When it comes to ensuring that a commercial facility is fit for purpose, few things matter more than having a dependable and efficient hot water source. For facilities teams, it’s mission-critical to ensure that hot water performance remains reliable, even when the scope or use of the facility changes.
This isn’t merely a matter of performing routine water heater maintenance, though that’s certainly important. It’s also a matter of designing a water heating system that is right-sized to meet the needs of the building and its occupants. In some cases, ensuring robust performance might involve upgrading equipment, whether to take advantage of new technology or simply to ensure the unit is the correct size to meet the facility’s needs.
With a new year looming, there is no better time for facilities teams to start planning ahead, considering ways to ensure consistent hot water performance in 2026 and beyond.
Considering System Upgrades
For facilities teams still dealing with older systems, and especially those who have found their hot water performance to be sluggish, unreliable, or simply too costly, 2026 may be an ideal time to invest in a system upgrade.
In particular, heat pumps and high-efficiency systems may help teams to minimize downtime while staying ahead of rising utility costs.
Air-to-water heat pumps are gaining traction in commercial buildings because they deliver efficient heating by drawing energy from the ambient air, reducing operating costs and lowering carbon emissions as standards tighten.
High-efficiency gas water heaters can also play a key role in faster recovery and fuel savings compared to traditional mid-efficient models. Building managers can potentially ensure more reliable hot water delivery while expending less energy.
Getting the Sizing Right
When planning ahead for optimal water heater performance, another crucial consideration is unit size.
Correctly sizing a commercial hot water system is one of the most important steps facility teams can take to ensure reliable performance, manageable operating costs and long-lasting equipment. Hot water demands in commercial spaces tend to fluctuate throughout the day, and a system that isn’t properly matched to those needs can create significant operational challenges.
Undersized units often struggle to maintain adequate supply, leading not only to unhappy occupants but also to excessive wear on plumbing fixtures, to say nothing of laundry, dishwashing, and other systems that rely on consistent hot water. This strain can accelerate breakdowns and increase maintenance budgets.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that bigger is better. Oversized water heaters may short-cycle, switching on and off rapidly because the system produces more heat than the building requires. This pattern can cause mechanical stress, reduce efficiency, and shorten equipment life, ultimately driving up repair and replacement expenses.
For facility teams planning ahead, system size should be a central consideration when aiming for optimal hot water performance. A properly sized water heater supports smooth operations, energy efficiency, and predictable maintenance needs. By evaluating demand patterns, building load and system design, facility teams can avoid the pitfalls of both over- and under-sizing.
Preparing for Performance: A Checklist
Evaluating usage and demand patterns is a good starting point for facilities teams as they plan ahead for optimal 2026 performance. Some additional steps and best practices include:
- Inspect the condition of existing equipment. Check all water heaters, storage tanks, boilers, heat pumps, and mixing valves for visible wear. Verify insulation on tanks and piping is intact and effective, and test temperature and pressure relief valves.
- Keep up with preventive maintenance. Flush tanks to remove sediment buildup. Clean or replace filters, burners, heat exchangers, and strainers. Ensure sensors, controls, and thermostats are calibrated.
- Verify safety and compliance. Double-check that temperature settings meet code requirements, not least to minimize scald risk. It’s also important to test alarms, leak detection, and emergency shutoff systems.
- Plan for repair or capital needs. Finally, list any components that might be nearing their service life. Budget for expected replacements and potential efficiency improvements.
Be Ready for Optimal Water Heater Performance
As 2026 approaches, facility teams can position themselves for success by pairing smart planning with proactive system evaluation. Whether exploring high-efficiency upgrades or ensuring water heating equipment is correctly sized, thoughtful preparation is the key to dependable water heater production—and ultimately to higher rates of occupant satisfaction.
