Apartment construction soared in 2023 in Denver. More than 12,500 new units opened last year, according to a report, which was good news for renters. The new rental units helped absorb the demand for housing, and after years of skyrocketing rents, the price of an apartment stabilized in 2024.

A new complex, Marlon at Central Park, opened last year and adds another option for those looking to move to the popular community. The apartments feature gourmet kitchens, balconies and patios, garages and central air conditioning and heating. 

Each unit also includes its own water heater, an HTP Phoenix Light Duty high efficiency gas water heater. The heaters are constructed with durable 316L stainless steel to resist corrosion. They are also light weight and include top port connections to make installation easier. 

“They offer a higher recovery than a traditional water heater,’’ says Andrew Hagen of Buche & Associates, an independent manufacturers rep for HVAC products in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Regions. The Buche team worked with building architects and engineers on the selection process of the units for the 286-unit complex. The building offers studio apartments along with one- and two-bedroom models.

“We have used these units all over town and they are in a lot of buildings,” Hagen adds.

Denver in demand

Denver has seen its population grow steadily over the past 10 years and now has a population of more than three million people. The region’s growth rate has consistently outpaced the national rate in every decade since the 1930s, according to the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. 

The Central Park area has been especially coveted. Located east of downtown Denver, it is the largest residential neighborhood within the city of Denver. The region includes 12 sub-neighborhoods, 50 parks and is connected to Denver by a recently opened commuter rail service. The area was previously known as Stapleton and is the former site of the decommissioned Stapleton International Airport, which was closed in 1995 and replaced by the Denver International Airport.

Marlon at Central Park is one of the latest housing options to attract residents to the region. The apartments, which are managed by Brookfield Properties, are close to major interstate highways, shopping districts, and parks, trails and green spaces. 

The pet-friendly complex includes an outdoor pool with wet deck, spa and cabanas, large clubhouse with social lounge, fitness center, game room with billiards and shuffleboard and co-working space with private studios. There’s even a bike shop, pet wash and dog run. The complex blends accessibility and lifestyle in an area of the nation that appeals to many. \

Bringing the heat

Each unit, which range in size from 800-1,200 square feet, includes the HTP Phoenix Light Duty water heater. The 50-gallon units deliver up to 76,000 BTUs and up to a 0.90 Uniform Energy Factor.

A water heater’s energy efficiency is determined by the UEF, which is based on how much energy the water heater uses and how much energy is used to power the water heater itself. The higher the UEF, the more efficient the water heater. 

The U.S. Department of Energy requires water heater manufacturers to provide a UEF figure for all residential units. UEF ratings range between 0.60 and 0.93. 

“The Phoenix is 90 percent efficient, while a standard water heater is around 68 percent efficient,’’ Hagen explains. “It’s one of the higher efficiency models on the market.”

According to the Department of Energy, a water heater is the second-largest consumer of energy in most homes and consumes about 17 percent of total energy use. The Department of Energy reports the average American household spends between $400 and $600 each year on water heating. The amount of energy a water heater uses depends on the age of the unit, size of the unit, type of electric water heater, set temperature and volume of water used per day. 

More advantages

While efficiency is essential, Hagen said additional features made the Phoenix Light Duty a good fit for the application. 

The water heater has a 3:1 turndown ratio, matching consumption to demand. It is also manufactured with high grade stainless steel, which resists corrosion, weighs less than glass-lined heaters and provides longer life expectancy. The tank is precision laser welded to eliminate the chance for leaks. The unit also comes in 60- and 80-gallon capacities and is Energy Star rated.

The heaters also provide the hot water for the hydronic First Company fan coils. Their high recovery allows them to provide domestic hot water and space heating water simultaneously.

“It’s a very efficient unit, and it’s also a pretty easy application in that we don’t have to run lines all over the building,’’ Hagen says. “The installation is a little different because it’s a two-pipe venting system, which provides more reliability, improved efficiency and better thermal comfort.”

Product knowledge

Hagen has more than 20 years of experience in the plumbing industry and specializes in multifamily projects. As a long-time resident of Colorado, he’s also familiar with the weather and heating patterns in the region. 

“We’ve had a lot of success with using these units in multi-family projects in Colorado,’’ Hagen says. “Colorado has cold incoming water temperatures, so it’s important to have a water heater that can work efficiently. It’s going to be easy for the resident of the apartment to maintain and once it gets dialed in, it should be pretty smooth sailing.”

Thomas Renner writes on trade industry topics for publications in the United States and Canada.