State Water Heaters, a manufacturer of hot water systems for homes and businesses, has launched the new iCOMM Connectivity Platform, breaking down old barriers surrounding remote monitoring and hot water management, placing control firmly in the hands of commercial plumbing contractors and facility managers.

The new iCOMM Connectivity Platform is available via the State Water Heaters app on iOS- and Android-ready mobile devices. All State ULTRA FORCE SUF models now come standard with onboard Wi-Fi, which makes remotely connecting and interacting with ULTRA FORCE water heaters easy and free.

Another benefit of the iCOMM Connectivity Platform is flexibility. According to Jeff Storie, director of marketing for State Water Heaters, commercial water heater customers ranging from small businesses to chain operations could benefit from the system’s real-time data and alerts.

“The iCOMM platform makes it easy to monitor and maintain commercial hot water systems from virtually any smartphone or tablet,” Storie said. “Commercial contractors and facility managers will appreciate the app’s ability to show them their customers have the hot water they need to run their businesses.”

Installers will find the latest iCOMM system easy to set up. Connecting and registering an iCOMM-compatible ULTRA FORCE water heater involves updating or installing the State Water Heaters app, connecting to the building’s Wi-Fi network and completing the step-by-step app sign-up process. Once connected, users can interact with one or multiple heaters on the app, adjusting temperature and differential, viewing status and fault history, and setting custom alerts.

State Water Heaters first unveiled iCOMM for water heater connectivity in 2009. The system operated through a desktop application that monitored a water heater hardwired to the Internet, said Matt Schulz, the product manager leading the new iCOMM rollout.

“State Water Heaters’ new iCOMM platform is designed for commercial applications, such as institutions, multi-family housing, restaurants and hospitality spaces that will benefit from its ability to provide mobile two-way communication. These services come all at no cost for hardware, subscriptions or any other fees,” Schulz said. “The new iCOMM service provides total transparency into water heater usage, remote adjustability and convenience that will allow our customers to save time and gain peace of mind.”