American Water Heater 40 Gallon 38000 BTU Direct Vent Natural Gas Water Heater DVG6240S38NOV user manual

1404  
327544-000  
 
 
 
 
  
RESIDENTIAL GAS WATER HEATERS
Installation and Operating Manual
KEEP THIS MANUAL IN THE POCKET ON HEATER FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
WHENEVER MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENT OR SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
DIRECT VENTED GAS MODELS
NOT FOR USE IN MANUFACTURED (MOBILE) HOMES
• For Your Safety •
AN ODO RANT IS ADDED TO THE GAS USED
BY THIS WATER HEATER.
ALL TECHNICAL AND WARRANTY QUESTIONS: SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE LOCAL DEALER FROM WHOM THE WATER HEATER WAS 
PURCHASED. IF YOU ARE UNSUCCESSFUL,...

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFE INSTALLATION, USE AND SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . 3
GENERAL SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
INTRODUCTION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
 Qualifi ed Installer Or Service Agency  . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
  Preparing For The Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS . . . . . . . . . . . 7...

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SAFE INSTALLATION, USE AND SERVICE
Your safety and the safety of others is extremely important in the installation, use and servicing of this water heater.
Many safety-related messages and instructions have been provided in this manual and on your own water heater to warn you 
and others of a potential injury hazard. Read and obey all safety messages and instructions throughout this manual. It is very 
important that the meaning of each safety message is...

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GENERAL SAFETY
 
 
Read instruction manual before 
installing, using or servicing 
water heater. • Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable 
vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this water 
heater, the vent termination hood or any other 
appliance.
• Avoid all ignition sources if you smell gas.
• Do not expose water heater control to excessive 
gas pressure.
• Use only gas shown on rating plate.
• Maintain required clearances to combustibles.
• Keep...

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GENERAL SAFETY
 
 
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause brain damage or death.
Always read and understand instruction manual.
• Install vent system in accordance with codes.
• Do not operate water heater if flood damaged.
• For operation above 7,700’, a high altitude 
orifice must be installed.
• Do not operate if soot buildup is present.
• Do not place chemical vapor emitting products 
near water heater or vent termination hood.
• Gas and carbon monoxide...

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INTRODUCTION
Thank You for purchasing this water heater. Properly 
installed and maintained, it should give you years of trouble 
free service.
This water heater is suitable for potable water heating 
and space heating applications but not for space heating 
only applications.
Abbreviations found in this Installation and Operating 
manual:
• CSA - Canadian Standards Association
• ANSI - American National Standards Institute
• NFPA - National Fire Protection...

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INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
For all side wall terminated, horizontally vented power vent, direct vent and power direct vent gas fueled water heaters 
installed in every dwelling, building or structure used in whole or in part for residential purposes, including those owned 
or operated by the Commonwealth and where the side wall exhaust vent termination is less than seven (7) feet above 
fi nished...

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•   If your water heater will be installed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, refer to the following 
graphic during installation and during modifications to the water supply system.
IN
REMOVE A MUST BE VERTICAL TO
IR BUBBLES
E
OUT
COIL
AIR
HANDLER TO
AIR
HANDLER
SHUT-OFF
VA LV E  
*
EXPANSION TANK
VACUUM
RELIEF
VALVE
COLD WATER INLET
VA FLOW CONTROL 
LV
 PUMP 
*
SHUT-OFFCHECK VALVE †
(1/8” HOLE 
DRILLED IN CLAPPER)VALVECHECK
 VALVE †
TEMP/
PRESSURE
RELIEF
VA...

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TYPICAL INSTALLATION
 GET TO KNOW YOUR WATER HEATER - GAS MODELS (LIST REFERENCING FIGURES 1-5)
1  Vent Termination Hood
2  Wall Plate
3  ***Vent Pipe
4  Cold Water Inlet Nipple/Diptube
5  **Combo Heating System Supply 
Outlet (Optional)
6  T&P Valve
7  Gas Control Valve/Thermostat 
(Honeywell)
8  **Combo Heating System Return 
Inlet (Optional)
9  *Discharge Pipe
10  Drain Valve
11   Outer Gas Door
12  Manifold Door Assembly (behind 
outer door) (see Figure 3...

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Natural gas and Propane (LP) 
main burner with igniter assembly 
for 38k to 42k Btu/hr models
31
36
38
39
30
33
34
35
32
37
40
Figure 3 
37
Natural gas and Propane 
(LP) main burner with igniter 
assembly for 47k Btu/hr 
models
353634
33
32
31
4039
3830
Figure 4 
Vacuum relief valve 
install per local 
codes (not supplied 
with heater).
Figure 5 
Notes:
*  Items not supplied with the water heater.
**  The side recirculation loop connections may not be 
used as...