A O Smith Cyclone Hot Water Heater

bovide_4

I installed two of these. They are about 5 years old, and work fine. I returned to one heater to replace the igniter. I special ordered $$ anode rods to replace. Could not get the old ones out without risking damage to the unit. Called AO Smith for help. A "Larry the Cable Guy" impersonator just kept repeating "they should spin right off". He left me no viable remedy. Based on the condition of the igniter, the old anodes are gone. Want two anodes for cheap?

Peter Groenewold

A O Smith Cyclone Hot Water Heater

An engineer I work with has specified two A O Smith Cyclone Hot Water Heaters to replace a large Patterson Kelly unit.

My experience over the years with the Cyclone units has not been good so based on only my own experience I would suggest not using these units.

I would really appreciate hearing what experiences others have had with these units.

paul shay

A Real Good Plumber, Inc.

JohnNY

Paul

I've got one installed at Blue Smoke and another restaurant uptown.
There was a noise issue with the one at Blue Smoke but a muffler on the exhaust took care of it.
Aside from that, they seem to work fine. You just have to go in and clean out the drip tee every other month or so.

One warning, as you've heard, technical support from A.O. Smith is a crapshoot at best.
The local rep in this area could not possibly be less helpful.
It's drives me insane to talk to them.

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Paul_11

A O Smith Cyclone

John,
Thanks for the feedback. I've also installed 2 or 3 over the years and have had no problems with them.

But I've had to service a few that I did not install and they were a real nightmare. They also werent' installed very well either.

So perhaps the moral is, if you install them properly, they work fine.

Are you kidding about cleaning out that drain tee every other month or so. I have pushed a water line so far up that exhaust drip, it isn't even funny, but when I do it, it gives me 6 months at least before we have to go back.

But getting back to the main question. Should I agree with the engineer on this installation, but warn that it will be regular service for me.

I think that is how I'll approach this one. I hate to argue too much with engineers.

Thanks
Paul


Respectfully,

Paul B. Shay
pshay@arealgoodplumber.com
LMP 1307
LMFS 654B
OUR MISSION: TO PROVIDE WORLD CLASS PLUMBING, HEATING, AND SPRINKLER SERVICE TO EACH AND EVERY CLIENT WE SERVE, FAR EXCEEDING THEIR HIGHEST EXPECTATIONS!

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