American Pacific Gas Water Heater Controller (GWHC) — Installation Guide

Installation guide for the American Pacific Gas Water Heater Controller (GWHC) for Honeywell gas valves — a device that adapts a gas water heater's control valve for use with home automation controllers or a 7-day timer.

Important

Do NOT plug the GWHC in prior to installation.

Installation (3 Easy Steps)

1. Prepare the gas valve: Locate the gas control valve in the lower center of the water heater. Turn the Gas Control Knob (on the face of the valve) to the "VACATION" or "LOW" setting (some valves lack a vacation setting).
2. Mount the controller: Swing the Top Bracket and Bottom Bracket 90° to the left of the controller. Seat the controller firmly onto the face of the gas control valve, fitting the "notch" on the controller's face over the Gas Control Knob.
3. Secure the controller: Swing the Top Bracket 90° to the right and tighten (it fits half-way over the top stud of the gas valve). Swing the Bottom Bracket under the gas valve 90° to the right and tighten.

Plug the long cord into the wall outlet, and the short cord into your home automation device of choice. Follow the instructions supplied with your appliance module or timer to finish setup.

Using with Home Automation

Any home automation control or a 7-day timer can be used with this controller — be sure to use an Appliance Module when adapting to home automation.

Temperature Settings

The controller is factory-set to approximately 130°F for optimum performance. The gas control valve has a 15-degree differential, meaning tank temperature drops 15°F before the main burner re-fires. Setting below 130°F risks water temperature dropping below comfortable levels for showering and dishwashing efficiency. Temperature settings may vary by water heater age and may need later adjustment; temperature change instructions are included with the controller, or contact American Pacific directly for guidance. Over time, a gas control valve's internal calibration may drift, requiring a temperature adjustment.

Power Outages

During prolonged power outages, the unit will not function properly. It can be easily removed from the water heater for manual operation, then reinstalled once power is restored.

Support

For installation questions or issues, contact: sales@gaswaterheatertimer.com

Additional Energy & Water Conservation Tips

• Insulate all hot water supply lines from the water heater to each faucet.
• Install a water heater blanket over the tank.
• If hot water takes more than 15 seconds to reach the furthest fixture, consider installing a circulator for that fixture.
• Install low-flow faucets and shower heads.
• Shorten shower times.
• Do laundry in cold water when possible.
• Repair any leaky faucets.