How to Troubleshoot a Polaris PR50LPGV
Troubleshooting a high-efficiency water heater such as the Polaris PR50LPGV is similar to troubleshooting normal water heaters. One special circumstance that may influence your troubleshooting efforts is that the Polaris PR50LPGV was subject to a recall in 1996 due to a malfunction in the heater's safety systems. If you have not yet had the safety upgrade kit installed, you should call the American Water Heater Group to have the free kit mailed to your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Garden hose
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Instructions
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Turn on the hot water from a faucet. If there is no hot water, then the first thing to check is whether or not the water heater is running. Check the pilot light to see whether it has blown out, or if gas has stopped flowing.
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Smell the area of the water heater. If you smell gas, turn off the gas and ventilate the room until you can no longer smell gas. When you can't smell gas anymore, turn on the gas and ignite the pilot light.
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Check the thermostat setting if the water seems to be at the wrong temperature. The water heater's thermostat will be located on the front of the Polaris unit. Adjust the thermostat either colder or warmer according to your needs.
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Check the quality of the water to determine if the water tank has excessive sediment buildup. Many times, water will appear rusty or have a black or brown tone to it. This is common on older water heaters that have never been drained.
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Shut off the water heater, and then turn off the water main leading to it so that the water will not flow back in as it is emptied. At the bottom of the tank, you will find a drain plug.
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Connect a garden hose to this plug, and then route the end of the hose outside. Open the drain, and allow all the water to drain out. This will flush most of the sediment out of the bottom of your water heater.
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Inspect the pilot light to determine whether the gas pressure is adequate to keep the pilot light lit and to prevent excessive gas use by the water heater. If you hear a whistling sound, or you see a yellow flame instead of a blue flame, then there is not enough gas being utilized by the burner. Other things you may notice are if the burner flame appears to float. This is indicative of too much gas being used.
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Tips & Warnings
Internal problems or problems you cannot resolve by the methods listed should be handled by a certified plumber. Hot water heaters can be extremely dangerous.
Call the American Water Heater Group at 800-456-9805 with the serial number of your Polaris PR50LPGV if you suspect that the retrofit kit was never installed on your water heater, or to determine whether or not it was installed.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
