John Wood

John Wood is a manufacturer of residential and light commercial water heaters covering natural gas, propane, electric, oil-fired, and tankless configurations for the Canadian market. The brand traces its manufacturing heritage to Fergus, Ontario, where Beatty Brothers Limited operated metalworking facilities dating to 1873, later consolidated into General Steel Wares (GSW) Limited in 1927. A.O. Smith Corporation acquired GSW Inc. in 2006, making John Wood part of the A.O. Smith portfolio. John Wood water heaters are engineered to CSA standards for Canadian requirements and cover the complete range of residential fuel types, including oil-fired models for rural markets without natural gas service.

Product Lines

John Wood ProLine Atmospheric Vent Gas Water Heaters

Available in natural gas and propane from 40 to 60 US gallons: AV40N (40 gal, 40,200 BTU/hr), AV50N (50 gal, 40,000 BTU/hr), AV60N (60 gal, 52,200 BTU/hr). All use piezoelectric ignition, glass-lined tanks, and FVIR construction with a flame arrestor meeting CSA and ANSI safety standards.

John Wood ProLine XE Power Vent and Direct Vent Gas Water Heaters

PV40P-40 power vent (40 gal, 40,000 BTU/hr) allows horizontal or long-run venting where a vertical flue is unavailable. DV40N direct vent (38,000 BTU/hr) uses a sealed coaxial flue for single-wall-penetration installations requiring both combustion air intake and exhaust.

John Wood Tankless Gas Water Heaters

JWT-240H-DV-N: direct vent natural gas tankless, 160,000 BTU/hr input, 6.6 GPM max flow rate. Provides on-demand hot water without a storage tank in a compact footprint with sealed combustion.

John Wood ProLine and ProLine Master Electric Water Heaters

Resistance heating element electric models for homes without gas service. Multiple tank sizes for standard residential applications. ENERGY STAR certified models available, including the PDV50N.

John Wood Oil-Fired Water Heaters

JW6-317RF (30 US gal, rear flue) addresses the Canadian rural residential market where natural gas service is unavailable. Requires a separately supplied burner. Designed for oil-heated homes and installations alongside oil-fired boilers.

Why Contractors Specify John Wood

Plumbing contractors in the Canadian residential market specify John Wood because the brand is engineered to CSA standards and covers every residential fuel type in a single brand, simplifying procurement and warranty management. A.O. Smith's acquisition of GSW Inc. in 2006 gives John Wood access to A.O. Smith's North American parts network and technical support. The oil-fired line serves rural customers without gas service. FVIR construction on gas models meets current CSA and ANSI safety requirements.

How to Choose a John Wood Water Heater

The most important decision variable is the available fuel type: natural gas, propane, electric, oil, or tankless gas. For natural gas with a standard vertical flue, the ProLine atmospheric vent series (AV40N/50N/60N) covers 40-60 gallons sized to household demand. For horizontal or long-run venting, the PV40P-40 power vent is appropriate. For sealed combustion through a single wall penetration, the DV40N direct vent. For continuous on-demand hot water, the JWT-240H-DV-N tankless (6.6 GPM, 160,000 BTU/hr). For homes without gas service, the ProLine electric models cover standard residential applications with ENERGY STAR options. For oil-fired rural installations, the JW6-317RF addresses the specific rural Canadian market.

FAQs

What is the history of John Wood water heaters?
John Wood traces its heritage to Fergus, Ontario, where Beatty Brothers Limited operated metalworking facilities dating to 1873, consolidated into General Steel Wares (GSW) Limited in 1927. A.O. Smith Corporation acquired GSW Inc. in 2006, making John Wood part of the A.O. Smith family of water heater brands.

What is FVIR construction on John Wood gas water heaters?
FVIR (Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant) construction uses a flame arrestor in the combustion chamber that traps burning vapors, preventing ignition of flammable vapors outside the heater. Meets CSA and ANSI Z21.10.1 requirements and is standard across the John Wood ProLine gas lineup.

What warranty does John Wood offer?
Warranty terms vary by model and product line. Warranty documentation for the specific model is available through authorized John Wood distributors and the A.O. Smith service network. Verify the warranty term at the time of purchase.

What is the difference between ProLine atmospheric vent and power vent models?
Atmospheric vent models (AV series) rely on natural draft through a conventional vertical flue. The power vent model (PV40P-40) uses a powered exhaust blower for horizontal venting and longer vent runs where a vertical flue is unavailable.

Does John Wood offer ENERGY STAR certified water heaters?
John Wood offers ENERGY STAR certified models including the PDV50N electric model. ENERGY STAR certification qualifies the unit for applicable energy efficiency programs. Verify the current certification status of the specific model at the time of purchase.

What John Wood model is appropriate for an oil-fired installation?
The JW6-317RF is a 30 US gallon rear-flue oil-fired residential water heater for rural Canadian markets without natural gas service. Requires a separately supplied burner.