| Author |
Message |
    
Barb
Citizen
Username: Flannery
Post Number: 220
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 4:20 pm: | 
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Our 2-year-old hot water heater just ruptured through a corroded spot and needs to be replaced. I won't replace it with the same type (AO Smith) even though this is a warranty job because anything that falls apart in 2 years isn't worth the material it's made of. Have just spent the last hour wet-vacuuming 20 gals. of water out of the basement...
Would like to hear the opinions of others and what types of gas hot water heaters you have. Of course, this had to happen on a hot, humid weekend when I've been out gardening like a fool... |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 233
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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Bradford White 50 Gallon 10 year warranty. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1873
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 5:12 pm: |
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I wouldn't bash AO Smith just because you had one that failed. All water heater brands have their bad apples.
After 18 (yes, 18) years, our AO Smith finally gave out. We had PSE&G replace it with a new AO Smith, which is the only brand they install.
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SO Ref
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 1907
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 5:23 pm: |
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Why would you want to heat hot water???  |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11862
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 5:40 pm: |
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Gosh SO, that is a dumb question. Isn't it obvious to make it hotter? Makes perfect sense to most of us.
Kidding aside, I wouldn't throw away the warrenty because of one bad apple. While every plumber has their favorite brand AO Smith is usually viewed as a top brand. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1169
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 5:46 pm: |
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Barb,
I am incliined to suggest that you give AO Smith another try. I know nothing about mechanicals, but we are in the same situation with our 2 year old A/C unit. A great make, but a bad unit.
Keep your warranty alive. Get another AO Smith, and hopefully this will be the end of your hot water problems!
Good luck with it!
SOP |
Barb
Citizen
Username: Flannery
Post Number: 221
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 7:44 pm: |
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Ok, ok! Have spoken to numerous other AO Smith diehards and my trusty plumber. Smithie gets one more chance. But next time, I'm calling all of you to clean up the flood! 
Looks like a weekend of cold showers!
Thanks for the ops! |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 732
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 8:14 pm: |
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Barb, by any chance do you have a water softener?
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Barb
Citizen
Username: Flannery
Post Number: 223
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 8:47 pm: |
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Kevin,
I don't because I don't like the salty taste it gives the water. I don't think the hardness of the water had anything to do with the water heater failing (as in mineral buildup). The previous water heater was in place for >20 years before it failed. I do, however, have a whole house water filter that removes the minerals and chlorine. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 733
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 11:27 pm: |
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I was just wondering if you had a water softener because that could cause the sacrificial anode in your water heater to corrode faster which in turn could cause your tank to fail quicker. A whole house water filter would not cause the same thing. |
us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1460
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 6:10 am: |
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We installed an AO Smith 50 gal (gas) heater in 1997. There was an ongoing problem where the water temp wouldn't hold overnight. It cooled to the point where periodically the first shower of the day wasn't too pleasant. AO Smith gave me the runaround for about 6 months saying it was normal for a hot water heater to "sleep" and drop the standing temp by 20 degrees. I told them I didn't purchase a hot water heater to ever sleep.
After two months, AO sent our plumber authorization to pull the unit and replace it with a like model, and it was fine. I guess some of their heaters need sleep and some don't.
We were in the metro area last weekend and stopped in to see the new owners, now of two years. They have been totally pleased with their purchase, and the hot water heater was doing just fine. (btw; the old Sage diner was pretty good.)
AO Smith is one of your better brands in my opinion.
We have an electric Rheem HWH here in Florida that was installed by the builder. My guess is 5 years and it's going to be toast.
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SO Ref
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 1913
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 7:55 am: |
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Water Heater |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 336
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 1:33 pm: |
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Barb, why do you have a whole house filter? are you in south orange? our plumber is suggesting we get one for the sediment in our hot water. we have a tankless system. |
Barb
Citizen
Username: Flannery
Post Number: 224
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 3:21 pm: |
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CQ,
We're in Mplwd. We have one because the chlorine was overpowering and I hated the taste from the tap. This clears up all of the taste, the water no longer smells like a swimming pool. You should see the sediment the filter takes care of! Much happier girl now. And no more bottles to recycle... |
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