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Cleaning the Air Filter and Flame Arrestor

The information on this web site is supplemental to the printed instructions that came with your water heater. To reduce the risk of property damage, serious injury or death, read and follow all labels on the water heater and the safety instructions in the printed owner's manual.

Step 1: Water Heaters Need Air

  • Frequent pilot outages or a tripped thermal switch often means the water heater is not getting enough air for proper combustion.

  • CAUTION! Improper combustion can produce carbon monoxide which can cause serious injury or death.

Step 2: Air is Supplied by the Space

<strong>The air needed by the water heater is supplied by the space it's installed in.</strong>

  • The air needed by the water heater is supplied by the space it's installed in.

  • If the room is too small or the house is very tightly built, the water heater may not be able to get enough air for proper combustion.

  • Refer to the owner's manual for information and requirements concerning the water heater's air supply.

Step 3: Clean the Air Filter

<strong>Modern gas water heaters have a flame arrestor to help prevent the ignition of flammable vapors that may be in the air.</strong>

  • Modern gas water heaters have a flame arrestor to help prevent the ignition of flammable vapors that may be in the air.

  • CAUTION! Never use or store flammable substances near the water heater. Flammable vapors may be ignited by the pilot light resulting in property damage, serious injury or death.

  • The flame arrestor is a made from a fine metal screen or ceramic plate that can become clogged with dust or lint.

  • To help protect the flame arrestor from dust and lint, water heaters have an air filter.

  • Depending on the amount of dust or lint in the water heater's location, the air filter may become clogged with debris.

Step 4: Vacuum the Air Filter

Vacuum the air filter from time to time to remove dust and lint.
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  • Vacuum the air filter from time to time to remove dust and lint.

Step 5: Clean the Air Filter

In some cases, the air filter may need to be removed and washed in a sink using hand dishwashing soap and water.

  • In some cases, the air filter may need to be removed and washed in a sink using hand dishwashing soap and water.

Step 6:

After cleaning, reinstall the air filter.

  • After cleaning, reinstall the air filter.

Step 7: Obtain a Soft Plastic Bristled Brush

Obtain a soft (plastic) bristled brush with a long, flexible handle.

  • Obtain a soft (plastic) bristled brush with a long, flexible handle.

Step 8: Clean the Flame Arrestor

Turn the gas control knob to &quot;Pilot.&quot;

  • Turn the gas control knob to "Pilot."

  • Allow time for the combustion chamber to cool.

Step 9:

Remove the air filter.
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  • Remove the air filter.

Step 10: Carefully Insert the Brush

Carefully insert the brush through the openings in the bottom of the water heater.
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  • Carefully insert the brush through the openings in the bottom of the water heater.

Step 11:

Remove the brush and vacuum off any lint or dust.
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  • Remove the brush and vacuum off any lint or dust.

Step 12: Replace the Air Filter

When the brush comes out clean, replace the air filter.

  • When the brush comes out clean, replace the air filter.

Step 13: Turn Gas Control Knob to "HOT"

Turn gas control knob to &quot;Hot&quot; to resume operation.

  • Turn gas control knob to "Hot" to resume operation.

  • If the thermal switch continues to trip, see Performing a Draft Test.

Performing a Draft Test