A.O. Smith gas and electric water heaters are mostly used in the US. Regarding brand recognition, their principal rivals are Rinnai and Rheem. The brand’s dependability is one of the elements influencing many homeowners to pick it.
There may be times when hot water isn’t available for your washer or when you’re taking a hot shower. Resetting your hot water tank is one possible AO Smith water heater troubleshooting approach.
Locating the water heater reset button can be challenging, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the design. Based on my experience as a professional technician, I’ve found that the reset button is often concealed behind a metal cover, adding a layer of safety to prevent accidental resets.
The reset button is typically located near the thermostat under a panel for electric models, while gas models may have the button integrated into the gas control valve. Handling this with care is crucial, as improper resetting can lead to further complications.
One user mentioned, “The reset button on the gas water heater is integrated into the gas control valve, making it tricky to locate if you’re unsure where to look.”
Read also: AO Smith Tankless Water Heater Troubleshooting
Ao Smith Water Heater Reset Button
The first step in your troubleshooting procedure should be to turn off the electricity to your A.O. Smith water heater. You must also turn off the gas line valve on a gas water heater.
Look beneath the metal cover towards the unit’s center for the water heater reset button on a gas or electric model. When the lid is still open, a protective layer of insulation or Styrofoam will reveal the button.
You will need a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the cover in place.
As a seasoned expert in water heater maintenance, I often encounter situations where the water heater keeps tripping the reset button. This issue frequently stems from a compromised heating element or a thermostat failure.
From my experience, a reset button can trip due to the water temperature exceeding safe levels, usually caused by a malfunctioning thermostat or sediment build-up within the tank. A user recounted, “After resetting my water heater multiple times, I learned that sediment in the tank was causing overheating, leading to the reset button tripping.”
Ao Smith Water Heater Troubleshooting
Your AO Smith electric water heater may not be producing any hot water for the following reasons:
- The device is not powered by electricity.
- Burnout of the upper heating element
- A malfunctioning thermostat or faulty wiring
- The reset button is tripping due to overheating or a short circuit.
- The water heater’s inlet and output connectors are being reversed.
- The plumbing system leaks on the hot water side, reducing hot water flow.
Read also: How to Clean Thermocouple on Water Heater?
How To Fix:
If you just installed your AO Smith Electric Water Heater, it’s a typical problem: it doesn’t have any electricity. So, check the electricity to your unit first, and then the AO Smith water heater keeps tripping the reset button. Purchase a non-contact circuit tester and adhere to the advice provided below:
- At the circuit breaker, switch off your water heater.
- Take off the junction box’s cover. It is located at the top of the water heater.
- It’s important to distinguish between the ground wire and the power cord. The color of the power cord is either red/black or black/black. On the other hand, the ground wire is green or copper wire.
Now, activate your circuit breaker and check the power on both incoming power lines using a non-contact circuit tester. Recover the lid for the electrical junction box and turn off the electricity.
If no electricity is coming to the appliance, immediately call a licensed electrician to inspect your home’s wiring and circuit breakers.
Read also: AO Smith Water Heater No Status Light
Common Issues and Solutions
| Common Issues | Potential Causes | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water | Power failure | Check circuit breaker, reset system |
| Button keeps tripping | Faulty thermostat or heating element | Test and replace the faulty part |
| Water too hot | Thermostat malfunction | Flush the tank, check plumbing |
| Low water pressure | Sediment build-up, leaks | Flush the tank, check the plumbing |
How To Reset Ao Smith Water Heater
- Go to your home’s garage electrical panel or on the building’s outer walls. Locate the breaker with the word “water heater” on it. Turn it so that it is “off.”
- Step over to the hot water tank. By removing the screws holding it, you may remove the top panel cover on the side of the device. Right within the panel will be the AO Smith reset button. The reset button may have some insulation covering it. Remove the insulation but preserve it.
- To reset, click the water heater reset button. The water heater has been reset, and you should hear a clicking sound.
- To turn on the breaker switch, go back to the electrical panel.
To get your gas water heater working again, you must relight the pilot light on the tank.
Bottom Line
We cannot recall a single day without a working water heater. When you shower, and the water isn’t hot, you realize how important a water heater is.
Maintenance Tips: Regular maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your AO Smith water heater. This includes periodically checking the anode rod, flushing the tank to remove sediment, and inspecting electrical connections and the heating element for wear and tear.
Energy Efficiency: Optimizing the energy efficiency of your AO Smith water heater can lead to significant savings on your utility bills. Consider insulating your water heater tank and hot water pipes, setting the thermostat to an optimal temperature, and using timers or smart controllers to manage usage.
