A hospitality industry veteran opted for A.O. Smith for a dependable water heating solution for a new four-story Hampton Inn in Ashland City, TN. “Hampton Inns thrive on being local,” said hotel general manager Sammy Naquin, “so it made sense to turn to A. O. Smith, who is right here in Ashland City, for a solution.” Naquin worked closely with A. O. Smith, which specified two 750,000 Btu/hr Cyclone® XL commercial gas water heaters, recommended for the hotel’s size and water heating demands.
Just 30 minutes from downtown Nashville, the new hotel opened to the public on March 3, 2022. During planning and construction, Naquin wanted a continuous supply of hot water for the 75-room hotel, which also includes a full-size kitchen and industrial laundry facilities.
After 15 years in the industry, Naquin is familiar with the pain points guests sometimes experience. “In the past, I’ve had problems getting enough hot water up to the top floors at peak hours when more people are showering,” he said. The water heaters he chose for the Hampton Inn had to guarantee hot water for every room at all times of the day.
The hotel mechanical room’s size posed some constraints. With a smaller footprint than other large commercial properties, the Cyclone XL water heater was the ideal solution to ensure ample hot water and allow adequate room for installation and maintenance.
The Cyclone XL water heater excels in applications with maximum hot water requirements by adjusting the firing rate to meet demand. The unit has a unique dual stainless steel heat exchange system that uses a two-step heat transfer process to deliver thermal efficiencies of 97 percent. It also comes equipped with A. O. Smith’s iCOMM™ Connectivity Platform, allowing hotel management to remotely monitor and adjust each unit’s settings.
“We have been incredibly pleased with the consistency the Cyclone XL units have provided—the water temperature you get on the first floor is the same temperature you get on the fourth floor,” said Naquin. “We’ve been busy since opening and even with reaching room capacity on multiple occasions, we have received positive feedback from guests about always having hot water. It’s good to have one worry off my shoulders and know that we can count on the Cyclone XL units to provide reliable hot water 24 hours a day.”
Based on his experience with A. O. Smith, Naquin said he would recommend the Cyclone XL water heater to others in the hospitality industry. “The communication from A. O. Smith was the best I’ve ever experienced from a vendor,” Naquin noted. “Every time I had a question or needed support, someone from A. O. Smith was there to help. That was a big deal for me.”
For more information, visit www.hotwater.com.
