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Posted by: Dr Fattlestien on 2010-03-09, 13:10:23
Is this an A.O. Smith electric water heater? Kind of looks a bit like one. I am a plumber. Those timer things are obsolete, and chances are it does not even work, I am guessing your water heater is from the 80's, no? The year of manufacture is in the serial number example 1083axvy...means October 1983, although there may be letter first then numbers or whatever. You cannot adjust temp. of electric water heater without first shutting down the power to unit. There should be two little doors held by screws the top one is the temp adjuster HOWEVER, like the one guy on here says, it is probably time to change the water heater. Any heater over 10 years old that is exhibiting failure, is just a waste of money to repair ESPECIALLY one as old as yours. I can tell by the pics with that fake wood grain look on the heater that it is 20 or more years old. Any plumber worth their Weight, would NOT even attempt to repair an old heater like that, it is asking for more problems down the line. That being said, waters heaters built in the 80's and before could last 20 or more years. The manufacturers wise up (unfortunately) and made water heaters from the 90's forward to last an average of ten years, so when shopping for a water heater, be aware, that they are all the same! The only difference, especially in your case because you have electric water heater is maybe the warranty. HOWEVER, the newer ones are a bit more efficient, but you are right, electric water heaters in general are a waste of energy but since you are in an apartment, you cannot go gas because of venting and other issues, so you are stuck with electric. My advice, call a professional, licensed plumber. PLEASE do NOT go to Home Depot or Lowes because although you may save money initially, if your water heater goes out in the middle of the night after you have purchased it, only a plumbing company will come out at any hour to back up their product and service. I have heard so many horror stories about rinky dinky companies that contract to do work for Lowes and HD and mess things up, and the reasons Lowes and HD uses these companies is because these companies charge less then their competitor and HD and Lowes makes more. Plumbing is not cheap, just like You wouldn't want to go to a cheap lawyer when you are really in trouble or a cheap doctor when you are really sick, plumbers earned their prices, they may not be the lowest, but you will get professional service. Good luck! Yes, by the way, those timers, and like I said, I doubt it even works anymore, were pretty popular with A.O. Smith heaters to try and save energy so the electric doesn't run all night to continuously heat the water. It was a sham, I never saw them on any other water heater because in the end, it just didn't work. Change the heater, write it off, and sleep better, because eventually, and very soon, that heater will leak, and I am sure it is in a closet near carpet, then you have other expenses to deal with. |
