A Smarter Way to Use Hot Water on Shabbos
Dan Capelle of GE Appliances & Rabbi Tzvi Ortner of ZMAN Technologies
Hot water on Shabbos has always been a challenge — one that required workarounds, timers, or careful planning. GE Appliances and ZMAN Technologies teamed up to solve it with a water heater that works automatically. no programming required.
This edition features GE Appliances and ZMAN Technologies, who partnered to adapt GE’s smart water heater to meet Shabbos compliance needs. It’s not a custom unit — it’s a certified integration within the GE lineup.
The system preheats water to 104°F before Shabbos, warm enough for practical use, but within halachic guidelines. Preconditioning begins 90 minutes before Shabbos, giving households time for final use while gradually lowering the temperature. Once Shabbos begins, the heating element is disabled. GE’s high-efficiency insulation maintains water temperature with minimal heat loss — about half a degree per hour — allowing regular use throughout Shabbos.
Rabbi Tzvi Ortner of ZMAN Technologies explained: “The key is the preconditioning period. It brings the water to a temperature that’s halachically acceptable, so cold water entering the tank doesn’t get cooked.”
Dan Capelle, Director of Product Management for Water Heating at GE Appliances, added: “We’d already worked with ZMAN on ovens and refrigerators. This was the next step, and we listened to what the community needed.” Fresh off certification last week, Dan noted: “The response has been fantastic to this, because it’s a feature that hasn’t been available until now.”
The system runs with the help of the Shabbos Keeper, a ZMAN device that syncs with the appliance and manages settings automatically. No user input is needed. The unit is certified by the OU, CRC, and HalachTech.
For contractors and plumbers, the appeal is clear: no timers, no manual programming, and no callbacks. Once installed, the system adjusts automatically, offering peace of mind for homeowners and professionals alike. Plumbers can order through their regular GE distributors.
The collaboration began nearly a decade ago through an introduction by Michal Gross of AJ Madison, with early support from GE leadership, including now-CEO Kevin Nolan. What started at GE’s innovation lab has grown into a full-scale solution shaped by halachic authorities, end users, and product teams.
Nesanel Gantz, who spoke with Dan and Rabbi Ortner at the show, noted: “For someone unfamiliar with our laws, this can sound strange, but GE took it seriously — and we appreciate that.”
Dan added: “This is how we learn — by being here, talking to people, and understanding what matters.”
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