The latest numbers indicate that residential demand remains under pressure, particularly for electric storage water heaters, while commercial shipments present a more mixed picture.
The new design is available across all ST Series models, including 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch shell sizes, providing engineers and contractors with more flexibility when designing high-demand domestic hot water systems.
The cost of falling behind is not limited to one missed product detail: it can show up in callbacks, efficiency problems, customer dissatisfaction and reduced contractor confidence.
Continuing education is no longer just about learning what is new. It is about protecting quality, reducing risk and making sure contractors are prepared for the systems they will be expected to install and service next.
Contractors will have the opportunity to receive a $25 tool credit for every purchase of an A. O. Smith standard gas or electric water heater from participating wholesalers, while supplies last.
Firefighter Jesse Correira applies the same calm, methodical approach to plumbing as he does emergency response while upgrading residential hydronic systems.
A Massachusetts plumbing contractor replaced an aging indirect water heater with a larger system designed to accommodate future renovations and improve efficiency.
U.S. shipments of residential gas storage water heaters for April 2026 decreased -1.6 percent, to 361,801 units, compared to 367,604 units shipped in April 2025.
The latest numbers show that water heater shipments continued to soften in April, reflecting many of the same economic pressures affecting residential construction and remodeling activity.
On a recent episode of And So It Flows, Kristen Bayles sat down with Gregg Holladay, business development manager for specialty markets at Bradford White, to discuss the growing role heat pump water heaters are expected to play in the residential plumbing market and why contractors need to start preparing now.
Aldrich joined A. O. Smith in 2001 as part of the company’s four-year manufacturing rotational program.
March 12, 2026
With more than two decades of engineering and product development leadership at A. O. Smith, Aldrich steps into the role at a critical moment for the water heating industry.