Product Spotlight

Compact Condensing Water Heaters Bring High Efficiency and Reliability to Commercial Applications up to 1200 MBH

PVI, a Watts brand, expands its Conquest^® family of compact, condensing, semi-instantaneous, firetube water heaters with 1100 MBH and 1200 MBH units rated for indoor or outdoor applications. With the new, larger-capacity water heaters, the Conquest family supports direct hot water (DHW) demands from 199 MBH to 1200 MBH, for optimal sizing and higher operating efficiency and return on investment (ROI) in new and retrofit commercial applications.

Conquest 1100 and Conquest 1200 water heaters deliver high efficiency through a completely submerged, single-pass, down-fired design, which includes an array of helical fire tubes. Combustion gases are counter-flow to the direction of the potable water, enabling the coolest flue gases to contact the coldest water and raise low-fire efficiency to 99%.

To reduce burner cycling during periods of low hot water demand, Conquest water heaters employ burner modulation with a variable speed blower. This allows low flow conditions to be met with continuous, low BTU input and without short-cycling. The reduction in energy input also helps achieve the exceptional thermal efficiency while lowering operating costs. During periods when nominal demand is only a few gpm, the at-temperature storage capacity of the Conquest can meet the hot water requirement for 20-40 minutes before a burner cycle is required.

Built from the finest materials, the Conquest 1100 and Conquest 1200 provide superior ROI with 3-5 times the warranty of competitors. The water heaters feature a submerged combustion chamber and heat exchanger with a dimpled array of firetubes fabricated entirely from durable AquaPLEX^® duplex stainless steel alloy. Unlike 316L stainless steel, the AquaPLEX tank is inherently immune to chloride stress corrosion cracking and eliminates the need for a tank lining or anode rods.

An electronic operating control provides a plain-text user interface that indicates heater status, modulation rate, operating parameters, and fault status to facility managers and owners. The control is embedded with Modbus RTU and BACnet MS/TP protocols for straightforward connection to a building automation system (BAS).

Plug-in model offers retrofit solution

A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces the launch of its Voltex® 120V Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH), an extension of the existing Voltex HPWH residential line. This new addition is specifically designed to meet the demands of gas replacements, offering an easy 120V installation that plugs into a standard electrical outlet.

The ongoing development of electrification and decarbonization requirements on the West Coast led A. O. Smith to create a heat pump water heater that provides a hassle-free transition from gas to electric water heaters. The Voltex 120V model can be plugged directly into a shared circuit wall outlet, ensuring a simplified installation process. Top water connections and a zero-clearance design support an easy installation for contractors and allow for the unit to be installed in a variety of applications. Furthermore, the Voltex 120V unit is ENERGY STAR® certified and qualifies for many federal, state and local utility rebates.

“The launch of the Voltex 120V model showcases A. O. Smith’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability,” says Arthur Smith, A. O. Smith product manager. “With cutting-edge features like a new lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant, R-513A, and the digital smart valve for superior hot water production, these advancements not only deliver exceptional efficiency but also play a significant role in reducing a home’s carbon footprint. At A. O. Smith, we’re dedicated to creating a greener future without compromising performance.”

One of the key advantages of the Voltex 120V HPWH is its ease of use and the added peace of mind it offers to homeowners. With whisper-quiet operation that eliminates the need for vibration isolation accessories, the unit ensures a quiet environment. Featuring a digital outlet temperature control, homeowners can easily set their desired water temperature without the need for a manual mixing valve, simplifying maintenance and providing added convenience for users. Additionally, the Voltex 120V HPWH comes equipped with an included leak sensor and shut off valve, providing enhanced protection and minimizing potential water damage. Homeowners can also stay informed and in control with iCOMM™ remote monitoring notifications, allowing for proactive monitoring and maintenance.

Because it plugs directly into a standard electrical outlet, the Voltex 120V HPWH is sized differently than other units from the Voltex family. Typically, contractors will need to size up to ensure that homeowners can continue to use hot water at the same rate. The Voltex 120V models are designed to provide similar First Hour Ratings to 30-, 40- and 50-gallon gas water heaters to cover the most common installations. To learn more about the product, professionals can visit the newly launched A. O. Smith website, which provides details to help best specify these units to ensure optimal performance.

For more information on A. O. Smith’s Voltex 120V HPWH and the Voltex HPWH residential line, visit www.hotwater.com.

Upgraded Technology Meets Consumer Need with Sustainable Solutions

 EcoSmart™, a leader in green, economical tankless electric water heaters, has announced the launch of its new EcoSmart Element™ family. Available in three sizes (12 kW, 18 kW, and 27 kW), these tankless electric water heaters are ideal for residential use and new construction.

“We are committed to making energy-efficient water heaters more budget-friendly,” said Neda Ahmaripour, director, global product and center of excellence, at EcoSmart. “We are continually upgrading our technology to fulfill customer needs and provide more sustainable solutions for future generations with the EcoSmart Element.”

EcoSmart, part of the Rheem® family of brands, designed these compact models to provide endless hot water at the point-of-use (12 kW) or to the whole home (18 kW and 27 kW). These models are more efficient than a standard electric tank, plus the on-demand heating eliminates energy waste by heating water only when needed.

Features include copper immersion heating elements that fit into a single chamber with threaded brass connections for easy replacement. Additionally, the stainless-steel heat exchanger reduces corrosion for a longer life.

Housed in a durable engineered polymer shell, each EcoSmart Element tankless electric water heater is designed with safety top-of-mind. Each model incorporates SafeStart™ technology upon start-up, as well as during power outages, to help avoid dry-fire occurrences. A manual reset thermal cut-out also comes equipped on every unit, which senses when the system has exceeded the high-temperature limits.

Designed with a variable temperature range of 60 – 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the EcoSmart Element models have a flow rate capacity ranging between 1.2 to 6.6 gallons per minute (GPM).  In warmer climates, the 18 kW and 27 kW can run a kitchen faucet plus a shower and bathroom faucet simultaneously depending on the model and inlet water temperature. In colder climates, installing multiple point-of-use water heaters as a dedicated hot water source for appliances such as a dishwasher or washing machine reduces water heat loss and waiting on hot water.

EcoSmart Element tankless electric water heaters are available on Amazon.com and backed by a five-year warranty for leaks and a one-year warranty for its parts. To learn more about the EcoSmart Element as well as the brand’s full line of tankless electric water heaters, visit ecosmartus.com.

The new Pro-Pal® Multi-Port Transition Tee from Webstone®, a brand of NIBCO®, is a compact alternative to installing gangs of tees. It combines multiple components to save space and time, with patented technology that suits a variety of water distribution needs. These products feature lead-free, forged dezincification-resistant brass, your choice of press or press x hose drain run, and F1960 or F1807 PEX branches. Sizes include ¾” or 1”, with or without reduced branches. Customization options are also available for additional sizes, connection types, and accessories.

Learn more: www.webstonevalves.com/propal