Electric water heater noise

mc73

Can anyone describe the normal operating sound of an electric water heater? I had a new one installed about two months ago that is making some noise, and I can't get a straight answer out of the company (AO Smith) as to whether it should be making any noise or not. My old one was completely silent.

Thanks.

mc73

Just to be more specific, let me describe the noise I'm hearing from my water heater.

At various points, whether we've used hot water (or any water) recently or not, the heater will make a clicking/clunking sound, and then start putting off a hissing sound for several minutes. Sometimes it's louder and sometimes it's shorter. After several minutes, then there's another clicking/clunking sound, and the hissing stops.

Does anyone know if this is normal, or if it's something I should investigate? Like I said before, my old water heater was completely silent.