A.O. Smith Circulating Water Heaters BTP-200-300

Flush the heater by opening the drain valve and allowing two gallons of water to drain. Keep the inlet water valve open to maintain pressure in the tank.

Shut off the gas and drain the heater before opening the cleanout.

Remove the outer cover plate from the lower side of the heater jacket.

Remove the six hex head screws securing the tank cleanout plate and remove the plate.

Remove lime, scale, or sediment, taking care not to damage the glass lining.

Inspect the cleanout plate gasket. If a new gasket is required, refer to the replacement parts list for the item number.

Install the cleanout plate. Ensure the plate is drawn up tight by securely tightening the screws.

Replace the outer jacket cover plate.

CAUTION! Property Damage Hazard. Avoid water heater damage. Inspection and replacement of anode rod required.

The anode rod is used to protect the tank from corrosion. Most hot water tanks are equipped with an anode rod. The submerged rod sacrifices itself to protect the tank. Instead of corroding tank, water ions attack and eat away the anode rod. This does not affect water's taste or color. The rod must be maintained to keep tank in operating condition.

Anode rod deterioration depends on water conductivity, not necessarily water condition. A corroded or pitted anode rod indicates high water conductivity and should be checked and/or replaced more often than an anode rod that appears to be intact. Replacement of a depleted anode rod can extend the life of your water heater.

Inspection should be conducted by a qualified technician, and at a minimum should be checked annually after warranty period.

Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions. Use of a water softener may decrease the life of water heater tank.

The anode rod should be inspected after a maximum of three years and annually thereafter until condition of anode rod dictates its replacement. Anode replacement is not covered by warranty.

NOTE: artificially softened water requires the anode rod to be inspected annually.

Enter the water conductivity reading

Keep the area around the burner clear and free of combustible materials, gasoline or other flammable liquids or vapors.

Do not obstruct burner air openings or ventilation grilles for combustion air.

The main burner flames should be visually checked once a year for proper operation. This can be observed through the observation port on the burner housing. Burner flame should be blue.

DO NOT use the observation port on the side of the tank to inspect the burner flame.

Add a few drops of no. 20 non-detergent oil (BTP-139/A thru -370/A) into the oil tubes once every three months.

At least annually, contact a qualified service technician for a burner readjustment, cleaning and other than routine maintenance.

Should the main burner or burner air openings require cleaning, remove the burner and clean with a soft brush.

Clean main burner orifice with a suitable soft material.

Sign off on the 1 Yearly Burner Check

DANGER! Burn hazard. Hot water discharge. Keep clear of Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve discharge outlet.

It is recommended that the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve should be checked to ensure that it is in operating condition every 6 months.

When checking the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve operation, make sure that (1) no one is in front of or around outlet of Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve discharge line, and (2) that water discharge will not cause any property damage, as water may be extremely hot. Use care when operating valve as valve may be hot.

Check if the pressure relief valve seats properly and operates freely.

If after manually operating the valve, it fails to completely reset and continues to release water, immediately close the cold water inlet to the water heater and drain the water heater.

Replace the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve with a properly rated/sized new one.

If the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve on water heater weeps or discharges periodically, this may be due to thermal expansion.

NOTE: Excessive water pressure is the most common cause of Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve leakage. Excessive water system pressure is most often caused by 'thermal expansion' in a 'closed system.'

The Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve is not intended for the constant relief of thermal expansion.

Note: The heater is equipped with a double acting barometric draft control. This control assembly is factory adjusted to automatically regulate the chimney draft imposed on the unit.

Does the damper gate pivot freely in the ring guides?

Examine the venting system every six months for obstructions and/or deterioration of the vent piping.

Any obstructions or deterioration in the vent piping?

Remove all soot or other obstructions from chimney which will retard free draft.

Was the chimney cleaned from soot or other obstructions?

Sign off on the venting system and barometric draft control maintenance