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HOWLING!

by Design49er
(Oakland, California, USA)

Have a similar A.O. Smith water heater, 50-gallon installed in 2012.

It howls loudly when re-heating water after someone takes a shower, washes the dishes, does the laundry, or all by itself when it senses it's hot water temperature has dropped sufficiently.

It is brand new, installed by a plumber who knew what they were doing, and it functions well except for the noise. It is located one-story below our house in the basement insulated a the distance and structure, and it's still loud enough to wake me up. Plus the noise radiates to the outside through the vent.

We are trying to live with it, but a replacement is being considered in the near future. Also would never purchase an A.O. Smith product again. Wish they would contact me with an offer to replace the unit at some reduced value, that would help.

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Feb 06, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Water Heater Howling
by: Greg

Mine was howling also.
It ended up being the gas line cut-off valve that was not open all the way.
Apr 02, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Howling water heater
by: Anonymous

We don’t have the same water heater but ours was doing the same thing. I read somewhere it was the water flow. I went to the kitchen sink and turned the flow to the ice maker back one complete turn and the howling stopped immediately.
Feb 23, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Howling caused by the baffle
by: Anonymous

My brand new AO Smith water heater howls every time the burner comes on. I find if I pull the flue baffle part way out, the howling goes away. This tells me that there's something about the flue and baffle geometry that sets up a resonance in the exhaust gas. AO Smith should offer a different baffle to those having this problem.
Dec 06, 2018
Rating
starstarstar 		Howling
by: Larry

I purchase an AO Smith Signature 40 gallon hot water tank November 2018 problem is when I used hot water in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room it makes a howling noise for about 15-20 seconds then goes away is this normal?
Nov 29, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Howling Brand New Water Heater
by: Anonymous

Same problem here except it is the 2nd Rheem electric water heater in 60 days. No answers! What is it?
Nov 20, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		AO Smith Water Heater Howling
by: Anonymous

I have the same problem. Howling begins when heating water and immediately shuts off when burner stops.
I contacted AO Smith and they gave no help, would not even let me talk to their tech support people
never buy another AO Smith product
Jan 27, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Howling water heater
by: Anonymous

I've got the same problem. The howling noise comes through the vent pipe. No answer so far.

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