AO Smith EES80T913 water heater Parts

Most A. O. Smith electric water heaters have a typical life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. With consistent maintenance (especially flushing and anode-rod checks), many units reach 12 to 15 years; neglected maintenance and hard water shorten service life.

What affects lifespan the most

• Water quality: hard water accelerates scale buildup on the heating element.
• Maintenance frequency: regular tank flushing reduces sediment.
• Anode rod condition: a depleted anode speeds up tank corrosion.
• Temperature setting: higher setpoints increase stress and scale.
• Usage level: heavy daily demand increases cycling and wear.

Maintenance that extends life (and the parts that matter)

For Ao Smith model EES80T913, these common replacement parts help you keep the tank protected and operating efficiently:

• Inspect and replace the anode rod 100109434 when it is heavily worn.
• If you see corrosion protection issues or want an alternate material option, check the anode,alum 100109594.
• If overheating or inconsistent temperature is an issue, a failing thermostat is a common cause; match your heater to the correct thermostat 100109846 or thermostat 100110039.
• If recovery is slow or you have no hot water, a scaled or failed heating element is a frequent culprit; consider the element 100110051 or element 100108960.

Quick “replace vs. keep” guide

What you notice	Most likely issue	What we typically do
Hot water runs out fast	Sediment, element not heating fully	Flush tank; test/replace element
Water temp swings	Thermostat drifting	Test and replace thermostat
Rusty water or metallic smell	Anode depleted, tank corrosion starting	Inspect/replace anode rod
Dripping from discharge pipe	T&P valve weeping or pressure/temp issue	Evaluate and replace T&P valve if needed

Why it matters

Once the tank itself corrodes through, repairs are no longer cost-effective. Replacing wear items like the anode rod and keeping sediment under control is what most often separates a 10-year heater from a 15-year heater.

Last updated: February 2026

Many 80-gallon residential water heaters were phased out or became harder to find because newer energy-efficiency standards pushed manufacturers toward designs with lower standby heat loss (often requiring more insulation and different tank designs). In practice, that shifted the market toward heat pump (hybrid) units, different “high recovery” options, or fewer standard electric-resistance 80-gallon models.

What changed (and what you’ll notice when shopping)

When efficiency rules tighten, manufacturers typically respond by changing the product mix rather than keeping every older size and style.

• More insulation can make comparable-capacity tanks physically larger
• Some 80-gallon “standard” electric models became less common than 50 to 65 gallon sizes
• Many households are steered toward hybrid heat pump water heaters for large capacity needs
• Availability varies by region and by what distributors stock
• Replacement often requires checking electrical requirements and clearance, not just gallons

Common replacement paths for an 80-gallon tank

Here are the most common directions we see customers take when replacing an older 80-gallon unit like Ao Smith model EES80T913.

Replacement approach	Best for	What to double-check
65-gallon standard electric	Moderate demand homes	First-hour rating, recovery rate
80-gallon hybrid (heat pump)	High demand, efficiency focus	Height/diameter, airflow/space
High-recovery electric (smaller tank)	Limited space	Element wattage, breaker size
Two smaller tanks (series/parallel)	Very high demand	Plumbing layout, space, cost

Why it matters

Gallons alone do not tell you how much hot water you will actually get. Recovery rate, element wattage, and standby losses can make a smaller tank perform similarly to an older, less efficient 80-gallon model.

If you’re keeping your current tank running

If your EES80T913 is still serviceable, replacing key wear items can extend performance and safety:

• Replace a leaking or weeping relief valve with the t & p valve 100108279
• Reduce odor and slow tank corrosion by checking the anode rod 100109434
• Address inconsistent temperature by testing/replacing a thermostat 100109846
• Restore heating performance by replacing a failed element 100110051

Last updated: February 2026

On an Ao Smith EES80T913 electric water heater (a tank-style unit), the most common hot-water complaint is not a tankless “heat exchanger scaling” problem; it is reduced heating from a failed heating element or a thermostat issue. Checking the elements and thermostats restores normal recovery.

What you’ll notice first on a tank-style electric water heater

• Hot water runs out faster than normal
• Water is lukewarm even with the temperature set higher
• Recovery is slow after showers or laundry
• Breaker trips or you smell hot wiring near the access panel
• Popping or rumbling sounds (sediment on the tank bottom)

Most common causes on model EES80T913

• Burned-out heating element: One element fails and the tank can’t keep up; replace the correct element for your model.
• Thermostat not regulating: A thermostat can stick open/closed and cause lukewarm water or overheating; replace the failed thermostat.
• Sediment buildup: Insulates the lower element and reduces efficiency; flush the tank.
• Safety valve leaking: A leaking relief valve can indicate overheating or pressure issues; replace the valve if it won’t reseat.

Quick checks and matching parts

Symptom	Most likely cause	Part commonly involved
Lukewarm water, fast runout	Upper or lower element failed	Element 100110051 or lo element 100108954
Temperature swings or too hot	Thermostat issue	Thermostat 100109846
Dripping from discharge pipe	Relief valve not sealing	T & p valve 100108279

Why it matters

A weak element or faulty thermostat forces longer run times, increases energy use, and can lead to nuisance breaker trips. Fixing the heating circuit parts keeps recovery time and water temperature consistent.

Last updated: February 2026