Noritz and ShowerUp Deliver Hot Showers and Personal Dignity to Homeless Community
HUNTSVILLE, AL — A continuous and reliable hot water source is a modern hygienic necessity. But what happens when that necessity is not readily available?
A decade ago, Paul Schmitz, who spent over 30 years in Christian radio, took a bold step to do something extraordinary to answer this question. Observing homeless families and individuals on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, and feeling uncertain about how to engage with them, he recognized the importance of initiating conversations, which led him to reflect more deeply on his beliefs.
At first, Schmitz's focus was on providing meals, clothing, and other essentials to Nashville’s homeless community. However, after coming across a mobile shower unit in his newsfeed, he was inspired to expand his efforts. He realized readily available public showers would be a more meaningful way to care for the less fortunate across America.
ShowerUp
The enterprise Schmitz subsequently created in 2016, ShowerUp, is a non-profit organization that has been serving those experiencing homelessness and anyone in need by providing mobile showers, hygienic resources, and personal care.
After launching in Nashville, the organization now also operates additional branches in various cities in Tennessee, as well as in Huntsville, AL, Chicago, IL, Tampa Bay, FL, and Wichita, KS. Together, these operations have provided over 63,000 showers to date.
“We choose our locations based on where people are because our mobility allows us to bring dignity to those in need,” says Schmitz, who now serves as Executive Director.
In addition to the warm water’s comfort and hygienic advantages, guests appreciate the privacy that ShowerUp offers through its mobile shower units. Measuring approximately 20 feet long and 8 feet wide, these vehicles are segmented into three compartments, each with a private entrance. Each 6-by-4-foot space is equipped with a full-size shower, a bench, a sink, a mirror, and air conditioning.
Guests are provided with towels, toiletries, socks, and other essential items. Once guests enter one of the three private shower suites and close the door, they can enjoy the unit for as long as it takes to feel refreshed and clean.
“Our whole idea is simple: We believe that everyone deserves dignity,” says Schmitz. “Everyone should have access to a clean, hot, private shower, no matter what you’ve been through—whether housed or unhoused.”
Tankless Solution
But to make it all work effectively, ShowerUp needs a consistently reliable source of hot water.
ShowerUp provides multiple showers daily and relies on products that can endure the demands of hot showers while taking up minimal space in their mobile vehicles. The non-profit relies on donations from companies and organizations that understand its mission and actively support it.
One such contributor is Noritz America, a Fountain Valley, California-based manufacturer of tankless water heaters for residential and commercial applications. In 2016, Noritz contributed a tankless water heater to Schmitz’s very first mobile vehicle in ShowerUp’s home base of Nashville. That first tankless unit is still going strong after nearly a decade of maintenance-free operation, according to Schmitz.
“I’ve never seen a tankless water heater last a full year without having a problem, but Noritz’s product has performed flawlessly since day one,” he says.
That’s why, when ShowerUp’s Huntsville vehicle recently needed to replace its tankless water heater (made by another company), Schmitz thought of Noritz as the ideal replacement. Following a phone call and a subsequent donation from Noritz through its Atlanta distribution center, Schmitz realized ShowerUp had once again found the perfect solution for their mobile unit: the Noritz EZ111DV-NG Condensing Tankless Gas Water Heater.
Hot Water On Demand
With a maximum flow rate of 11.1 gallons per minute and gas inputs ranging from 18,000 to 199,900 BTU per hour, this commercial-grade unit has the capacity to meet the heavy demand for hot water that ShowerUp vehicles inevitably generate. The EZ111DV-NG features an 11:1 turn-down ratio and a 0.96 Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), the latest water heater efficiency measure.
High-efficiency tankless water heaters save energy as well as space. With a lifespan of up to 20 years and requiring very little maintenance, they are both modern and practical, with their ability to provide ShowerUp guests with a continuous supply of hot water for as long as needed. The EZ111DV comes with a 25-year warranty on its dual stainless steel heat exchangers, ensuring reliable and long-lasting performance as well as much-appreciated peace of mind for Schmitz and his high-demand operation.
Allstar Plumbing
A two-person team from Allstar Plumbing in nearby Athens, AL, installed the EZ111DV-NG. Led by project manager Austin Ball, the Allstar crew completed the entire replacement process in three hours without any significant issues.
“We are very pleased with how easy it was to install the EZ111DV-NG in the mobile shower unit. It operates exceptionally well,” says Ball. “Not only did it save us time on the installation process, but, most importantly, it also ensured that the users enjoyed the best experience.”
Since the installation, the unit has proudly provided over 7,000 warm showers to individuals in need. This initiative continues to have a significant impact, offering comfort and dignity to those who require it most.
Meanwhile, the need to provide showers continues and is growing. “About 10 to 20 percent of our weekly visitors are people we have never met,” says Schmitz
Asked if he would continue using Noritz products on current and future trailers, Schmitz responded, “Every day of the week and twice on Sunday!
“ShowerUp believes that we can come together, provide a unique service, and help our friends and neighbors know they are loved,” he continues. “Together, we can shower grace, shower hope, shower love… with ShowerUp!”