code is
available from the Canadian Standards Association,
8501 East Pleasant Valley Road, Cleveland, OH 44131.

LOCATION OF HEATER

When installing the heater, consideration must be given to proper
location. Location selected should be as close to the stack or
chimney as practicable with adequate air supply and as
centralized with the water piping system as possible.

The heater is design certified for installation on combustible
flooring in a closet having minimum clearances from
combustible material of: 1" clearance from sides and rear,
4" from the front and 18" from the top. (Standard clearance.)
If clearances stated on the heater differ from standard
clearances, install water heater according to clearances stated
on heater.

A minimum clearance of 4" must be allowed for access to
replaceable parts such as the thermostats, drain valve and
relief valve.

WARNING

FOR SAFE OPERATION PROVIDE ADEQUATE AIR FOR
COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION. AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY
OF AIR WILL CAUSE RECIRCULATION OF COMBUSTION
PRODUCTS RESULTING IN AIR CONTAMINATION THAT MAY
BE HAZARDOUS TO LIFE. SUCH A CONDITION OFTEN WILL
RESULT IN A YELLOW, LUMINOUS BURNER FLAME, CAUSING
CARBONING OR SOOTING OF THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER,
BURNERS, AND FLUE TUBES AND CREATES A RISK OF
ASPHYXIATION.

Where an exhaust fan is supplied in the same room with a
heater, sufficient openings for air must be provided in the walls.
UNDERSIZED OPENINGS WILL CAUSE AIR TO BE DRAWN
INTO THE ROOM THROUGH THE CHIMNEY, CAUSING POOR
COMBUSTION. SOOTING MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS
DAMAGE TO THE HEATER AND RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE FLOW OF COMBUSTION OR
VENTILATING AIR.

REFER TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE “NATIONAL FUEL
GAS CODE” ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54.

Adequate clearance for servicing this appliance should be
considered before installation, such as changing the anodes,
etc. Minimum clearances for proper operation are given above.

CAUTION

In cold climates provide protection against freeze-up. THE
HEATER SHOULD BE LOCATED IN AN AREA WHERE
LEAKAGE OF THE TANK OR CONNECTIONS WILL NOT
RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE
HEATER OR TO LOWER FLOORS OF THE STRUCTURE. When

such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan should
be installed under the heater, see fig. 1. The pan must not
restrict combustion air flow. Such pans should have a minimum
length and width of at least 2 inches greater than the diameter
of the heater and should be piped to an adequate drain. Drain
pans suitable for these heaters are available from your dealer
or A. O. Smith Water Products Company, 5621 W. 115th Street,
Alsip, Illinois 60803.

WARNING

DO NOT INSTALL THIS WATER HEATER DIRECTLY ON A
CARPETED FLOOR. A FIRE HAZARD MAY RESULT. Instead

the water heater must be placed on a metal or wood panel
extending beyond the full width and depth by at least 3 inches
(76.2mm) in any direction. If the heater is installed in a carpeted
alcove or closet, the entire floor shall be covered by the panel.
Also, see the drain requirements.

Vapors from flammable

liquids may explode and catch
fire causing death or severe
burns.

Do not use or store flammable
products such as gasoline,
solvents or adhesives in the
same room or area near the
water heater.

Keep flammable products:

1. far away from heater,

2. in approved containers,

3. tightly closed and

4. out of children’s reach.

Installation:
Do not install water heater
where flammable products will
be stored or used unless the
main burner and pilot flames are

4

Water heater has a main burner
and pilot flame.

The pilot flame:

1. is on all the time and

2. will ignite flammable vapors.

Vapors:

1. Cannot be seen,

2. are heavier than air,

3. go along way on the floor
and

4. can be carried from other
rooms to the pilot flame by
air currents.

at least 18" above the floor. This
will reduce, but not eliminate, the
risk of vapors being ignited by
the main burner or pilot flame.