1 month old AO Smith--both top & bottom elements blew

[K Kelley]

Can you think of a reason: A basically new water heater continually tripped the breakery and when resetting the breaker did not produce hot water anymore, we pulled the elements to find that they had both blown.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Was this heater from Lowes?? Just wondering.... perhaps they have low
end elements in it....



The only reason I can think of is the unit was dry fired without
any water in it....

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Dj2]

With a month old new WH, you should contact AO Smith customer service. The best you can hope for is two new elements.

AO Smith might ask who installed it, to find out how it was installed, what wiring were used, how it was lit, etc etc. If you did the installation, they may argue that they would not honor the warranty.

You vs. AO Smith? - The odds are not in your favor, but try it anyway - you never know till you try.

 

[Reach4]

120 VAC elements powered by 240 VAC could do that, but that might not have lasted a month.

Do you have a model number for that WH?

You might find https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/water-heater-elements-burning-out-quickly.70643/ of interest.