How to Reset AO Smith Gas Water Heater

Are you having problems getting hot water from your AO Smith gas water heater? Don’t panic; resetting your AO Smith gas water heater is an easy DIY task that almost anyone can complete in just a few minutes!

Maintaining a gas water heater can be daunting, but understanding how to reset your AO Smith gas water heater will ease your worry. It’s especially important to know this process if you ever hear strange noises from the appliance or if it stops functioning correctly—it could be experiencing an error in temperature modulation, pressure control, air supply problems, etc.

How to Reset AO Smith Gas Water Heater

In this post, you’ll learn step-by-step instructions on how to reset AO smith gas water heater, as well as troubleshooting tips on what could have been causing the need to reset it in the first place.

What are the Benefits of Resetting an AO Smith Gas Water Heater?

The primary benefit of resetting your AO Smith gas water heater is that it can help to restore the appliance’s functionality and efficiency. This, in turn, helps you save money on energy bills because a properly functioning unit runs more efficiently than one that’s malfunctioning or clogged up with sediment.

Additionally, resetting your AO Smith gas water heater can help restore it to its optimal level of performance and extend its life span. After all, the less time spent dealing with problems caused by malfunctioning appliances, the longer you’ll get to enjoy their benefits!

What Will You Need?

Before you begin, make sure that you have the following items on hand:

  1. Flathead screwdriver
  2. Phillips head screwdriver
  3. Flashlight or light source to help you see into the unit

Once your tools and supplies are ready, you can reset your AO Smith gas water heater.

10 Easy Steps on How to Reset AO Smith Gas Water Heater

The process of resetting the AO smith gas water heater is easy enough for anyone to do in just four steps:

1. Disconnect Power Supply

The first step in resetting the AO smith gas water heater is to disconnect its power supply. To do this, locate the appliance’s breaker box and switch off the power at the circuit breaker. Be careful not to touch the wires with your hands or any metal objects; otherwise, you might get shocked.

2. Close Gas Valve

Once the power is disconnected, close the gas valve near the appliance before proceeding with further steps. You can usually find this valve on the side of the unit, and it should be manually shut off. If the valve is too difficult to turn by hand, you can use a flathead screwdriver for extra leverage.

Flathead Screwdriver for Extra Leverage

3. Remove the Outer Cover

Use a flathead screwdriver to remove any screws that may be holding together the gas water heater’s outer cover and then gently remove it from the unit. Use a flashlight or other light source to inspect the inside of your water heater and ensure everything is in order. If you notice any corrosion or damage, contacting a qualified repairman is best.

4. Reset the Pilot Light

Once you have inspected the interior of the unit, locate the pilot light and use a Phillips head screwdriver to reset it. You will find this small round knob near the lower part of your water heater. It should be manually turned off and on again in order to reset it.

5. Check for Gas Leaks

After resetting the pilot light, check for gas leaks by spraying some soapy water on all connections and hoses. If bubbles appear, a leak is present—in which case, contact a qualified repairman immediately before continuing with any further steps. If there are no leaks, move on to the next step.

6. Turn the Gas Valve On

Turn the gas valve near your AO Smith gas heater back on after checking for leaks. Make sure to do this slowly and carefully in order to avoid any potential issues. Additionally, you can use a flathead screwdriver to help you if the valve is too difficult to turn with just your hands.

7. Reconnect the Power Source

Reconnect the power source by returning to the unit’s breaker box and turning on the circuit breaker switch. This should restore power to your gas water heater, allowing it to begin functioning again. Make sure to install a fresh 9-volt battery in the pilot light before you turn it back on.

Turning on the Circuit Breaker Switch

8. Relight Pilot Light

Use a match or lighter to relight the pilot light of your AO Smith gas water heater. To do this, you will need to press down on the knob near the bottom of the appliance while also holding a lit match nearby so that it can catch and ignite the flame from within. Always be sure to follow all safety instructions when working with any type of flame.

9. Turn the Thermostat On

Once the pilot light has been relit, turn your water heater’s thermostat back on to begin heating the water once again. If needed, you may also adjust the temperature settings on this device in order to suit your needs. Be careful to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when doing this, as different models may have different procedures.

Turn Your Water Heater's Thermostat

10. Reattach Outer Cover

After checking to ensure everything is working properly and that there are no further issues present, reattach the outer cover of your AO Smith gas water heater by using a screwdriver to secure any screws removed earlier. Once completed, your appliance should now be restored and ready for use! You can now enjoy hot water again.

These ten simple steps will help you reset your AO Smith gas water heater quickly and easily. With proper care and maintenance, your water heater should serve you reliably for many years to come.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. If your water heater is not performing as expected, check to make sure the pilot light has not gone out. You may need to reset the thermostat and gas valve before relighting it if it has.

2. Make sure there are no blockages or obstructions that could be preventing airflow to the burner area of your gas water heater.

3. Check for any signs of corrosion in your gas line or connections that can prevent a proper supply of natural gas from reaching your appliance.

Corrosion in Your Gas Line or Connections

4. Check for any loose connections between the control panel and other components on the outside of your AO Smith Gas Water Heater—if any exist, tighten them up before attempting a reset procedure.

5. After resetting your AO Smith Gas Water Heater, take a few minutes to inspect the appliance for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, contact an experienced technician for professional advice and assistance.

Following these tips can help ensure that your AO Smith Gas Water Heater runs as efficiently as possible and provides reliable hot water on demand. If you ever need more information about resetting your gas water heater, consult the manufacturer’s manual or contact an experienced plumbing expert in your area.

5 Things You Should Avoid

1. Don’t attempt to reset the water heater if it is already on and working. This should only be done when the heater isn’t functioning properly or has been shut off for an extended period of time.

2. Do not use a screwdriver, hammer, or other tools to press the reset button. These items may damage the switch and make it more difficult to reset later on.

3. Never try to repair or replace the pressure switch yourself, as this is a job best left to professionals.

4. Do not cover up or hide the alarm panel containing the reset button, as this could hinder your ability to access it in an emergency.

5. Avoid using excessive force when pressing down on the reset button, as it may cause damage or malfunction of the switch.

With these tips in mind, you should now be better informed on how to reset an AO Smith gas water heater properly. Good luck!

Conclusion

In conclusion, resetting an A.O. Smith gas water heater isn’t as difficult as one might think and can be done with basic tools like a screwdriver or adjustable wrench. By following the steps on how to reset ao smith gas water heater, users will be able to reset their water heater quickly and effectively, avoiding further potential issues from being unable to do it correctly.

Additionally, these simple steps can help save time and money by ensuring that the user doesn’t have to pay someone else to reset the heater when they could do it themselves. Ultimately, resetting an A.O. Smith gas water heater is a relatively quick and straightforward process that can be completed with clarity if the outlined steps are followed carefully.

Doing so empowers the user to take control of their heating system and feel comfortable that it’s functioning properly for efficient temperature maintenance and optimal energy-saving results over time.

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Terry Alexander

Hi, I am Terry. I started my professional life as a handyman and did a lot of external and internal repair of home and plumbing support. From my childhood, my passion for home repair and fixtures created an opportuinity to pursue a career in HVAC and plumbing industry. As I gained years of knowledge and my love for plumbing grew overtime, I thought to document my journey so that I could help others who ran into daily problems in their home repair. Hopefully it will help you fix those pesky home repair and plumbing problems that always seem to happen at the worst time possible!

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