In 1949, Henry Angelery designed an innovative indirect-fired water heater that delivered on-demand, temperature-controlled hot water without storage – and it revolutionized the water heating industry.
For 75 years, AERCO has continued to innovate introducing the first condensing and fully modulating boiler and water heater to the commercial market as well as several other ground-breaking products and advanced technologies that have helped thousands of customers increase efficiency and save energy.
How it all Began
In 1949, Henry Angelery launched Angelery Engineering and Research Co. from his garage in Englewood, New Jersey.
Driven by a vision for a water heater with precise temperature control and without storage tanks, he pioneered the world’s first compact, tankless water heater for commercial use. Released just a year later, this innovation marked a turning point in water heating technology.
The revolutionary Helitherm steam-to-water heater not only broke new ground but also laid the foundation for the many semi-instantaneous and instantaneous heating units now commonplace.
AERCO Picks Up Steam
With the introduction of the Helitherm steam-to-water heater, AERCO and Henry Angelery quickly gained momentum and, in 1953, the company was chosen to supply its products to the newly commissioned USS Forrestal, the first U.S. supercarrier and the lead ship of her class. Over the years, AERCO has continued to supply the U.S. Navy with efficient and reliable water heating and space heating solutions to many projects.
In 1954, AERCO moved into a new facility in Northvale, NJ, which would become the home for over five decades as the then-small company set off on its trajectory of growth to become the multi-million dollar firm that it is today.
Continued Growth - Home and Abroad
Throughout the 1960s, AERCO experienced significant growth, venturing into new territories and expanding its sales reach.
In 1960, AERCO established an office in Toronto, marking its entry into the Canadian market. This move was followed by a strategic expansion into Europe in 1968, where AERCO's products became available in the British, Dutch, and Irish markets.
Today, AERCO water heaters and boilers are distributed across multiple markets worldwide, including in Mexico, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.
A New Era
After 27 years at the helm of AERCO, Henry Angelery made the decision to retire in 1975, passing the baton to new leadership.
In 1980, the company unveiled the E Heater indirect-fired water heater featuring a groundbreaking anticipator for feed-forward control, along with the CXT self-contained temperature regulator control valve. In 1982, AERCO introduced new water heater lines including packaged water heaters and double wall heat exchangers.
This period also saw AERCO begin its development program to enter the gas-fired water heater and boiler market.
AERCO Takes Center Stage
In 1988, AERCO entered the boiler market with the KC1000, the industry's first commercial condensing and modulating gas-fired domestic water heater and boiler.
The KC1000 made its mark globally when 15 units were installed at the iconic Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc in 1991, the heart of the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, the following year. Since then, AERCO's solutions have been adopted in many renowned sports arenas, including many closer to home, such as the home turf of the NFL team Kansas City Chiefs, MLS soccer venue Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, and the Edmonton Arena, home to the Canadian NHL hockey team, the Oilers.
Setting a New Benchmark for Boilers
The late 1980’s-early 1990’s saw AERCO expanding its global reach by establishing itself in China and Mexico followed by a joint venture with Korea.
AERCO implemented several upgrades to enhance the manufacturing process, such as the introduction of robotic welding in 1993. In 1996, the B+II WaterWizard was launched, elevating the energy efficiency of the B+ water heater line.
Just a year later, in 1997, AERCO raised the bar by introducing Benchmark, the industry's most compact condensing and modulating boiler that not only simplified installation but also reduced operational costs, setting a new standard in the U.S. industry.
Strengthening its Leadership Position
As AERCO celebrated its 50th anniversary at the turn of the century, it had firmly established itself as a leading innovator in commercial boilers and water heaters and became the first boiler manufacturer to receive third-party confirmation of performance efficiency from UL (Underwriter’s Laboratories).
In 2003, AERCO incorporated Low NOx burners across all its products, contributing substantially to the health and well-being of building occupants and the wider environment. The Modulex boiler in 2006 brought forth a new line of high-efficiency, cost-effective aluminum boilers. Additionally, the launch of the SmartPlate indirect water heater in 2009 offered a novel solution for domestic hot water needs, featuring water-to-water heaters requiring no storage tanks or blend valves.
Expanding Manufacturing & Research Capabilities
Due to the company’s remarkable growth, AERCO moved its manufacturing facility to Blauvelt, NY, in 2010, doubling its square footage. The new state-of-the-art facility in Blauvelt provided a significantly expanded research and development (R&D) lab facilities, enhanced product testing capabilities, and the establishment of a cutting-edge training center.
In 2010, AERCO also launched onAER Remote Monitoring, the industry’s first boiler IoT (Internet of Things) remote health-of-system monitoring.
Growing our Portfolio and Joining Watts
In 2011, AERCO debuted the Innovation as the industry’s only commercial tankless water heater that delivered hot water on demand without storage. This year also saw a series of technological advancements, including O2 Monitoring in Benchmark boilers and Water Heater Management in Innovation water heaters to allow customers to easily sequence units. In 2012, Benchmark 6000 set a new industry standard as the most compact light-industrial boiler. In 2013, AERCO launched the outdoor-capable Modulex EXT as well as AM Series light commercial boilers and AM Series water heaters. In 2015, the MFC dual fuel boiler was introduced as AERCO’s largest BTU boiler up to 10,000 MBH.
AERCO was acquired by Watts Water Technologies in 2014, enhancing Watts' ability to deliver comprehensive solutions to HVAC and plumbing customers.
Creating a New Standard
In 2016, AERCO updated its logo and branding to be more reflective of its current values and messaging. The vibrant "AERCO green" color scheme exudes freshness, modernity, and energy, while the logo itself represents an abstract building as well as the letter "E" symbolizing energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and ease of collaboration—core tenets of AERCO's ethos.
In 2017, AERCO set a new standard for commercial boilers with Benchmark Platinum, which boasted a robust set of advanced features, including AERtrim O2 trim technology, Dual Returns, and onAER Predicative Maintenance. The following years, 2018-19, saw the launch of the Edge Controller, packed with seven groundbreaking industry-first capabilities, and its accompanying Edge mobile app which enabled full unit setup and control of Benchmark Platinum boilers along with enhanced diagnostics and configuration capabilities that helped optimize boiler performance and operational efficiency.
Set for Success
In 2020, AERCO expanded the Benchmark line to include 4000-5000 MBH sizes. In 2021, AERCO introduced SmartPlate EV, an ultra-compact indirect water heater designed to enhance system efficiency and maximize energy savings. In 2022, the Benchmark Outdoor corrosion-resistant outdoor enclosure was introduced.
2024 marked the launch of three groundbreaking boiler solutions from AERCO: Sequoia, a high voltage immersed electrode boiler for large commercial and industrial applications; CFR, the world's first stainless steel condensing boiler that can be installed safely in a Category I vent; and Benchmark E, a powerful emission-free electric boiler featuring Benchmark reliability, Peak Load Management and hybrid plant capabilities.
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Industry Associations
As a manufacturing innovator and industry leader, AERCO and its employees are active members of many professional associations, contributing to and communicating with them regularly.