Whirlpool E2F40RD045V Owner's Manual
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 Lowe’s® store to have this water heater installed. Lowe’s® 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 1-877-817-6750. 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 ................................................................... 17
Maintenance ........................................................................ 21
Safety Labels ......................................................................... 25
Diagrams............................................................................... 27
Repair Parts .......................................................................... 28
LOW LEAD
C
NTENT
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.
323099-000
March 2012
COMPLETED INSTALLATION TYPICAL
Water
shut off
ECO Reset
Bu on
(on most
models)
Hot
water
line
Electrical
junc on
box
Upper
Element and
Thermostat
access
Expansion
tank
Cold
water
line
T&P
relief
valve
Data
plate
Lower
Element and
Thermostat
access
Drain pan
T&P
discharge
pipe
Drain pan
discharge
pipe
Drain valve
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
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:
SAFETY
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
SAFETY
T
read and follow the precau ons below,
all labels on the water heater, and
the safety messages and instruc ons
throughout this manual.
RISKS DURING INSTALLATION
AND MAINTENANCE
doors can result in severe injury or
death from electrical shock:
• Disconnect power by opening the
• Use a non-contact circuit tester to
• Replace the junc on box cover and
ons to reduce the risk of property
damage, injuries from li ing or impact
injuries from dropping the water
heater.
• Use at least two people to li the
• Be sure you both have a good grip
• Use an appliance dolly or hand truck
o reduce the risk of property
damage, serious injury or death,
Electric Shock Risk
Contact with the electrical
parts in the junc on box
and behind the access
circuit breaker or removing the fuses
before installing or servicing.
confi rm that power is off before
working on or near any electrical
parts.
access doors a er servicing.
Li ing Risk
WARNING! The
water heater is heavy.
Follow these precau-
water heater.
before li ing.
to move the water heater.
RISKS DURING OPERATION
Scalding Risk
This water heater
can make water hot
enough to cause
severe burns instantly, resul ng in
severe injury or death.
• Feel water before bathing or
showering
• To reduce the risk of scalding, install
Thermosta c Mixing Valves (tempera-
ture limi ng valves) at each point-
of-use. These valves automa cally
mix hot and cold water to limit the
temperature at the tap. Mixing valves
are available from Lowe’s®. Follow
manufacturer’s instruc ons for instal-
la on 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,
Thermosta c Mixing Valves located
at each point-of-use are par cularly
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
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
For informa on about changing the
factory thermostat se ng(s), refer to
the “Adjus ng Temperature” sec on in
this manual (see page 15, step 10).
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 thermostat 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.
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
4 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide
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
fi re that could destroy
your home and seriously
injure or kill people:
• Do not store things that can burn
easily such as paper or clothes next to
the water heater.
• Be sure the junc on box cover and
the access door covers are in place.
These covers keep debris from entering and poten ally being ignited,
and help keep any internal fi res from
spreading.
• Keep the water heater from becoming wet. Immediately shut the water
heater off and have it inspected by a
qualifi ed person if you fi nd that the
wiring, thermostat(s) or surrounding
insula on have been exposed to wa-
ter in any way (e.g., leaks from plumbing, leaks from the water heater
itself can damage property and could
cause a fi re risk). If the water heater
is subjected to fl ood condi ons or the
thermostat(s) have been submerged
in water, the en re water heater must
be replaced.
• Make electrical connec ons properly,
according to the instruc ons 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 labo-
ratory 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 24.
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
CAUTION! 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
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.
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 Lowe’s® 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 from Lowe’s®. Connect
the Water Pressure Gauge to an outside faucet and measure the maximum
water pressure experienced throughout the day (highest water pressures
Figure 4 - Use a Water Pressure Gauge to make
sure your home’s water pressure is not too high.
o en occur at night).
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 Lowe’s®.
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 from Lowe’s®) 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.
BACKGROUND: Water expands when
heated, and the increased volume
of water must have a place to go, or
INSTALLATION
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 7
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION
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
due to thermal expansion increasing
the water pressure temporarily.
Water pipe and tank
leaks
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 from
Lowe’s®). These devices can detect
water leaks and can shut off the water
heater’s water supply if a leak occurs.
Figure 6 - A suitable drain pan piped to an
adequate drain can help protect fl ooring from
leaks and drips.
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, bathroom 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. ■
• Install a suitable drain pan (available
from Lowe’s®) under the water heater (fi gure 6) to catch condensa on
or leaks in the piping connec ons
or tank. Most codes require and
we recommend installing the water
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.
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
from Lowe’s®. Leaks are frequently in
the plumbing system itself and not the
water heater.
Drain
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).
INSTALLATION
NOTICE: The state of California re-
quires 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.
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.
Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 9
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
Loading...