Knowing the reliability, affordability, and durability that is offered through AO Smith water heaters, many find themselves in ownership of this hard-working product. However, if you notice that your unit is having heating problems, what can be done to effectively solve them?
If your AO Smith water heater is having heating problems, confirm that the pilot is lit, be sure the water temperature has been turned up to a high enough temperature, drain the heater completely to rid it of any sediment build-up, and relight the pilot light if it has gone out.
Whether you are looking to wash dishes, need to fill the bath, take a shower, or get a warm bucket filled for various cleaning tasks, having access to hot water is essential. For most water heater owners, they are dealing with gas systems which use a pilot light to heat a more powerful burner to get their water to the desired temperature. However, you are experiencing water heating problems with your AO Smith water heater, read on to see what can be done.
AO Smith Water Heating Problems
The water heater of a house or business may be the one working unit that is kept out of sight and thus, out of mind, but when things begin to go wrong with this plumbing fixture, the notice is almost immediate. If you are having problems with your AO Smith water heating concerning its ability to heat water properly, take a look below to see what can be done to effectively resolve such problems.
AO Smith Water Heater Not Heating/No Hot Water
When you turn on a hot water tap, whether it is at your sink, in the shower, or at your washing machine, it should only be a matter of seconds before you are able to feel the water beginning to warm. Within a few more seconds, if you have the water completely turned to hot, you should be able to feel the water at its highest temperature. If your AO Smith water heater isn’t heating or there is no hot water, what is the most likely cause of this issue?
If your Smith water heater is not heating or there is no hot water, be sure to check that the pilot light is lit. If the pilot light is out, the burner will not light and thus, the water will not be heated. Light the pilot, allow the water to heat, then test to see if this solved the problem.
AO Smith Water Heater Not Enough Hot Water
When starting a shower that is provided hot water by an AO Smith water heater, you should be able to feel the hot water, adjust it to your preferred temperature, and maintain that same temperature throughout the entirety of your time showering. If you are in the shower, though, and notice that the hot water is quickly turning to cold water without any action from you, what could be the cause of this lack of hot water?
If your AO Smith water heater is not producing enough hot water, it could be that the temperature has been set too low on the water heater. If you are needing more hot water, be sure to set the temperature higher to ensure that the water is heated through enough to meet your needs.
AO Smith Water Heater Not Staying Hot
Similar to the previous problem mentioned involving an AO water heater not producing enough hot water is the problem of a water heater not keeping the water hot. If you are doing dishes, are running water for a bath, or are trying to keep hot water running to supply for cleaning and the water turns cold without any action from you, this can be very disruptive. If your AO smith water heater is not staying hot, continue reading below.
If your AO Smith water heater is not staying hot, it could be that there is too much sediment build-up at the base of the heater which reduces the heat transfer from the large gas burner to the water. To resolve this issue, completely drain the water heater to remove sediment.
AO Smith Water Heater No Flame
If you are working with a gas water heater, there is a small pilot light that has to be lit in order to supply hot water to your home or business. There is no way around this need, as without the pilot light, there is no way to heat the burner which is what heats the water within the tank. Therefore, if you notice there is no flame lit within your AO Smith water heater, what steps should be taken to get the unit up and running properly again?
If your AO Smith water heater has no flame, the pilot will need to be manually lit. To light the pilot, turn the gas control knob to ‘Off’ and air the room out for 10 minutes. You will then set the knob to ‘Pilot,’ press the red ‘Set’ button and as you hold down this button, press the ignitor button.
AO Smith Water Heater No Gas
If you are using a gas water heater to heat the water in your home or business then, of course, you will need a gas supply to be able to run the unit properly. If gas stops for some reason, then the pilot light will go out and the unit will no longer function until gas flow has been restored. If you have an AO Smith water heater and there is no gas coming to the unit, read on to see what might be the cause of this issue and what you can do to fix it.
If your AO Smith water heater has no gas, there could be air in the gas line, the gas valve could be defective, or it could even be a loose thermocouple. When involving gas issues with such units, it is safest to call a professional who will be able to inspect the unit with proper training.
If your AO Smith water heater is having heating problems, be sure to call a professional for any gas-related issues, ensure the pilot is lit, relight the pilot if it has gone out, drain the water heater of any sediment build-up, and confirm the heater is turned to a high enough temperature.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 1, 2022.