A.O. Smith element specifications
Typical ranges across the A.O. Smith lines we see most. Always confirm against your own rating plate.
Where to find the data tag on a A.O. Smith
Rating label on the front or side of the tank jacket, typically at mid-height. On many Ontario-market GSW and John Wood tanks the label sits just above the lower access panel.
Model series we supply
- Signature
- Signature Select
- Signature Premier
- ProLine
- Voltex (heat pump hybrid)
What is specific about A.O. Smith
A.O. Smith owns the GSW and John Wood brands, which are very widely installed across Ontario. Elements match by wattage, voltage and mount rather than by badge. The Voltex hybrid line is different, it is a heat pump water heater with a supplementary element, and the element only runs in electric-boost mode, so failures there present as poor recovery under heavy draw rather than as no hot water at all.
Also sold as State, GSW, John Wood
These brands share manufacturing platforms with A.O. Smith, and elements frequently cross over between them when wattage, voltage and mount match. We verify against your specific model rather than assuming — sharing varies by generation and product line.
How A.O. Smith elements typically fail
- Scale accumulation on the lower element in hard-water regions
- Terminal corrosion where the access panel has admitted moisture
- On Voltex hybrids, the backup element failing unnoticed because the heat pump masks it until demand spikes
Confirm before you order
Test the element before replacing it. A meaningful share of "dead element" calls turn out to be a thermostat, sequencer or limit switch, and the test takes ten minutes with a multimeter. Our resistance test tool tells you what your reading means.
What to send us for a A.O. Smith quote
- Model and serial from the rating plate
- Voltage and wattage, if legible
- A photo of the old element, especially the terminal end
- What the equipment is doing — or failing to do
If the plate has faded past reading, our model number guide covers the other places manufacturers record it.
A.O. Smith element questions
Are GSW and John Wood elements the same as A.O. Smith?
In most cases yes. All three are A.O. Smith brands built on shared platforms, and elements cross over when wattage, voltage and mount match. Both are extremely common in Ontario homes, so we stock accordingly.
My Voltex is slow to recover. Is that the element?
It can be. On a hybrid, the heat pump handles normal demand and the element only assists during heavy draw or in electric mode. A dead element hides until you need recovery speed, then shows up as hot water that will not keep up. Switch the unit to electric-only mode to test it directly.
What wattage element does my A.O. Smith take?
Most Ontario residential A.O. Smith, GSW and John Wood tanks run 4500W at 240V, but this is not universal. The rating label gives the correct figure, and the wattage is also stamped on the old element's flange. Never fit a higher wattage than the plate specifies.
Get a quote
Get a A.O. Smith element quote
Send the model and serial, or a photo of the rating plate. We confirm the exact fit in writing before anything ships.