Excellent video Sir! I bought an 80 gal A.O. Smith Electric Hybrid from Lowe's last month to replace a 75 gal A.O. Smith natural gas water heater. The natural gas water heater lasted 17 years on well water. The project was more involved as I needed to convert from natural gas to electric. I used a plumbing company BlueDot for the installation. BlueDot recommended I buy a 4.5 gal expansion tank since my tank was 80 gal.They used the top connection. They also put in a 240 volt electric line. In all the cost to install was around $2,000. The cost of the tank was $2,800. I opened a Lowe's card that gave me 5% off. I am waiting on my $800 rebate from my electric utility here in Maryland. I will also get a $1,500 tax credit! I love the unit. I run it in Heat Pump mode. It was placed in my basement. Maybe in the winter I will switch it to Hybrid mode. I set the temp to 130 degrees. It is super quiet. I also love the icomm app to track usage. I am averaging around 3.0 Kwh a day. My electricity cost is around 10 cents a Kwh. So, I am really saving a lot of $$$ over the natural gas unit. The condensation pipe drains into my sump pump. Great video man. God I wish I had plumbing skills.
I'm glad I watched this before installing mine, as I was thinking the thermal pressure tank went on the hot water line supply. I may not even need one as my well already has a 30gal pressure tank. Thanks for the install vid, I may be getting this same unit, but still in research mode right now. 👍
I've had the AO Smith 900 for a year and love it! Its not at all noisy, minus the fact I think I hear a wire-tie or something rattling around inside sometimes when the fans spinning. I didn't hook mine up, so wasn't involved in the process. A friend of mine just had her 20 y/o GE water heater split down the middle and spill its contents, so she bought an AO 900 and we're hooking it up tomorrow. I absolutely hate plumbing (I'm a computer nerd by trade) and your video has reduced my anxiety over this a great deal. I'm also pleased to know that using sharkbites is OK on a hot water heater (THANK YOU because those things are amazing for people who absolutely suck at water pipe soldering aka me). If you don't mind, a question or two: Her pipes are 1/2" and we're using sharkbite reducers to get the inlet to 3/4". Are we playing with fire in regards to the 1/2" side of things? Should the entire run of 1/2" be replaced with 3/4"? Her well pump is 440' down, and has a 30 gal expansion tank topside. Will adding an additional 2 gal pressure tank to the hot water heater cause any negative issues? Is it safe to have two pressure tanks in a system? Thanks again for this video! Wish I had seen it before renting a U-Haul to transport the thing upright 😅 We were told transporting water heaters on their side is 'bad'...is that just an old wives tale??
No problems with going from 3/4 to 1/2 inch shark bite and there's no problem with adding a 2 gallon expansion tank on the cold side of the water heater. You can transport any refrigerator/freezer or hybrid water heater on it's side of needed, but you should put it upright and let it sit a couple hours to let the oil and refrigerant settle in the compressor before starting it.
last year (2023) it was a tax credit -- 30% of price, off taxes owed. (point-of-sale "rebates" via IRA/HEEHRA may start later this year, or early 2025, depending on your state's schedule)
Hey Pete, when you do the maintenance on this AO Smith Hybrid, could you do a video on that? I like your work and always appreciate the DIY videos you make. My wife watches all the Cube videos you make as well (we bought one because of your endorsement). Thanks again.
Seems like a good option if you only want electric. I went with a propane on demand water heater for our old house we are moving to in the next couple of months. We will eventually build a new house there as well but I'm still going to go on demand at roughly 15% of the price of this unit, even though power will be solar only. Downside is I have to buy propane a couple of times a year but I'll eventually build a solar water heater.
12.27.23 How is the AO Smith doing. Did some reading on the reviews from Lowes from the people who bought these. Out of the 73 reviews 29% gave 1 star and 42% gave 5 stars. Not to good. Would the Rheem be a better choice? I like the idea of being able to connect the water on the top or side.
Funny you ask, the heat pump portion of the water heater lost its refrigerant and stopped heating the water as of yesterday. The compressor runs but doesn't heat the water and I checked the evaporator to see if it froze solid, but it didn't.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Have you found the cause and fixed heat pump issue? If not, how dose AO Smith warranty work since it is less than a year. Thanks.
Sounds like an order of magnitude more complicated/expense. How is changing pipes when a replacement water heater with the shark fittings? How do you undo them or are they totally replaced?
When you run it in heat pump only mode does the element light also come on when the heat pump runs? I just installed an 80 gallon like yours and in heat pump only mode the light comes on. I checked both elements and the voltage was only 0.003. So the elements don’t seem to be on. I’m just curious
Is that the 50 gal? What size pan is that? Is a pan available that is not as big? Shark bite makes a valve for over pressure. Can I use instead of an expansion tank?
Yes it's a 50 gallon. The tank is 22 inches in diameter and the pan is three inches bigger all the way around. So the pan is about 28 inches in diameter. It's best to use an expansion tank.
Are the water connections on top ,they seem loose before even starting. Do I try tighten with pipe wrentch. Damn,you be lucky I had to go through a whole technical support rig a ma ro. They ignored me. Wait firstly. My girl friend picked the thing up transported on the side line on the side was full of yellow juice in the crook of the hose. I had to bypass support went through investor relations . And I got a RMA . Returned to store rented trailer for that. Screwed around son long I missed the tax rebate. Do not lay on side lol
So do you still get the 10 year warranty if you install it yourself. I can install it myself, but not sure if I can get the federal rebate and warranty. ( I understand I will get no labor warranty if I install myself ) Also I like that you don't need a neutral wire with the 220 volt supply? ( I do have a 220 volt supply at the old tank ( no neutral ) ) This could have complicated things for either me or a plumber that installs it if I had to run another wire from the panel . .
Any idea why they would put the T&P relief valve right in line with the cold water side intake knowing the relief valve needs to be piped within 6” of the floor?? They could have put that anywhere around the tank circumference and they picked directly in line with the relief valve!!
Is there anyway to duct the air intake or exhaust? I want to install one in a tight space but direct the exhaust cold air thru the wall to the home's main air handler just on the other side of the wall. Or conversely, pick up the warm air from an adjacent kitchen above the cabinets. (or both)
@@marcoshid1 Honestly I'm disappointed with the A.O. Smith hybrid water heater. The refrigerant in the compressor seems to have leaked out and doesn't heat the water anymore. So now I have to run it on full electric. It's still under warranty of course but it's just a hassle.
Awesome video Pete. Now that you’ve had it a month any updates? I’m mostly worried about the sound. Is yours quiet? Lastly what made you go with the AO smith instead of the Reehm?
The unit is very quiet, you almost can't hear it running. I personally think it's better quality than the Rheem water heater and quieter. Extremely efficient only ran once for a short time after my wife and I take a shower (that's two showers)
the condensate from the heater is slightly acidic. if dumps near or on cement it will erode it with time. I have mine dripping into a 4" pipe filled with limestone gravel to neutralize the acid
Do the same work you are doing. When you say " can I get one more turn?" You are screwing over the next guy. Pun intended. Tight is tight enough. My customers often overpay for service on overnighter fittings
Love every video Pete. 👍👍 wish you could remind us about growing up in Pennsylvania and a little about weight lifting, how you decided to take control of your family's health, maybe some pictures, of little Pete, and some engineering background, ie, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, a lot of the youth need to learn how to ask for wisdom. ?? Please kind Sir. By the by,.. it looks real purdy. Neat and clean, any cathode in that there tank ? 👍👍💙🍻
@@petebeasttexashomesteadingbwaaa haha😂 my dad and I listened to your video together, in the first two min I said "this guy is a northerner, he's from north PA, but south of Boston. Can't figure out why he doesn't say WOOter(instead of WATTer)." 5$ bar bet you're from Southern MI?!? Thanks for the awesome video, Can't wait to install the new unit(s) that we bought..we're putting his in in Southern Colo tomorrow, I'll do mine in south TX later on in the week. Your video was a great help
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code? I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code? I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code? I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code? I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code? I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
Never ever lay the water heater on it's side in the truck. Has to be right side up only as the anode can easily chip the glass lining of the tank with it bouncing around on the road.
Excellent video Sir!
I bought an 80 gal A.O. Smith Electric Hybrid from Lowe's last month to replace a 75 gal A.O. Smith natural gas water heater. The natural gas water heater lasted 17 years on well water.
The project was more involved as I needed to convert from natural gas to electric. I used a plumbing company BlueDot for the installation. BlueDot recommended I buy a 4.5 gal expansion tank since my tank was 80 gal.They used the top connection. They also put in a 240 volt electric line. In all the cost to install was around $2,000. The cost of the tank was $2,800. I opened a Lowe's card that gave me 5% off. I am waiting on my $800 rebate from my electric utility here in Maryland. I will also get a $1,500 tax credit!
I love the unit. I run it in Heat Pump mode. It was placed in my basement. Maybe in the winter I will switch it to Hybrid mode. I set the temp to 130 degrees. It is super quiet. I also love the icomm app to track usage. I am averaging around 3.0 Kwh a day. My electricity cost is around 10 cents a Kwh. So, I am really saving a lot of $$$ over the natural gas unit. The condensation pipe drains into my sump pump.
Great video man. God I wish I had plumbing skills.
Thank you 👍
Anyone can plumb with shark bites and tube.
I'm glad I watched this before installing mine, as I was thinking the thermal pressure tank went on the hot water line supply. I may not even need one as my well already has a 30gal pressure tank. Thanks for the install vid, I may be getting this same unit, but still in research mode right now. 👍
Thanks for sharing, we purchased a hybrid water heater for our place as well. You can’t beat the efficiency.
I've had the AO Smith 900 for a year and love it! Its not at all noisy, minus the fact I think I hear a wire-tie or something rattling around inside sometimes when the fans spinning.
I didn't hook mine up, so wasn't involved in the process. A friend of mine just had her 20 y/o GE water heater split down the middle and spill its contents, so she bought an AO 900 and we're hooking it up tomorrow. I absolutely hate plumbing (I'm a computer nerd by trade) and your video has reduced my anxiety over this a great deal. I'm also pleased to know that using sharkbites is OK on a hot water heater (THANK YOU because those things are amazing for people who absolutely suck at water pipe soldering aka me). If you don't mind, a question or two:
Her pipes are 1/2" and we're using sharkbite reducers to get the inlet to 3/4". Are we playing with fire in regards to the 1/2" side of things? Should the entire run of 1/2" be replaced with 3/4"?
Her well pump is 440' down, and has a 30 gal expansion tank topside. Will adding an additional 2 gal pressure tank to the hot water heater cause any negative issues? Is it safe to have two pressure tanks in a system?
Thanks again for this video! Wish I had seen it before renting a U-Haul to transport the thing upright 😅 We were told transporting water heaters on their side is 'bad'...is that just an old wives tale??
No problems with going from 3/4 to 1/2 inch shark bite and there's no problem with adding a 2 gallon expansion tank on the cold side of the water heater. You can transport any refrigerator/freezer or hybrid water heater on it's side of needed, but you should put it upright and let it sit a couple hours to let the oil and refrigerant settle in the compressor before starting it.
Thanks Pete. I recently got a $2k rebate to purchase this heater, outstanding job documenting the work and it looks great!
Tax Credit or a Rebate?
last year (2023) it was a tax credit -- 30% of price, off taxes owed. (point-of-sale "rebates" via IRA/HEEHRA may start later this year, or early 2025, depending on your state's schedule)
I only got $1000 Rebate.
Hey Pete, when you do the maintenance on this AO Smith Hybrid, could you do a video on that? I like your work and always appreciate the DIY videos you make. My wife watches all the Cube videos you make as well (we bought one because of your endorsement). Thanks again.
Awesome will do 👍
Following
Howdy Pete! I've heard good things about hybrid water heaters so will be interested to hear how it goes for you. Thanks for sharing 🤠
Thanks 👍
Seems like a good option if you only want electric. I went with a propane on demand water heater for our old house we are moving to in the next couple of months. We will eventually build a new house there as well but I'm still going to go on demand at roughly 15% of the price of this unit, even though power will be solar only. Downside is I have to buy propane a couple of times a year but I'll eventually build a solar water heater.
12.27.23 How is the AO Smith doing. Did some reading on the reviews from Lowes from the people who bought these. Out of the 73 reviews 29% gave 1 star and 42% gave 5 stars. Not to good. Would the Rheem be a better choice? I like the idea of being able to connect the water on the top or side.
Funny you ask, the heat pump portion of the water heater lost its refrigerant and stopped heating the water as of yesterday. The compressor runs but doesn't heat the water and I checked the evaporator to see if it froze solid, but it didn't.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Have you found the cause and fixed heat pump issue? If not, how dose AO Smith warranty work since it is less than a year. Thanks.
Sounds like an order of magnitude more complicated/expense. How is changing pipes when a replacement water heater with the shark fittings? How do you undo them or are they totally replaced?
Shark bite fittings are easily removed with a little plastic tool or they make a better metal compression tool to take them off.
When you run it in heat pump only mode does the element light also come on when the heat pump runs? I just installed an 80 gallon like yours and in heat pump only mode the light comes on. I checked both elements and the voltage was only 0.003. So the elements don’t seem to be on. I’m just curious
Is that the 50 gal? What size pan is that? Is a pan available that is not as big? Shark bite makes a valve for over pressure. Can I use instead of an expansion tank?
Yes it's a 50 gallon. The tank is 22 inches in diameter and the pan is three inches bigger all the way around. So the pan is about 28 inches in diameter. It's best to use an expansion tank.
Are the water connections on top ,they seem loose before even starting. Do I try tighten with pipe wrentch.
Damn,you be lucky I had to go through a whole technical support rig a ma ro. They ignored me. Wait firstly. My girl friend picked the thing up transported on the side line on the side was full of yellow juice in the crook of the hose. I had to bypass support went through investor relations . And I got a RMA . Returned to store rented trailer for that. Screwed around son long I missed the tax rebate. Do not lay on side lol
So do you still get the 10 year warranty if you install it yourself. I can install it myself, but not sure if I can get the federal rebate and warranty. ( I understand I will get no labor warranty if I install myself ) Also I like that you don't need a neutral wire with the 220 volt supply? ( I do have a 220 volt supply at the old tank ( no neutral ) ) This could have complicated things for either me or a plumber that installs it if I had to run another wire from the panel . .
Any idea why they would put the T&P relief valve right in line with the cold water side intake knowing the relief valve needs to be piped within 6” of the floor?? They could have put that anywhere around the tank circumference and they picked directly in line with the relief valve!!
They make 90degree elbows for that....one street 90 and one straight 90 and you could run the lines on top of each other out to eternity...
Is there anyway to duct the air intake or exhaust? I want to install one in a tight space but direct the exhaust cold air thru the wall to the home's main air handler just on the other side of the wall. Or conversely, pick up the warm air from an adjacent kitchen above the cabinets. (or both)
Absolutely, the intake and outlet are able to receive 8 inch round duct pipe.
How has it held up?
@@marcoshid1 Honestly I'm disappointed with the A.O. Smith hybrid water heater. The refrigerant in the compressor seems to have leaked out and doesn't heat the water anymore. So now I have to run it on full electric. It's still under warranty of course but it's just a hassle.
What’s the name of the auto shut off valve?
A.O. Smith calls it "Leak Shield water shut off valve"
Nice.
My son has one of those made in Germany by Bosch.
Awesome video Pete. Now that you’ve had it a month any updates? I’m mostly worried about the sound. Is yours quiet? Lastly what made you go with the AO smith instead of the Reehm?
The unit is very quiet, you almost can't hear it running. I personally think it's better quality than the Rheem water heater and quieter. Extremely efficient only ran once for a short time after my wife and I take a shower (that's two showers)
the condensate from the heater is slightly acidic. if dumps near or on cement it will erode it with time. I have mine dripping into a 4" pipe filled with limestone gravel to neutralize the acid
On a gas tankless water heater it would be. Condensate from refrigeration is not acidic.
@@Steve-bm2zm you are correct. I wasn't thinking about it that way when he said condensate
I thought you needed a minimum of 6 inchs clearance from the walls for the tank.
6 inches to the front of the tank (the display) the sides is only 3 inches.
Do the same work you are doing. When you say " can I get one more turn?" You are screwing over the next guy. Pun intended. Tight is tight enough. My customers often overpay for service on overnighter fittings
Love every video Pete. 👍👍 wish you could remind us about growing up in Pennsylvania and a little about weight lifting, how you decided to take control of your family's health, maybe some pictures, of little Pete, and some engineering background, ie, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, a lot of the youth need to learn how to ask for wisdom. ?? Please kind Sir. By the by,.. it looks real purdy. Neat and clean, any cathode in that there tank ? 👍👍💙🍻
Thanks, I actually grew up in Michigan. I will eventually do a video on my past. Thanks for the idea 👍
@@petebeasttexashomesteadingbwaaa haha😂 my dad and I listened to your video together, in the first two min I said "this guy is a northerner, he's from north PA, but south of Boston. Can't figure out why he doesn't say WOOter(instead of WATTer)."
5$ bar bet you're from Southern MI?!?
Thanks for the awesome video, Can't wait to install the new unit(s) that we bought..we're putting his in in Southern Colo tomorrow, I'll do mine in south TX later on in the week. Your video was a great help
Supposed to put it 4" from the wall!!!!! And should put an insulation bottom board!
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code?
I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code?
I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code?
I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code?
I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
I did research on this a month ago and I'm just getting ready to install. Spacing from the wall is new to me. Rheem has a video (mostly designed to make process look scary and funnel you towards contractor) stating 6". Is this a necessity or a potential local code?
I am in earthquake country so it seems like it should be strapped flush w wall. My current gas heater is strapped to wall
Create video One critique though, you didn't hook up the hot water line
Never lay a hybrid down it's side! It has a refrigerant system, like a refrigerator, it has to remain upright at all times!
a gus wanna install it for me for $4000 (just installation)
is it me or does this water heater look like a rattle can of paint 🤣🤣
Never ever lay the water heater on it's side in the truck. Has to be right side up only as the anode can easily chip the glass lining of the tank with it bouncing around on the road.