With the arrival of winters, hot water becomes the number one priority for everyone. People need hot water to drink, bathe, wash, and whatnot. There are many ways of getting hot water, but if you were to ask me as to which is the fastest way, then I’d rather point my finger at ‘Tankless Water Heater’. Tankless Water Heaters are getting immensely popular in the market due to their ability to deliver hot water in under a minute and their low costs, which is somewhat debatable, as the cost of gas-powered water heaters is high, but so as their efficiency. This is something that you’ll get to see in detail later in the post. As for now, you should focus on the best tankless water heater. If you want to know where to get the best product, then just take a look at the reviews of six best tankless water heater consumer reports and you will be able to find out the product you really need in the first place.
Reviews Of 6 Best Tankless Water Heaters
1. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 4-Gallon (ES4)
Bosch has not just manufactured a tankless water heater, but it has created a best-selling product, which has everything that an average user like you and me could think of. It has a capacity of 4 gallons, which is good enough for a family of 3-4 people. The unit can fit into the sink or any other place of your choice without much effort.
This unit has written ‘durable’ all over it because it comes with a glass-lined tank, which makes the water heater last long. The unit won’t let you wait for too long to get hot water, as it heats up the water in less than a minute.
The water heater plugs into a 120-volt outlet or in-line with a source large enough to support the heater. As far as mounting of the water heater is concerned, then you can easily mount it on the shelf or floor. When it comes to warranty, then the company offers a 6-year warranty on the unit and 2-year warranty on parts.
2. Rinnai V65IN 6.6 GPM Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
Check this gas water heater out, as it has a bigger heat capacity at 150,000 BTUs along with a maximum energy rating of 0.82. If you live in a cold region, then a machine like this can get you hot water in the easiest of the ways. This unit is installed indoors, so you will have to buy and install venting kits while installing this heater.
The venting should have an inner pipe made up of aluminum and an outer pipe made up of PVC. Once properly installed, you can turn on the unit and get hot water in about 40 seconds. The heater turns on and off with a single push of a button, which adds to the convenience.
It is recommended to have this heater installed by a professional as then, it will be less time consuming, plus the machine will be less susceptible to damages. Talking about damages, then the company offers a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger of the unit. The only drawback of the unit is its low energy rating.
3. Rinnai V65eN Tankless Hot Water Heater
Another durable and reliable product by Rinnai, V65eN water heater has a flow rate of 6.6 GPM, which makes it a perfect choice for homes with two bathrooms. The unit operates on natural gas and has a heat capacity of 150,000 BTUs. You can set a certain temperature in this water heater and lock it, and the water will heat up to that temperature only.
Unlike its previously reviewed counterpart, this is an outdoor unit, which is for residential use only. The unit is cost and energy-efficient, plus it doesn’t emit as much NOx in the environment as other gas-powered water heaters. As far as warranty is concerned, then the manufacturer is giving a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger, 5-year on parts and 1-year on labor.
4. EcoSmart ECO 27 Electric Tankless Water Heater
An energy-efficient water heater, EcoSmart ECO 27 is a perfect unit for average homes where there isn’t much demand for hot water. The unit has a capability of heating water up to 6.5 GPM, which is enough water for a sink and four showers simultaneously. The production of hot water reduces as the temperature dips, yet the water flow rate is up to 3 GPM.
The unit comes with a digital display that allows set water temperature precisely between 80 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit is self-modulating, i.e., it draws energy from the amount of water that is being used and the temperature, which has been set.
Coming to the drawbacks of the unit, then there is one, i.e., the unit starts to corrode when there are harsh minerals present in the water, so you will have to soak the copper elements of the heater in vinegar twice a year. The company offers a lifetime warranty on the electronic parts of the unit, but the warranty is only valid if a professional install the unit.
5. Marey ECO110 220V Self-Modulating 11 kW
This self-modulating tankless water heater is ideal for areas where the water temperature is above the 70-degree mark. Moreover, the unit can be used if you live in colder regions, however, the flow rate will be around 1.3 GPM, which is not that bad. Coming to the construction of the unit, then you will find the use of high-quality stainless steel in the heating chamber as well as the water channel, so the heater is going to last for a long-long time, provided you take good care of it.
The water heater comes with an LCD panel on which all the settings will be clearly visible. Moreover, changing settings and adjustments on this heater is a lot easier, thanks to ‘Smart Technology’, which has been incorporated by the company. The only drawback of the unit is that its price is a bit on the higher side.
6. Takagi T-KJr2-IN-Liquid Propane Indoor Tankless Water Heater
The best tankless water heaters are also available in gas versions, and Takagi Liquid Propane Tankless Water Heater is leading the pack. This unit has a flow rate of 6.6 GPM, which is much larger than any electric water heater. Moreover, this heater has a heat capacity of 140,000 BTU, which clearly shows how powerful the unit is. The unit requires a 4-inch stainless steel category-3 vent because of high heat level. The inclusion of an inlet and outlet thermistor helps in constant monitoring of the temperature. This is an energy-efficient unit, as it energy factors swivel between 0.81 and 0.83, which is better than most gas-powered water heaters.
How To Choose The Best Tankless Water Heater
First of all, let me clear a few terms for you. If you hear tankless water heater, on-demand water heater or instant water heater, they all point towards the same product, i.e., a water heater that doesn’t take time to heat water. Hot water is readily available in such water heaters. Now, coming to the main discussion, i.e., how to find the best water heater, so there are a few factors that you need to consider before finalizing a water heater, which we will discuss now.
Gas Vs. Electric: As you must have seen in the aforementioned reviews, two types of tankless water heater exists in the market, one that operates on gas and another, which runs on electric power. Each version has its own pros and cons. Where gas-operated water heater runs on either natural gas or propane, it is going to be cost and energy-efficient. Gas water heaters are also more powerful than electric water heaters.
Despite having an upper hand over electric water heaters, gas-operated units are not the first choice for many people due to their high upfront cost. The cost of the unit is high and then, you will have to shell out money at the time of installation as well, so the overall cost becomes very high. If you are more inclined towards having an environmentally friendly model, then you can buy an electric version, which even runs on solar power. You can buy a solar panel and connect the majority of your household’s electrical appliances with it including an electric tankless water heater.
Hot Water Demand: When buying a product like a water heater, you should pay attention to the maximum flow rate of the unit, which is calculated in GPM or Gallons per Minute. The higher the value of GPM, the more efficient the water heater is. Bathroom showerheads have the highest flow rates, which is between 2.5 to 3 GPM for high-flow showers and 1.5 GPM for low-flow showerheads. If you are unable to fathom this calculation, then just keep in mind to buy a powerful tankless water heater with higher output capacity.
Climate: If you live in an area where everything freezes during winters, then you need a water heater with higher flow rates. The requirements can be reduced when you are living in an area where it doesn’t get too cold in winters. It is better to pay extra and get a powerful unit if you are living in a region where weather gets extreme because you will be able to save energy as well money, as it is not that easy to heat water in winters.
Installation Costs: As I have mentioned above, gas water heaters are more expensive to install. You will be charged around $300 or more for installing a gas tankless water heater. If you believe in DIY and have some knowledge about installing water heaters, then I will encourage you to install the unit on your own and save those installation charges.
Warranty: Like all other products, you should pay attention to the warranty part of a tankless water heater because there are many parts in a water heater, which are prone to damages or malfunctioning, so a longer warranty will help you repair or replace those parts easily.
Final Verdict
The whole discussion boils down to the selection between electric and gas-powered tankless water heaters. Both have certain advantages and disadvantages, so it is up to you to decide as to which type suits you the best. If you need a more powerful water heater, then go for a gas water heater, and if you want an eco-friendly unit, then an electric water heater will suit you more. Choose one product from the six best tankless water heater consumer reports after going through reviews and I’m sure you will be able to buy the right product.