I've been having a major issue with my A. O. Smith 50-gallon hybrid water heater (model FPTU-50 130). My house was built in 2020, and I'm currently on my third water heater under warranty. They all have the same problem where they start running out of hot water during showers. My neighbor, who lives just a couple of doors down and has the same model, hasn't had any issues at all. Is it that A. O. Smith has a poor track record, or is it just really bad luck on my part? I'm trying to figure out if there's a specific reason why my water heaters only last between one to one and a half years before they break down. Could it be related to an electrical issue or maybe the water quality?
3 Answers
Are you dealing with hard water? That can significantly impact how long your water heaters last.
You really should check to see what the actual cause of the failures is. From what you’ve described, it seems likely to be an electrical issue. Hybrid water heaters do have specific ventilation needs, and they should be placed in a room rather than a tight closet. Check to make sure everything's up to par with that.
It sounds like you might have an issue with zinc corrosion anodes in your water heaters. If those anodes are completely gone, it can lead to severe electrolysis or electrical currents in your plumbing, which might be damaging your units. It might be worth having an electrician take a look at your setup just to be safe.
Not really, the water flows pretty freely, actually.