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Continuing an ongoing partnership, NASCAR legend Ward Burton worked hand-in-hand with State water heaters to install a Premier AL Smart Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater into his family home, which was built in 1999. The Premier AL HPWH doesn’t burn fossil fuels, but instead draws heat from the surrounding air. The unit also has backup heating elements for occasions when additional hot water is needed.

In the months since replacing his commercial electric water heater with the Premier AL residential HPWH, Burton has saved up to $300 per month on his electric bills. Homeowners who replace a residential electric unit with a Premier AL residential HPWH can expect to see savings of 75% or more on energy bills.

“I am thrilled to be working with State again to replace my commercial water heater with the Premier AL unit because of the undeniable efficiency levels this heat pump water heater provides,” says Burton. “My wife and I are excited to have such a premium product which has already begun to lower our monthly electric bills.”

Burton is widely known as the winner of the 2002 Daytona 500. Burton then retired to become a TV personality alongside his son and fellow NASCAR driver, Jeb Burton. The Burtons are avid outdoorsmen who host the popular “Crossroads With The Burtons” series on The Sportsman Channel. Their passion also led Ward to create the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation in Halifax, Virginia. The State Tankless Water Heater with X3 Scale Prevention is also installed in the foundation’s facilities.

“The Premier AL heat pump water heater is an exceptional choice for the Burton family. The unit boasts up to four times the efficiency than a standard electric water heater, and features whisper-quiet operation around 45 dBA,” says Jeff Storie, A. O. Smith marketing director. “In addition, it’s installer-friendly with both top and side connections — and it also offers some cooling and dehumidification around the unit.”

Richmond, Virginia-based Woodfin Plumbing installed the unit in the Burton home, which took about three hours.

“The installation is the same as a regular water heater for the most part,” says Joshua Coffey, master plumber at Woodfin Plumbing. “It’s not really any different for us to hook it up compared to your standard tank-style water heater. It was great having the opportunity to meet Ward Burton.”

Ricky Lane, plumbing technician at Woodfin Plumbing, also helped with the installation. “We install a lot of heat pump water heaters — the energy efficiency, savings on the electric bill and tax write offs with the current incentives make them attractive to customers.”

The Premier AL unit has four convenient operating modes: efficiency mode (heat pump only), hybrid mode (both heat pump and electric elements), electric mode and vacation mode for conserving energy when homeowners are away.

“I need a State water heater in not only my home but every other property that my foundation owns or I own,” says Burton. “We’re very loyal to State because of the good people I have worked with, fantastic service, and the top-of-the-line product innovations.”

Editor’s note: Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke contributed to this article.