ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (April 8, 2026) – A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment, was honored as a Sustainable Product of the Year for its exceptional Voltex Max Residential Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH). This recognition illustrates A. O. Smith’s steadfast commitment to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in residential water heating.
The Green Builder Media Sustainable Product of the Year Award represents today’s most innovative products that make homes more efficient, resilient, healthy, intelligent and safe. This year’s competition specifically focused on products that contribute to the newest housing metric: value per square foot. A. O. Smith was honored as one of a handful of top organizations recognized in the Cooling and Heating category.
A. O. Smith’s Voltex Max HPWH is a recent addition to its growing family of sustainable residential water heating technology. The Voltex MAX model uses a new smart valve to deliver around 40% higher First Hour Ratings than similarly sized electric and heat pump water heaters. The Voltex MAX unit’s smart valve technology also allows a contractor to install a smaller tank in an area where space is tight and still get comparable performance to a larger tank by using the unit’s Hot Water + modes. With this technology, homeowners can customize the unit’s performance to exactly the way they live and use hot water.
“Being recognized by Green Builder Media as one of the industry’s top sustainable products is a true testament to A. O. Smith’s commitment to customers and the environment,” said Betsy Curran, A. O. Smith director of marketing and customer engagement. “The Voltex Max HPWH exemplifies our dedication to meeting the industry’s evolving needs, and it is an honor to have that commitment recognized by one of our industry’s leading voices. This recognition validates the significant energy savings and long-term value that Voltex Max units provide to homeowners committed to a more efficient and healthier home."
Homeowners gain peace of mind when installing a Voltex Max unit thanks to the fully integrated iCOMM™ Smart Connectivity, which supports features like the unit’s anti-leak technology through the use of integrated leak detection. The unit’s smart anode adapts to local water conditions to further protect and extend the life of the water heater. This model also has two backup electric heating elements that help the water heater recover quickly during periods of high demand.
For more information on the Voltex X heat pump water heater and other A. O. Smith products, visit www.hotwater.com.
A. O. Smith is a leading global water technology and manufacturing company that provides innovative water heating and water treatment solutions. For more than 150 years, dedication to innovation has propelled A. O. Smith to adapt to new opportunities and transform itself multiple times over. The company designs, builds, distributes and supports the world’s broadest and deepest line of residential and commercial water heaters, as well as commercial boilers. This single-source concept simplifies ordering, installation and service and is backed by extensive research. For the most up-to-date A. O. Smith news, like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn and visit www.hotwater.com.
