I have a 15 year old 50 gallon A.O.Smith High Efficiency natural gas water heater, that randomly stops heating the water. To correct the problem, I have to move the gas knob to pilot, push it down as if I were lighting the water heater, release and return it to the on position. When I do this the fan immediately kicks on and starts heating the water. Is this a thermostat problem? It seems to do this most often when we are not demanding hot water (ie overnight). How easy is it to fix something like this? Am I just better off to replace the water heater because of its age. We have already replaced the anode rod several years ago. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Replies
This has a standing pilot? Kinda sounds like maybe a draft sensor is detecting a failure to start the draft.
PS: Our water heater is 30.5 years old and still going, so don't believe the articles you read that say a water heater only lasts 8-10 years. (Ours is, however, electric.)
A.O. Smith has had some trouble with their flame sensing rods. Mine has been replaced twice over the past ~6 years. So that would be my guess.
A.O. Smith and the plumber who installed it have done the replacements at no cost to me, BTW. They also told me I could clean the rod with sandpaper if I wanted to in order to make it last longer.
I assume that is the rod that sits in the flame. How does it work? Is it just a thermocouple verifying the flame exists? How easy is it to replace.
Thanks!
If it has a standing pilot then it is a thermocouple.If it is electric ignition then a flame sensor is used. But I dont know how a standing pilot could be used with power vented vented WH.But without a standing pilot the control would not have a pilot mode.What is the model number?.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bill:
It is a A.O. Smith PowerShot FPS 50 224. I can't find any information on it at AO's website. It does have a standing pilot. Any help would be appreciated so I can get it fixed and make my wife happy!
Thanks,
Scott
Edited 4/20/2007 9:26 pm ET by BlanchardFamily
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/service.htmlFPD series 226-227 / FPSE 226E / FPS series 230-233 Residential Power Vented HeaterI download that it also has a standing pilot and I am guessing close enough to yours.I don't remember if the fan was coming on or not.My guess is that something is sticking.The best that I can tell the gas valve calls for gas as on a regular WH. Then the gas pressure drops the pressure switch closes. That allows the fan to run and when there is air pressure it allows the soleniod vlave on the burner to fire.If the burner is not running then either the gas pressure switch or the gas valve is sticking..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.