Comments on: AO Smith Pro Max Direct Vent Water Heater

By: chuck ratclif

chuck ratclif — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:42:23 +0000

Why repeat everything that has already been said. Please count me in. I’m on my way to buy new water heater. Thanks for nothing PROMAX!!!!!!!

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:24:05 +0000

I’m also having the same problems as everyone else here. If there is a class action law suit count me in. Mine’s only 3.5 years old and I need to restart it every time I need hot water.

By: greg

greg — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:55:54 +0000

just read what hotchkiss wrote/we install alot of bradford whites,they breakdown less often,especiall the new low nox with smart valve version

By: greg j

greg j — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:47:28 +0000

the manuel says to clean the filters once a year/the manufacturers are required to make “explosion proof water heaters”now. I am a plumbing contractor,i knew this would happen when they passed that law,talk to your congressman that passed it,it supposedly disperses gasoline fumes and burns them off or shuts down the burner before it can explode when some genius sets a gas can next to it

By: David M.

David M. — Sat, 08 May 2010 10:47:56 +0000

Bought a new house with the AO Smith hot water heater. After one year having the same problems. wont stay lit. Just purchased a new thermal coupler unit which took 3 days to get. Installed and same problem

If there is a law suit I’m in no warrenty thats crazy. How can a company not back their product???

David

By: Miguel Peluso

Miguel Peluso — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:34:54 +0000

Hello!
To all participating in this subject I too have been experiencing the same $%^&* with my ProMax AO Smith water heater for the last year and a half. It started when the pilot began to shut off every 3 months or so until it became a more frequent event up to every day, several time a day. I finally called the plumber that installed it and he called the place where he bought it from and he was told that AO Smith basically said I was screwed because they did not cover it. Long story short this the plmuber cleaned out the bottom plate twice now at $175 a pop for his time. He takes apart the control and gets limited access to the burner area and blasts it with the air can used to clean off keyboards while at the same time sticking the skinny attachment part of the vacum cleaner to collect the dust and other debris that is cloggin up the tine pin needle holes of the plate. Quite frankly this shouldnt have to be!!!
Thank you!!
Miguel

By: Colin O'Sullivan

Colin O'Sullivan — Sat, 01 May 2010 09:57:18 +0000

In reply to Colin O'Sullivan. Oh forgot to say that the water heater is an A O Smith Promax, 40 gallon. I see reviews similar to this one all over the internet. This is very frustrating.

By: Colin O'Sullivan

Colin O'Sullivan — Sat, 01 May 2010 09:55:45 +0000

Same problem here. I have had the water heater for two years, and now I have to relight it several times a day.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:18:26 +0000

Same problem on our Promax, The plumber finally punched o hole in the ceramic flame arrestor! if there is a suit, count me in!

By: Brandee

Brandee — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:24:11 +0000

We also have the same problem. If there is a lawsuit, I’d be interested in more information. Ours was installed brand new in December 2004. We have five kids and not a lot of money so I just end up restarting the pilot light every time. Has anyone had any luck having the problem fixed?