The Best Electric Tankless Water Heater Options of 2019 Reviewed | Best 4 Your Home
Unless you want to shower with cold water, hot water is a basic luxury which your home needs to provide. However, water heaters can be difficult to choose from since there are many different types of water heaters on the market. Finding the best electric tankless water heater is always easy though, if this is the type of water heater you want for your home. This page will tell you everything you need to know about selecting and purchasing the best electric tankless water heater for your needs.
Best Electric Tankless Water Heater: Buying Guide
There are benefits and setbacks to the various different types of tankless hot water heaters. However, it’s important that you start by recognizing all of the different variables regarding how a tankless hot water heater works, so that you can buy the one which works best for your needs. Whether you get a whole house electric tankless water heater or one which only works for the kitchen sink, there are various options which could work for you.
How Much Does it Cost?
Of course, the first thing you may be concerned about is how much it will cost to get an electric on demand water heater in the first place. Of course, the first thing to consider is whether this is an elaborate whole house electric tankless water heater that you want, or a simple instant electric water heater which is tankless and only works for one or two water systems. Make sure to ensure that the price of the product you want fits into the budget that you have.
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How Much Can you Spend on Electricity?
Remember that electricity is not a free resource. Although it may be preferable to other heater systems, even the best electric tankless water heater will come with a fair share of operating costs. As a result, make sure to consider the electrical specifications of each model you look at before making a final decision. Start by labeling the absolute maximum that you can spend on electricity and do the math to ensure there is no way you reach that point.
What Will the Electric Tankless Water Heater’s Requirements Be?
It’s also important that you consider how much power your favorite tankless hot water heater will require. Without enough power, you won’t be able to use your instant electric water heater as easily as you would with adequate power levels. Check the power requirements of the model that you like the best, and then make sure that you have enough consistent space for the electrical bill. Be aware that the requirements of some models may not be suitable for your home’s needs.
What Climate Do you Live in?
Believe it or not, the climate that you live in also has an effect on the level of electricity that you will need to spend on your tankless hot water heater. Think of it this way, the water that you use for your house has to sit somewhere. More than likely, your house’s water pipes are not going to be placed in a very warm place in the first place. Those who live in cold climates would especially have to consider the extra electricity costs for the increased efforts it would take to heat water in a colder climate.
What Will it Be Used For?
Considering the means by which you will use your tankless hot water heater is important since it helps you determine which type of instant electric water heater you need in the first place. If you want to heat up water for the entire house, then you should make sure to get a whole house electric tankless water heater. However, if you simply need to heat up some water under the kitchen sink to make it easier to boil water for cooking, then get a tankless hot water heater that can do this easily.
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How Many People Will Be Using it?
Regardless of where you put the tankless hot water heater, what it is used for, or even how efficient it is, the number of people that need to use the inline water heater is important so that you can plan how to use it. Of course, a tankless electric water heater will only be able to provide hot enough water effectively depending on how many people use it and how long it is used. The same would hold true for just about any sort of water heating system.
How quickly can it Heat Water?
A great thing to do is determine how much water you will need and how quickly you will need it. Try to test out how many gallons of hot water you typically use in a minute by using a measuring receptacle. Then, make sure to check the gallons per minute (GPM) output of the tankless hot water heater that you want. Those who want to eliminate the potential for a problem should simply overshoot and get a whole house electric tankless water heater which performs at a level you never expect to fully take advantage of.
Can you Install it Yourself?
Appliances can either be very easy or extremely difficult to install, depending on how much you know about them. Of course, tankless water heaters are rather simple for most people, but you should have a general idea of whether or not you are trustworthy enough for a self-install. If you would rather just hire somebody else, remember to factor in the cost of this. In many cases, it may cost almost as much as the instant electric water heater itself.
Does the Manufacturer Have a Good Reputation?
Regardless of the type of product you search for, there are circumstances where you may come across a deal that simply seems too good to be true. This is probably because it actually is too good to be true. Make sure to check who made the electric on demand water heater you consider, and question whether or not they would be trustworthy to allow into your home. You need to remember that an appliance like this is something that can cause big problems if it proves to be defective. At least pick a manufacturer you trust.
Is there a Warranty?
Manufacturers who include warranties are usually the ones who have some faith and trust in the integrity of their workmanship. In other words, the presence of a warranty is one of the best signs that you are dealing with a company that is trustworthy and worthy of purchasing from. Although there are certainly exceptions to this general rule of thumb, it is better to purchase a tankless hot water heater that comes with a warranty instead of one which comes without any sort of protection.
Best Electric Tankless Water Heater: 5 Options
Now that we have looked at some of the most important things to consider, finding the best electric tankless water heater for your personal needs will become much easier.
If you consider your personal budget and find a balance between all or most of the other variables we mentioned, finding the best electric tankless water heater to suit your home turns into a simple checklist process. Of course, remember to consider your personal circumstance and needs first.
1. EcoSmart ECO 27 Electric Tankless Water Heater
Buy EcoSmart ECO 27 Electric Tankless Water Heater
Intro
This is a tankless hot water heater which can heat pretty effectively and can handle more than two people simultaneously. This product is designed to work in each part of the United States, and you can quickly find which location is suitable and most efficient using their online resources. All-in-all, this is a wonderful product to consider if you want something which has a pretty good balance between price and quality.
Price
To clear things up, this isn’t the most expensive tankless hot water heater that you can purchase. However, those who want a whole house electric tankless water heater which can theoretically be used by multiple people throughout the house should make this one of their top considerations. This product has a price which is slightly above the competition in this niche. Due to its high-quality features though, it’s one of the best electric tankless water heater options.
Power Requirements
This ECO 27 requires 240V, three 8-gauge wires, and three 40-amp double pole breakers to work properly. It also needs 200 amps on the electrical panel. However, since there are many different models to choose from, the one you choose may not necessarily need to comply with these specifications. Since the Eco 27 isn’t exactly the best electric tankless water heater from EcoSmart, you shouldn’t necessarily expect to provide the most wires and amps possible either.
Efficiency of Heating
Since the climate zone you live in has an effect on whether or not this model for is you, make sure that this model will work as effectively as you need it to. Those who live in warmer climates such as the Southeastern United States or places like Hawaii or Texas will surely be fine with one of these. However, people up in the Northern United States, as an example, may notice less efficiency in heating the water.
Suggested Methods of Use
The wonderful thing about this model is that although it isn’t the best electric tankless water heater from EcoSmart, it is capable of providing a generous level of hot water to several people. As an example, in warm weather conditions it can handle up to four showers and a sink simultaneously. In colder conditions, you should expect this to be about half as efficient. In other words, this product is best used as a whole house electric tankless water heater. Here is a brief video of how it operates:
Weight, Portability & Aesthetics
One of the best features of the ECO 27 model is the fact that it is so lightweight and portable. This product measures 17 inches at both of its longest sides and is only 3.5 inches deep. Best of all, it won’t be hard to carry it when you need to prepare it for install. Weighing a mere 16.8 pounds, this product is both lightweight and portable. Since it is attractive on the outside, it can easily be placed in either a visible or non-visible location.
Warranty
The ECO 27 also comes with a pretty generous warranty. With a five year limited lifetime warranty, anybody should feel confident in purchasing this product without worrying that it will break down within this timeframe. If it does break within five years and you had nothing to do with it, then all you need to do is contact the manufacturer who will be able to have the situation fixed as soon as possible. For best results, be proactive and routinely look after the whole house electric tankless water heater.
Overall
As a whole, this is perhaps the best electric tankless water heater for the family that lives in a warm climate and wants one component to handle all their water heating needs. Those who live in colder climates could feasibly handle two or three people pretty easily, but may quickly test the limits with too many people and water components running simultaneously. As a whole, this is a great deal which offers above average features at a pretty reasonable price.
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2. Stiebel Eltron 224199 Tempra 24 Plus Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater
Buy Stiebel Eltron 224199 Tempra 24 Plus Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater
Intro
This is another one of the best electric tankless water heater options since it is considerably powerful and capable of keeping up with just about any other tankless hot water heater on the market. However, be warned. This model is best for the person who can handle the strict power requirements. If you want a great whole house electric tankless water heater which can accommodate a family, this is one of the top options to consider.
Price
Anybody who wants the best electric tankless water heater is probably not as concerned with the price. Of course, the price is something which you should still consider when you take a look at the features. However, when we take a look at the top-quality features of this product it becomes clear that anybody who wants the best electric tankless water heater should consider paying top dollar like what you will have to do for this product. It is heavily worth it.
Power Requirements
The Tempra 24 Plus requires 240V, two 6-gauge wires, and two 50-amp double pole breakers to work properly. It will draw a maximum of 100 amps. If you have this space, plus a little extra, you should be ready to install this product at your home. Those living in colder climates may consider getting one of the Tempra 29 or the Tempra 36 models. Regardless, the Tempra 24 Plus is a wonderful model and heavily worth considering as a whole house electric tankless water heater.
Efficiency of Heating
As the power requirements suggest, this product is capable of heating just as efficiently as most other products in this category. That being said, try to ensure that you live in a climate zone that matches what it is designed for. If you live in Florida, for example, you will probably be able to use this product for multiple people very efficiently. Just like any other tankless hot water heater though, you will need to make sure that you use this product in an area where the sitting water temperature is able to process rather quickly.
Suggested Methods of Use
Those who live in optimum conditions for this product will be able to use two to three showers and a sink or two of hot water simultaneously while operating at full capacity. This should be more than enough for most homes, making this a wonderful whole house electric tankless water heater. However, if you live in a colder climate you may consider upgrading to either one of the Tempra 29 or the Tempra 36 models. Here is a quick demo video of how it works:
Weight, Portability & Aesthetics
Although this isn’t the lightest or most portable inline water heater, it is nevertheless pretty competitive when it comes to this area. For example, the longest dimension is only 21.7 inches long and it is only 9.6 inches at its smallest dimension. As a result, there are many potential places in which you can put this product without worrying about how much space it will take. The exterior of the product isn’t entirely attractive, but will look great in a slightly hidden area.
Warranty
Not all manufacturers are generous to even grant you a warranty in the first place. Thankfully, Stiebel Eltron is kind enough to give a seven year warranty for leakage. This means that you can be sure that the product will work swiftly and not cause any water mess around the appliance. In addition to this leakage warranty, there is a three year warranty which covers all parts are from defects. All-in-all, this will provide plenty of time for you to decide if you even want to keep the product in the first place.
Overall
Since this product can heat as efficiently as just about any other one of the best electric tankless water heater options on the market, this will remain as one of the best options for 2018. If you want the best whole house electric tankless water heater and are willing to invest a little extra to ensure that you get the best electric tankless water heater, then this product should be one of your top choices.
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3. Bosch Tronic 2.5-Gallon Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
Buy Bosch Tronic 2.5-Gallon Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
Intro
Let’s be clear here, this isn’t the best electric tankless water heater. However, anybody who is willing to consider an instant electric water heater which has a small tank and can compete with many of the tankless hot water heater options on the market should take a hard look at this product. Of course, the clear benefit to getting a product with a tank is that the product can be heated and then stored at a precise temperature and then used readily.
Price
The price of this product is very competitive compared to what you get. Anybody who wants to get the best possible deal on an inline water heater and is willing to spend a little less to get all the benefits of a high-quality water heater should consider this product. Of course, this isn’t a tankless water heater though.
Power Requirements
The heating capacity of this product is 1440 watts with 12 amps. Most people will easily be able to fit these specifications and install the product where it is needed. Make sure to dedicate more concern for the tank rather than the power. However, make sure that you can provide the electrical specifications necessary if you choose to pursue this product further.
Efficiency of Heating
One of the best things about water heaters with a tank like this one is that you can efficiently use and heat the water. It can work to heat up the water in the tank while you are not using the electric on demand water heater, and then be ready to pour out hot water when it is shower time.
Suggested Methods of Use
This is a wonderful product to use next to the shower since it can be mounted in the air and used right next to wet areas successfully as long as you keep unnecessary splashes away. However, it can also function properly for bathtubs, sinks, or whatever it is you need hot water for as well. Here is a quick demo of how it works:
Weight, Portability & Aesthetics
This product is naturally much heavier when it is filled with water, but isn’t entirely lightweight without water either. It will come in the mail at 29.5 pounds and weigh more than that when it is filled. Surprisingly though, it is pretty portable and only reaches out 17.5 inches at its longest edge. The shortest dimension is 14.5 inches. It also looks decent enough that it can stick out visually and still be fine.
Warranty
It is ideal to get a product which has a warranty of some sort. Thankfully, this product has a pretty decent one. The Tronic 3000 comes with a six year limited warranty on the inner tank. The other components solely come with a two year limited warranty. This is definitely much better than nothing. Though, it does mean that you need to make sure that it breaks naturally, if at all.
Overall
The Tronic 3000 should only be considered by those who are willing to sacrifice the desire for the best electric tankless water heater and will instead consider getting one which has a tank. Since a product with a tank like this can store water at a warmer level than the tap water, it is a wonderful alternative if you live in a cold climate and discovered that tankless hot water heater products simply won’t work for you.
4. Rheem RTEX-13 240V Heating Chamber Residential Tankless Water Heater
Buy Rheem RTEX-13 240V Heating Chamber Residential Tankless Water Heater
Intro
This product is one of the best electric tankless water heater options since it keeps up with the competition in just about every way possible. It comes at a reasonable price, it can heat water reasonably efficiently, it is small and portable, and will work with most households. It is portable, and is easy to install and use. This one is great for one-person arrangements or can also be placed in warm climate households.
Price
Considering the competition when it comes to an inline water heater, this product comes at a price which is reasonable. Although it isn’t the most affordable on this list, it performs at a level which is at least comparable with any other inline water heater on this list. It is one of the best balances between price and quality you will find.
Power Requirements
The Rheem RTEX-13 requires one 60-amp and a 240V breaker. You should use 6 gauge (AWG) for your wire size. Of course, with these lower specifications comes the fact that you won’t be able to use it effectively as some of the other models. However, this means that this is a wonderful energy conserving product, and you can use it with setups that require an electric on demand water heater that’s easy to power.
Efficiency of Heating
The efficiency of the heating will only be a problem if you have more than one person living in your home, or live in a warm climate with two people. Typically, you should expect that you will only be able to use one shower with this product. This means that anybody who needs to use the sink will need to wait until you are done showering for hot water to be ready again. Of course, this also means that when the shower is not being used, everything else will work effectively.
Suggested Methods of Use
This is the type of product that should be used on a home where you only vacation at, or where only one or two people will consistently use. The best-case scenario is that there is only one person who uses this product. As a result, a one-bedroom apartment or similar living arrangement is a wonderful candidate for this product. Just make sure to consider that having enough hot water can quickly become an issue with more than one person.
Weight, Portability & Aesthetics
This is one of the lightest and most portable electric on demand water heater options on the market. Measuring at only 13 inches at its longest edge, this product is also only four pounds. As a result, finding a spot to place this product will be a very straightforward and simple process. Make sure to keep the front of the appliance visible so that you can set and monitor your desired temperature for the water.
Warranty
The limited warranty for this product requires a little bit of research to understand. As the limited warranty states, there are component parts which vary from one to 10 years. As a result, you are left with two things you should do. For starters, make sure to take care of the product. Secondly, if there is a defect, make sure to quickly get in touch with Rheem.
Overall
This is the best electric tankless water heater for the person who has a one-bedroom apartment and simply needs to provide hot water for themselves. If this is you, this product will prove to be affordable for you since it processes water efficiently for one person and doesn’t require the specifications that some other models do. As a whole though, this product is suitable for two people only if you are aware of the potential of running out of hot water.
5. MAREY ECO110 220V Self-Modulating 11 kW Tankless Electric Water Heater
Buy MAREY ECO110 220V Self-Modulating 11 kW Tankless Electric Water Heater
Intro
Those who want the most affordable electric on demand water heater capable of performing at a pretty high level should take a hard look at this product from MAREY. This product is designed for those who live in warmer climates such as the southern United States, and will work very efficiently at an affordable price. With a nice look to the model which is both lightweight and affordable, this is definitely worth checking out if you live in a warm climate.
Price
The price of this product is probably the most attractive part. Coming at a price which is perhaps the most affordable in this category, those who want an electric on demand water heater which is both affordable and capable of performing at a pretty high level should consider this as one of their top options. Remember that the low price doesn’t necessarily affect its ability to perform at a high level within a warm climate.
Power Requirements
This product takes 220V and requires at least 50-amps. The wires necessary for the unit can either be 8 or 6 gauge. As we can see, this product has a total capacity capable of also working well for one-bedroom arrangements in slightly colder climates. However, to put these specifications to the best work you will need to live in a house where the tap water sits at a reasonably high temperature.
Efficiency of Heating
This product is capable of providing heat to more than one shower and multiple sinks at any given time if you live in a climate which is similar to the Southern United States. As a result, those who live in colder climates will notice that this product does not heat efficiently enough to provide heat to more than one shower at any given time.
Suggested Methods of Use
This product can make a great whole house electric tankless water heater if you live in the Southern USA or a climate similar to this. If you live outside of this climate zone, simply lower your expectations for what this product will be able to do. For the best possible results, use this on a household where there are consistently 3 to 5 people who tend to shower at different times and are not always using hot water. This will leave you plenty of headroom.
Weight, Portability & Aesthetics
If you want an inline water heater which is portable and lightweight then this should be one of your top options. This product weighs only 7.5 pounds, which will make transporting it to your desired location very simple. Best of all, it only measures 14.8 inches at the longest dimension, making it also very portable.
Warranty
It is always nice when a manufacturer provides a warranty which covers more than just simple defects. For this reason, many people cringe when they see the phrase “limited warranty.” This product however, has a generous five year warranty which will give you plenty of confidence to use it effectively for at least this period of time.
Overall
Those who live in the Southern United States may consider this to be the best electric tankless water heater since it is capable of providing heat for multiple people and comes at an affordable price. Best of all, it uses energy efficiently and will make it affordable to have hot water in the first place. If you want an affordable inline water heater which is also pretty effective then this is another great option.
Best Electric Tankless Water Heater: Summary and Top Choice
The best electric tankless water heater for 2018 is perhaps the Stiebel Eltron 224199 Tempra 24 Plus Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater since it comes with just about all of the features that you need and can adapt to various climates with different models.
If you are willing to consider getting one with a small tank, then your top option is probably the Bosch Tronic 2.5-Gallon Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater. At the end of the day, the best electric tankless water heater is something which may vary depending on personal circumstance.
