A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces the donation of 30 ProLine Electric Water Heaters to Franklin, Tennessee, nonprofit Shelter Equity. This donation will assist Shelter Equity in its mission to transform an old nursing home into affordable rental apartments for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Shelter Equity has served the greater Nashville area since 1994 and partnered with local governments, nonprofits and community groups to create safe, affordable housing for those who need it most. The organization, in collaboration with local partners, owns and maintains 10 group homes that provide specialized housing for senior community members, individuals with disabilities and those going through transitional periods of their lives. Their newest development, The Lofts at Carothers Parkway, is set to open in 2026 with the help of A. O. Smith’s donation.

“The donation of these units is serving several different uses throughout our community. From laundry rooms to kitchens to individual apartments, A. O. Smith’s donation will support the daily needs of our residents,” said Jennee Garland, vice president of global development at Shelter Equity. “This donation also helps extend our resources to put more focus on our community and our overseas partners. These types of opportunities would not be possible without the generous support of A. O. Smith and other community sponsors.”

The new units will provide abundant, reliable hot water to The Lofts' new residents. A. O. Smith chose to donate the ProLine 38-Gallon Lowboy Side-Connect Electric Water Heaters because of their capability to be installed in tight spaces. The Proline water heater model combines high-performance output with a 0.90 Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), ensuring reliable efficiency within its space-saving frame.

“It’s very important to A. O. Smith to serve the local communities in which we operate,” said David Chisolm, vice president and general manager of APCOM and water systems. “We’ve had the opportunity to work with Shelter Equity in the past and have built a wonderful relationship with their team. It was important to us to provide Shelter Equity residents with a reliable, high-quality and sustainable water heater, and the ProLine unit fits that need perfectly. The resources Shelter Equity offers play an important role in helping residents get back on their feet, and A. O. Smith is proud to support that work.”