AO Smith Water Heater Heating Element Replacement

In this video I'm replacing AO Smith Electric Water Heater Heating Element. This water heater is a week old. When you see the Heating Element you would think this Electric water heater is a few years old.
It's Lowe's and AO Smith selling used units and saying they are new? Stay tune.

[@justmike57]

The element wires don't matter which side they go on, it's all 240 anyways. When an element doesn't have water on it, it will bubble up and fry the outer coating until it blows out. Did you notice that little red button above the element? that is an over load breaker built into the tank. You did a great job there.

[@NoneMechanic101]

I didn't know if the placement of the wire matter but now I know. Thank you for the information. Yes, I did notice the red button above the element. I didn't touch it because I didn't know what it was. 🛠

[@oldnick4707]

Also, in the 'Troubleshooting' section of the owners manual it says the Energy Cut Off 'ICO', (that's the red button), pops when the water gets TOO HOT and that this caused by something. Either the thermostats above or below or the elements above or below or the wiring, so you want to make sure to be able to check out the actual problem or have someone else check that, not just push that button to reset it!

[@GShileikis]

I pressed my Overload button in as it had popped and will be monitoring the elements, etc. This is a 6yo Heater and only 17 days out of warranty. I've not messed with a think since it was installed. We'll see if there is more going on shortly. Thanks!

[@ArcaneErudition]

Solid information. This man is saving y'all money, you owe him a tip.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank You.

[@warrengriffith6768]

Thank you for the video, wish I had read ALL of the instructions prior to attempting to fire it up. Yup, didn't let it fill and burnt out the upper element on a brand new tank. Your steps were very helpful, thanks!

[@NoneMechanic101]

You're welcome!

[@DarrenWorldW1de]

This happened with mine as well.. the one time I didn’t read the manual before installing and it bit me in the butt! Luckily the element and wrench are inexpensive.

[@Drifter5.7]

That's a hard lesson to learn. I learned when my neighbor lost the elements when his water supply pipes froze going to it and burned the elements quickly. Good installation video.

[@NoneMechanic101]

I hope I don't have to go through what your neighbor when through. I called the company. They gave me the run around.

[@spm122]

Thanks for the informational DIY video! Helped out a lot changing this at midnight

[@NoneMechanic101]

You're welcome👍

[@hecticproductions11]

Great Video. And make sure you got the serial number before calling the manufacturer cause they won't warranty the part, without that serial number. they need it to verify the model / part. just for anyone who's gonna have to do this. I went through issue with AO Smith , this video was real good and helping after I got the element from manufacturer.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank you

[@arthurvandelay7677]

That's a great video, and just what I needed to see today. I'm pretty handy around the house, but I'm not that familiar with water heaters. I'm going today to troubleshoot a six-year old A.O. Smith water heater in our rental house that blows the circuit breaker. Now I know exactly how to proceed.

[@NoneMechanic101]

You're welcome

[@KingMarioRF]

Good job bro and when I used to do maintenance work with over 5,000 properties in Arizona man we had to troubleshoot, replace warrantied parts , or even the whole unit itself from cracking at the base all AO smiths and All of other properties that had old 25 year old sometimes more Rheem water heaters only ran into a few issues most of them would get replaced because they were old 20 plus year old but never replaced parts within a 5 year span from installation I always go with Rheem now just from my experiences

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thanks

[@robertmartinez7129]

Thanks man. This was like Chicano Repairs Ayy! I like it and thank you.

[@NoneMechanic101]

You're Welcome👍

[@maikolpena9673]

Thank you so much, I bought a new one yesterday and I installed with my dad and I turn it on before it filled up and that happened to me too

[@NoneMechanic101]

Is it working know?

[@maikolpena9673]

@@NoneMechanic101 i just put it to fill up like 20 minutes ago and I haven’t turn it on just to make sure it’s full

[@ziggyperez2372]

Nice work Hector and fixing the water heater had to do the same thing to mine’s yesterday 👍👍👍👍👍

[@NoneMechanic101]

Was your Element bent?

[@cammyaustralis]

Ziggy Perez damn bro you could have replied to amigo Hector’s question. I’m wondering if yours was bent, also. I am about to change mine out today. Good job, Hector. Gotta check with my local hardware store and see if they have any Elements in stock.

[@juancarlostorres1703]

Bro you just made my day and safe me 524 dollars 💸 cheers 🥃 to you my man 🙏

[@NoneMechanic101]

No problem 👍

[@GShileikis]

Trying to fins where and how to check the elements on my AO Smith, 17 days Out of Warranty, are and how to test them. Thanks for the great video, wish me luck.

[@NoneMechanic101]

You’re so very welcome 👍🏼

[@samueladams2649]

Good job Hector, I might not make comments on your videos often but I watch everyone you put out, keep up the good work Hector... 👍

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank you for supporting my channel. I appreciate it🔧👊

[@georgewright5484]

You are a professional thankyou for making this video it helped me

[@NoneMechanic101]

You're so very welcome👍

[@mica122213]

cool vid, would only add to cap off those wires with wire nuts while you are working around them if you are not sure power could be turned on or as general practice. Also, heating elements come in low density stainless steel or high density zinc plated. depending on your water type such as hard water may react with the element in different ways. I have an a.o smith and dealing with some issues also, they did however, replace the tank under warranty so far I am happy with the company. I see you don't have your pressure relief line installed, if you don't have a sump, you can run a simple pvc pipe (even tho not rated for hot water) to direct the flow out of the way. you don't that relief valve to pop while you are standing next to it. with the power off-letting the tank cool, using that hose you can also flush your tank by opening the valve at the bottom, leaving the cold water run for a while to get any debris out of the tank, should do this once a year. making sure the tank is full before applying power again.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank you. I appreciate it!

[@southernguy35]

Sometimes those relief valves go bad. If you feel that waste pipe and it's warm or hot, it's leaking hot water. My sister was using a lot of electricity. Complained, complained, complained to the electric company. They took the digital meter out and replaced it. She still was using lots of power. I came around and checked. I looked at the hot water tank and the end of that pop off valve pipe had a hard water build up stalactite about four inches long. It had been leaking for a long, long time.

[@IKED1515]

I really appreciate this have to do mine today and this is what I will use to get it done. Thanks you sir!

[@NoneMechanic101]

You are welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@mr.marvelousmess6986]

My man. Much appreciated you making this video. Subscribed.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank you

[@stephenryan4192]

Excellent video with instructions. Thank you.

[@NoneMechanic101]

You're Welcome👍

[@TWiSTeD-TRuCKeR]

Great video bro we had the same problem and this video was a huge help thanks

[@NoneMechanic101]

No problem 👍

[@nm8354]

Thanks for the video, it was very informative. I should be able to do the switch. Thanks.

[@NoneMechanic101]

No problem 👍

[@callsignnictmere465]

Great video just what I needed change the element.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank you👍

[@Big_Country843]

Great video and one of the best! I need to replace my upper heating element and have been looking at videos. You video explained checking to see if the wire was still "hot." What kind of tester did you use? I just want a basic tester that light's up when it senseses power in the wires. I dont know to be on the receiving end of 240 volts.

[@NoneMechanic101]

There’s different testers. I used a regular electric tester.

[@apostle1.5]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@NoneMechanic101]

You’re so very welcome 🔧

[@Florida_Man_Robb]

Shouldn’t you check the new element for water leaks before you close up the panel and fill the tank?

[@NoneMechanic101]

Yes I should had check for water leak. Thanks

[@MickCone]

I have one of those water heaters, I hesitate to bring this up, but, in the instructions that came with it it clearly states, DO Not Turn On The Power Until The Unit Is Full Of Water.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thanks

[@emersonmena5106]

Good video OG

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank you. I appreciate it

[@sheldonrussell4159]

Thank you very helpful.my mithera brand new water heater (AO Smith) heating element also went out.never used

[@NoneMechanic101]

AO Smith has a problem with this. They have to address it. Thank you for watching

[@JaredWebbMusic]

Same thing happened to mine. Had it for 2 days

[@NoneMechanic101]

I believe this is why. The company has a warranty on the part

[@davidfaw4714]

@NoneMechanic101 does it matter which wire from the thermostat goes to the element? Example.. younmarked your yellow wire... i forgot too.

[@NoneMechanic101]

The wires should go the same way it was.

[@annbc5883]

How will I know when the water heater is completely filled?

[@tanyason1138]

Wondering if you can share the model number and how many gallons this particular tank holds? I’ve got a short one that is a 54 gallon. The model number is EG 12-40R55 DV 210

[@darcher5888]

Nice! Thanks!

[@NoneMechanic101]

You're welcome👍

[@nathanaelhilliard9775]

Thanks for the video but quick question. Is the upper and lower heating elements the same for your AO Smith or they two different part numbers?

[@NoneMechanic101]

I believe they are the same but look at the owners manual.

[@dukeraul624]

How’s she holding up? I’m considering wiring my elements for simultaneous operation.

[@NoneMechanic101]

She's holding up pretty well. No problems so far.

[@user-sn7du2gv9l]

How do you know when hot water heater empty. My dad has done his in the past and nothing coming out of the hose. But when he took element out. Water came out the hole.

[@user-sn7du2gv9l]

And how do you know when the hot water heater is full? I am draining mine now

[@NoneMechanic101]

Water should had came out the hose

[@JamesKovall]

mines 3 years old ao smith same shit bottom element went bought a package with replaced both both rotted talked to plumbers electric guys said to me stay away from ao smith water heaters lil late for me but got mine working but for how long!🤑😡

[@NoneMechanic101]

Yes they told me the same thing but I'm stuck with it😢

[@Trinity-rc6ch]

I have the same model water heater and it is not heating water as it should. Our showers have to be 5 mins or less and the water is cold. Does that mean the element needs to be replaced? My water heater is less than 3 years old.

[@NoneMechanic101]

The element usually goes bad on this water heater

[@Trinity-rc6ch]

@@NoneMechanic101 thanks. So most likely once I change this my hot water will be restored to longer periods as it was when it was new.

[@NoneMechanic101]

@@Trinity-rc6ch My water heater has been working since I replaced the element

[@thedevilwuster]

So did it work? I have an almost brand new Signature 100 and lost hot water the other night. ??? Almost brand new. I replaced the upper thermostat and that did nothing. I'm about 100 % positive that the tank was full before I powered it up for the first time but I did have the elements pretty screaming hot and it would get a lot of use at certain times (washing dishes and daughter, not knowing, takes a shower at the same time... stuff like this) so I'm going to assume it's the element since this seems to be an issue with these models. Everything else checks out great. Proper voltages and continuity but believe I witnessed an element short on my multimeter last night. Pretty damn sorry for a 6 month old heater.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Yes it did worked

[@thedevilwuster]

@@NoneMechanic101 It did for me also and now a bunch of things make sense to me. The element I changed had to have been defective to begin with. I had a 25 amp breaker it was kicking when we first stepped up to this new Signature 100 50 gallon so I put in a 30 because I had the wiring in spec and it was still tripping the breaker once in a while. It never should have tripped the 25. I've found in my research trying to nail it down (replaced the thermostat and nothing happened so down the knowledge hole) that only one element ever runs. They're never both on at the same time so I should never have pulled more than 18 someodd amps and never should have tripped any breakers. Bad element from the factory. I'm a little pissed. Only 6 months old and under warranty but couldn't take not having hot water and I know enough to fix about anything so I took care of it without going through the warranty process. You video was insightful. I didn't do the research to know these units blow out uppers easily as they do while still basically new.

[@derpherpp]

Before u throwing parts at it even though it’s cheap, you have to test to see which parts working and broken. Could be the thermostats. This thing only have like 2 different parts

[@jamesz1961]

How do we know that the heating element becomes bad?

[@NoneMechanic101]

When there isn’t hot water in the house

[@coryray3366]

Havent even had ours a year and heating elements already went bad

[@NoneMechanic101]

If the elements is the original. It usually goes bad quick but after that it should be good for a few years.

[@golikoteswararao3591]

Can you make a similar video on aosmith horizontal geyser??

[@NoneMechanic101]

I have never done it

[@cammyaustralis]

Hector, do you remember which brand Element that PART# was for?

[@NoneMechanic101]

If I remember correctly I called customer service and they gave me the part number.

[@cammyaustralis]

NoneMechanic101 ok cool brother, thank you.

[@sanjeshsowmyabharath]

how often should we change the heating element?

[@NoneMechanic101]

No sure but I have been changing it every 2 years

[@derpherpp]

When you run out of hot water or no hot water.

[@NoneMechanic101]

@@derpherpp Don't understand the question

[@AnhYeuEmMaiMai69]

that element got cooked because it was not submerged in water. after replacing it leave a hot water faucet open, turn the water back on and wait until you hear nothing but water coming out of ite faucet and THEN turn the power back on

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thanks

[@dontaskmeforusername]

How to find element

[@NoneMechanic101]

?

[@djustilien]

Same thing happened to us.

[@NoneMechanic101]

Did you get to fix it?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

That Element Looked Like a old one. I put in a new Water heater in my house and it cost me $900, these things are expensive.

[@NoneMechanic101]

They are very expensive. I'm trying to understand why the element was that way.

[@samueladams2649]

@@NoneMechanic101 hard water, install a water softener if you Can...

[@NoneMechanic101]

@@samueladams2649 , how I do that. Any recommendations?

[@samueladams2649]

@@NoneMechanic101 call the Culligan man and get a free estimate on a water softener listen to them very carefully maybe you can figure it out... Remember, if they can do it so can you...

[@NoneMechanic101]

@@samueladams2649 Thank you

[@wrenjacobs9392]

👍

[@NoneMechanic101]

👍🔧

[@joshuapark4756]

Mah dude needs to grill some burgers or something... Good video though!

[@NoneMechanic101]

I like cheese burgers with a nice cold orange juice 👊🏼

[@lmgmodest92]

I have the same problem too cuz … shitty

[@NoneMechanic101]

Is a easy fix🔧

[@lmgmodest92]

@@NoneMechanic101 thanks for your video! longest part was waiting for water to drain! You are awesome! keep up with videos!

[@NoneMechanic101]

@@lmgmodest92 Thank You👍

[@hughwynn6193]

Turn the water on first and check for any water leak before connecting the wires. You don't want to turn the power on when the tank is empty anyway

[@NoneMechanic101]

Thank you