A. O. Smith Donates 26 Heat Pump Water Heaters to Support Greenville Habitat for Humanity

A. O. Smith donated 26 heat pump water heaters to Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County in South Carolina. This donation will support the creation and growth of affordable housing by providing reliable access to hot water in the historic Nicholtown neighborhood.

Recent development in the area has led to a reduction in affordable housing. The city donated a five-acre plot of land to the local H4H to build new housing options to preserve the historic community. Habitat homeowners pay no more than 30% of their income at the time they buy their house. The heat pump water heater donation will help homeowners keep utility costs down throughout homeownership.

The company chose to donate heat pump water heaters because of their cost savings and efficiency benefits. Heat pump water heaters can save a family of four an average of $300 per year on their electric bills — an enormous impact for regions like the southeast, where electric bills typically run high. Heat pump water heaters are 75% more efficient than traditional water heaters, using significantly less energy.

Construction in the community officially began earlier this year and the community’s first residents are expected to move into their new homes later this year. The entire community is estimated to take three years to complete, and by the end of construction, there will be more than 20 new homes for community members in need.