Kenmore HydroSense 153.33443, Owner'S Manual

17

The appliance and its gas connection must be leak tested before 
placing the appliance in operation.

The appliance and its individual shutoff valve shall be 
disconnected from the gas supply piping system during any 
pressure testing of that system at test pressures in excess of 
1/2 pound per square inch (3.5kPa).  It shall be isolated from 
the gas supply piping system by closing its individual manual 
shutoff valve during any pressure testing of the gas supply piping 
system at test pressures equal to or less than 1/2 pound per 
square inch (3.5kPa).

Connecting the gas piping to the gas control valve of the water 
heater can be accomplished by either of the two methods shown 
in Figures 19 and 20. 

There must be:

•  A readily accessible manual shut off valve in the gas supply 

line serving the water heater, and

•  A drip leg (sediment trap) ahead of the gas control valve to 

help prevent dirt and foreign materials from entering the gas 
control valve.

•  A fl exible gas connector or a ground joint union between 

the shut off valve and control valve to permit servicing of the 
unit.

Be sure to check all the gas piping for leaks before lighting the 
water heater.  Use a soapy water solution, not a match or open 
fl ame.  Rinse off soapy solution and wipe dry.

The minimum inlet gas pressure shown on the rating plate is that 
which will permit fi ring at the rated input.

Water heaters covered in this manual have been tested and 
approved for installation at elevations up to 7,700 feet (2,347 m) 
above sea level. For installation above 7,700 feet (2,347m), 
the water heater’s Btu input should be reduced at the rate of 
4 percent for each 1,000 feet (305 m) above sea level which 
requires replacement of the burner orifi ce in accordance with the 
National Fuel Gas Code ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54. Contact your 
local gas supplier for further information.

Failure to replace the standard orifi ce with the proper high 
altitude orifi ce when installed at elevations above 7,700 feet 
(2,347m) could result in improper and ineffi cient operation of 
the appliance, producing carbon monoxide gas in excess of the 
safe limits. This could result in serious injury or death. Contact 
your local gas supplier for any specifi c changes that may be 
required in your area.

Use pipe joint compound or tefl on tape marked as being 
resistant to the action of petroleum (Propane [L.P.]) gases. 

Sediment Traps                                              

Contaminants in the gas lines may cause improper operation 
of the gas control valve that may result in fi re or explosion.  
Before attaching the gas line be sure that all gas pipe is clean 
on the inside.  To trap any dirt or foreign material in the gas 
supply line, a drip leg (sometimes called a sediment trap) must 
be incorporated in the piping.  The drip leg must be readily 
accessible.  Install in accordance with the 

Gas Piping

 section. 

Refer to the current edition of th

e National Fuel Gas Code,

ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54.

A sediment trap shall be installed as close to the inlet of the water 
heater as practical at the time of water heater installation. The 
sediment trap shall be either a tee fi tting with a capped nipple 
in the bottom outlet or other device recognized as an effective 
sediment trap. If a tee fi tting is used, it shall be installed in 
conformance with one of the methods of installation, shown in 
Figures 19 and 20.

FIGURE 19.  GAS PIPING WITH FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR.

FIGURE 20.  GAS PIPING WITH ALL BLACK IRON PIPE TO 
GAS CONTROL.