Reliance 950EGRT Installation Guide and Use And Care Guide
Installa on Instruc ons and
O
Use & Care Guide
Residential Electric
Water Heater
DO NOT RETURN THIS UNIT TO THE STORE
Read this manual and the labels on the water heater before you install,
operate, or service it. If you have diffi culty following the direc ons, or
aren’t sure you can safely and properly do any of this work yourself:
• Call your local hardware store to have this water heater installed. Professional
Installa on is available for this product and the work is guaranteed.
• Schedule an appointment with a qualifi ed person to install your water heater.
• Call our Technical Assistance Hotline at 1-800-365-4054 . We can help you with installa on, opera ons, troubleshoo ng, or maintenance. Before you call, write down
the model and serial number from the water heater’s data plate.
Incorrect installa on, opera on, or service can damage the water heater, your house
and other property, and present risks including fi re, scalding, electric shock, and
explosion, causing serious injury or death.
Table of Contents ................................... Page
Important Safety Informa on ............................................... 3
Ge ng Started ....................................................................... 6
Installa on .............................................................................. 7
Troubleshoo ng ................................................................... 21
Maintenance ........................................................................ 25
Notes .................................................................................... 29
Diagrams............................................................................... 30
Repair Parts .......................................................................... 31
LOW LEAD
NTENT
C
Keep this manual in the pocket on heater for future reference whenever maintenance, adjustment or service is required.
Retain your original receipt as proof of purchase.
100263231
April 2015
COMPLETED INSTALLATION TYPICAL
Water
shut off
Cold
water
line
Electronic Thermostat
and Upper Element
access
Hot
water
line
Expansion
tank
Electrical
junc on
box
T&P
relief
valve
T&P
discharge
pipe
Lower
Element and
Thermostat
access
Drain
valve
Drain pan
Drain pan
discharge
pipe
Drain
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Read and follow all safety messages and instruc ons in
this manual.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to
poten al physical injury hazards. Obey all safety mes-
sages that follow this symbol to avoid possible property
damage, serious injury or death. Do not remove any
permanent instruc ons, labels, or the data plate from either the outside of
the water heater or on the inside of the access panels. Keep this manual
near the water heater.
DANGER indicates hazardous
DANGER
WARNING
situa on that, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazardous
situa on that, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
Important informa on to keep
SAFETY
Fill out this sec on and keep this
manual in the pocket of the water
heater for reference.
Date Puchased:
Model number:
Serial number:
Maintenance performed:* Date:
CAUTION indicates a hazardous
CAUTION
NOTICE
The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act requires the
Governor of California to publish a list of substances known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and
requires businesses to warn of potential exposure to such substances.
WARNING! This product contains one or more chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
This appliance can cause low-level exposure to some of the substances
included in the act.
situa on that, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE indicates prac ces not
related to physical injury.
*Drain and fl ush tank and remove and
inspect anode rod a er fi rst six months
of opera on and at least annually
therea er. Operate the Temperature
and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P) annually and inspect T&P valve every 2-4
years (see the label on the T&P valve for
maintenance schedule). See the Maintenance sec on for more informa on
about maintaining this water heater.
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
o reduce the risk of property
T
damage, serious injury or death,
read and follow the precau ons below,
SAFETY
all labels on the water heater, and
the safety messages and instruc ons
throughout this manual.
RISKS DURING INSTALLATION
AND MAINTENANCE
Electric Shock Risk
Contact with the electrical
parts in the junction box and
behind the access doors can
result in severe injury or death from
electrical shock:
• Disconnect power by opening the circuit breaker or
removing the fuses before
installing or servicing.
• Use a non-contact circuit
tester to confirm that power
is off before working on or
near any electrical parts.
• Replace the junction box
cover and access doors after
servicing.
Li ing Risk
WARNING! The
water heater is heavy.
Follow these precau-
ons to reduce the
risk of property damage, injuries from
li ing or impact injuries from dropping
the water heater.
RISKS DURING OPERATION
Scalding Risk
This water heater
can make water hot
enough to cause
severe burns instantly, resulting in
severe injury or death.
Feel water before bathing or showering. To reduce the risk of scalding,
install Thermostatic Mixing Valves
(temperature limiting valves) at each
point-of-use. These valves automatically mix hot and cold water to limit
the temperature at the tap. Mixing
valves are available from local hardware stores. Follow manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and
adjustment of the valves.
The thermostat(s) on this water
heater have been factory set to
approximately 120°F to reduce the
risk of scalding. Higher temperatures
increase the risk of scalding, but
even at 120°F, hot water can scald.
If you choose a higher temperature,
Thermostatic Mixing Valves located
at each point-of-use are particularly
important to help avoid scalding.
Temperature Time to Produce
a Serious Burn
120°F (49°C) More than 5 minutes
125°F (52°C) 1½ to 2 minutes
For informa on about changing the
factory thermostat se ng(s), refer to
the “Adjus ng Temperature” sec on in
this manual (“Step 10” on page 15).
Even if you set the water heater
thermostat(s) to a low se ng, higher
temperatures may occur in certain
circumstances:
In some cases, repeated small draws of
water can cause the hot and cold water
in the tank to “stack” in layers. If this
happens, the water can be as much as
thirty degrees ho er than the thermo-
stat se ng. This temperature varia on
is the result of your usage pa ern and
is not a malfunc on.
Water temperature will be ho er if
someone adjusted the thermostat(s) to
a higher se ng.
Problems with the thermostat(s),
or other malfunc ons may result in
higher than expected water temperatures.
If the water heater is in a hot environment, the water in the tank can
become as hot as the surrounding air,
regardless of the thermostat se ng.
If the water supplied to the water
heater is pre-heated (for example, by
a solar system) the temperature in the
tank may be higher than the water
heater’s thermostat se ng.
• Use at least two people to li the
water heater.
• Be sure you both have a good grip
before li ing.
• U se an appliance dolly or hand
truck to move the water heater.
4 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide
130°F (54°C) About 30 seconds
135°F (57°C) About 10 seconds
140°F (60°C) Less than 5 seconds
145°F (63°C) Less than 3 seconds
150°F (66°C) About 1½ seconds
155°F (68°C) About 1 second
To reduce the risk of unusually hot water reaching the fi xtures in the house,
install Thermosta c Mixing Valves at
each point-of-use.
If anyone in your home is at par cular
risk of scalding (for example, the elderly, children, or people with disabili es)
or if there is a local code or state law
requiring a certain water temperature
at the hot water tap, then these precau ons are par cularly important.
According to a na onal standard
American Society of San ary Engineer-
ing (ASSE 1070) and most local plumbing
codes, the water heater’s thermostat
should not be used as the sole means to
regulate water temperature and avoid
scalds.
Properly adjusted Thermosta c Mixing
Valves installed at each point-of-use allow you to set the tank temperature to
a higher se ng without increasing risk
of scalds. A higher temperature se ng
allows the tank to provide much more
hot water and can help provide proper
water temperatures for appliances such
as dishwashers and washing machines.
Higher tank temperatures (140°F)
also kill bacteria that cause a condi on known as “smelly water” and can
reduce the levels of bacteria that cause
water-borne diseases.
Water Contamina on Risk
Do not use chemicals that could contaminate the potable water supply. Do
not use piping that has been treated
with chromates, boiler seal, or other
chemicals.
Fire Risk
To reduce the risk of a
fire that could destroy
your home and serious-
ly injure or kill people:
• D o not store things that can burn
easily such as paper or clothes next
to the water heater.
• Be sure the junction box cover and
the access door covers are in place.
These covers keep debris from entering and potentially being ignited,
and help keep any internal fires from
spreading.
• Keep the water heater from becoming wet. Immediately shut the water
heater off and have it inspected by a
qualified person if you find that the
wiring, thermostat(s) or surrounding insulation have been exposed to
water in any way (e.g., leaks from
plumbing, leaks from the water heater itself can damage property and
could cause a fire risk). If the water
heater is subjected to flood conditions or the thermostat(s) have been
submerged in water, the entire water
heater must be replaced.
• Make electrical connections proprly,
according to the instructions on page
14. Use 10 gauge solid copper wire.
Use a UL listed or CSA approved
strain relief. Connect ground wire to
green ground screw.
Explosion Risk
High temperatures and
pressures in the water
heater tank can cause an
explosion resul ng in property
damage, serious injury or death. A
new Temperature and Pressure (T&P)
Relief Valve is included with your water
heater to reduce risk of explosion by
discharging hot water. Addi onal
temperature and pressure protec ve
equipment may be required by local
codes.
A na onally recognized tes ng labora-
tory maintains periodic inspec on of
the valve produc on process and cer -
fi es that it meets the requirements
for Relief Valves for Hot Water Supply
Systems, ANSI Z21.22. The T&P Relief
Valve’s relief pressure must not exceed
the working pressure ra ng of the wa-
ter heater as stated on the ra ng plate.
Maintain the T&P Relief Valve properly.
Follow the maintenance instruc ons
provided by the manufacturer of the
T&P Relief Valve (label a ached to T&P
Relief Valve) and the procedure that
starts on page 28.
An explosion could occur if the T&P
Relief Valve or discharge pipe is
blocked. Do not cap or plug the T&P
Relief Valve or discharge pipe.
Fire and Explosion Risk if Hot Water is
Not Used for Two Weeks or More
C AUTION! Hydrogen gas builds up in
a hot water system when it is not used
for a long period (two weeks or more).
Hydrogen gas is extremely fl ammable.
If the hot water system has not been
used for two weeks or more, open a
hot water faucet for several minutes at
the kitchen sink before using any electrical appliances connected to the hot
water system. Do not smoke or have
an open fl ame or other igni on source
near the faucet while it is open.
SAFETY
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 5
GETTING STARTED
Figure 1 - Flexible connectors use compression
fi ngs and do not require soldering.
Figure 2 - Use a non-contact circuit tester to
insure that the power is off before you work on
a circuit.
GETTING STARTED
Figure 3 - Install a Pressure Reducing Valve set to
50 to 60 PSI.
Review all of the instruc ons
1
before you begin work.
If you aren’t sure that you
can safely and properly do this work
yourself, call your local hardware store
to arrange for Professional Installa on
(you may also call a qualifi ed person
of your choice, such as a licensed
plumber or electrician, to have the
work done). Improper installa on can
damage the water heater, your home
and other property, and can present
risks of serious injury or death.
Check with your local and
2
state authori es for any local
or state codes that apply to
your area. In the absence of local and
state codes, follow Na onal Fire
Protec on Associa on (NFPA-70) and
the current edi ons of the Na onal
Electric Code (NEC) and the Interna onal Plumbing Code (IPC). The
instruc ons in this manual comply with
na onal codes, but the installer is
responsible for complying with local
codes.
Massachuse s code requires this wa-
ter heater to be installed in accordance
with Massachuse s 248-CMR 2.00 and
248-CMR 5.00: State Plumbing Code.
Other local and state authori es may
have similar requirements or other
codes applicable to the installa on of
this water heater.
Before you start, be sure you
3
have, and know how to use, the
following tools and supplies:
suitable for the specifi c type of
plas c pipe used: CPVC and PEX
(cross-linked polyethylene). Do
not use PVC pipe.
• For homes with copper pipes,
you may purchase connector kits
with compression fi ngs that
don’t require soldering (fi gure 1).
Compression fi ngs are easier
to install than soldering copper
pipes.
• Tefl on® tape or pipe joint compound
approved for potable water
• Tools to make the electrical connec-
ons (for example, screwdrivers, wire
strippers)
• Non-Contact circuit tester to check
for power (fi gure 2)
• Water Pressure Gauge (see next
page, fi gure 4)
Recommended Accessories:
• Suitable drain pan (see page 8, fi gure 6)
• Automa c leak detec on and shut-
off device
• Pressure Reducing Valve (fi gure 3)
• Thermal Expansion Tank (see next
page, fi gure 5)
• Point-of-use Thermosta c Mixing
Valves (see page 8, fi gure 7) ■
• Plumbing tools and supplies appropriate
for the type of water pipes in your home
• Threaded connectors (fi gure 1) for
the cold and hot water pipes
• For homes plumbed with plas c
pipe, use threaded connectors
6 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide
INSTALLATION
ollow these steps for proper
F
installa on:
Step 1:
Verify that your
✓
home is equipped
and up-to-date for
proper opera on
Installing a new water heater is the
perfect me to examine your home’s
plumbing system and make sure the
system is up to current code standards.
There have likely been plumbing code
changes since the old water heater was
installed. We recommend installing the
following accessories and any other
needed changes to bring your home up
to the latest code requirements.
Use the checklist below and inspect
your home. Install any devices you need
to comply with codes and assure that
your new water heater performs at its
best. Check with your local plumbing
offi cial for more informa on.
Water pressure
✓
We recommend checking your
home’s water pressure with a pressure
gauge (fi gure 4). Most codes allow a
maximum incoming water pressure of
80 psi. We recommend a working pressure no higher than 50-60 psi.
HOW: Purchase an inexpensive water
pressure gauge available at your local
hardware store. Connect the Water
Pressure Gauge to an outside faucet
and measure the maximum water
pressure experienced throughout the
day (highest water pressures o en oc-
cur at night).
Figure 4 - Use a Water Pressure Gauge to make
sure your home’s water pressure is not too high.
To limit your home’s water pressure:
Locate your home’s Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) on the main incoming
(cold) water supply line and adjust the
water pressure control to between 50
and 60 psi. If your home does not have
a Pressure Reducing Valve, install a
PRV on the home’s main water supply
line and set it to between 50 and 60
psi. Pressure Reducing Valves are available at local hardware store.
BACKGROUND: Over the years, many
u li es have increased water sup-
ply pressures so they can serve more
homes. In some homes today, pressures exceed 100 psi. High water
pressures can damage water heaters,
causing premature leaks. If you have
replaced toilet valves, had a water
heater leak, or had to repair appliances connected to the plumbing system,
pay par cular a en on to your home’s
water pressure. When purshasing a
PRV, make sure the PRV has a built-in
bypass.
Water pressure
✓
increase caused by
thermal expansion
Verify that you have a properly sized
Thermal Expansion Tank (fi gure 5). We
recommend installing an expansion
tank if your home does not have one.
Codes require a properly pressurized,
properly sized Thermal Expansion Tank
in almost all homes. (See photo on
inside front cover.)
Figure 5 - A Thermal Expansion Tank helps
protect the home’s plumbing system from pressure spikes.
HOW: Connect the Thermal Expansion
Tank (available at your local hardware
store) to the cold water supply line
near the water heater. The expansion
tank contains a bladder and an air
charge. To work properly, the Thermal
Expansion Tank must be sized according to the water heater’s tank capacity
and pressurized to match the home’s
incoming water pressure. Refer to the
installa on instruc ons provided with
the Thermal Expansion Tank for installa on details.
INSTALLATION
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 7
INSTALLATION
BACKGROUND: Water expands when
heated, and the increased volume
of water must have a place to go, or
thermal expansion will cause large
increases in water pressure (despite
the use of a Pressure Reducing Valve
on the home’s main water supply
line). The Safe Drinking Water Act of
1974 requires the use of backfl ow
preventers and check valves to restrict
water from your home reentering
the public water system. Backfl ow
preventers are o en installed in water
meters and may not be readily visible.
As a result, most all plumbing systems
today are now “closed,” and almost all
homes now need a Thermal Expansion Tank.
A Thermal Expansion Tank is a prac -
cal and inexpensive way to help avoid
damage to the water heater, washing
machine, dishwasher, ice maker and
even toilet valves. If your toilet occasionally runs for no apparent reason
(usually briefl y at night), that may be
INSTALLATION
due to thermal expansion increasing
the water pressure temporarily.
Water pipe and tank
leaks
Figure 6 - A suitable drain pan piped to an
adequate drain can help protect fl ooring from
leaks and drips.
leaks in the piping connec ons or
tank. Most codes require and we
recommend installing the water
heater in a drain pan that is piped
to an adequate drain. The drain pan
must be at least two inches wider
than the diameter of the water
heater. Install the drain pan so the
water level would be limited to a
maximum depth of 1-3/4”.
Water tempera-
✓
ture regula on
Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves (fi g-
ure 7) to regulate the temperature of
the water supplied to each point-ofuse (for example, kitchen sink, bath-
room sink, bath, shower). Consult the
valve manufacturer’s instruc ons or a
qualifi ed person.
WARNING! Even if the water heater
thermostat is set to a rela vely low
temperature, hot water can scald.
Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves at
each point-of-use to reduce the risk of
scalding (see page 4).
BACKGROUND: A Thermosta c Mix-
ing Valve, installed at each pointof-use, mixes hot water from the
water heater with cold water to more
precisely regulate the temperature of
hot water supplied to fi xtures. If you
aren’t sure if your plumbing system
is equipped with properly installed
and adjusted Thermosta c Mixing
Valves at each point where hot water
is used, contact a qualifi ed person for
more informa on. ■
Leaks from plumbing pipes or from
the water heater itself can damage
property and could cause a fi re risk.
• Install an automa c leak detec on and
shutoff device (available in hardware
stores). These devices can detect
water leaks and can shut off the water
heater’s water supply if a leak occurs.
• Install a suitable drain pan (available
in stores) under the water heater
(fi gure 6) to catch condensa on or
8 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide
Figure 7 - Thermosta c Mixing Valves installed
at each point-of-use can help prevent scalding.
Step 2:
Verify that the loca on
is appropriate
The loca on is not prone to
5
physical damage by vehicles,
fl ooding, or other risks.
Locate the water heater’s
2
circuit breaker and turn it OFF
(or remove the circuit’s
fuses).
Before installing your water heater,
ensure that:
The water heater will be:
1
• Installed indoors close to
the center of the plumbing
system.
• In a suitable drain pan piped to an
adequate fl oor drain or external to
the building (See page 8, fi gure 6).
• In an area that will not freeze
• In an area that is suitable for installing the water heater ver cally
The loca on has adequate
2
space (clearances) for periodic
servicing.
The fl oor can support the
3
weight of a full water heater.
Your area is not prone to
4
earthquakes. If it is, use
special straps as required by
local building codes.
NOTICE: The state of California requires bracing, anchoring, or strapping
the water heater to avoid its moving
during an earthquake. Contact local
u li es for code requirements in your
area, visit h p://www.dsa.dgs.ca.gov,
or call 1-916-445-8100 and request
instruc ons. Other loca ons may have
similar requirements. Check with your
local and state authori es.
Vehicle
Stop
Drain
Pan
In a garage, install a vehicle stop to avoid water
heater damage.
Avoid loca ons such as a cs,
6
upper fl oors, or where a leak
might damage the structure
or furnishings. Due to the normal
corrosive ac on of water, the tank will
eventually leak. To minimize property
damage from leaks, inspect and
maintain your water heater in accordance with this manual’s instruc ons.
Install a suitable drain pan under the
water heater piped to an adequate
drain. Inspect the drain pan, pipes, and
surrounding area regularly and fi x any
leaks found. Drain pans are available in
local hardware stores . Leaks are
frequently in the plumbing system
itself and not the water heater.
Drain
Step 3:
Removing the old water
heater
Read each installa on step
1
and decide if you have the
necessary skills to install the
water heater. Only proceed if you can
safely perform the work. If you are not
comfortable, have a qualifi ed person
perform the installa on.
On the old water heater,
3
remove the electrical
junction box access panel.
Using a non-contact circuit tester,
check the wiring to make certain the
power is OFF.
WARNING! Working on an ener-
gized circuit can result in severe injury
or death from electrical shock.
Disconnect the electrical
4
wires.
Open a hot water faucet and
5
let the hot water run un l it is
cool (This may take 10
minutes or longer).
Let the hot water run un l it is cool.
WARNING! Be sure the water runs
cool before draining the tank to reduce
the risk of scalding.
Connect a garden hose to the
6
drain valve and place the
other end of the hose in a
drain, outside, or a bucket. (Note that
sediment in the bo om of the tank
may clog the valve and prevent it
from draining. If you can’t get the
INSTALLATION
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 9
INSTALLATION
tank to drain, contact a qualifi ed
person.)
Turn the cold water supply
7
valve OFF.
Open the drain valve on the
8
water heater.
Draining the old water heater.
Also open a hot water faucet
9
to help the water in the tank
drain faster.
When the tank is empty,
10
INSTALLATION
discharge pipe. You may be able to
reuse the discharge pipe, but do not
disconnect the Temperature &
Pressure (T&P) Relief Valve
Disconnect the water pipes.
11
Many water pipes are
connected by a threaded
union which can be disconnected with
wrenches. If you must cut the water
pipes, cut the pipes close to the water
heater’s inlet and outlet connec ons,
leaving the water pipes as long as
possible. If necessary, you can make
them shorter later when you install
the new water heater.
Remove the old water heater.
12
WARNING! Use two or more people
to remove or install water heater.
Failure to do so can result in back or
other injury.
Step 4:
Installing the new
water heater
Completely read all instruc-
1
ons before beginning. If you
are not sure you can complete the installa on, DO NOT
RETURN THIS UNIT TO THE STORE.
Seek assistance from any of the
following sources:
• Professional Installa on is available
for this product and the work is
guaranteed. Call your local hardware store to have this water heater
installed.
Install a suitable drain pan
2
that is piped to an adequate
drain.
Set the water heater in place
3
taking care not to damage
the drain pan.
NOTICE: Most codes require se ng
the water heater in a suitable drain
pan piped to an adequate drain. The
drain pan helps avoid property damage which may occur from condensa on or leaks in the piping connec ons
or tank. The drain pan must be at
least two inches wider than the diameter of the water heater. Install the
drain pan so the water level is limited
to a maximum depth of 1-3/4”.
Verify that the water heater
4
is set in place properly. Check
that:
• The T&P Relief Valve will not be in
contact with any electrical parts.
• There is adequate space to install
the T&P Relief Valve discharge pipe
and that it can be piped to a separate drain (and not into the drain
pan).
• There is adequate access and space
around the water heater for future
maintenance.
Removing the T&P Relief Valve discharge pipe.
reuse the old T&P Relief Valve. A new
T&P Relief Valve comes installed on
your water heater (or on some models,
is in the carton with the water heater).
10 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide
• Schedule an appointment with
a qualifi ed person to install your
water heater.
• Call our Technical Assistance Hotline
at 1-800-365-4054.
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