Water Heater Drain & Bypass, '11 313RE

[John Vanek]

First time with a fiver, just joined this forum. I'm trying to winterize.

First, I cannot locate the bypass valve. I've opened two panels which access the rear of the furnace and the water heater. I cannot find ANY bypass valve. The hoses from the heater pass through a wall toward the front. I can see a bunch of hoses when looking into the storage area from the storage door located just forward of the entry door, but would have to remove a storage area wall panel from the other side of the fiver's storage area.

I also cannot see a way to drain the water heater, as recommended in the Owner's Manual, when winterizing.

The O.M. gives two winterizing options: using compressed air or with antifreeze; any thoughts on which is better? I live in northern Nevada where it gets very cold and stays cold. (As an aside, I will be using the fiver in February for two weeks and then winterizing again. Would this change your recommendations on which winterizing procedure to use?)

Thanks for any help or ideas offered.
John

[Ford Idaho]

You drain the water heater from outside.

If yours looks like this remove the rod AFTER you release the pressure.




Or remove the plug if it is like this.

[dwaynerz]

I had a brain fart and forgot to relieve the pressure. That anode rod shoots out surprisingly fast AND far.

[John Vanek]

dwaynerz,

Do you relieve the pressure using the pressure relief valve on the front of the heater?
John

[John Vanek]

Thanks, Ford Idaho. I'll take a close look tomorrow.
John

[John Vanek]

Well after investigating things further, I realized my Girard tankless water heater doesn't have either a bypass or a drain.

Learning is occurring!

Thanks to all for helping.
John