Water heaters, traditionally used to supply hot water for cleaning or bathing in homes, didn't offer many options in the past; you could only choose between gas or electric. However, due to advancements in technology, a wider selection is now accessible on the market.
In addition to the electric and gas tank water heaters, individuals can now decide to either buy a tank or a tankless water heater. A tank water heater stores a large amount of hot water for use and is best for large homes.
On the other hand, tankless water heaters will heat up water using either gas or electricity, as the water goes to the faucet. All these options might make it challenging for you to feel to make the right decision on the best water heater for your home.
If you're in this kind of dilemma, read on to know more about the features to consider when choosing the hot water heater to buy for your home. Furthermore, we have a review of the five best water heaters to make your search easier.
5 Best Hot Water Heaters For Your Home
1. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic
- CONVENIENT HOT WATER HEATER: 2.5 gallon point-of-use mini-tank...
- LONG LASTING QUALITY: This electric water heater is easy to...
- INDEPENDENT INSTALLATION: 36-37" cord plugs into a 120 volt...
- FAST RECOVERY RATE: Eliminates long waits for hot water at your...
- EASILY MOUNTED: Can be shelf, wall or floor mounted (bracket...
The Bosch Tronic 3000 T is a mini electric tank that can fit under your sink to provide you with consistent hot water all day long. Although this tank is small, it is very durable. It features a premium glass-lined material that is meant that ensures the tank lasts for a long time. The tank also features CFC-free foam insulation that prevents heat loss, leaving it with a thermal efficiency of about 98 percent.
While many people tend to prefer tankless water heaters, a mini tank might be a better choice for you, especially if you're planning to use heated water for various activities. It is designed for multipurpose use and can be installed in different tiny spaces. They come in different sizes, which gives you an opportunity to choose the best option for you.
Moreover, you can also mount the Bosch water heater on either the wall, floor, or shelf. This makes it a great option when you're in search of something small to keep your water warm during the night. It uses approximately 1440 watts of power and requires a 120-volt outlet. It can supply two sinks at the same time because of its fast recovery rate of about 6.8 gallons per hour.
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2. InSinkErator Instant Hot Water Stainless Steel Tank
- Includes Involve View hot and cold water dispenser and 2/3-gallon...
- Delivers near-boiling water and cool drinking water with...
- Hot cold water dispenser faucet and tank have durable metal...
- Ideal for instantly making hot and cold beverages, steaming...
- Exclusive 3-Year We Come to You In-Home Full Service Limited...
A common challenge experienced with tankless water heaters is the limited capacity. There are considered the best for single-use tasks and may easily fail when more than one person needs to use hot water. If you have a larger home, the best way to avoid this is to use a point-of-use water heater.
The InSinkErator Instant Hot Water Stainless Steel Tank connects straight to a sink, shower, etc., and will only heat up the amount of water you need at that moment. It is small but one of the most effective storage tank water heaters thanks to its combined filtration and heating systems.
It can be used almost anywhere, as long as there is a typical faucet hookup. The electric water heater will heat the water to the desired temperature, no matter if you're using it in the bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere else. Moreover, it features a stylish design that is easy to install and use.
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3. EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater
- Endless On-Demand Hot Water; Consistent hot water when you need...
- Save Space; EcoSmart tankless electric water heaters are 90%...
- Save Energy; EcoSmart tankless electric water heaters are 99%...
- EcoSmart ECO 11 Sizing; 13-kilowatt tankless electric water...
If you're looking for the best tankless and electric water heater, then you should consider getting the Ecosmart Eco 11. It is best used for smaller homes either for multiple activities or as a point of use, depending on the climate of the area you live in. This water heater has a self-modulating technology that enables you to know the exact energy it requires.
With a flow rate of approximately two gallons per minute, the Ecosmart water heater brand claims that you have the ability to save up to 50 percent of heating costs by using their products. It features a sleek design with an easy-to-use digital display and dial thermostat. The thermostat gives you the ability to adjust the temperatures.
The Ecosmart water heater is also small and compact, which means you can fit it in small spaces. It only measures 11.5 inches by 8 inches by 3.75 inches and also has a weight of about 6.5 pounds.
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4. NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater
- One Model, Anywhere: This Rinnai tankless water heater is...
- Never Run Out of Hot Water with this Compact Tankless Gas Water...
- Smart, Efficient Design: This water heater's modern design...
- Professional Installation Recommended: Visit the Find a Rinnai...
- Find Your Rinnai: See our product guides, manuals, energy guide,...
If you're looking for a high efficient, reliable and energy saving, water heating solution, we highly recommend the NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane tankless gas water heaters.
The Rinnai RX199iN water tankless impressed us with how well it was able to supply an endless amount of hot water while keeping energy costs low. Its Smart Sense technology makes it a great choice if you’re looking to cut down on waste and reduce utility costs. Its performance and long term savings make it a worthwhile investment if you’re in the market for a dependable, eco friendly tankless water heater that requires professional installation and has higher upfront costs.
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5. Stiebel Eltron 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 24 PLUS – This specific model is 24kW, 240V, requires a...
- WARRANTIES INCLUDED – Stiebel Eltron’s top-rated electric...
The Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water heater provides up to 5 gallons of heated water, saving you on energy costs. The digital controls are easy to use for adjustment of water temperature. When hot water demand increases, this unit tends to make a slight reduction in the flow of water to make sure that hot water keeps flowing.
It uses approximately 15 to 20 percent less energy than the tank heaters use. It is a small heater weighing only 15 pounds and measures 20 inches by 20 inches which means it won't need a lot of space. It is one of Stiebel Eltron's top-rated electric tankless heaters in terms of comfortability and reliability.
This model requires an electric power of 150 A and gives a water temperature of about 68 degrees to 140 degrees. It features an electronic switch that will help you activate the hot water heater system. It's noise-free, and the solid copper heating system is responsible for all the power work.
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Factors To Consider When Buying a Hot Water Heater
1. Gas or Electric Water Heaters
There are a number of factors that will influence your choice of either electric or gas water heater. These include your budget, local utilities and also preference. If you're looking for a water heater with low upfront costs, then you should consider the electric water heaters because they don't require natural costs.
A gas water heater tends to have higher upfront costs. However, there have an excellent energy star rating because, in the long run, they can save a lot of energy costs.
2. Tank or tankless heater
The choice between a tank and a tankless unit depends on your needs and the size of your home. With a tank water heater, there is a certain amount of hot water stored in a tank and ready to use at any given time.
The tankless water heaters will quickly heat up the water when you need it. They take up less space when compared to the tank hot water heaters. However, they may not be enough for a large home or be able to provide for multiple fixtures at once, which means you need to buy multiple water heaters for a large family.
3. Capacity and Sizing
If homeowners choose to buy a water tank system, then they need to ensure that it can store enough water to keep up with their family water usage. While water heating tanks are considered the best for multiple uses, they may take longer to heat up new water and cause unexpected cold showers.
The larger the capacity of water tanks, the more hot water you will have stored for use. A 5o gallon tank is enough for a home of about four people and an additional 10 gallons for an additional person. There are also tall electric or gas models that range from 50 and above inches tall and short ones that range between 30 and 49 inches.
If you're in a tight space, you may have to go for tankless water heaters or small and compact tank heaters. However, these two may limit your hot water supply.
4. Efficiency Rating or Energy Star rating
The efficiency rating indicates the amount of energy used by a water heater. A water heater with an energy efficiency of 80 means that 80 percent of the energy is consumed when heating water. It is an excellent indication of how much you can expect to spend with the unit, either gas or electric.
A gas unit tends to have a lower efficiency rating than an electric unit. However, because gas is cheaper than electricity, the running costs of gas heaters are way less compared to running electric water heaters.
Tankless heaters cost less than tank heaters because they aren't consistently running to keep the water hot. With a tankless water system, you can save up to 40 percent of energy costs depending on the usage. It would be best to determine the estimated annual cost to know how the new water heater will affect your budget.
5. Digital Displays
The best water heaters come with digital controls to enable you to adjust the temperatures or program it to shut off at specific times, such as when on vacation mode. They improve the efficiency of the water heater, which in the long run, saves you money. However, this display unit might add to the initial costs of the water heater.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on Hot Water Heater
1. Which is the best water heater brand?
There are many water heaters brands in the market today, but only a few can be trusted. Some of the best water heater brands include Bosch, Rheem, Bradford White, AO Smith, General Electic, Whirlpool, etc.
2. What water heaters do plumbers recommend?
Both a gas water heater and a heat pump water heater will work well for homes that don't require a lot of hot water at any given time. However, if you have a high demand for water, you might want to consider tankless heating water systems rather than an electric water heater.
3. Is AO Smith better than Rheem?
Both AO Smith and Rheem are great brands in the water heating industry. However, from customer reviews, Rheem has better product features and are widely available. AO Smith, on the other hand, boasts of incredible customer service or experience. So, regardless of the type of water heater you choose, either a tank or tankless heater, both brands will provide you with great options that offer excellent longevity.
