If you feel like buying a new water heater because the old one just can’t handle the job like it used to then you’ve come to the right place. When looking for a water heater it’s probably best to consider one large enough to accommodate for the usage of multiple sources of water at the same time. There can be many cases where this is needed like when someone is taking a shower while another person washes the dishes so this is definitely one aspect to watch out for.
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In a market dominated by tank water heaters, other types are struggling to come out at the top of people’s choices by providing some interesting technologies. Depending on your budget, you might opt for some of the more popular tankless water heaters which provide a constant stream of hot water without the need for a tank. Or you could try the solar water heaters or some hybrid model which heats water in more efficient manner and will save you some money on the energy bills. Without any further talk let’s take a look at the best water heaters currently on the market which I’ve carefully selected to represent each type of electric water heaters.
1. EcoSmart Electric Tankless Water Heater Self Modulating Technology
EcoSmart is a brand known for incorporating the most advanced technology in water heating and their insistence on saving up on energy costs because of their efficient tankless water heaters. Besides being more economical, tankless water heaters fit well in your home as they are compact and wall-mounted allowing you to save some valuable space.
Working with EcoSmart’s patented self-modulating technology and being one of the largest tankless water heaters in this line of products, the ECO 27 is a heater perfect for very demanding homes. In the northern areas of US, it can handle up to two showers running simultaneously without ever running out of hot water. For homes in the southern United States where incoming water temperatures are higher, it allows for four showers and a sink at the same time without the risk of running out of hot water.
This heater is designed to help you save some money and by that, I mean quite a considerable amount – up to 50% in water heating costs. EcoSmart heaters like this model only turn on when the need for hot water is present and cutting down on heat loss is their specialty. What this self-modulating technology does is basically adjust the level of energy that needs to be input based on the amount of hot water that is needed. When switching from a traditional water heater, the savings on your energy bill can get by as much as 30% which is not negligible.
EcoSmart ECO 27 has digital temperature control with very fine increments of 1 degree for the most customized output. Safety is also taken very seriously by EcoSmart as they limit the heat output to 105 degrees Fahrenheit so there are no worries about overheating. The unit is very easy to clean and maintain and comes with a high-quality build. The performance may vary according to the temperature of the supplied water but all in all, the ECO 27 is powerful enough to satisfy all your water heating needs even in colder climates. Delivering impeccable quality and conserving as much energy as possible, this water heater is, in the end, highly recommended.
Specifications list:
- 24 kW, 240 V
- Temp. Range: 80°F – 140°F
- Max Amperage: 112.5
- Required Breaker: 3 x 40 AMP Wire Gauge: 3 x 8 AWG
- Size: 17″ x 17″ x 3.75″
- Weight: 13.75 lbs
2. Hayward HeatPro Titanium Residential Pool Heater
Hayward is a brand with a long history when it comes to providing the best pool equipment to make the experience of owning a pool much more pleasurable one. Their cutting edge technology has been specially manufactured to ease the maintenance of the pool and simplify the concerns of pool owners regarding this kind of equipment.
The Hayward is a heat pump designed to extend your pool season by generating heat efficiently and saving as much as possible on operating costs. This product is very economical because it uses a powerful system to generate heat using the outside air and a titanium heat exchanger. This gives the pump excellent resistance to salt water and chemical corrosion and thus allowing the pump to score high points on reliability. For more durability, it has an Ultra-Gold corrosion resistant evaporator fin.
Efficient performance comes in a very sleek package and as such the heat pump is weighing only 250 lbs. The pump has an acoustic compressor cover for quiet operation and a profiled fan blade to further reduce the noise. The body panels are impervious to rust and deterioration thanks to being made UV-resistant and molded by durable injection. Even in the toughest conditions, the HP21404T delivers unrivaled and uncompromising performance. The hardware is fully stainless steel and the compressors are extremely quiet and built for long-lasting efficiency. To maintain the performance at optimum levels, the evaporator coil is protected by a polyethylene screen. All in all this heat pump is offering valuable functionality at a fair price and therefore this Hayward model is strongly recommended to all pool owners looking to greatly improve their pool experience.
Specifications list:
- BTU Heating Performance: 140,000
- Performance Coefficient: 5.7
- Electronic Temperature Control: Yes, kW Input: 7.2
- Minimum Overload Protection: 50
- Water Flow Rate Recommended Minimum/Maximum: 30/75
- Plumbing Connection: 2″ x 2-1/2″ Unions
- 250 lbs.
3. Rinnai Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Concentric/Twin Pipe
The next step in condensing technology for water heaters, that delivers more efficiency than ever is coming from Rinnai and their RUC98iN tankless heater. It features 95% efficiency and works with natural gas or propane offering multiple venting options. It has application in residential and commercial indoor areas.
The RUC98iN has a sleek gray finish and it’s a compact heater despite the considerable weight. It provides a front panel with all the basic controls for water temperature, power and besides all that it also gives the user the interesting ability to lock the temperature button for the unit in order to prevent any unauthorized access.
You can choose between concentric or twin-pipe PVC venting. Compliance with nitrogen oxide emission standards is assured by Rinnai and when it comes to standby mode consumption the ignition system of this heater is electrical and very economical. With the big size and weight of this unit, there comes an advantage performance-wise. Whether you’re using it with natural gas or propane, RUC98iN’s energy factor remains at a value of 0.95. It provides Energy Star certification and is considerably more powerful than the average gas-powered water heater. With very impressive figures for minimum-to-maximum gas burn rate (15,200 to 199,000 Btu), water flow range (0.26 to 9.8 gpm) and minimum activation flow rate (0.4 gpm), this heater has enough power to handle multiple faucets and showerheads without interruption to the flow of hot water.
The Rinnai RUC98iN is a very capable water heater but can be a bit tricky to install because of the 0.75 MNPT water and gas connections rather than the standard found in most homes – 0.5-inch connections. But despite this, it is a very sleek and efficient water heater that offers enough power to be used in multi-bathroom households. Overall is a high-quality product worth checking out if you are in the market for a new water heater.
Specifications list:
- 82 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 10 x 18.5 x 26 inches
- Origin: Japan
- Item model number: RUC98iN
- Size: Twin Pipe/Ultra
- Voltage: 120 volts
- Flow Rate: 9.8 GPM
- Usage: Indoor use only
4. Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 24 tankless electric water heater
Stiebel Eltron is a pioneer in tankless water heating technology for almost a century. The Tempra series is one of the most appreciated among customers for its reliable performance, amazing energy savings and compact and solid designs. The Tempra 24 Plus offer plenty of reasons to consider it if you think about upgrading your water heater.
Regarding the design of this model, you will be pleasantly surprised by its sleek construction which helps the heater to occupy as little space as possible. This is a tankless water heater which has the advantage of efficiently delivering a consistent water temperature by not wasting energy storing hot water inside. This compact design also does not require venting. A powerful unit, the Tempra 24 Plus can supply water constantly at temperatures ranging from 86 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Controlling the heater is a breeze thanks to the front panel of the appliance which provides a knob for adjusting the temperature range and comes integrated with an Advanced Microprocessor technology to limit any deviations from the water temperature level pre-set by the user.
I mentioned the ’no venting needed’ feature of this water heater and this is an important aspect because it simplifies the user experience as it eliminates the need to vent the Tempra to the outside. This also makes for an easier installation which is a nice bonus. With outstanding 100% efficiency in converting electrical energy into heat, this water heater is definitely worth considering as a potential upgrade to your current unit. A shining example of fine German engineering, Tempra 24 Plus offers solid quality and efficient performance for all your water heating needs in a very convenient package. This product is sure to exceed your expectations and can last you a lifetime.
Specifications list:
- Working pressure: 150 PSI
- Maximum temp. increase: 92
- 240 V, 24 kW
- 15.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.5 x 8.8 inches
- German quality
5. Westinghouse 80 Gallons 4500W Electric Water Heater with 316L Stainless Steel Tank
With a solid stainless steel construction and superior efficiency, this model from Westinghouse is built to last a lifetime and save you from the annoyances of inconsistent hot water. What makes this electric water heater such a great buy? Read on to find out.
One aspect thoroughly addressed by Westinghouse is the comfort. Gone are the days when you had to make do with seemingly random temperatures, either too hot or too cold. Setting the temperature just right is now extremely easy thanks to this heater’s adjustable thermostat that provides precise control for your best comfort. Your home or your business will finally get adequate water heating effortlessly.
Its construction is very tough and reliable, no compromises on designing this unit have been made. Protected by stainless steel and having a heavy duty insulation, this heater has been manufactured with the best materials for the most efficient heating experience. The high-grade stainless elements are built to be reliable and are considered the longest lasting in the industry as they are very resistant to corrosion. The 316L tank is laser welded and no longer needs anode rodes to delay the inevitable corrosion and failure that plagues standard coated tanks. Easy, convenient installation is also possible thanks to the tank being lightweight and having plenty of outlet connections on the top and sides.
The task of maintaining the heater in good shape has been simplified and Westinghouse took care of another important element – overheating. Thanks to the high limit control installed on the unit there shouldn’t be any worries about exceedingly high temperatures. I’ve spent quite some time talking about the good points of this heater but are there any downsides? Well, the price could be one but still, I think it’s worth the investment, in the long run, considering the reliability and capability of this heater.
Specifications list:
- Stainless Steel Tank
- Heavy Duty Insulation
- 80 Gallons Capacity
- Minimum/Maximum Delivered Temperature: 110 Degrees F/150 Degrees F
- High-Temperature Limit: 170 Degrees F
- Dimensions: 23.25 x 69 x 23.25 Inches
- Wattage: 4,500
- Voltage: 240v
- Electrical Connection Box