This document is a comprehensive "Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide" for A. O. Smith water heaters, provided in partnership with HD Supply. It covers product overviews, installation instructions, troubleshooting steps, and annual maintenance for both gas and electric residential water heaters. The guide is available in both English and Spanish.
Function Description:
A. O. Smith water heaters are designed to provide reliable hot water for residential and commercial applications. They are built with a focus on durability and efficiency, incorporating several premium features to ensure long-lasting performance. The guide serves as a resource for property owners and maintenance professionals to install, maintain, and troubleshoot these water heaters effectively.
Important Technical Specifications (based on provided tables):
The guide includes detailed specifications for various A. O. Smith ProLine® Electric, ProLine® Gas, and ProLine® Gas Ultra-Low NOx residential water heaters.
ProLine® Electric Water Heaters:
- Capacities: Ranging from 19 gallons (20 Lowboy) to 50 gallons (50 Tall/Medium).
- Wattage: Most models are 4500 Watts.
- Dimensions: Vary by model, e.g., 18" diameter x 24-3/4" height for 19-gallon lowboy, up to 23" diameter x 49-1/4" height for 50-gallon medium.
- Energy Factor (Uniform Energy Factor): Ranges from 0.89 to 0.94, indicating energy efficiency.
- Water Connection Location: Can be Top & Side, Top, or Side, depending on the model.
- T&P (Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve) Location: Typically Top.
- Special Features: Factory configured for top T&P installation; lowboy models offer field conversion to side T&P using a specific conversion kit (Part #730092).
ProLine® Gas Water Heaters:
- Capacities: Ranging from 30 gallons (30 Short/Tall) to 74 gallons (75 Tall).
- BTU Input Natural Gas: Ranges from 29,000 BTU/hr (LP models) to 75,100 BTU/hr.
- Dimensions: Vary by model, e.g., 18" diameter x 50-1/4" height for 30-gallon short, up to 26-1/2" diameter x 61" height for 74-gallon tall.
- Energy Factor (Uniform Energy Factor): Ranges from 0.57 to 0.66.
- Water Connection Location: Can be Top, Side, or Top & Side.
- T&P Location: Typically Side or Top.
- LP Models: Specific models available for Liquid Propane (LP) gas, e.g., GCB-30R (LP) and GCB-40 (LP).
ProLine® Gas Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters:
- Capacities: Ranging from 30 gallons (30 Tall) to 50 gallons (50 Tall).
- BTU Input Natural Gas: Ranges from 33,000 BTU/hr to 50,000 BTU/hr.
- Dimensions: Vary by model, e.g., 16" diameter x 61-3/4" height for 30-gallon tall, up to 22" diameter x 61" height for 50-gallon tall.
- Energy Factor (Uniform Energy Factor): Ranges from 0.57 to 0.64.
- Water Connection Location: Typically Top or Top & Side.
- T&P Location: Typically Top.
- Compliance: Ultra-Low NOx Compliant, often indicated by "UT" and "CA" symbols, suggesting compliance with California regulations.
Usage Features:
- Blue Diamond® Glass Coating: A patented commercial-grade formula for superior corrosion resistance, extending tank life.
- CoreGard™ Anode Rod: Features a stainless steel core that enhances the life of the anode rod, providing superior tank protection.
- Self-Cleaning Dip Tubes: Made from long-lasting PEX cross-linked polymer, these tubes help reduce lime and sediment buildup and maximize hot water output.
- Heat Trap Nipples: Factory-installed to mitigate standby heat loss and facilitate faster installation.
- Enhanced-Flow Brass Drain Valve: A solid brass, tamper-resistant, ball-type drain valve with a standard female hose fitting for easy draining. It includes an integral screwdriver slot for quick 1/4 turn open/close operation.
- Self-Powered Electronic Gas Valve (for gas models): Equipped with intelligent control logic and an internal microprocessor for enhanced operating parameters, tighter differentials, and faster heating response. It uses a thermopile for power generation, eliminating the need for an external power source, and includes an LED Status Indicator for system monitoring and service diagnostics.
- Commercial-Grade Electric Elements (for electric models): ProLine® Master electric products feature stainless steel upper and lower elements with thicker walls and larger diameter sheaths, designed for durability.
Maintenance Features:
The guide provides detailed troubleshooting and annual maintenance checklists for both mechanical and electronic gas valves, and standard electric water heaters.
Troubleshooting (General):
- No Hot Water / Not Enough Hot Water: Addresses issues like pilot light status (for gas), thermostat settings, and heating element functionality (for electric).
- Pilot Won't Light / Pilot Lights / Pilot Won't Hold: Specific steps for gas water heaters, including checking gas supply, igniter wires, thermocouple, and gas valve.
- Status Light Doesn't Flash (Electrical Problem): For electronic gas valves, indicates an electrical issue, prompting a reset button check on the thermal switch.
- Thermal Switch Didn't Trip / Thermal Switch Tripped (Air Supply Problem): Instructions for checking the thermocouple (for gas) or air filter and flame arrestor (for air supply issues).
- Thermostatic Mixing Valve: Suggests installing one if higher tank temperatures are desired to increase hot water delivery while mitigating scalding risk.
- Check Lower Heating Element (for electric): Steps to test resistance of heating elements and thermostats using a meter.
- Press Reset (Clicks) / Press Reset (Did Not Click) (for electric): Instructions for resetting the energy cut-off and diagnosing shorted/grounded elements or welded thermostat contacts.
- Check For Leak: Advises checking plumbing system for leaks if elements and thermostats are good.
Annual Water Heater Maintenance Checklist:
- Check Water Pressure: Recommends checking pressure at the drain valve or hose bib. If pressure exceeds 80 psi, install a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV).
- Control Water Pressure: Experts recommend setting PRV to 50-60 psi to protect appliances.
- Control Thermal Expansion: Emphasizes the need for an expansion tank in closed plumbing systems to prevent damage. The expansion tank should be pressurized to match water pressure before installation.
- Inspect T&P Relief Valve: Instructions for inspecting the valve according to its label. A dripping T&P valve may indicate high water pressure or thermal expansion, requiring pressure control or an expansion tank before replacement.
- Drain and Flush Tank: Crucial for gas water heaters. Involves turning off cold water supply, opening drain valve and T&P relief valve, draining 2-3 gallons (or entire tank if water is milky), then refilling and purging air. Essential for electric water heaters to prevent dry firing elements.
- Check/Replace Anode Rod: The anode rod reduces corrosion and extends water heater life. Involves turning off power/gas, closing cold water supply, relieving tank pressure, and removing the rod. Replace if significantly depleted. Check every three years, or annually for units with a water softener.
Need help?
General
To Next Page