Rheem RTE 27, RTE 18, RTE 13, RTE 9, RTE 7 User Manual

Use & Care Manual

With Installation Instructions for the Installer

Electric Tankless

Water Heaters

The purpose of this manual is twofold: one, to provide the installer with the basic

directions and recommendations for the proper installation and adjustment of the water heater; and two, for the owner–operator, to explain the features, operation, safety precautions, maintenance and troubleshooting of the water heater. This manual also includes a parts list.

It is imperative that all persons who are expected to install, operate or adjust this water heater read the instructions carefully so they may understand how to perform these operations. If you do not understand these instructions or any terms within it, seek professional advice.

Any questions regarding the operation, maintenance, service or warranty of this water heater should be directed to the seller from whom it was purchased. If additional information is required, refer to the section on “If you need service.”

Do not destroy this manual. Please read carefully and keep in a safe place for future reference.

Recognize this symbol as an ! indication of Important Safety

Information!

! California Proposition 65 Warning:

This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

M E T ®

US

Complies with UL 499.

Printed in USA.

AP15447 (10/10)

Safety Information

Safety Precautions.. . . . 3, 4

Installation Instructions

Location.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Heater Installation.. . . . . . . 6

Mounting the Heater.. . . . . 7

Water Connections .. . . . . . 8

Electrical Connections. . . . 9

Operating Instructions

Preparing for Operation.. . . 11 Water Temperature.. . . . . . . .11

Care and Cleaning

Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Troubleshooting Tips

Before You Call

For Service.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

If You Need Service.. . . . 16

2

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Write the model and serial numbers here:

#

#

You can find them on a label on the appliance.

Staple sales slip or cancelled check here.

Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service under the warranty.

READ THIS MANUAL

Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and maintain your water heater properly. Just a little preventive care on your part can save you a great deal of time and money over the life of your water heater.

You’ll find many answers to common problems in the Before You Call For Service section. If you review our chart of Troubleshooting Tips first, you may not need to call for service at all.

READ THE SAFETY INFORMATION

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. There are many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

This is the safety alert symbol. Recognize this symbol ! as an indication of Important Safety Information!

This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others.

All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word “DANGER”, “WARNING”, “CAUTION” or

“NOTICE”.
These words mean:
!	DANGER	An imminently hazardous situation
		that will result in death or serious
!	WARNING	injury.
		could result in death or serious injury
		A potentially hazardous situation that
	CAUTION	and/or damage to property.
!		A potentially hazardous situation that
		may result in minor or moderate
		injury.
Notice:		Attention is called to observe a
		specified procedure or maintain

a specific condition.

IMPORTANT SAFETYINFORMATION. READALLINSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

DANGER!

water tEMPERATURE setting

Safety and energy conservation are factors to be considered when selecting the water temperature setting of water heater’s thermostat. Water temperatures above 125°F can cause severe burns or death from scalding. Be sure to read and follow the warnings outlined on the label pictured below. This label is also located on the water heater near the thermostat access panel.

Time/Temperature Relationship in Scalds

! D A N G E R

HOT

BURN

Water temperature over 125°F can cause severe burns instantly or death from scalds.

Children, disabled and elderly are at highest risk of being scalded.

See instruction manual before setting temperature at water heater.

Feel water before bathing or showering.

Temperature limiting valves are available, see manual.

NOTICE: Mixing valves are available for reducing point of use water temperature by mixing hot and cold water in branch water lines. Contact a licensed plumber or the local plumbing authority for further information.

Temperature	Time To Produce a Serious Burn
120°F	More than 5 minutes
125°F	1½ to 2 minutes
130°F	About 30 seconds
135°F	About 10 seconds
140°F	Less than 5 seconds
145°F	Less than 3 seconds
150°F	About 1½ seconds
155°F	About 1 second

Table courtesy of Shriners Burn Institute

The chart shown above may be used as a guide

in determining the proper water temperature for your home.

! DANGER: Households with small children, disabled,

or elderly persons may require a 120°F or lower thermostat setting to prevent contact with “HOT” water.

The temperature of the water in the heater is regulated by the electronic control on the front of the water heater. To comply with safety regulations the thermostat was set at the lowest factory setting before the water heater was shipped from the factory.

The illustration below shows the temperature adjustment dial used for setting the water

temperature.

Refer to the

Operating

Instructions

in this manual for detailed

instructions in

how to adjust the

Thermostat dial thermostat(s). pointer

!DANGER: Hotter water increases the potential for Hot Water SCALDS.

3

IMPORTANT SAFETYINFORMATION. READALLINSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.

Be sure to read and understand the entire Use and Care Manual before attempting to install or operate this water heater. It may save you time and cost. Pay particular attention to the Safety Instructions. Failure to follow these warnings could result in

serious bodily injury or death. Should you have problems understanding the instructions in this manual, or have any questions, STOP, and get help from a qualified service technician, or the local electric utility.

FOR INSTALLATIONS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

California Law requires that residential water heaters must be braced, anchored or strapped to resist falling or horizontal displacement due to earthquake motions. For residential water heaters up to 52 gallon capacity, a brochure with generic earthquake bracing instructions can be obtained from: Office of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, Suite 5100, Sacramento, CA 95814 or you may call 916-445-8100 or ask a water heater dealer.

However, applicable local codes shall govern installation. For residential water heaters of a capacity greater than 52 gallons, consult the local building jurisdiction for acceptable bracing procedures.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Have the installer show you the location of the circuit breaker and how to shut it off if necessary. Turn off the circuit breaker if the water heater has been subjected to overheating, fire, flood, physical damage or if the ECO fails to shut off.

●Read this manual entirely before installing or operating the water heater.

●Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as described in this Use and Care Manual.

●Be sure your appliance is properly installed in accordance with local codes and the provided installation instructions.

●Do not attempt to repair or replace any part of your water heater unless it is specifically recommended in this manual. All other servicing should be referred to a qualified technician.

ReADaND follow tHIS SaFETY InFORMATION

cAREFULLY.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

4

Installing the water heater.

The location chosen for the water heater must take into consideration the following:

Local Installation Regulations

This water heater must be installed in accordance with these instructions, local codes, utility codes, utility company requirements or, in the absence of local codes, the latest edition of the National Electrical Code.

It is available from some local libraries or can be purchased from the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch park, Quincy, MA 02269 as booklet ANSI/NFPA 70.

Location

Locate the water heater in a clean dry area as near as practical to the area of greatest heated water

demand. Long uninsulated hot water lines can waste energy and water.

The water heater and water lines should be protected from freezing temperatures. Do not

install the water heater in outdoor, unprotected areas.

Inspect Shipment

Inspect the water heater for possible damage.

Check the markings on the

rating plate of the water heater to be certain the power supply corresponds to the water heater requirements.

5