Brad: See this YouTube video on how to change the setting so it doesn't default back to hybrid after 2 days:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKHeIpvAQGQ

To the OP:  See this thread last year on this subject and read my post.   FYI - my 5th AO Smith hybrid water heater failed this summer after 1 year and 1 month.  Since the dealer had to register it this time it's my last one.   So I used the video above to change the setting so it stays in electric mode as at least I'll get some value out of it as a regular water heater.   DO NOT BUY AN AO SMITH HYBRID WATER HEATER FOR ANY REASON!   I like the concept but will wait till this one fails in standard electric element mode before considering another one.   Elements too will probably fail MUCH sooner than it should. Hopefully technology will improve so they are reliable.

https://newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1128634&mid=10397676