Lochinvar RE-S, RE-I Installation Manual

INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL

RE-I&S

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER

THE WARRANTY ON THIS WATER HEATER IS IN EFFECT ONLY WHEN
THE WATER HEATER IS INSTALLED AND OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LOCAL CODES AND THESE INSTRUCTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER
OF THIS HEATER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE RESULTING
FROM FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS. READ
THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE STARTING.

For your family’s comfort, safety and convenience, it is recommend
this water heater be installed and serviced by a plumbing
professional.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION.............................................................. 1

INSTALLATION........................................................................... 1

Locating The Water Heater ................................................... 1

Water Connections ............................................................... 2

Electrical Connections ........................................................... 3

GENERAL OPERATION.................................................................. 4

Thermostat Adjustment......................................................... 4

MAINTENANCE ............................................................................. 4

Make sure that the rating plate on the water heater is referenced for certainty
that the correct voltage is being supplied to the water heater.

DANGER

Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable, combustible,
or corrosive vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any
other appliance.

A sacrificial anode is used to extend tank life. Removal of this anode, for any
reason, will nullify the warranty. In areas where water is unusually active, an
odor may occur at the hot water faucet due to a reaction between the sacrificial
anode and impurities in the water. If this should happen, an alternative anode
may be purchased from the supplier that installed this water heater. This will
minimize the odor while protecting the tank. Additionally, the water heater
should be flushed with appropriate dissolvers to eliminate any bacteria.

IMPORTANT

Before proceeding, please inspect the water heater and components for
possible damage. DO NOT install any damaged components. If damage is
evident then please contact the supplier where the water heater was
purchased or the manufacturer listed on the rating plate for replacement
parts.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This electric water heater’s design is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
and listed in accordance with UL 174. C-UL listed in accordance with Canadian
National Standard C22.2, No. 110-M90.

This water heater must be installed in accordance with local codes. In the
absence of local codes, install this water heater in accordance with the N.E.C.
Reference Book (latest edition).

The warranty for this water heater is in effect only when the water heater is
installed, adjusted, and operated in accordance with these Installation and
Operating Instructions. The manufacturer will not be held liable for damage
resulting from alteration and/or failure to comply with these instructions.

This water heater is design certified for installation in a mobile home.
This water heater has been designed and certified for the purpose of heating

potable water. The installation and use of this water heater for any purpose
other than the heating of potable water, may cause damage to the water
heater and create a hazardous condition and nullify the warranty.

CAUTION
Incorrect operation of this appliance may create a hazard to
life and property and will nullify the warranty.

Do not use this appliance if any part has been submerged in water. The
plumbing professional responsible for the installation of this water heater
should be contacted to inspect the appliance and to replace any part of the
control system, including thermostat, which has been submerged in water.

INSTALLATION

Locating The Water Heater

WARNING

Water heaters are heat producing appliances. To avoid damage or injury
there shall be no materials stored against the water heater or vent-air intake
system and proper care shall be taken to avoid unnecessary contact
(especially by children) with the water heater. UNDER NO

CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, SUCH AS
GASOLINE OR PAINT THINNER BE USED OR STORED IN THE
VICINITY OF THIS WATER HEATER OR IN ANY LOCATION FROM
WHICH FUMES COULD REACH THE WATER HEATER.

This water heater shall NOT be installed in any location where
gasoline or flammable vapors are likely to be present, unless the
installation is such to eliminate the probable ignition of gasoline or
flammable vapors.

The location this water heater is to be installed is of utmost importance. Before
installing this water heater, consult the installation section of these instructions.
After reading these installation and operating instructions, select a location for
the water heater where the floor is level and is easily accessible to a power
supply and water connections. It is recommended that the water heater be
located near the center of greatest hot water usage to prevent heat loss
through the pipes. DO NOT locate the water heater where water lines

could be subjected to freezing temperatures. Locate the water heater
so that access panels and drain valves are accessible.

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Water heater corrosion and component failure can be caused by the heating
and breakdown of airborne chemical vapors. Examples of some typical
compounds that are potentially corrosive are: spray can propellants, cleaning
solvents, refrigerator and air conditioning refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals,
calcium or sodium chloride, waxes and process chemicals. These materials are
corrosive at very low concentration levels with little or no odor to reveal their
presence. NOTE: DAMAGE TO THE WATER HEATER CAUSED BY

EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE VAPORS IS NOT COVERED BY THE
WARRANTY. DO NOT OPERATE THE WATER HEATER IF EXPOSURE
HAS OR WILL OCCUR. DO NOT STORE ANY POTENTIALLY CORROSIVE
COMPOUNDS IN THE VICINITY OF THE WATER HEATER.

This water heater must be located in an area where leakage of the tank or water
line connections and the combination temperature and pressure relief valve will
not result in damage to the area adjacent to the water heater or to lower floors
of the structure. When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan
must be installed under the water heater. The drain pan must be no greater
than 1-1/2 in. (3.8 cm) deep and have a minimum length and width of at least
4 in. (10.2 cm) greater than the diameter of the water heater. The drain pan,
as described above, can be purchased from your plumbing professional. The
drain pan must be piped to an adequate drain. The piping must be pitched for
proper drainage.

WATER CONNECTIONS

NOTE:

BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE INSTALLATION, CLOSE THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY VALVE.

After shutting the main water supply valve, open a faucet to relieve the water
line pressure to prevent any water from leaking out of the pipes while making
the water connections to the water heater. After the pressure has been
relieved, close the faucet. The COLD water inlet and HOT water outlet are
identified on top of the water heater. The fittings at the cold water inlet and hot
water outlet are dielectric waterway fittings with 3/4" NPT tapered male threads.
Make the proper plumbing connections between the water heater and the
plumbing system in the house. Install a shut-off valve in the cold water supply
line.

CAUTION

If sweat fittings are to be use, DO NOT apply heat to the nipples on top of
the water heater. Sweat the tubing to the adapter before fitting the adapter
to the water connections. It is imperative that heat is not applied to the
nipples containing a plastic liner.

faucets to allow air to escape from the water system. When a steady stream
of water flows through the faucets, close them and check all water connections
for possible leaks. NEVER OPERATE THE WATER HEATER WITHOUT FIRST

BEING CERTAIN IT IS FILLED WITH WATER.

WARNING

For protection against excessive temperatures and pressure, install
temperature and pressure protective equipment required by local codes,
but not less than a combination temperature and pressure relief valve
certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory that maintains
periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials as
meeting the requirements for Relief Valves and Automatic Gas Shutoff

Devices for Hot Water Supply Systems, ANSI Z21.22 and the Standard
CAN1-4.4, Temperature, Pressure, Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves
and Vacuum Relief Valves. The combination temperature and pressure

relief valve shall be marked with a maximum set pressure not to exceed
the maximum working pressure of the water heater. The combination
temperature and pressure relief valve shall also have an hourly rated
temperature steam BTU discharge capacity not less than the hourly
input rating of the water heater.

Install the combination temperature and pressure relief valve into the
opening provided and marked for this purpose on the water heater.

NOTE: Some models may already be equipped or supplied with a
combination temperature and pressure relief valve. Verify that the
combination temperature and pressure relief valve complies with local
codes. If the combination temperature and pressure relief valve does
not comply with local codes, replace it with one that does. Follow the
installation instructions above on this page.

Install a discharge line so that water discharged from the combination
temperature and pressure relief valve will exit within six (6) inches
(15.3 cm) above, or any distance below the structural floor and cannot
contact any live electrical part. The discharge line is to be installed to
allow for complete drainage of both the temperature and pressure relief
valve and the discharge line. The discharge opening must not be
subjected to blockage or freezing. DO NOT thread, plug or cap the
discharge line. It is recommended that a minimum of four (4) inches
(10.2 cm) be provided on the side of the water heater for servicing and
maintenance of the combination temperature and pressure relief valve.

Do not place a valve between the combination temperature and pressure
relief valve and the tank.

IMPORTANT
FAILURE TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A NEW, LISTED ¾” X ¾”
TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE WILL RELEASE THE
MANUFACTURER FROM ANY CLAIM WHICH MIGHT RESULT
FROM EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURES.

If this water heater is installed in a closed water supply system, such as the one
having a back-flow preventer in the cold water supply, provisions shall be made
to control thermal expansion. DO NOT operate this water heater in a closed
system without provisions for controlling thermal expansion. Your water supplier
or local plumbing inspector should be contacted on how to control this situation.
After installation of the water lines, open the main water supply valve and fill
the water heater. While the water heater is filling, open several hot water

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Hydrogen gas can be produced in an operating water heater
that has not had water drawn from the tank for a long period
of time (generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is
extremely flammable. To reduce the risk of injury under these
conditions, it is recommended that the hot water faucet to be
opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink before using any
electrical appliance which is connected to the hot water system.
If hydrogen is present, there will probably be an unsual sound
such as air escaping through the pipe as hot water begins to
flow. There should be no smoking or open flame near the faucet
at the time it is open.

INCREASING THE THERMOSTAT SETTING ABOVE THE PRESET TEMPERATURE
MA Y CAUSE SEVERE BURNS AND CONSUME EXCESSIVE ENERGY. HOTTER
WATER INCREASES THE RISK OF SCALD INJURY.

This water heater can deliver scalding temperature water at any faucet in the
system. Be careful whenever using hot water to avoid scalding injury. Certain
appliances, such as dishwashers and automatic clothes washers, may require
increased temperature water. By setting the thermostat on this water heater
to obtain increased temperature water required by these appliances, you may
create the potential for scald injury. To protect against injury, you should install
an anti-scald tempering valve in the water system. This valve will reduce point
of discharge temperature by mixing cold and hot water in branch supply lines.
Such lines are available from your local plumbing supplier. Please consult with
a plumbing professional.

WARNING

CAUTION

Tall Models (See Figure 1)

The hot and cold water connections are
identified on the top of the water heater.
Connect the hot and cold water lines to the
installed nipples using unions. Install a
listed temperature-pressure relief valve in
the opening on the side of the water heater.

Figure 1

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