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How to Reset AO Smith Water Heater

AO Smith water heaters have certainly made a name within the industry as a reliable, affordable, and generally long-lasting product. Even so, some units need to be reset and if your water heater is in need of such, what does this process look like?

On AO Smith water heaters, the reset button, often referred to as the “ECO” (Energy Cut Off) or “high limit switch,” is typically located on the upper thermostat behind an access panel. To access it, remove the panel cover on the side of the water heater, and you’ll find the button on the thermostat, usually red in color.

A common reason for needing to press the reset button on an AO Smith water heater is the thermostat tripping due to overheating. If the water temperature exceeds safe levels, the reset button will trip to prevent potential hazards. To resolve, let the water heater cool down, then press the reset button, typically located on the upper thermostat.

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Another potential cause for the reset button tripping is a malfunctioning heating element. A faulty element can cause the water to overheat, triggering the reset button. To address this, turn off the power to the water heater, and test the heating elements for continuity using a multimeter. If an element is found to be defective, it should be replaced.

How to Reset AO Smith Water Heater

Whether you are looking to reset your AO Smith water heater as a whole or are trying to find a way to reset various components of the unit, there are laid out processes that work to ensure that the reset is not only implemented the way it should be, but that the reset is successful and effective as well. If you have an AO Smith water heater and you want to reset the unit, take a look below to see what needs to be done to complete this process.

The most general and effective way of resetting an AO Smith water heater is by pressing the reset button that is located on the unit. This can be found behind the electric panel and once pushed, wait for the button to click to indicate the reset has completed and was successful.

How to Perform AO Smith Water Heater Thermal Switch Reset

Adjusting water heater

There are many other important working parts that ensure the smooth function and overall operation of your AO water heater, such as the thermal switch. This may be a new item to some of you, but for those who know, understand the importance of this device’s function when it comes to keeping you and your home safe. The thermal switch stops the gas supply to the unit when there is too much heat buildup inside the chamber, but how can it be reset?

To perform an AO Smith water heater thermal switch reset, you will need to reset the entire unit. To do this, open the electric panel on the water heater and remove any insulation that is behind the panel. You will then press the red button, hear it click, then the reset will complete.

When you are resetting an AO Smith water heater and are using the reset button to complete this process, the clicking of the reset button is the sound you want to look for to indicate that the button is functioning and the reset has taken place. If you are not able to push in the reset button and hear the click, this could be an indication that the reset button itself is defective and in order to resolve such a problem, it may need to be replaced.

How to Perform AO Smith Water Heater Thermostat Reset

Fixing water heater

The thermostat in your AO Smith water heater essentially works as the brains behind the heating of the water within your unit. When the water within the tank reaches a temperature that is too low, the thermostat will read this and trigger the heating elements to get to work and start heating the water needed. If you suspect there are issues with the thermostat on your AO Smith water heater, how can this be done?

To perform a reset of the thermostat on your AO Smith water heater, you will need to complete a system reset for the water heater. To do this, remove the electrical panel from the unit, take away any insulation, press the red reset button until it clicks, and once clicked, the reset will complete.

Although you cannot individually reset the thermostat on your AO Smith water heater, if you suspect that this piece is the cause of any problems you are experiencing, you can test that the piece is working correctly by testing for continuity. To do this, with a multimeter, test the thermostat for continuity and if continuity is not present, you will need to replace the thermostat rather than simply reset the water heater.

How to Perform AO Smith Water Heater Gas Valve Reset

Fixing water heater

There are a few different types of water heaters that users can select to fit their exact needs, but if you are using a gas water heater, gas will obviously be the fuel by which the unit is operated and thus, there will be a gas valve that controls the amount of gas administered to light the pilot or the ignitor. If you have an AO Smith water heater and are looking to reset the gas valve, read below to see what this process looks like.

To perform an AO Smith water heater gas valve reset, turn the power the water heater off and back on. Within 10 seconds, press both the temperature up and down buttons until you see that the vacation LED lights are blinking, release the buttons, then press them until the LED lights are steady.

Once the lights are steady and are no longer blinking, this is an indication that the valve is reset and if it is stuck in lockout mode, you should be able to have access to the valve again. When it comes to resetting this valve though, you can also complete a general reset on the water heater by simply pressing and holding down the reset button on the device until you hear the button click, indicating the reset has completed.

How to Perform AO Smith Water Heater Flammable Vapor Sensor Reset

White water heater

The flammable vapor sensor is actually a passive device on your AO Smith water heater, but it works in a very important way when called to the task. The flammable vapor sensor on a water heater works to detect any flammable vapors within one minute of them being released, thus triggering the gas to stop flowing and preventing any fires or explosions from occurring. If you want to reset the flammable vapor sensor on your water heater, how can it be done?

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 4, 2022.

To perform an AO Smith water heater flammable vapor sensor reset, find the FV sensor that is located inside the electric box on the device and turn the power off to the hot water tank. Once off, you will then remove the sensor and disconnect the sensor directly from the water heater.

Once you have the vapor sensor removed after disconnecting both spade connectors, you will then need to place the flammable vapor sensor in a well ventilated area for at least four hours to allow the device to reset. Once this time has passed or you see that the sensor has reset, you can then reconnect it to the water heater, turn the unit back on, allow it time to reheat after lighting the pilot or giving the heating elements time to do so, and check for proper function.

How to Reset AO Smith Gas Tankless Water Heater

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Whether you don’t have the space for a traditional water heater or you are looking to have a unit that is more efficient at keeping your water hot no matter how much you use, you may find yourself in ownership of an AO Smith tankless water heater. By heating the water as it flows through the pipe, shortages of hot water come few and far between. However, if you are experiencing some issues with your tankless water heater, how can it be reset?

To reset an AO Smith gas tankless water heater, you will need to turn the hot water tap off and wait for five minutes. Once this time has passed you can then turn the water heater back on. When completely rebooted, run the hot water faucet from any area and see if hot water is present.

How to Reset AO Smith Electric Tankless Water Heater

White water heater

The electric tankless water heater that is produced by AO Smith is a bit different than that of the gas model, as this unit is powered by simply plugging it into a working electrical outlet. Even with the convenience and quick access to hot water this unit can afford, you might find there are times when a reset is needed to restore some functions back to a good working order. To see how to reset an AO Smith electric tankless water heater, continue reading below.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 4, 2022.

To reset an AO Smith electric tankless water heater, you will follow the same steps as previously mentioned for the gas water heater. Turn off the hot water tap, wait five minutes, restore power back to the heater and once rebooted, run the hot water from a facet within the area.

How to Reset AO Smith Gas Water Heater (Non-Tankless)

Fixing water heater

If you aren’t particularly keen on tankless water heaters and prefer to stick with a water heater that still has a tank to heat what is within, then you know that the tank looks much different than that of a tankless water heater. Although a standard water heater with a tank is more familiar to most, if you are looking to reset the unit but aren’t quite sure how, continue reading below to see how this can be done.

To reset an AO Smith gas water heater that is non-tankless, remove the electrical panel that is located on the outside of the water heater and take away any insulation that’s placed behind it. When the insulation is removed, press the red reset button until you hear a click, and the unit will reset.

How to Reset AO Smith Electric Water Heater (Non-Tankless)

Frustrated woman sitting on the floor

Just as there are gas water heaters and gas tankless water heaters, so there are tankless electric water heaters as well as standard electric water heaters that heat the water through the use of a tank. If you have an AO Smith electric water heater, the device is powered by the fuel source of electricity, making this a great unit for those who never want to worry about a pilot light going out. Though, to reset an AO Smith electric water heater, what can be done?

To reset an AO Smith electric water heater that hosts a tank for heating water, remove the electric panel from the front of the unit as well as any insulation. When the insulation is removed, press the red reset button and hold it until you hear a click, which indicates the reset has taken place.

To reset an AO Smith water heater, the most standard method is by pressing the reset button located on the until. Whether you own a gas or electric heater, the electrical box can be pulled open as well as any insulation, then press the red reset button until a click is heard, indicating the reset.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 4, 2022.

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