AO Smith Boiler Repairs London

AO Smith Boiler Repair London

AO Smith makes water heaters, not boilers – here’s what you need to know.

Jump to:
What Is AO Smith? –
Common Problems –
Your Options –
Need Actual Boiler Help?

What AO Smith Actually Makes

AO Smith is a major US manufacturer of water heaters – not central heating boilers. If you have an AO Smith unit in your London property, you almost certainly have one of these:

• Storage water heater: a large cylinder (tank) that heats and stores hot water for taps and showers.
• Commercial water heater: larger units designed for high-demand settings like hotels, gyms, or care homes.
• Heat pump water heater: an energy-efficient unit that extracts heat from surrounding air.

These are different from boilers. A boiler provides central heating (radiators) and often hot water too. A water heater only heats water for taps – it doesn’t heat your home.

If you’re searching for “AO Smith boiler repair,” you probably have a water heater problem, not a boiler problem. Let’s help you figure out the right solution.

Common AO Smith Water Heater Problems

Here are typical issues with storage water heaters:

• No hot water: failed immersion element, thermostat, or (on gas units) pilot light or gas valve issues.
• Not enough hot water: tank may be undersized for your household, or the heating element may be failing.
• Water too hot or not hot enough: thermostat adjustment or replacement needed.
• Leaking from the tank: internal corrosion – usually means replacement is needed.
• Rumbling or popping noises: sediment build-up in the tank.
• Discoloured or smelly water: anode rod failure or bacterial growth in the tank.

The Reality About AO Smith in the UK

AO Smith water heaters are common in the US but relatively rare in UK domestic properties. If you have one, it was likely:

• Imported for a specific project or commercial installation
• Installed in a property converted from commercial use
• Specified by a contractor familiar with US equipment

This creates practical challenges:

• Parts availability: UK stockists for AO Smith parts are limited.
• Specialist knowledge: not every plumber or heating engineer will be familiar with US water heater designs.
• Replacement reality: UK-available alternatives from manufacturers like Megaflo, Heatrae Sadia, or Gledhill are typically easier to source and maintain.

What Happens When You Call Us

Whether you have a water heater issue or a boiler problem, here’s our approach:

1. We identify what you actually have: boiler, water heater, or combination system.
2. We understand the symptoms: no hot water, leaking, strange noises, error codes.
3. We give honest advice: whether repair is realistic or replacement makes more sense.
4. If replacement is needed: we recommend the right system for your property and provide a clear quote.

Repair vs Replace: The Practical View

With imported water heaters like AO Smith, repair costs can quickly become disproportionate.

Example repair scenario (illustration only): Sourcing parts from the US, shipping delays, and specialist labour could push a repair to £400-600+ – and that’s assuming parts are still available.

• Parts may need to be shipped internationally.
• Diagnosis time is longer when engineers aren’t familiar with the brand.
• Another component could fail on aging equipment.

Compare that to replacement: A UK-standard unvented cylinder gives you warranty-backed reliability, readily available parts, and any local engineer can service it going forward.

Actually Need Boiler Help?

If you have a separate boiler for central heating that’s causing problems, you’re in the right place – just the wrong page.

Check the brand on your boiler and visit the relevant page:

Or simply contact us and describe what’s happening – we’ll point you in the right direction.

Landlords: Hot Water Reliability Matters

If you’re a landlord with an aging or problematic water heater in a rental property:

• Tenant satisfaction: unreliable hot water generates complaints faster than almost anything else.
• Emergency costs: reactive repairs on obscure equipment are expensive.
• Simplify maintenance: UK-standard equipment means any qualified engineer can service it.

We support landlords across London with Gas Safety Certificates and practical property maintenance. See our London landlord checklist.

London Wide Coverage

We cover all London boroughs for water heater and boiler services. See our London coverage page.

Related Services