For one lakeside condo, hot water isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. The unit serves dual purposes: a recreational retreat for its owners and a rental property for guests. That means hot water needs to be dependable, ensuring comfort for everyone, every time. When the new owners of the condo purchased the property, one of Read more
water heater
For one lakeside condo, hot water isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. The unit serves dual purposes: a recreational retreat for its owners and a rental property for guests. That means hot water needs to be dependable, ensuring comfort for everyone, every time.
When the new owners of the condo purchased the property, one of the first orders of business was to have a whole-unit inspection prior to completing the transaction. What the inspector found was that while running the water throughout the condo, the water ran hot after only a few minutes of use, making its way for turning the shower into what is essentially known as a cold-water sandwich, and nobody wants to experience that.
After further “inspection,” the culprit was a nearly 30-year-old water heater, which—in terms of water heater life—had made a really strong run. But it was time. Time to replace with a similar unit in terms of reliability. “We were so impressed with the longevity and durability of the existing water heater, we decided to swap the unit out with a nearly identical one, with new and improved features,” said the condo owner. “If we can get even similar or even better performance out of the new unit, we’d be extremely happy.”
The upgrade included the swap out of an aged State Courier 510 unit with a residential 48-gallon State ProLine Lowboy Electric Water Heater, which is a residential product built to commercial-grade standards, and is only available for purchase through professional wholesalers and contractors.
As one might imagine, for a one-bedroom condo, space is at a premium, and you guessed it, the mechanical space resides in a small storage closet, which makes it ideal for a low-profile unit with top mount access. Due to the size of the working mechanical space, and because all appliances in the condo run on electric, the choice was simple.
Because the ProLine’s compact lowboy design and top water connections, it was ideal for this tight space. The installation—with a cramped working area and low-height clearance—was seamless for the local plumbing contractor. But the real advantage? The ProLine’s advanced features which include:
- Consistent hot water delivery with a first-hour rating of 60 gallons
- High efficiency with a 0.93 Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) rating
- Commercial-grade durability, featuring a long-lasting lower Incoloy stainless steel element
- State’s industry-leading tank protection, including:
- CoreGard™ stainless steel anode rod
- Blue Diamond® glass lining for corrosion resistance
- DynaClean™ automatic sediment-cleaning system to extend tank life
And while the previous State unit lasted for more than a quarter of a century, the condo owners have the peace of mind knowing that with dual 4,500-watt heating elements, the ProLine delivers powerful, reliable hot water—ensuring no more cold-water surprises. And with State’s 6-year limited tank and parts warranty, the condo owners also can rest easy knowing their investment is protected.
Finally, because the residential ProLine unit was a recently swapped in, the condo owners have had somewhat limited use, but are extremely satisfied with the hot water production. The owners are confident in the ProLine—in the end, it was the reliable choice when looking to maximize hot water output while seeking energy savings. “We’ve used it multiple times, and BOOM! There is no better feeling knowing that we, and our renters, will have consistent hot water and comfort while bathing or showering,” said the condo owner.
https://vimeo.com/1047355773 Dominating the headlines over the last week or so, the utter devastation from the LA fires has been heartbreaking to watch. The loss of life and homes has been painful to witness from afar, and some fires still burn due to excessively high winds. What turned out to be a fairly innocuous Contractor Spotlight Read more
Dominating the headlines over the last week or so, the utter devastation from the LA fires has been heartbreaking to watch. The loss of life and homes has been painful to witness from afar, and some fires still burn due to excessively high winds. What turned out to be a fairly innocuous Contractor Spotlight, our interview with Yossi Wachtel, owner of Monkey Wrench Plumbing in Los Angeles just got personal.
You can read the Spotlight here:
Contractor Spotlight: Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric—Community First
Podcasts:
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces three significant updates on the North America Water Heating sales team. After 34 years with A. O. Smith, Mark Gierla, vice president of Eastern region sales, will retire on April 1, 2025. Matt Patterson, national accounts director, will be promoted Read more
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces three significant updates on the North America Water Heating sales team. After 34 years with A. O. Smith, Mark Gierla, vice president of Eastern region sales, will retire on April 1, 2025. Matt Patterson, national accounts director, will be promoted to vice president of Western region sales in January 2025 as part of this transition. Jerry Lapour, sales director, will move into Patterson’s role.
Mark Gierla
Gierla joined A. O. Smith in 1990 as district manager. He relocated several times and assumed various sales roles along the way. In 2007, he moved to the Nashville area, and in 2010, he was promoted to the newly created role of vice president of regional sales. During his tenure, he’s helped launch some of the company’s most important product innovations — most notably, the Cyclone® commercial water heater, which still leads the industry today. Going forward, Gierla’s role will be split between the regional vice president Western sales and the regional vice president Eastern sales.
“We thank Mark for his dedication to our organization, his tenacity and his skill to drive the business forward,” said Chuck Dean, vice president of wholesale sales.
Matt Patterson
Patterson has been with the company for 12 years and has worked as a technical sales specialist in factory sales in Tennessee, a regional sales manager in the Northwest U.S. and most recently as national accounts director. He also spent two years on the A. O. Smith mobile marketing vehicle showcasing new products to wholesalers around the country.
Lapour joined A. O. Smith in 2023 and comes with many years of industry experience. He most recently worked for Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, managing the north central region. Prior to that, he worked with Elkay Manufacturing for 17 years, with responsibilities including regional sales manager for the North Central U.S. and national account responsibility for Winsupply, where he received the “Account Manager of the Year” award in 2020. LaPour is also a veteran and served with the XVIII Airborne Corps in Desert Storm.
Jerry Lapour
“Having experienced leaders ready to assume these new roles is of great benefit to the organization and I am confident these transitions will be seamless,” said Dean.
Having a home is one of the most rewarding things, but it becomes a frustrating experience when plumbing problems occur. The more you know the better, since that can save time and money — not to mention keep your little few strands of hair in. Plumbing can seem like a complicated system, and rightly so Read more
Having a home is one of the most rewarding things, but it becomes a frustrating experience when plumbing problems occur. The more you know the better, since that can save time and money — not to mention keep your little few strands of hair in.
Plumbing can seem like a complicated system, and rightly so as we never see the full scope of piping behind our walls. However, learning some basics helps prevent big problems from popping up out of nowhere while also being able to address smaller issues independently.
Here are 10 Important Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know:
- Know the Location of Your Water Meter and Main Shut Off Valve
Location of shut-off One of the most important details that any homeowner needs to know is where your manual main water turn-off valve is. A burst pipe can occur unexpectedly, and shutting off the water supply fast is vital to reducing damage in your home.
- Understand How Your Water Heater Works
The best setting for most water heaters is 120°F or roughly the Low-Medium setting on gas. This temperature can keep scalding at bay while still offering energy-efficient heat from your unit. Periodically monitor the temperature of your water heater, and flush it annually to eliminate accumulation sediment for efficiency purposes and extended lifespan.
- Don’t Treat Your Drains Like a Trash Can
Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Specifically, wipes, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products should not make it into your pipes as they cause sewer backups. In addition, never pour grease on the drain of your kitchen because it hardens and adheres to piping creating very serious blockages.
- Use Drain Strainers
Placing strainers in your kitchen and bathroom sinks will block hair, food particles, and other debris from entering the drain- as prevention is key. It is essential to routinely clean these filters for optimal water flow.
- Fix Leaks Promptly
But a slow drip could waste gallons of water from your pipes over weeks or months, and it can make your utility bills grow. The leaks can also cause water damage and mold. Repair a leaking faucet or pipe quickly and call in expert help if you need it.
- Know the Signs of Hard Water
Mineral buildup can cause clogging in your pipes, reduce the efficiency of water heaters, and damage appliances if you live in a hard water area. Hard Water Hard water will leave soap scum on shower doors, no shine to dishes, and dry skin. ~ via Dmarie1031 A water softener can help you avoid the buildup of mineral deposits, which gives them a longer shelf life.
- How To Safely Unclog a Toilet
Most people will find a plunger useful when clearing a blocked toilet. When using a plunger, fill the bowl with enough water to cover its rubber part and apply moderate pressure in an even push-pull motion. If this doesn’t solve the problem, avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they can harm your pipes; choose a snake or call in a plumber when needed.
- Check Exposed Pipes for Wear
If you have any exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, or under sinks check them for preliminary signs of corrosion around leaks. Check on them periodically and if you notice any rusting, cracking, or leaking chances are high that an issue is about to develop indefinitely- Fix it right away! Dealing with these problems early on can help prevent significant water damage.
- Insulate Pipes in Cold Weather
In cold climates, it is important to insulate your pipes to prevent freezing and bursting during winter. Cover exposed pipes in areas like basements, attics, and garages with foam pipe insulation. Additionally, in extremely cold weather, you may want to keep faucets dripping slowly to maintain water flow and minimize the risk of freezing.
- Know When to Call a Professional
Knowing when to seek professional help is crucial in plumbing situations. While some issues can be resolved independently, others require the expertise of a licensed plumber. If you encounter recurring clogs, or water heater malfunctions, or suspect a main sewer line blockage, it is advisable to contact a professional.(no follow link) Attempting complicated repairs without adequate knowledge can exacerbate problems and result in higher costs.
https://vimeo.com/1018473908 This quick Hub on the Road finds us in a residential new build in Chippewa Falls, Wis. Plumber Ross Christopherson of Dunkin’ Creek Plumbing talks about the Noritz EZ-111 LP tankless unit with top mount access, and the space-saving aspect the unit provides compared to other alternatives. There was some discussion as what heat Read more
This quick Hub on the Road finds us in a residential new build in Chippewa Falls, Wis. Plumber Ross Christopherson of Dunkin’ Creek Plumbing talks about the Noritz EZ-111 LP tankless unit with top mount access, and the space-saving aspect the unit provides compared to other alternatives. There was some discussion as what heat source to use as natural gas was not an option. The left an electric heat pump or this Noritz propane tankless We’ve heard back from the homeowners and they are ecstatic with their endless hot water.
To the left, Christopherson double-checks the installation instructions before bleeding the system to gain full hot water throughout the house. Reading the manual (RTFM) is always advised for any installation. A tankless advocate, Christopherson likes the space-saving aspect of a wall-hung tankless unit. Now the mechanical room has a bit more space for any type of work needed. As mentioned, a bulkier heat pump, which just wasn’t right for the northern climate of Wisconsin, was considered.
To the right, Christopherson uses the Milwaukee Tool M12 PEX Expander to connect some of the PEX piping and fittings. Ross is a big user of Milwaukee Tool cordless tools and the PEX Expander is huge difference maker in his tool bag arsenal. For a one-man shop, efficiency and time-saving methods are key to his “survival.”
