If you want to add a modern touch to your home or office, buying the best electric tankless water heater should be at the top of your list. Many living and working units have the conveniences of water heating systems that utilize storage tanks. However, the long-term costs of storing hot water far outweigh installing and using electric tankless water heaters.
The hot water needs of your house or office often determine the size of your tank. Nevertheless, a larger storage capacity means that you will have to give up plenty of space to accommodate your regular usage. Plus, you may not be able to avoid the risk of leakages, higher energy bills and shorter life-spans.
It can be challenging to look through the numerous options available when looking for the best electric tankless water heater. We have compiled five products to help you make the most practical purchase for your office or home.
5 Best Electric Tankless Water Heaters
1. Stiebel Eltron Tankless Heater Tempra 12 Plus Tankless Water Heater
- CONTINUOUS FLOW – Advanced Flow Control patented technology...
- SPACE & ENERGY SAVER – Its small, sleek white design saves...
- EASY OPERATION – Electronic switch activates the hot water...
- TEMPRA 12 PLUS – This specific model is 12kW, 240V, requires a...
- WARRANTIES INCLUDED – Stiebel Eltron’s top-rated electric...
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Plus Tankless Water Heater ensures continuous flow thanks to the patented Advanced Flow Control. Since hot water tanks are ineffective when demand increases beyond their capacity, showers might be interrupted. However, this product guarantees comfort by keeping the supply constant with a slight decrease in case your usage exceeds the flow rate.
If you are looking to free-up space while reducing your utility bills, this electric tankless water heater is for you. The model boasts of a sleek, noise-free and compact design that does not include bulky vents. Plus, the unit combines water flow electrical control with auto-modulation to offer excellent energy efficiency.
The tankless electric water heater has a simple interface that you can use to create and store presets and monitor the temperature via a digital display. The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 PLus stands toe-to-toe with gas-powered water heaters because it can provide you with a flow rate of up to 5 GPM.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Ecosmart ECO 36 Electric Tankless Water Heater
- Sleek and compact design with digital output temperature display
- ECOSMART tankless water heaters are 99.8-percent energy efficient
- Manufactured in United States
- Pipe Fittings:3/4 inch NPT
- Required Breaker:4 x 40 A
Ecosmart ECO 36 Electric Tankless Water Heater offers users long-term gains of significantly slashing their heating bills. It uses self-modulation technology to regulate its energy consumption whenever you require hot water. These perks make it one of the best electric tankless water heaters in energy efficiency.
The Ecosmart ECO 36 is ideal for small apartments due to the small design that uses about 10% of the space occupied by a storage tank. The compact form still allows it to deliver a flow rate of up to 6 GPM for continuous hot water supply. Additionally, it has an activation flow of 0.3 GPM.
You can monitor the output temperature via a digital display and use the straightforward interface to tweak the settings. The Ecosmart ECO 36 water heating system will also detect temperature changes in the range of one degree Fahrenheit.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Rheem RTEX-13 240V Heating Chamber Residential Tankless Water Heater
- External adjustable digital thermostatic control with LED display...
- Durable Copper immersion two heating elements, field...
- Simple installation – 1/2 NPT adapters included; side 1/2 inch...
- 99.8% energy efficient. External controls to adjust temperature...
- Threaded for easy replacement, simple installation, digital...
The Rheem RTEX-13 240V Residential Tankless Water Heater has the right balance of affordability and utility. The tankless model boasts an impressive energy rating that is 99.8% efficient. It achieves this standard by utilizing its external temperature control feature for incremental adjustments of one degree Fahrenheit to the hot water temperature.
The tools that come with the packaging of the product make for a quick and effortless install. It comes with a three foot cable and NPT adapters so you’re done in minutes. Adjusting the temperature gauges for the hot water is, of course, simple through the interface.
The Rheem RTEX — 13 will deliver 3.17 GPM, which is enough to assure a continuous flow of hot water in your house. The chamber is heated immersed copper heating elements. This build guarantees the service to last years of excellent service.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Bosch Connected Control BCC110 Smart Phone Wi-Fi Thermostat
- SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY: This Alexa and Google Home-enabled,...
- MODERN SLEEK TOUCH SCREEN: The full color, 5-inch display...
- COMPATIBILITY: Including heat pump (4 Heat, 2 Cool) or...
- NEW COMMERCIAL UPDATES: Updates allow control of both evaporation...
- C-WIRE REQUIRED: A C-wire (common wire) is required to power the...
If you want the convenience of smartphone control over your heating and cooling system, we highly recommend the Bosch Connected Control BCC110 Smart Phone Wi-Fi Thermostat.
Of course, first, it impressed us with the user friendly interface of the Bosch Connected Control BCC 110 and its remote access capabilities. For homeowners in need of a simple yet practical way to control their HVAC, it’s a great choice. You don’t have to get the HVAC installed by a professional, or spend time configuring anything. It doesn’t have some of the cutting edge features you’ll find in pricer smart thermostats, but for its cost it’s a grab to have.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Eemax EEM24013 Electric Tankless Water Heater
- External adjustable digital thermostatic control with LED display...
- Durable Copper immersion two heating elements, field...
- Simple installation – 1/2 NPT adapters included; side 1/2 inch...
- 99.8% energy efficient. External controls to adjust temperature...
- Threaded for easy replacement, simple installation, digital...
Saving energy is one of the most significant driving forces for people looking to change from a tank system to an electric tankless option. The Eemax EEM240013 model is an affordable unit that supplies continuous hot water whenever you need it.
You can rely on the self-modulating feature of the product to reduce your power consumption. This model only turns on when water is running through it so that you do not heat water unnecessarily.
The unit uses stainless steel materials to ensure that it can keep serving users for years to come. Additionally, it is small in size to save you valuable storage space.
Pros:
Cons:
What to Consider When Selecting the Best Electric Tankless Water Heater
1. Installation costs
It is best to install electric tankless water heaters at the source of water or along the pipping in your home or office. Since these products lack any storage capabilities, the heating power supply must be close to pipes. You need to check if your house requires significant modifications to accommodate a tankless heater.
Installation costs of tankless heaters may also increase if you live in an older house with a limited power source. It is best to check the energy consumption of any unit to avoid needing to upgrade your power supply.
2. The water temperature of your supply
Electric water heater models should reliably increase the water temperature of your supply to the level you desire. If you have cold water coming into your house, the flow rate of the hot water system will change. Hence, it is beneficial to calculate the temperature rise that you want to make the most practical choice of water heaters.
Ensure that the climate in your area is conducive to the water heater you want to buy. Otherwise, you will have to deal with colder showers during specific times of the year.
3. Determine flow rates
Flow rates, indicated by GPM, are essential considerations when creating reliable heating systems. You can calculate the amount you need by figuring out the flow rate of all the faucets, home appliances and showers that require hot water during peak demand times.
Add all the GPM for the output, then compare it to the capacity of the product you want to buy. Ideally, tankless water heaters should supply more than you need to ensure that you get a steady stream.
4. Warranty
Each manufacturer of tankless water heaters offers their clients varied warranties that may differ from one model to another. For instance, some companies want you to get a professional to install your unit for their warranty to apply.
It would be best to make a comparison of the various warranties on offer before deciding on a model. After all, a company's commitment to customer satisfaction highlights their confidence in the models they manufacture.
5. Energy savings and efficiency
Electric tankless water heaters promise significant savings when compared to using a hot water storage tank. Heating water when it is required helps to reduce the energy used to keep it hot in a separate tank.
Look out for high Energy Factor ratings, as these indicate how much water the model can heat with one unit of power. Admittedly, a gas-powered water heater is more cost-effective because the fuel is currently cheaper than electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Electric Tankless Water Heaters
1. What is the best electric tankless water heater to buy?
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Plus Tankless Water Heater is the best overall in energy efficiency, durability and reliability. Its advanced flow control allows you to enjoy hot water on-demand without interruptions. Plus, the model lasts for a long time due to the double stainless steel construction.
Additionally, you will not be able to tell when the unit is running because it is noise-free. The small size makes it suitable for people looking to free up some space in their basement while meeting their heating needs.
2. Are electric tankless water heaters worth it?
Although the costs of installing tankless models of electric water heaters are pretty high, the savings you get from long-term use make it worthwhile. A unit will be cheaper to maintain than a hot water tank because the chances of leakages are pretty low.
The maintenance cost of an electric tankless water heater is much lower than the gas-powered counterparts. In case you are using the latter, you may need to meet up with plumbing experts annually to check on your unit. On the other hand, you may need to replace some parts of your electrical model after a couple of years.
3. What size electric tankless water heater do I need for my house?
The flow rate of your peak consumption and the temperature rise you require should help you decide on the size you need. People in cold areas require hot water systems to achieve the necessary temperature increase while keeping up with their heating demands. Similarly, a house with significant hot water needs should go for a unit with a high GPM.
Most manufacturers offer customer support that will help you in choosing the correct size. You can go over the various usage statistics for your home to figure out which model will cater to all your needs. Taking the time to understand the various aspects of electric tankless water heaters will save you time and money in the long run.
