Ratings & Reviews for A.O. Smith Signature 900 80-Gallon Tall 10-year Warranty 240-volt Smart Hybrid Grid Capable Heat Pump Water Heater with Leak Detection and Automatic Shut-off

Worst product ever made

I was an early adopter in 2020 and since then I've had SEVEN of these go bad on me. each one lasting about 12 months, except for the one that lasted 18 months. Oh, and I had to return one becuse a manufactures defect just after I installed it. Thank god I can install it myself or else this would be the most expensive water heater ever! Botton line...DO NOT BUY!!!!! You've been warned.

Another down

I purchased this to replace the same model from 2023. The original heat pump water heater lasted about a year before developing intermittent issues and would show error on the screen but I kept it limping along. I finally replaced it with this same model in June 2025. June 2026, need to replace this again. There's no errors but in heat pump only mode or hybrid, the compressor is running and it doesn't make hot water. The unit shows no errors but isn't working. Don't buy an extended warranty...

2 failed units in 2 years

I bought this unit in 2024, the compressor failed almost exactly 1 year later in 2025. The replacement unit failed almost exactly 1 year later in 2026. AO Smith wouldn't even pay for the labor of the replacement despite acknowledging that failing compressors is a known issue with these units. Also, lowes would only give store credit, not a refund despite TWO of these water heaters. Do yourself a favor, save money and hassle, do not buy.

We purchased this water heater and it constantly was setting off an alarm..."code 047" telling us to disconnect the power and re-start it. The suggested "cure" for this was to replace a "smart valve". Our plumber who installed it told us this would be a VERY expensive "fix". We ended up having to pay over $500.00 to rectify this problem, after purchasing this very expensive heater. DO NOT BUY THIS HEATER!

Lasted a little over a year

Absolutely one of the worst things ive purchased, did my electric bill go down? Absolutely, mainly because it locked down every day with error codes related to the heat pump and wasn't working. Did call for warranty and the charge to get the guy here was more than the water heater. You see they don't pay for the visit and the closest approved company was 3 hours away.

Easy setup and great product. Love the wifi.

Great price after rebate through Oncor!

Compressor and LOWE's Protection Plan Failed

Hey! Purchased the unit and the Lowe's Protection Plan / Service Agreement less than 2 years ago. The compressor failed and so I filed a claim with the Lowe's Protection Plan website. They just let me know that they won't cover any service. I paid for a "Service Contract". Not a refund contract. The unit is still covered by A.O. Smith's warranty. I don't need a "buyout" from Assurant. I purchased a "Service Contract". Hey Lowe's, Is this what you deem acceptable? Here's of the email. ...

Loud Banging Noise

Buyer Beware! This unit makes a loud bang and causes sudden water pressure drop during times of high water usage and/or recovery. Very unsettling noise that will make you jump from multiple rooms away in the house or awaken you from sleeping. This noise has been present since the installation. After contacting A.O.Smith tech support and providing them video of the noise with significant gauged pressure drop, they claim that this is completely normal noise and operation and therefore refuse t...

Not reliable - Do not buy

So, I bought a new AO Smith Heat pump water heater back in 2023. In 9-month it broke. The Heat Pump stopped working. After jumping through all the hoops sending pictures etc. I got a brand-new AO Smith heat pump water heater. 18 months later the new water heater broke. AO Smith is willing to replace it but now I am out the install and disposal fee. It was only 27 months and now I will have replaced the unit twice and I am out a second install! AO Smith needs to make products that work and stand...

Do Not Purchase

We have purchased two of these water heaters from Lowes and AO Smith, and the heat pump has died again! Same failure both times. AO Smith may replace the unit, but no one covers the cost of install and haul away. It costs us hundreds of dollars each time this water heater dies. Our previous heat pump water heater, a GE Geospring, latest 10 years with no issues. Lowes, AO Smith...do better by your customers. This unit is a lemon.

So Much for Saving

While advertising great savings, it will be lost on the 1st service call. Do yourself a favor before you purchase call their support line early in the morning. Chances are you will have 50 to 60 callers in line before you. They force u to have a tech look at it, before they honor warranty.

Reliability issue

I would give it 0 stars if I could. We got this in October 2022 and it failed in April 2024 for compressor issues. The unit was covered under warranty, but labor wasn't, costing additional $2500. We got another one installed in October 2024 and guess what, it failed again in February 2026. Avoid this company at all costs.

Great Heat Pump Water Heater

I bought this water heater 3 years ago and haven’t had any issues. I like the fact you can put the water heater in four different modes, heat pump, hybrid, electric, and grid. I keep mine in hybrid and over 12 months have seen a decrease in my electric bill. I have it in my garage and enjoy the cool air it puts out. It’s not a lot but in a garage any is a plus.

Died after 2 1/2 years

This was installed in August 2023. Cost a pretty penny- both to purchase and to install, and it died in February. 2026. It needs a new compressor. Yes, it is being replaced under warranty- but the evaluation by the technician and the installation together will be about $1,900....So, don't buy this. We are sorry that we did.

Find a different heater

I purchased this unit several years ago. About 2 years in I Had to replace it because of a ECC (compressor error). I had it replace and again about 2-3 year later same issue. It's running on full electric now. Now I was told Lowes has another provider that does not have the same provider so I would have to physically take my unit to Lowes for a replacement and now pay $1500 for a new installation. I am not hopefully for 3rd try.

Need a basement, garage, is very noisy

Very expensive to install, noisy, need a space such as garage, basement.

Garbage product and support AVOID

Read the reviews, people hate products from this company and hate this company. Avoid buying from them and listen to all the hate that people have for this company and their products. I had dead on arrival equipment and they are telling me that I need to pay them to have replacement parts sent out for their trash product. The heater doesn't work, the app doesn't work, the leak sensor doesn't work, and the customer support apparently doesn't work either.

Very good explanation

Great. Very energy efficient. Happy to save some money.