Are AO Smith water heaters safe?

Author: Cesar Fisher  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 29, 2025

A. O. Smith has provided innovative and safe water heaters for your home for over 80 years. Through engineering and technology, A. O. Smith water heaters are vigorously tested and may have features that can detect problems before they occur.

Is there a recall on A. O. Smith water heaters?

A. O. Smith Recalls Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Due to Fire Hazard. This recall includes 30, 40 and 50 gallon natural or propane gas-fired Ultra-Low NOx emission gas water heaters. They are designed to comply with regulations in certain air quality districts in California, and were sold primarily in California.

Is A. O. Smith a good brand of water heaters?

Best Water Heater Brands According to Plumbers

The answer is yes and no. Yes, there is a “best” brand, but no, it isn't just one brand. AO Smith, State, and Bradford White are all very dependable brands and are known by professional plumbers for top-quality gas and electric water heaters.

What is the A. O. Smith water heater lawsuit?

Smith Corporation (A.O. Smith). The suit alleged that various design and manufacturing defects in an A.O. Smith hot water heater caused the water heater to catastrophically fail, resulting in significant and extensive damage to property owned by AIG's insured.

What is the safest type of water heater?

Electricity: Water heaters powered by electricity are considered safer and generally more efficient than most other fuel sources. Fuel Oil: Oil-fired heaters have high recovery rates and low operating costs.

Does a Water Heater Really Need to be Drained and Flushed?

What is the most reliable brand of water heater?

These are the three water heater brands ranked in the order of our preference:
  • American Standard.
  • Bradford White.
  • Rheem.

Where are AO Smith water heaters made?

Smith Water Products Company is headquartered in Ashland City, Tennessee, home of the world's largest water heater factory. The A. O. Smith network includes five manufacturing facilities in North America, plus plants in Nanjing, China and Veldhoven, The Netherlands.

What is the life expectancy of an A. O. Smith water heater?

Based on the manufacturer's suggested service life, the average life expectancy of a water heater is about 8 to 12 years. That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.

What is the difference between Rheem and A. O. Smith?

On average, Rheem water heaters have a lifespan of 12-15 years, whereas A.O. Smith units typically last around 10-12 years. This extra longevity means fewer replacements and lower overall costs in the long run. In my years of service, I've noticed that Rheem units require fewer repairs compared toA.O.

What are A. O. Smith water heaters lined with?

Glass-Lined Tank

A. O. Smith changed the water heater market over 80 years ago by introducing the glass-lined tank for all tank water heaters.

Is Whirlpool and A. O. Smith the same company?

The addition of the American, Whirlpool, GSW, and John Wood brands make A.O.

Why does my A. O. Smith water heater smell bad?

AO Smith Water Heater Anode Rod

In some cases certain chemicals and minerals in the water supply can cause the rod to produce a hydrogen sulfide gas that can make the hot water smell like rotten eggs. Try flushing the tank and changing the anode rod.

What brand of hot water system is most reliable?

The brands we have discussed above are generally very reliable, particularly if you go for their premium products. So, some names you can rely on are Bosch, Dux, Sanden, Rinnai, Steibel ,Rheem, Solahart , Aquamax & Vulcan, just to name a few.

What is the quality of A. O. Smith water heaters?

A.O. Smith water heaters have long been praised for their durability and excellent performance. This reputation can be partly attributed to the high-quality components utilized in making these heaters. Corrosion-resistant materials, such as glass coated heating elements and stainless-steel tanks, show A.O.

Are A. O. Smith and state water heaters the same?

State Water Heaters, is a brand of A.O. Smith Corporation, which leads the world in the manufacture of water heaters for residential and commercial use.

Why does my A. O. Smith water heater keep shutting off?

The thermal switch can trip if the water heater is not getting enough air. Press the small reset button in the center of the thermal switch. If it's tripped, you may be able to hear it click. Even if you do not hear the thermal switch click, try lighting the pilot using the instructions on the water heater's label.

Who makes the most reliable water heaters?

Top Water Heater Brands in 2024
  1. A.O. Smith: Advancement and Efficiency. ...
  2. Rheem: Versatile and Reliable. ...
  3. Bradford White: American-Made Quality. ...
  4. Bosch: Compact and Efficient. ...
  5. EcoSmart: Vitality Sparing and Eco-Friendly.

What is the pressure rating of A. O. Smith water heater?

Minimum gas supply pressure: 7 inches W.C. Maximum gas supply pressure: 13 inches W.C.

Is carrier or Rheem better?

Build Quality and Durability. Rheem is a mid-range central AC system that offers comfort and affordability. The products are less efficient compared to the Carrier and they are fragile and wear out faster. Carrier is one of the best HVAC brands to offer better build quality and durability.

What shortens the life of a water heater?

Sediment can build up over time in a water heater, shortening its lifespan. To prevent this, you should flush your water heater at least once per year. Flushing will help to remove any sediment that has built up and improve the efficiency of your water heater.

Are there any recalls on A. O. Smith water heaters?

A.O. Smith has recalled about 616,000 residential water heaters. The heaters, manufactured by A.O. Smith and sold primarily in California, have a gas burner screen that develops tears, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Who builds A. O. Smith water heaters?

Smith Water Products Company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Ashland City, Tennessee location is home of the world's largest water heater factory. A. O. Smith Corporation manufactures the following types of water heaters for residential uses: gas and propane, hybrid, electric, tankless, and solar.

Are A. O. Smith water heaters glass lined?

We coat the interior of the tank with porcelain enamel glass to protect the tank from corrosion, chemical resistance (acid or alkaline) and thermal shock.

Does A. O. Smith own Whirlpool?

American Water Heater made the Whirlpool WH's. AO Smith later bought out and rebranded the WP product line.

Is A. O. Smith a Chinese company?

The company was founded in 1874 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where today the Company is headquartered. A. O. Smith employs over 12,000 individuals at operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, India, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

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