Commitment to innovation drives
smart water heating solutions

By David Chisolm, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience A. O. Smith, ASA Platinum Supplier Partner

This rapidly changing landscape has encouraged more companies to stay focused on research, development and product evolution as it relates to government regulations. We continue to work closely with the American Supply Association to stay up to date on codes and standards, so we can remain at the forefront of industry standards while exceeding customer expectations.

For decades, water heating companies have pursued the highest levels of thermal efficiency possible – a trend that has grown even more in recent years with the push for decarbonization and electrification. As sustainable and green solutions become the norm, manufacturers continue to raise the bar on product componentry and smart solutions to provide a more energy- and cost-efficient water heating experience.

Connectivity moves the industry forward

To keep up with constantly evolving energy efficiency efforts, manufacturers, contractors and homeowners have turned their eyes to advanced IoT technology and connected solutions. For efficiency purposes, these advancements can be essential when managing load requirements. App-based solutions are becoming more common in the residential sector, making it even easier to save energy and track cost savings in real-time. While there aren’t any regulatory drivers yet for load management or app-based resources in commercial applications, connectivity has started to gain popularity, as more customers want to see and track the energy used by certain appliances in the buildings they manage. Mobile applications like the A. O. Smith Mobile App continue to advance to meet the needs of homeowners and professionals who want to integrate a heat pump water heater into the growing number of utility smart grid programs.

Efficiencies topping out

For many manufacturers, water heaters are becoming so advanced that products are achieving near 100% efficiencies, leaving little room for growth. In 2015, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act was adopted, creating a new minimum standard for efficiency in water heating. After that, a new wave of high-efficiency, clean-burning water heating solutions were born. When it comes to efficiency, it’s easy to think of tankless or electric products, both highly efficient, but in recent years, gas products also provide an efficient solution. More models on the market today will adjust the firing rate to meet demand, further increasing efficiency and cost savings. Some also come standard with a connectivity platform to provide remote monitoring and adjustments, minimizing downtime for repairs and reducing lost revenue caused by service interruptions.

Heat pump technology encourages savings

As energy and environmental regulatory bodies continue to guide mandates at both the state and local levels, the adoption of energy-efficient appliances and building resources are becoming more critical than ever. When it comes to energy efficiency requirements, California’s building codes are some of the most progressive, but regulations are starting to spread across the country. Industry experts anticipate that most regions of the country will be impacted by these changes and regulations in the coming years, creating an even larger demand for this technology. With the continued push for electrification and decarbonization, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by utilizing electricity is top-of-mind for many customers and manufacturers. Heat pump technology will start to take a front seat as more consumers and commercial building owners start to better understand its role as one of the most energy- and cost-efficient solutions on the market today.

Innovating for the future

In keeping with A. O. Smith's commitment to innovation, we will continue to work closely with our research and development teams, customers and industry partners, like the American Supply Association, so we can provide the most advanced solutions for almost any application. Sometimes these changes mean progressing a long-standing product line, and other times inspiration will result in bringing something new to the market. Either way, homeowners, contractors and governmental bodies have come to see the benefit of intelligent water heating solutions, making them the new wave in environmental reward and protection for years to come.