Best Tankless Water Heater Reviews 2018-Plus Buying Guide

In most homes, you have this ugly water heater tank that takes up some space. Now, if your house is like mine, the water heater is downstairs in the basement. I for one, hardly go down there besides doing laundry so I could care less. However, you might have a nicer home and do not want a water heater where everyone can see it. Here comes the newest invention, tankless water heaters! No longer will have a huge tank inside your house! This article will help you on which is the best tankless water heater, how you should buy it, and other information that may assist you with your purchase.

What Is A Tankless Water Heater And How Does It Work

A tankless water heater only gives hot water when it is needed. They also help you save you money because they do not use standby energy. The tankless water heaters do not use a storage tank hence why it only provides the water when you need it. How this happens is when you turn on the hot water, the cold water goes through the pipe into a unit. The cold will turn to hot either by an electric element or by a gas burner. Because you do not have to wait for a tank to fill up with the hot water, the flow rate will have limits. Which are about 2-5 gallons per minute?

If you choose a gas tankless water heater than the flow will be higher than that of an electric heater. However, even the largest gas tankless water heater cannot supply multiple uses in large households. For example, you cannot run the dishwasher and run the shower at the same time. If this is the case, then installing multiple tankless water heaters will be the best bet. You can connect them together or separate. For an example, one heater for the dishwasher, one for washer, and then another one for your showers, sinks, so on and so forth.

What Are Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater?

Some benefits are; using 41 gallons or less daily is 24-34% more energy efficient than tank water heaters, 86 gallons is about 8-14% more energy efficient,  and you can even save more if you install multiple tankless water heaters throughout the house where you would need hot water.

Even though purchasing a tankless water heater is costly than that of a tank water heater, in the end, a tankless lasts longer (around 20+ years). Have lower energy and operating costs, which saves money, and then have replacement parts which can even make them even go longer before you have to replace the entire thing completely. Tank water heaters typically last about 10-15 years.

If you want some more information about tankless, here is a video explaining the differences between tankless and tank water heaters.

Types of Tankless Water Heaters

There are several Tankless water heaters that you can choose from, and they are:

• Gas -Usually this will be natural gas, and this is used for some small apartments.
• Electric – Most choose electric because they do not want to deal with gas or have it in their homes.

Things to Consider When Looking For the Best Tankless Water Heater

There are things you have to consider when you start looking for a tankless water heater. Cost is one of them. You want to figure out how much the actual water heater cost, then figure out how much energy-efficient will it be. Will it save you more money than a tank? Is there another type of tankless water heater that will save more money? Compare several and then make your decision.

You have to decide if you want a fuel type or an energy type. This will affect the heater’s operation costs and then the energy and size. Which all leads to how much you will have to pay yearly, how much you will have to buy up front first to get the tankless water heater, and so forth and so on.

Size is another thing to think about. You have to reflect on how big your household is and how much hot water will have to use daily. Individual Tankless water heaters can only do so much at a time and each day.

Last, would have to be, how much energy efficient is it? Energy efficiency is important because the more energy you save, the more money you will keep in your pocket.

Here is a video about more information about Tankless water heaters.I want you to have many ideas and information possible so you can make the best decision for your needs

How Do You Choose the Right One?

Choosing the right tankless water heater is going to be different for each household and what each need. However, there are some factors that you can use to help you decide on the one you need.

The main one is how big the household is. If you have a large family, then you are going to end larger tankless water heater. Alternatively, you are going to need several to help heat everything up. This will cost money, so you will have to think about that.

Another thing to remember is the warranty and maintenance. Even the tankless is supposed to last longer than tanks; it may be a bit of comfort if the company you are buying from has some warranty. That, and they can come and do maintenance whenever you would need it. Remember, having maintenance done every once in a while will keep your tankless water heater in place which will help you save money in the long run.

Another one, of course, would have to cost. Tankless water heaters are more expensive when you purchase than a tank. However, if you buy the right one, you will be able to save money for years to come. Again, I would figure out all of the costs you will have to make before purchase, so the costs will not surprise you.

Top 10 Best Tankless Water Heaters Reviews 2018

MODEL	POWER SOURCE	OUR RATING
Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor	Natural Gas	4.9
Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 24 kW	Electric	4.8
Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series	Natural Gas	4.7
Rheem RTG-64XLN 6.4 GPM Low NOx Outdoor	Natural Gas	4.7
AQUAKING Outdoorsman	Propane Gas	4.5
Chronomite SR-20L/208 HTR 208-Volt 20-Amp	Electric	4.6
Atmor 27kW/240V	Electric	4.8
Noritz NRC661-DV-NG Indoor Condensing Direct	Natural Gas	4.9
Eemax SP35	Electric	4.6
Iheat Model M-14	Electric	4.7

1. Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater, Natural Gas

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

Natural gas tankless water heater. The tankless is light, ideal for small apartments or small appliances.You can either install it yourself.There is a warranty, ten years for heat exchanger and then five years for parts.You can change the settings to fit the altitude the tankless will be in.

The bad news about the warranty is that you have to have an expert install the tankless if you want the warranty. You also have to pay extra for the expert to install it. You cannot share the tankless vent stack with any other objects, such as a furnace. This could be bad if you do not have the space to use multiple vent stacks. You have to not only buy the tankless but also purchase the exhaust you need for it. It takes some time to release the hot water. It is hard, and you can run into some faults if you try to install it by yourself.

2. Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus Electric Tankless Whole House Water Heater

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

You can install it yourself.This tankless is electric instead of gas.The tankless has stated that it is big enough only to use this one for the entire household.This tankless has claimed that it can save you up to 15-20% on your electric bill for hot water.It can fit anywhere, has temperature control, and there is no venting required.

If you want an expert to install it, you have to pay extra. Warranty is only three years, and you have to have that expert if you want it. You water ph has to be about 7 (neutral). So, if you live anywhere and have harsher water ph systems, then this tankless can give up in about two years after purchase. Even though it is built for the whole house, if you run two showers for an example, one of them will have lower pressure but still, works. There have been reports that I found that some of the tankless water heaters have had leaks.

3. Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

Can install yourself if you want to. This is a natural gas tankless heater. The design allows you to hook it up anywhere. You have two venting options, concentric or PVC. There are several different options for warranties, residential or commercial. The residential has a 12 year limit on a heat exchanger, 1 or 5-year labor, and five years on parts. The commercial includes five years on parts and the heat exchanger, and 1 or 2 years on labor.

You can only use this tankless indoors. Any ideas or wanting a tankless outside, this would not be the tankless water heater for you. If you have several facets going on at the same time, you will see the hot water temperature go down just a bit in certain areas. There is also a slight delay when it comes to getting hot water.

4. Rheem RTG-64XLN 6.4 GPM Low NOx Outdoor Tankless Natural Gas Water heater

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

This is an outdoor tankless water heater. It is outside and mounted up somewhere.The tankless is also natural gas.You can install the water heater yourself if you want to.You have a remote control that comes with it and also a thermostat wire that is 10 feet long.You can also choose a small box version if that is your preference.

There is no warranty. If you are like me, the best bet is to hire an expert to install it. However, you have to add a couple more hundred dollars for them to fix it. There is a little bit of noise if you are within ear distances from it. Suggest putting it someone where you or your neighbors cannot hear it. There have been complaints that there is also a smell of gas coming from the tankless. Another complaint I have found out is that these tankless heaters do not last but only a couple of months.

5. Aquaking Outdoorsman Tankless Water Heater 

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

This tankless water heater is portable and propane.This tankless water heater is 10 pounds, so it is easy to carry around.Can take batteries because it has a battery powered ignition.This is great when you are hunting, fishing, so forth and so on.Easy to install by yourself.

The batteries are not included.No warranty provided. If need be, you can have an expert set it all up for an additional cost. You will have to get other items such as a post, hose so forth and so on. Trying to get the right temperature may be difficult at times. Too cold, too hot.

6. Chronomite SR-20L/208 HTR 208-Volt 20-Amp SR Series Instant-Flow Low Flow Tankless Water Heater

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

This tankless water heater is designed for horizontal installation and under the sink.Installing it is pretty easy to do.This has two chrome compression fittings (mounted).The chronomite has inlet and outlet connections for the cold water.The flow rate is 0.5 GPM.

There is no warranty. If you do not want to install it yourself, you can pay an expert to install it for you. This only is in use when you need hot water. Otherwise, it will not be in use, thus saving you energy and money. Bad thing, you cannot use it for cold water. The tankless is very voltage sensitive. Make sure you have the right voltage for this tankless water heater. It is not fit to use it for a shower. Therefore, you could probably only use it to wash your hands.

7. Atmor 27 kW/240V ThermoPro Series Digital Thermostatic Control Electric Tankless Water Heater

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

This tankless water heater is not only electric but also has a thermostat built in. This company has said this water heater saves up to 50% on your electric bill than a regular tank. Atmor has a digital temperature control so you can control the temperature by 1 degrees. This heater also has a splash-proof certification which means can be placed near showers, sinks, so forth and so on. This does have some warranty, two years for only parts and then seven years for no leaks. This does have some warranty, 2 years for only parts and then 7 years for no leaks.

This does require some other parts that you would need to get. This requires 112 AMPS. You will need this much space for this tankless water heater and power. The warranty is not the best, but it is something.

8. Noritz NRC661-DV-NG Indoor Condensing Direct Tankless Hot Water Heater

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

This is an indoor, natural gas tankless water heater.You get endless hot water as you wish, as the company as said.High efficiency, and low Nox.You can vent it out with a particular pipe.You get 6.5 gallons of water per minute.

There is no mention of any warranty with this one. The water temperature is not regulated by the shower heads but by the tankless itself. It does make a little fan noise if you are right by it. May have to re-configure your cold and water lines along with the gas lines. Easy to install if you know what you are doing. If not, have to add the cost of hiring someone to install it for you.

9. Eemax SP35 Tankless Water Heater, Single Point Hand Washing

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

Easy to install yourself.You do not need any valves. There are connection fittings at the top so you can easily connect.This tankless is suited for hand washing to help cut costs.There is a switch to help activate the heater.

You have to bring a cold water line. Only used for hand washing. Cannot be used for anything else. This is a warranty, but it is limited. A year for parts and then five years for any leaks. Soft water is not a must but would help to extend the life of the tankless water heater. This is great during the summer but not great in the winter. Hardly any hot water.

10. Iheat Electric Tankless Water Heater Model M-14

Check Price and Rating at Amazon

This has a display which includes Fahrenheit and Celsius options.This tankless water heater is electric and has stainless steel for heat exchangers.Also easily to install because of grip fittings on the outlet and inlets.Can heat up 4 gallons per minute.The tankless water heaters can handle warmer climates, Florida, Georgia, so forth and so on.

No warranty is said, you can contact the company and ask. If you live in the states, such as the Southern states, it can work only for 1-3 bedroom, 1-2 bathroom home.PVC pipes or any pipe cannot be used directly with the tankless water heater. You will need copper water pipe to attach to the heater. Just like the pipe you have to purchase, you also have to buy an isolation valve kit.

Conclusion

I would have to say that the winner would have to be Atmor. The warranty is not the best. However, they do have it. Which to me suggest that they are somewhat honest about their product and do not have a problem fixing it. I also love the amount of savings you could have. You could save up to 50%, and that right there sold the deal for me.