A. O. Smith ProMax Lowboy

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lowboy50gal_smith-heroThe 2015 NAECA regulations created a big problem for small spaces like condos and apartments in 2015, specifically with 50-gallon lowboy products across the industry. Here’s why: After the new energy efficiency rules went into effect, the amount of insulation it would take to meet the rules increased the size of the tank so much that units couldn’t fit in replacement situations or in homes where designs called for smaller profiles.

The brand new A. O. Smith ProMax Lowboy doesn’t seem to sexy on its face, but it’s actually a new standout in it’s category because the ProMax Lowboy fits those same tight spaces. So where contractors need a model to fit in those smaller spaces, this new A. O. Smith ProMax 50 Gallon Lowboy hits the mark.

The ProMax® Lowboy Top Connect electric water heater is designed to take up as little room as possible and is the ideal choice for when installation space is limited to tight spaces such as under counters and in crawl spaces.

The 48-gallon ProMax electric lowboy, which has the largest storage capacity on the market of products in its category, allows for flexible installation. Measuring 26 ½ inches in diameter and 34 inches tall, the unit retains the same steel jacket dimensions as the pre-NAECA III model it’s replacing.

Efficiency Data
–first hour rating of 57 gallons
–Energy Factor of 0.91
Tech specs here

A. O. Smith Aims at Condo, Apartment Replacement Market with 50-Gallon ProMax® Lowboy

A. O. Smith is taking aim at the condo and apartment market with its new 48-gallon ProMax® lowboy electric water heater.

While the lowboy electric water heater is nothing new in multi-unit residential applications, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) federal energy efficiency rules that took effect in 2015 created a problem for plumbing contractors on replacement jobs. For 50-gallon lowboy models to meet the new efficiency standards, these water heaters would have to increase in size. But larger units would create a problem for contractors looking to replace existing 50-gallon lowboys in tight spaces with little or no room to accommodate a bigger model.

“The need for a unit with this performance and size, specifically in apartments and condos where space is a premium, was absolutely essential,” said David Chisolm, A. O. Smith’s vice president of marketing. “The ProMax 48-gallon lowboy will effectively bridge the gap that was left in the market following the implementation of new industry standards last April by providing our contracting partners with a viable replacement option that doesn’t require customers to sacrifice their hot water or renovate their space. Needless to say, it’s a welcomed addition to the A. O. Smith family.”

The 48-gallon ProMax electric lowboy, which has the largest storage capacity on the market of products in its category, allows for flexible installation. Measuring 26 ½ inches in diameter and 34 inches tall, the unit retains the same steel jacket dimensions as the pre-NAECA III model it’s replacing.

The model also includes a supplemental three-inch-thick premium fiberglass insulating blanket. The insulation blanket features a durable double-sided facing that decreases exposure to fiberglass. In addition, the blanket compresses easily, making the installation of heaters located in confined spaces more convenient.

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