Park Vista Apartments Replaces Aging Gas Water Heaters With A. O. Smith Heat Pump Technology
Key Highlights
- Park Vista Apartments replaced aging gas water heaters in 392 affordable housing units with A. O. Smith Voltex® 120V heat pump water heaters
- Plug-in 120V compatibility and compact dimensions helped simplify installation without major electrical upgrades
- Residents now benefit from lower utility costs, improved safety and more reliable hot water performance
ANAHEIM, CA — Park Vista Apartment Complex, a 392-unit affordable housing community in Anaheim, California, recently completed a large-scale water heater retrofit designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and enhance safety for residents.
Originally built in the 1950s and last renovated during the 1990s, the complex relied on aging gas combustion water heaters that had been operating for nearly two decades. Property leadership recognized the need for a replacement solution that could modernize the community’s hot water systems while working within the limitations of existing mechanical closets and electrical infrastructure.
After evaluating available options, the project team selected the A. O. Smith Voltex® 120V Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) for the retrofit.
Plug-In Heat Pump Design Simplified Multifamily Retrofit
Unlike many traditional high-efficiency electric water heaters, the Voltex® 120V HPWH is designed to operate using a standard electrical outlet, eliminating the need for major electrical upgrades or adapters.
Its compact, narrow-profile design also allowed the units to fit inside the existing water heater closets previously occupied by the gas-fired equipment.
“When we were looking at replacing the previous water heaters, most of which were 15 to 20 years old, we knew we wanted and needed to update them to units that are energy efficient, cut down our emissions and save tenants money on their utility bills,” said David Chanin, Future Fit Partners, a company that helps property owners utilize rebates and incentives. “We selected the Voltex 120V Heat Pump Water Heater for this project because of its electrical capacity and its narrow design, which fit perfectly into the small closets in our apartments.”
Fast Installation Helped Meet Aggressive Project Timeline
Park Vista faced a tight installation schedule while replacing water heaters across all 392 residential units.
The Voltex® 120V HPWH’s top water connections, bracket system and zero-clearance design helped streamline installation for the maintenance team. Initially averaging four installations per day, crews were eventually able to increase production to six units daily as the project progressed.
The retrofit also delivered several operational and quality-of-life improvements for residents.
Heat Pump Technology Improved Efficiency and Resident Safety
The new 40-gallon heat pump water heaters provide residents with more reliable hot water capacity while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to the previous gas units.
By transitioning from combustion-based water heating to electric heat pump technology, the property also eliminated fire risks associated with tenants storing belongings near open flame equipment.
The Voltex® 120V HPWH’s quiet operation further improved living conditions by eliminating the need for vibration isolation accessories.
“A heat pump water heater takes ambient heat from around the unit, compresses it and transfers it into the tank of hot water,” said Jeff Storie, Director of Brand and Field Marketing at A. O. Smith. “These units are so efficient that many, if not all, of them are eligible for rebates and utility incentives and are ENERGY STAR® certified. The Voltex 120V heat pump water heater was designed to make the transition from gas to electric simple, and it does just that.”
Leak Detection and Rebates Added Long-Term Value
All installed Voltex® 120V units include A. O. Smith leak protection technology, allowing maintenance staff to receive immediate alerts when leaks occur. The feature helps identify plumbing issues early before they develop into larger maintenance problems.
Financially, the retrofit produced substantial savings for residents and the property.
According to project stakeholders, water heating costs dropped to approximately one-third of what tenants previously paid using the older gas-fired equipment. The energy savings are expected to increase further as the complex continues implementing an on-site solar energy project.
California rebate programs also played a major role in project feasibility, with some incentives covering the full cost of the replacement units.
By proactively upgrading the community with high-efficiency heat pump technology, Park Vista has positioned the property for long-term sustainability, lower operating costs and improved resident comfort for years to come.