Rheem ThermaForce RTGH-L199i Guide

USER’S INFORMATION MANUAL
WARNING: If the information in this manual is not followed exactly, a re or
explosion may result causing property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.
Do not store or use gasoline or other ammable vapors and liquids or other
combustible materials in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS:
•Do not try to light any appliance.
• Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any phone in your building.
• Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas
supplier’s instructions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the re department.
Installation and service must be performed by a qualied licensed installer,
service agency or the gas supplier.
HIGH EFFICIENCY CONDENSING
TANKLESS WATER HEATER
199,000 Btu/hr Model
(Natural Gas or Propane)

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Installation, start-up and servicing of this unit must be done with due care
and attention, and should only be performed by competent, qualied,
licensed and trained heating technicians. Failure to read and comply with
all instructions and applicable national and local codes may result in
hazardous conditions that could result in property damage and injury to
occupants which in extreme cases might result in death.
HAZARDS & PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
If the information in this
manual is not followed
exactly, a re or explosion
may result causing property
damage, personal injury, or
loss of life.
WARNING
Points out a potentially
hazardous situation which
must be avoided to prevent
serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Points out a potentially
hazardous situation which
must be avoided to prevent
possible moderate injury and/
or property damage
NOTE
Points out installation,
maintenance and operation
details that will result in
enhanced e󰀩ciency, longevity
and proper operation of your
unit.
DANGER
Points out an imminently
hazardous situation which
must be avoided in order to
prevent serious injury or
death.
BEST PRACTICES
Points out recommendations
for better installation.

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
CONTENTS
UNIT’S CONTROLLER .........................................6
INSTALLER INTERFACE ........................................6
Turning Appliance ON/OFF ..............................................6
Programming Mode....................................................7
TANKLESS DOMESTIC HOT WATER MODES .......................8
Tankless Domestic Hot Water - Standard and ECO Comfort Modes ..............8
SEQUENCE OF OPERATION .....................................9
LIGHTING & SHUTTING DOWN THE UNIT ........................11
MAINTENANCE..............................................12
General Care .......................................................12
RegularRegular Maintenance .................................................12
Annual Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Relief Valve - Maintenance and Testing ...................................13
Domestic Hot Water System ............................................13
SERVICE RECORD ...........................................14

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
WARNING
HOT WATER CAN SCALD!
Water Temperatures over
125°F / 52°C can cause severe
burns instantly or death from
scalds.
Children, disabled, and
elderly are at highest risk of
being scalded.
• Never leave them
unattended in or near the
shower, bathtub or sink.
• Never allow small children
to use a hot water faucet or
draw their own bath.
To avoid any potential scald
hazard or if codes require
specic water temperatures
at the hot water faucet, the
installer may:
•Install a eld supplied
thermostatic mixing valve at
this appliance and ensure it
is working properly.
AND
•Set the thermostatic
mixing valve to the lowest
temperature which satises
your hot water needs.
TO AVOID INJURY:
•Feel and adjust water
temperature before bathing
or showering.
•Water drained from the
system drain valve may be
extremely hot.
•Make sure all connections
are tight.
•Direct water ow away from
any person.
WARNING
Do not use this unit if any
part has been under water.
Immediately call a qualied
service technician to inspect
the unit and to replace any
part of the control system and
any gas control that has been
under water.
DANGER
If overheating occurs or the
gas supply fails to shut o󰀨, do
not turn o󰀨 or disconnect the
electrical supply to the pump.
Instead shut o󰀨 the gas
supply at a location external
to the appliance
WARNING
Keep unit area free and clear
of combustible materials,
gasoline, and other ammable
vapors and liquids.
WARNING
Combustion air must not be
drawn from areas containing
corrosive air from swimming
pools or spas, including air
directly next to outdoor pools
and spas.
WARNING
The unit must not be exposed
to water leaks from piping
or components located
overhead. This includes
condensation dropping from
un-insulated cold water lines
overhead.
WARNING
In areas of high snow fall,
users must check side wall
exhaust vent and air intake
terminations on a regular
basis to ensure blockage
does not occur.
WARNING
Bacteria growth can develop
in domestic hot water
tanks and indirect water
heaters if the minimum
water temperature is not set
high enough to prevent its
growth. It is adviced to set It is adviced to set
the temperature above 131°F the temperature above 131°F
/ 55°C/ 55°C
NOTE
This unit is equipped with a This unit is equipped with a
blocked vent shut-o󰀨 system blocked vent shut-o󰀨 system
that closes the gas supplythat closes the gas supply
when it detects an irregularwhen it detects an irregular
venting condition. If the vent venting condition. If the vent
blockage is easily accessible blockage is easily accessible
and removable, remove it. If and removable, remove it. If
the unit is in a fault, resetthe unit is in a fault, reset
the unit by touching the the unit by touching the
wrench for 2 seconds. If thewrench for 2 seconds. If the
vent blockage is not easily vent blockage is not easily
removable, contact a qualied removable, contact a qualied
service agency to inspect and service agency to inspect and
repair the system.repair the system.

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
BURN
HOT
DANGER
° Water temperature over 125°F (52°C) can cause severe burns instantly
or death from scalds.
° Children, disabled, and elderly are at highest risk of being scalded.
° See instruction manual before setting temperature at water heater.
° Feel water before bathing or showering.
° Temperature limiting valves are available, see manual.
WARNING
CAUTION
WATER HEATER INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE SETTING
°Hotter water increases the risk of scald injury. Before changing the temperature setting, see
instruction manual.
°This unit must be installed in accordance with local codes, if any; if not follow the National
Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, or the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code,
CAN/CSA B149.1, as applicable.
°Failure to correctly install and operate this appliance can result in severe personal injury
or death.
°The unit shall have a pressure relief valve installed within 6"[152mm] of the DHW HOT
outlet connection.
Refer to the unit’s User Manual before operating the relief valve.
°The unit requires a pressure relief valve identified with the ASME V or HV symbol and
set to relieve at or below 150psi of domestic water pressure and a minimum relieving capacity
of 199,000 Btu/hr with 3/4"NPT threads. For safe operation of the unit, the relief valve
must not be removed from its designated point of installation or plugged.
°Read and follow warnings and instructions.
°
Touch the panel above the white dot , then touch the Faucet . Adjust the water temperature
with the Plus + and Minus – then touch the Return button to save the changes.
TIME/TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP IN SCALDS
WATER TEMPERATURE TIME TO PRODUCE A SERIOUS BURN
120°F (49°C) More than 5 minutes
125°F (52°C) 1 ½ to 2 minutes
130°F (54°C) About 30 seconds
135°F (57°C) About 10 seconds
140°F (60°C) Less than 5 seconds
145°F (63°C) Less than 3 seconds
150°F (66°C) About 1 ½ seconds
155°F (68°C) About 1 second
Table courtesy of Shriners Burn Institute

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
UNIT’S CONTROLLER
ICON FUNCTION
ANumerical Display Main Display
BPlus & Minus Temperature Adjustment
CFlame Burner ON Indicator
DWhite Dot Power ON Indicator
EFaucet DHW Indicator
FWrench Service / Reset
GReturn Arrow Enter / Save
HNumerical Display Service Display
Table 1: Controller Indicators and Buttons
INSTALLER INTERFACE
Turning Appliance ON/OFF
To turn on the unit, touch the area above the small dot for 2 seconds. Now only the
dot is illuminated.
To turn o󰀨 the unit, touch the area above the small dot for 2 seconds.
A dash appears on the right and the text “OFF” is displayed on the left.
A G HF
EC D B

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
Programming Mode
Adjusting the domestic hot water temperature
To adjust the DHW:
1. Touch the area above the white dot.
2. Touch the Faucet button.
The tankless domestic hot water temperature target appears on the main display.
3. To change the DHW temperature target, touch the Plus or Minus buttons.
4.
●To save the changes, touch the Return button.
●To exit without saving the changes, touch the area above the dot.
“P” to the right of the screen indicates that the changes have been saved.
NOTE
The domestic hot water
thermostat is adjusted
to its lowest temperature
position (120°F/49°C)(120°F/49°C) when
shipped from the factory.
It’s recommended to set
the domestic hot water
thermostat to 120°F/49°C as
an initial setting and further
adjust as required. For
energy e󰀩cient operation,
this setting should be set
as low as practical for the
consumer’s needs.

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
TANKLESS DOMESTIC HOT WATER
MODES
Tankless Domestic Hot Water - Standard and ECO
Comfort Modes
Standard Mode (OFF): The heat exchanger will not maintain its domestic hot
water temperature between demands for hot water.
Comfort Mode (ON): The heat exchanger is maintained at the DHW
temperature.
ECO Comfort Mode (ECO): This mode operates like the Comfort Mode but has
the added advantage of learning when the domestic hot water is used. During the
low use periods, the heat exchanger is allowed to cool.
To switch between the 3 modes:
1. Touch the area above the dot.
2. Touch the Faucet button twice.
3. To change the DHW mode, touch the Plus or Minus buttons.
4.
• To save the changes, touch the Return button.
• To exit without saving the changes, touch the area above the dot.

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
SEQUENCE OF OPERATION
When the unit is powered up the controller enters a self-diagnostic mode, and
displays the controller software version in the main display.
The Sequence of Operation is as follows:
1. The unit receives a call from Domestic Hot Water heating from the internal
ow sensor.
2. The unit performs a safety check and energizes the fan for a pre-purge
(Service Display = 3).
3. Once the 5-second pre-purge is compete, the unit enters a 5-second trial for
ignition (Service Display = 4). If the unit fails to ignite, the unit will complete a
5-second inter-purge then another 5-second trial for ignition. This is repeated
4 times before a hard lock-out occurs. The Return button must be pressed to
reset the controller and to allow for another attempt.
4. Once the burner is lit and ame has been proven the boiler operates as it is
programmed (Service Display = for Domestic Hot Water).
5. If the unit exceeds its target temperature and there is still a call for hot water
the burner will turn o󰀨. (Service Display = 1)
6. If the burner is on to maintain the heat exchanger temperature for DHW
Comfort mode (Service Display = 7).
7. If the burner is on for frost protection (Service Display = 9).
MAIN
DISPLAY
LIT
DISPLAY
DESCRIPTION
OFF - The unit is OFF. Press the space above the Dot for 2
seconds to turn on the unit.
(blank) (blank) No Call for Hot Water - Standby
XXX 2 Self-test – When power is applied to the unit the
controller enters a self diagnostic mode for 5 seconds
XXX 3 Fan Pre-purge and Post-purge
XXX 4 Trial for Ignition and Flame Proving
XXX + Heating – DHW
XXX 7 Burner on for Comfort mode
XXX 9Freeze Protection mode
Table 2: Operating Display and Service Display Codes.
NOTE
The unit is equipped with a
Frost Protection feature. This
feature will operate the unit’s
burner to help protect the unit
from freezing. If the unit is
in a hard lock-out condition
the burner will not operate.
We are not responsible for
damages to the unit, and/
or related components,
nor property damages that
may result from freezing
conditions.

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LIGHTING & SHUTTING DOWN THE
UNIT
(LP)
t -
t
t

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
MAINTENANCE
General Care
•
Keep combustible materials and ammable liquids and vapors away from the unit.
•Keep vent terminals clear of obstructions (snow, dirt, etc.).
RegularRegular Maintenance
•Check the domestic hot water temperature at the faucet to ensure the
temperature is not too hot. If the temperature is too hot, you can adjust the
water temperature with the unit’s controller. If these adjustments are not
correcting the issue, call your qualied service technician for service.
•Check the pressure relief valve and discharge piping for signs of leakage
or moisture. If water or moisture is found, contact your qualied service
technician as soon as possible for service.
•Regularly check the condensate trap and outlet pipe. The condensate trap
must be full of water. The outlet hose may be connected to a condensate
neutralizer, and if so, check that the pH of the water coming out of the
neutralizer is above 6.0pH. If the pH is below 6.0 then the neutralizer will need
to be re-charged or replaced. Contact your qualied service technician for
service.
Annual Maintenance
The unit must be inspected by your qualied service technician for the following:
• Inspect the ue gas exhaust and air intake connections. All connections
should be tight and leak free.
• Inspect ue gas exhaust piping, combustion air piping and terminations.
•Inspect the unit’s interior and vacuum if required.
•Check for water, gas and condensate leaks in the unit and around the unit.
• Check the condensate trap and clean if required. Re-ll the trap and re-install.
•Check the water pressure.
•Check the electrical connections.
•Check the ignition electrode and remove oxidation from the electrode.
Replace if necessary.
•Check the gas valve and ignition cable.
•Check the controller settings.
• Check the burner’s ame. Should be a quick and quiet ignition across the full
burner.
•If required, clean the heat exchanger and the burner.
WARNING
Annual Maintenance must
only be done by a qualied
service technician.

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
Relief Valve - Maintenance and Testing
The eld-supplied relief valve manufacturer requires that under normal operating
conditions a “try lever test” must be performed once a year.once a year. Under severe service
conditions, or if corrosion and/or deposits are noticed within the valve body, you
must test more often. Also perform a “try lever test” at the end of any non-service
period.
Test at or near maximum operating pressure by holding the test lever fully open
for at least 5 seconds to ush the valve seat free of sediment and debris. Then
release the lever and permit the valve to snap shut.
If the lever does not activate, or there is no evidence of discharge, discontinue
use of equipment immediately, and contact a licensed contractor or qualied
service personnel.
If the relief valve does not completely seal, and uid continues to leak from
the discharge pipe, perform the test again to try and ush any debris that may
be lodged in the valve. If repeated attempts fail to stop the leakage, contact a
licensed contractor or qualied service personnel to replace the valve.
Domestic Hot Water System
Quality of the domestic cold water is very important to the longevity of the unit.
The recommended pH of the domestic water is between 6.5 and 8.5. The internal
domestic water heat exchanger tubing and the ow sensor is subject to fouling if
exposed to hard water (over 11.68 grains of hardness) or has a TDS of 500mg/L
or higher. See Table 3.
DESCRIPTION MAX MIN
Water Pressure 150 PSI 40 PSI
Programmable Water Temperature 149°F (65°C) 105°F (40°C)
Minimum DHW Flow Rate to Initiate
Operation
N/A 0.5 GPM
pH 8.5 6.5
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 500 mg/L
Total Hardness 250 mg/L
14.6 gr/gal
Aluminum 0.2 mg/L 0.05 mg/L
Chlorides 250 mg/L
Copper 1 mg/L
Iron 0.3 mg/L
Manganese 0.05 mg/L
Zinc 5 mg/L
Table 3: Domestic Water Quality Guidelines
CAUTION
Before testing the relief valve,
make certain the discharge
pipe is properly connected to
the valve outlet and arranged
to contain and safely disposesafely dispose
of water to an open drain.of water to an open drain.
NOTE
The limited warranty provided
with the water heater does not
cover defects, malfunctions
or failures resulting from
water conditions that are
not in accordance with the
specications in the table 3.

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TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
SERVICE RECORD
DATE LICENSED CONTRACTOR DESCRIPTION OF WORK DONE

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84161404
Rheem Sales Co.
Montgomery, AL.
[phone]
IBC Technologies Inc.
8015 North Fraser Way
Burnaby, BC Canada V5J 5M8
(844) HEAT-IBC / [phone]
IBC Technologies USA Inc.
121 Walter A Gaines Way
Lawnside, NJ 08045
[phone]
May 2023 ©