Our Top 6 Tankless Water Heaters
Water preservation is the most important thing to consider today because not only does it make your life easy, but you are also able to save the planet with your efforts. In developing countries, the consequences of global warming have already become quite apparent which means that in the next few years or so, we would be facing a shortage of water as well. This means that one should be extremely careful with the usage and always make sure that not only are you being benefitted but you also leave behind ample sustainable resources for the future generations.
Innovation is bred through need and today the need for energy-saving resources as far as water is concerned has increased tenfold. You might be already aware of what a blessing a tankless water heater is because it saves you so much energy and space that a practical household cannot survive without one. It makes sure that your water remains at the optimum temperature needed by you and many companies have now come up with their versions of the best tankless water heater. Since lots of options are available in the market, we have decided to make your job easier and compiled a list of devices that will be suitable inside your home. So, select from our range of top tankless water heaters and always get water on-demand.
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
Since you are here reading the tankless water heater reviews, we are sure you are aware of what the technological device does. However, just for the people who are new, it is the type of instantaneous water storage that can bless you with hot water on demand. What it does is that it stores water normally and heats it up for you. The game-changer with the best rated tankless water heater is that they don't occupy as much space as the usual ones and you can save a lot of energy with them since there is no wastage. This means that your gas bill would also be lower. So, who wouldn't want this space-saving, energy-saving, and money-saving miracle inside their house?
Our Top Picks for the Best Tankless Water Heaters
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To say the least, we were super impressed by all the features that this giant Rinnai tankless water heater carries. It comes with an 11GPM maximum flow rate which is the best in the market because you are guaranteed great flow in at least seven fixtures of your house. As far as the heating power is concerned it has 199,000 BTUs so no matter how many people are in your house, they can all easily use the water without losing the ideal temperature. You might have reservations about it being based on natural gas but the top-rated tankless water heater solves this problem by drastically improving its efficiency as it has been certified by the Energy Star. The reason why this feature is so successful even in a gas system is due to the condensing ability.
Features
- Natural gas
- 11 GPM flow rate
- 199,000 BTUs
Reason to Buy
- Produces water for up to 7 fixtures
- Energy efficient
- Energy-star certified
- Wall-mounted option
- Wi-Fi ready
Reason to Avoid
- Expensive
What we love about this water heater is the efficiency percentage it packs and that too in this price range. You get a 99% efficient system with this one so that means that none of your money is going to waste. Very little amount of energy is being wasted on the heat that dissipates after the water warms up. This is an electricity model that comes with a 240 V rating so if you are considering a heater for a larger setup, this might not be the option for you. it is meant for small households, hence the affordability. You do get a 4 GPM max flow rate and a 45000 BTU rating for heat which is decent enough for a continuous supply of heated water for a house with two people. Again, you might not be going for it considering the limited capacity, but looking at the price, we would say this is a great deal.
Features
- Electric
- 4GPM
- 45000 BTUs
Reason to Buy
- 99% efficiency thing
- Suitable for homes with 1 or 2 people
- Easy to use dial
Reason to Avoid
- Not energy star certified
- Not suitable for large households
This model is also known for high efficiency as it ensures that 99 percent of all the heat that is provided to the water is actually utilized well. That is quite impressive because you would be getting the full value of your money spent on the fuel. With a flow rate of 7.5 GPM and 92,000 BTUs, this is a great option for electricity if you want to invest long-term. Our experts suggest that you can install Eltron in warmer climates and see better results than in other areas. One thing that we love about electric heaters is that they save cost and are quite efficient in the long run and this model is no different. Your shower will remain hot no matter how long you use it. There are no fluctuations in the heat either which is great and quite a rare quality in tankless water heaters. Taking it a step further, the manufacturers have included a digital display that tells you how much you are saving so in the end you can compare your bill with it. How cool is that?
Features
- Electric
- 7.5 GPM
- 92,000 BTUs
Reason to Buy
- 99 percent efficiency rating
- Silent operation volume
- Stiebel’s advanced flow control feature
- Easy-to-use digital display
Reason to Avoid
- Not compatible with other fixtures
We were impressed with the design of this tankless water heater because it looks like it can fit inside your home as well as on any other campsite. A slightly expensive option, you get a built-in pump that is attached to a water source that provides the water with heat. The propane tank is connected with the pump as well and so whenever you require showers during camping, you just have to switch on the tank. It works for most activities like washing dishes, showering, or even getting rid of unwanted stains on your equipment. A carrying case system has been added to the top of the heater which shows us that the manufacturers primarily wanted this to be a campsite heater. Among other things, you get a hand faucet and a shower attachment that is connected to the AC/DC power. In case, the water runs out, you get a safety shutoff in the form of an alarm. The same happens when the water reached a temperature above 125 degrees. The flow rate of this model is 1 GPM which many might consider low and the heat capacity stands at 42,000 BTUs.
Features
- Propane
- 1 GPM
- 42,000 BTUs
Reason to Buy
- Built-in pump and carrying handle
- Hand faucet and shower head attachment
- Connects to AC/DC power
- Safety shutoff feature
Reason to Avoid
- Suitable for small appliances
- Light-duty use only
For small households, this works the best because even though it comes with 1.5 GPM and 30,500 BTUs, the support it provides to one bathroom and kitchen house is great. We have specifically picked the models that come with 99% efficiency so that means that you would be able to save all your money invested on the fuel. No heat is lost from the tankless water heater and you can enjoy a continuously balanced shower without much problem. You get a small touch screen design incorporated in the heater as well which makes it more innovative and household-like. It tells you about the temperature of the water and also points out how much money you would be saving by using this energy-saving model. Just to be clear, your entire home comprising of more than two bathrooms and a kitchen wouldn't be heated with it so if your requirement is for a bigger setup, you should look at the other options on the list. For us, this stood out as a great hybrid heater.
Features
- Electric
- 1.5 GPM
- 30,500 BTUs
Reason to Buy
- Suitable for a single bathroom and kitchen
- 99% efficiency rating
- Touch screen
- Self-modulation controls
Reason to Avoid
- Not suitable for bigger households
Another Rinnai model on the list should tell you how great the company is at making the best water heaters for households. With this giant model, they have hit it out of the park as the heater consists of 9.4 GPM which is a huge flow rate for any household. You also get 199,000 BTUs packed in it so there is no problem of running out of water while showering or performing any other activities. For all those who are concerned about the type, it is a non-condensing heater so you wouldn’t see the efficiency as high as you might like. As compared to the other models on the list, the Rinnai model only has 81 to 82% efficiency but customers often tend to overlook this because of its ability to power bigger households. It is also quite affordable for the masses so you might be spending more money on the fuel but overall, as an investment, this isn't a bad setup at all.
Features
- Natural gas
- 9.4 GPM
- 199,000 BTUs
Reason to Buy
- Provides water to 6 fixtures at once
- Non-condensing model
- affordable
Reason to Avoid
- Lower efficiency
Things to Consider Before Buying a Tankless Water Heater
We have narrowed down all the features to make selection easy for you. Our experts have weighed all the specifications needed to ensure that you get the best end of the bargain, as far as the tankless water heaters are concerned. But still, if you feel like browsing the market on your own, we suggest that you become familiar with the features and know which type of heaters are suitable for you. So, read below to find out what makes these water heaters such a great option for your house.
Type
Now there are two types of water heaters that are available on the market and their distinguishing feature is the method they use to vent the steam in order to heat the water for you. When you pick the non-condensing heaters, they usually come with a very low efficiency so the rating is usually between 80 and 85%. This means that when the steam is released, it is immediately lost as heat, not being able to save energy. Now this one you will find for a more affordable range in the market for obvious reasons because they don't come with energy-saving technology. The ventilation could be slightly expensive because they release a lot of heat that is converted into steam. With tankless water heaters, the other option you get is for condensing and even though the investment seems high initially, we promise that they are better in the long run. You can save a lot of time and energy with these too.
Fuel
If you are questioning what is the best tankless water heater? then the first thing you need to consider is the kind of fuel you will be provided to it. For lots of people, natural gas seems like the best option because it is quite effective and you don't have to burn a lot of money on either propane or electricity. The only downside of using this is that experts suggest that natural gas might not be the most ideal option for campsites because the chances of explosions are higher. You can use them in your households where the demand is lower and you can properly maintain the pipes too. The second option is propane gas and this is usually used at campsites. It can be carried around in portable units but you do have to spend a lot of money on this fuel because the prices keep increasing. The last option is electricity, the cost of which lies somewhere between propane and natural gas. It is quite affordable and efficient and if you are considering the best tankless hot water heater for your house, we would suggest that you go for electricity instead of natural gas.
Flow Rate
Another thing to consider with the heater is the flow rate. It is measured in gallons per minute and is usually mentioned in the description. If the manufacturer has failed to write it down, you can drop the idea of buying from those tankless water heater brands. What this feature does is that it measures the flow of hot water that can be produced by a heater. Usually, 1.5 GPM is enough for the households but of course, if you are someone who likes high and full pressure for both their sinks and shower, then a flow rate of 4.5 GPM works the best. It is important to assess the needs of your house before you pick the flow rate because you might end up wasting energy or even water if you select the wrong GPM.
Conclusion
Now that you have a list with you, it should be easy to see what you want in a tankless water heater for your household. Of course, the primary selection depends on the size of your house and how much you intend to use it. For us, the winners were Rinnai tankless water heaters because the company has been in the business long enough to know exactly what the customers want.