A.O. Smith is marking 30 years of its Cyclone commercial water heater line with updates to the Cyclone Flex, a high-efficiency model. The company says the new version is easier to install, operate, and service. Models range from 100,000 to 500,000 Btuh and reach thermal efficiencies up to 98 percent, meaning very little of the fuel's energy is wasted as it heats water.
The updated unit uses a coil-style heat exchanger and an automatic gas control that adjusts to different fuel types on its own, so installers no longer need separate models or conversion kits for different gas supplies. It also connects to the internet for over-the-air software updates, and it has built-in leak detection with an optional automatic water shutoff, which can help limit damage if a leak occurs.
This is commercial-grade equipment, built for large buildings rather than houses, so it will not show up as an option for a typical home water heater replacement. But the features involved, like automatic leak detection and shutoff, and gas controls that adapt to fuel changes, are the kind of technology that sometimes trickles down into residential products over time. For now, this is mainly a manufacturer milestone and product update rather than something that changes what's available for your own home.
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