If you need to replace the current water heater in your home, you should start to look at options, especially if you aren’t waiting for it to die out. You will need to consider plenty, including the budget, the available models, the tank size, and much more. Keep reading on to find out more using our comprehensive guide to help you make the right choice for all of your needs.
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Top 10 Best Water Heaters
There are so many options for water heaters you as a homeowner would need to look at, which means knowing what is. Here are just 10 of the top models to make sure that you are looking at, such as:
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Best Overall: Ecosmart ECO 18 Electric Tankless Water Heater
If you want only the best, this product will be extremely durable, and it is made with only stainless steel and copper components. This is ideal for your home, and you can save around 60% on all heating costs with this self-modulating and advanced technology.
This is a sleek and tankless design that will be easy to install, and you can turn the knob to adjust the temperature that you want the water to be heated to.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
For those who want something that will look sleek and allow you to choose the exact water temperature, this model would be ideal.
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Runner Up: Rinnai V53DeP Tankless Water Heater
The next best option that you can choose is this one, which is also tank free and it comes in both natural gas and propane options. If you are using propane, you should make sure to install this outdoors, and it has a flow rate for hot water of 5.3GPM. It also has a mobile application to set the schedule and timers throughout the entire day or turn the system off if you are leaving the house.
This will also be very easy to install, and you can have as much hot water as you need without worrying about emptying the tank.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you don’t have a small budget, but you want the best model available, then this one is going to be great, especially if you want a longer warranty period.
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Best Budget Option: Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
If you are on a small budget but don’t want to sacrifice the product that you are buying, then make sure to check this one out. This is a miniature model, and it has a tank that holds 2.5 gallons of water with a 98% thermal efficiency. This will last you a long time since it is made with high-quality mate, glass-lined material you can easily install this itself.
This can provide water to around 2 sinks at once, so you don’t have to worry about it heating up since it works very quickly.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you aren’t looking for something that can be used for your showers or bathtubs, but rather for the sinks, then this would be a great option to look at.
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Camplux 5.28 GPM CA525 Indoor Propane Water Heater
If you want a digital thermostat to see the temperature that the water is being heated up to, this will be a great model. This is perfect for homes since it uses 120 VAC and it has precise control so you can pick the temperature. This will also last for years due to the high-quality materials that were used to create the product.
This will help you save energy due to the intelligent frequency conversion control, so you can pick what temperature you want. This will easily and quickly produce hot water, so you don’t have to wait after someone else showers!
Pros
Cons
Verdict
For those who need something that will handle an entire home easily and without you having to wait a lot of time for hot water, then this might be a great option to look at.
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Thermomate ZERO16 Propane Tankless Water Heater
If you want to choose the size of the machine that you are getting, then this would be ideal. It only needs 0.7 PSI in terms of water pressure to start up, and there are flow sensors to work with low water pressure. This would be ideal for boats, RVs, and your home since it can give you as much hot water as you need without needing to preheat it.
This has a space-saving and compact design, so it is very quiet, making it ideal for taking with you when you are outdoors.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you have a boat, an RV, or if you are going camping, then this water heater is going to be great to carry with you or have installed.
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Marey 10L GA10LP Propane Water Heater
If you don’t want to spend a lot, this water heater will be ideal, and it uses propane. This will cut down around 60% for your electricity bills when it comes to heating water, and the installation will be straightforward. The design is compact, and it doesn’t need any electrical connections when installed.
This is perfect if you need something that doesn’t need power or are often out of electricity but still want hot water.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
For those who have many power outages or who don’t always have access to electricity, this model would be ideal to have installed.
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Rheem RTEX-18 Water Heater
If you want an LED display that will tell you the water’s exact temperature, then this model should be on your list. It also uses advanced self-modulation, so it will adjust the power that is used to meet the demands for hot water. This model’s flow rate is 4.4 GPM, and it is going to be simple to install and use.
This will be ideal if you have a large home or family where lots of showers need to be taken daily.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you don’t mind spending a good amount of money, then this option might be the best for you, so go ahead and check it out.
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EcoSmart 36 Tankless Water Heater
For those who need a compact and sleek design with digital output for the temperature display, then go ahead and check out this model. This tank will give you plenty of hot water whenever you need it since it doesn’t pre-heat it like some of the other models. This is also extremely efficient, and it saves plenty of energy due to the EcoSmart features.
This will also be very easy to install since it saves you time and will save you around 50% in costs for heating water.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
For those who need something small and efficient, then this option might be something that you need to check out.
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Stiebel Eltron Electric Water Heater
If you want to have options, then this continuous flow model will be something you need to look at. This model can reduce the flow if the demand for hot water is more than it can give you, which means no more cold showers. It also has a sleek and small design that will provide hot water for the entire home without the need for venting.
This would also be easy to operate since there is a switch that turns it on, and there is also a digital display for the temperature. It has memory buttons and a pre-set temperature options while being extremely quiet while operating.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you are searching for something that will be small, yet effective this model should definitely be on the top of your list.
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Atmor Instant Electric Water Heater
If you don’t want something overly large, this model will suit your needs perfectly. You can control the temperature using the digital control, and it can heat any water that is as low as 37°, and it has a 1.9 GPM flow rate. This is also made of high-quality stainless steel components inside to last you a long time.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If warranty and durability are important to you, then go ahead and check out this model to see if it fits your needs.
Water Heaters Buying Guide
You should always make sure that you know what is when buying a new water heater for your home. Not only should you look at the various models, but you want to know what factors should be considered. When buying the right water heater, there is plenty to consider, so keep reading on to find out more.
What to Look for in a Water Heater
One of the most important things that you should look at is the factors that would make or break every machine. Here are just some of the top things to consider, such as:
- Gas or electric – You want to think about if this model will need access to electricity or even gas to be usable. This is important, and you should think about which one will be easier for you and which one would save you money. If you don’t have a gas connection, you might want to consider going for an electric one.
- Tankless or tank – You also need to consider whether you want to have a model with a tank or no tank. This would determine how much water would be available or how fast they would heat it. If you go with a tankless option, you will likely have more water faster since the other model has to preheat the water first.
- Sizing and capacity – Another factor to consider is the water heater’s size along with the capacity. You need to measure the area you are thinking of installing to make sure that you pick one that will fit. Also, think about how many GPM or gallons per minute the water heater would provide, especially if you have more than one shower or sink that would be going at once.
- Efficiency rating – Another thing you want to look at is the efficiency rating, and you need to know how much electricity it will save you. This is vital for you to know since you can use this to determine how much you will save and how much electricity it will use in actuality.
- Brass vs. plastic drain valves – The drain valves will also be something to consider, and you need to decide if you want plastic or brass. This will be determined based on the material you want and how easily they will be to install and replace.
- Digital displays – The final factor to consider is whether or not it has a digital display. This can make it much easier for you to set the determined water temperature without having to estimate, and you can see what it is and make any changes if required.
These are just some of the top factors that you need to consider when you are thinking about what water heater you will want to buy.
FAQ
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How many hours every day do these normally run for?
The water heaters can run for a few hours every day depending on how much hot water is being used. The normal usage amount is around 3 hours, but it can increase if the machine is older or if the tank is larger. If more water is used, then the number of usage hours would also increase.
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How long will I have to wait for hot water after my new heater is installed?
If you just had the new water heater installed, you won’t have to wait very long to get some hot water. The typical waiting time is around 30 to 40 minutes before you can get any hot water. However, if you have a tankless one, this might take less time, so make sure you are trying it and seeing when the hot water comes back.
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What should be the water temperature setting?
The typical setting for the temperature on any water heater is around 120°F, but you can adjust this based on your preferences. However, if you heat the water to any higher temperature, you might end up scalded, and it can also increase the amount you are paying for your temperature bill.
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How do I know when I need to buy a new water heater?
You might also be wondering if you should purchase a new water heater and what the signs are that it is time. If the water heater is ancient or isn’t making hot water or leaking, those are signs of getting it replaced. Also, if it makes a lot of noise or if the heater’s inlet valve is broken, or if the water is coming out discolored, then it is time.
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When should I hire a plumber to install the device?
If you don’t know what you are doing, you will want to hire experts to take care of the installation. However, you can do it yourself if you know what you are doing, but if it is gas-based, then you definitely want to bring the experts in for the job.
Conclusion
As a homeowner, you will have to make all of the decisions when it comes to replacing something like the water heater in your home. You should make sure that you know what factors to consider, like the digital display, drain valve material, water capacity, and much more. These are just some of the top models that you can choose, so go ahead and check them out for yourself.
