The innovative new SHIELD™ commercial water heater from Lochinvar Corp. proves that sometimes it's what's not inside that really counts. With inputs up to 500,000 Btu/hr, 96 percent thermal efficiency and storage up to 125 gallons, SHIELD provides green operation ― without the risk of lime scale buildup inside the tank.

Thermal efficiency can decrease over time due to lime scale buildup, which gradually drives up operating costs. According to Lochinvar, as little as 1/4" of lime scale on the heat exchanger can increase operating costs by 25 percent and cause tank failure in as little as two years. SHIELD is designed to provide a 100 percent effective defense against this problem. It is equipped with an advanced stainless-steel heat transfer system located outside of the tank, ensuring the same high efficiency and low operating costs throughout its life cycle.

For added flexibility, SHIELD offers rooftop or sidewall venting options, including conventional, direct vent and concentric direct vent, all using PVC or CPVC pipe with vent runs up to 100 feet. Ideal for green commercial buildings, SHIELD provides low NOx ratings compatible with the most stringent air quality standards. The NEG/REG sealed combustion system allows the unit to operate with inlet gas pressure as low as four inches of water column and delivers a quiet, environmentally friendly supply of heat.

Utilizing a fully modulating burner with 5:1 turndown, SHIELD can fire as low as 20 percent of maximum input when demand is lowest, and increase to 100 percent for peak-demand periods. This results in better overall efficiency and less cycling compared to "on-off" tank-type units that can only fire at full force.

In addition, SHIELD is equipped with an advanced water heater control, which makes system setup, service and operation a breeze. Its SMART CONTROL™ feature is a two-line, 16-character backlit LCD display that provides readouts of setup, system status and diagnostic information in words, not codes. SMART CONTROL also includes night setback, time clock, alarm contacts, runtime contacts and manual-reset high limit.

For more information, visit www.Lochinvar.com.