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2006 Whirlpool Energy Smart electric water heater

Whirlpool Energy Smart water heater
See larger image
Older style Energy Smart/ 2009/
Newer models on separate page

Made by American/ US Craftmaster
This product is not a programmable timer, but can be connected to timer without problems. Can save a few dollars of energy each year, when energy saving mode is selected, otherwise the Energy Smart is ordinary electric heater.
 Resource: See water heater timers
Age of heater is first 2 digits of serial number located on label on side of heater
Newest version of this water heater (shown lower of this page) has interface for home automation, but unclear what the interface connects to.
Resources:
Whirlpool Energy Smart manual
American water Heater Energy Smart manual
Energy Smart Troubleshoot Guide
American water heater 6 year warranty
Full troubleshoot for electric water heater
9 Ways to save with a water heater


Energy Smart Self-Diagnostic Control System

Energy Smart control options located on top of water heater. Advantage: easy access to temperature change and error diagnostics instead of removing covers on side of tank.

4 operating Modes
> For vacation, turn knob to setting #4 Vacation sets temperature to 50° and prevents freezing in winter.
>For peak electric prices, choose setting #3 Low temperature and amount of available hot water is reduced.
>If fewer people are home, choose setting #2 Energy Smart. Or choose setting #1 Smart and let computer chip maintain selected temperature setting

>Reset button is located on top of tank. Reset cuts power to heater when temperature is higher than 170°

>Green indicator light is 'on' when unit has power. F or when error condition is detected. Wait 10 minutes before resetting while software assess problem.
If indicator light is ON and water heater is not functioning, replace control box, or convert tank to operate as regular water heater.

Resources:
Convert Energy Smart to regular water heater
Self-diagnostic control system
Self-diagnostic control

Self-diagnostic control can diagnose problems and simplify troubleshooting. Flashing light shows on control box LED. Error messages explained on box.



See larger image
Read updated manual when doing repair on Energy Smart
New technology means design changes read: new control board for 6-year old tank Control board
Photo shows electronic control board. Do not operate water heater if control board, elements or heat sensors get wet. All electric water heaters carry risk of electric shock after flood or when tank is leaking. Turn off circuit breaker and use caution.

240V power connects to red and black wires at control box. 30 amp, 240V breaker and 10 gauge wire required for connection. Green ground screw sits out of sight in this photo and threads into metal top of tank.

Blue and Yellow wires send power to upper element.
Blue and Orange wires send power to lower element.

Each element is 4500 Watts, and overall tank wattage is 4500 Watts. Tank operates in typical 'non-simultaneous' manner where both elements are not 'on' at same time. One element is 'on' or the other element is 'on,' or both elements are off.

Small black and red wires located on bottom left of control board connect to temperature sensors located above each element. Temperature information is processed by control software that turns heating elements on and off.
Test Whitlpool energy smart voltageLarger image
Test for 240Volt across incoming red-black wires
Photo shows control board
Power is ON.
Do not stand on damp surface or wet surface.
Do not stand on bare soil or ground.
Do not lean into or touch anything made of metal.
Stand on dry boards.
Tape tester leads to wood sticks
Set multimeter to read volts AC

Upper element
Upper element and foam insulation

Upper element/ Yellow and Blue wires

After removing two screws holding access door, and pulling back tight-fitting 2" foam insulation and plastic cover, the upper element is visible.
Resource:
Energy Smart Parts list

Operating water heater "without insulation and access doors will result in much higher water temperatures than desired set point."
See Whirlpool product manual for more maintenance/ installation information.
Resource:
How to test elements
Lower element

Lower element

Lower element/ Orange and Blue wires
Insulation and covers must be in place for thermostat to operate correctly. Read manual pg 9

Lower element is covered by dense 2" foam insulation and plastic cover.

Adding water heater insulating blanket to Energy Smart electric water heater could void warranty.
Do not cover control box or TP valve with insulation.
Does water heater need more insulation?
Tape thermometer to water heater, cover thermometer with insulation, after 20 minutes, remove insulation & compare before and after thermometer reading.
Resource:
How to test elements
Element and heat sensor
Upper and lower elements can be replaced
You can use ordinary foldback element for energy smart.
Manual says "make sure replacement element has correct voltage and wattage rating" Whirlpool Energy Smart elements for 40 gallon are 240 Volts and 4500 Watts. Element information printed on end of each element. Typical replacement elements available at hardware and home center.

Temperature Sensor can be ordered as repair part
Phone call to Whirlpool parts sales was handled in United States, and sales lady said she replaced sensor during training, and added that she is 'not mechanical at all.'

TP valve is located on side of tank. Additional 3/4 plug on top of tank for relocation of TP. Check your manual since models vary. Plug on top of tank allows easy adaptation when replacing water heater.
Ultra low watt density    Low watt density
You can use ordinary foldback element for older and newer energy smart

Buy
4500 watt long life
4500 watt standard

Larger schematic
Whirlpool energy smart partsThermistor
Figure 9: element and THERMISTER or heat /temperature sensor

Repair parts: Non-standard parts cause delays and expense for customer. You might not have hot water until part arrives.

Off-the-shelf thermostat for regular water heater is sold at local hardware.

Read updated manual when ordering parts and doing repair on Energy Smart.
New technology means frequent design change, and possible lack of parts for older designs

Dry fire
Energy Smart has dry fire protection
Dry Fire prevention is not 100% sure.
Dry fire prevention
All designs of Energy Smart have dry fire detection.
This will help prevent dry-fire incident, but not foolproof.
If water is not covering elements, then elements will dry-fire and instantly burn out.
Water heater must be full of water before electricity is turned ON, or upper element instantly burns out. If element is 'dry' and electricity is turned ON, then element burns out.

Prevent dry fire:
Fill tank completely with water, until water is coming out of tub spout, then open Tp valve to release last of air from inside tank, and lastly, turn power ON.
Resources:
How to test elements

dogReplacement parts & maintenance
Resource
How to convert Energy Smart to regular water heater
Troubleshoot Energy Smart manual/ pages 22-36
Electronic thermostat
Lower temperature sensor
EMS
These parts are DIY repair ... they are covered by 10 year warranty ... and are available from manufacturer only
Look at label on side of tank to find manufacturer and serial number.
Ultra low watt density   Low watt density Use ordinary 4500 watt foldback element for older and newer energy smart
Buy
4500 watt lifetime
4500 watt
1-1/2" socket
Anode rods Anode rod

Standard hex head aluminum anode rod
located in separate port on top of tank.
Inspect and replace anode rod each 2-5 years to prevent tank from rusting
Buy:
Aluminum-zinc for longest protection
Magnesium for odor control
Buy Zinc for odor control
Buy anodes
1-1/16 socket
Resource
How to check anode
Advantages of power anode: almost 100% Solution for tank odor, 100% solution for rusted tank when electric power is ON, tank will not rust out, anode can be moved to next water heater, can be installed on most water heaters up to 80 gallon including energy smart, hybrid, some power vent models .... works for gas and electric water heaters, includes LED that indicates if power anode working.
Buy:
Power anode rod
Buy:
Camco Tank rinser
For water heaters, clogged pipes etc
Multiple uses
Ideal for the newest energy smart with the ball-type brass drain valve
Honeywell mixing device Whirlpool manual suggests mixing valve
Why?
The newest energy smart has 5500 watt elements for higher first hour delivery.
First hour means the amount of usable hot water from a single continuous draw.
You can further increase first hour delivery by setting the thermostat higher.
The risk of high temperature water coming from tank can be solved by using a mixing valve.
For example the tank is set to 145°F, but mixing valve is set to 120°F...
... then the mixing valve adds cold water to the line...
... and maximum water temperature at any tap is safe 120°F

This means more hot water is stored inside tank so you get higher first hour ...
... without risk of scald.

Buy:
Water heater mixing valves
Honeywell mixing valves
Watts mixing valve
Mixing valve 1/2 NPT
Mixing valve 3/4" national pipe thread
Are you going to convert Energy Smart to regular water heater??

Resource  How to convert Energy Smart to regular water heater

Thermostat Clip is needed for lower thermostat
 Clip to hold thermostat/ Thermostat mounting bracket
Bradford White part # 239-44479-00/
Thermostat mounting bracket, Bradford White part #265-51046-00
Rheem #AM23557

The new thermostat MUST sit flat against tank wall or it will not read correct temperature.... thermostat cannot be placed loosely inside the compartment. The clip will hold thermostat firmly in place.

Buy:
Thermostat clip
Adapter kit with thermostat clip

30 amp safety cut off Fused safety switch
Cuts power to one or both legs of 240V circuit.
Rated for indoor.
-3 Hp motor, 17 amps, use 30-60 amp safety switch
-30 amp water heater, use 30-60 amp
Since water heater is on a breaker, then either fusible or non-fusible is fine
Buy from my affiliate links:
L211N 30 Amp 120/240-Volt/ 30A /one plug fuse
L221N 30 Amp 240-Volt/ 30A/ two plug fuses
As illustrated
2-pole outdoor / 60 amp/ non-fusible
2-pole outdoor / 30 amp/ non-fusible

2-pole indoor / 30 amp/ fusible
2-pole indoor / 30 amp/ fusible

Heavy duty safety switches at Amazon

Resource:
L111N specs Single pole 30 amp 120 volt w neutral/ indoor
L211N specs Double pole 30 amp 120/240 volt w neutral

L211N Fusible
Larger image
Larger image2


Heat trap washer
Di-electric nipples
Di-electric nipples
Option ... remove heat traps to prevent water pressure issues
Whirlpool energy smart has rubber heat-trap nipples located under each of the connection nipples.
This type washer is usually not a problem, but some can clog and cause low water pressure.
Resource:
Low water pressure
You can cut out center of this type washer by pushing washer over a sharpie marker and then use knife to cut away flaps.

Di-electric nipples will keep water heater from deteriorating because of stray current corrosion.
Resources:
How to convert Energy Smart to regular water heater
How to remove short water heater nipples




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