A. O. Smith
A. O. Smith is one of the largest residential water heater manufacturers in North America, selling gas and electric tank, tankless, and heat pump water heaters through both retail and wholesale channels. A. O. Smith also owns the State Water Heaters brand, which shares substantial manufacturing with A. O. Smith-branded products but is sold through a separate distribution channel with its own model numbers.
Parent company A. O. Smith Corporation · Mid positioning · Updated August 2026
Product lines
Gas and electric storage tank units covering standard residential capacities, sold at retail and wholesale.
Condensing gas tankless units publishing high UEF ratings for the residential lineup.
Heat pump water heater line publishing the brand's highest UEF ratings.
Warranty summary
| Coverage | Published term |
|---|---|
| Tank, standard residential | 6 to 12 years published depending on the specific model tier |
| Tankless | 12 years published on the heat exchanger for most residential models, shorter on parts |
| Heat pump water heater | 10 years published on the tank for most Voltex models |
| Registration | Online registration recommended and required for some extended terms |
Coverage differs by model tier and purchase channel, and the shared manufacturing with the State brand does not mean identical published warranty terms across both brand names.
Price positioning
Priced in the mid band at the entry tank tiers, with tankless and heat pump models priced above standard tanks. A. O. Smith does not publish installed pricing.
Distribution and service network
Sold through major home improvement retailers and wholesale plumbing supply, similar in structure to Rheem's dual channel. Installation is performed by licensed plumbers or, for many standard tank replacements, by qualified DIY installers where local code allows.
Maintenance considerations
- Annual anode rod inspection on tank units is recommended in the owner's manual.
- Tankless units require periodic descaling in hard water areas per the installation manual.
- Heat pump models need periodic air filter cleaning to maintain rated efficiency.
- Register the unit where registration affects the published warranty term.
A. O. Smith comparisons
Other water heaters brands
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Financing options
How homeowners pay for this work, with the tradeoffs of each route.
Warranty resources
What manufacturer coverage does and does not include, and where a service contract fits.
Frequently asked questions
Is A. O. Smith the same as State Water Heaters?
Both are owned by A. O. Smith Corporation and share substantial manufacturing, but they are sold under separate brand names and model numbers through different distribution channels.
Where can I buy an A. O. Smith water heater?
A. O. Smith is sold through major home improvement retailers and through wholesale plumbing supply to licensed contractors, giving homeowners more than one purchase path.
How long is the A. O. Smith tank warranty?
Published terms range from about 6 to 12 years depending on the specific model tier. Confirm the exact term for the model number on your quote.
What is Voltex?
Voltex is A. O. Smith's hybrid electric heat pump water heater line, publishing the brand's highest UEF ratings.
Can I install an A. O. Smith water heater myself?
Many jurisdictions require a permit and may require a licensed plumber, particularly for gas and tankless models. Check local code before attempting a DIY installation.
Does A. O. Smith publish ENERGY STAR certified models?
Select tankless and heat pump models qualify for ENERGY STAR depending on published UEF ratings. Check the specific model against the current ENERGY STAR qualified product list.
Verify these details yourself
- Installed price in your market.
- Comparative reliability against other brands or against the related State brand. No independent public dataset was found.
- Whether a specific model qualifies for local utility rebates without checking the qualifying product list.
Sources
- A. O. Smith water heater warranty information · Official manufacturer, checked 2026-08-03, confidence: high
- A. O. Smith residential water heater product specifications · Official manufacturer, checked 2026-08-03, confidence: medium
- ENERGY STAR water heater product criteria · Government, checked 2026-08-03, confidence: high. Used for UEF framing and incentive eligibility only, not for a reliability claim.
- U.S. Department of Energy water heater guidance · Government, checked 2026-08-03, confidence: high. Used for UEF and system-type framing, not brand-specific claims.
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