Natural gas water heaters can be very economical when it comes to your heated water needs, especially for a medium to a large family.
If you have a natural gas line in your home, getting a natural gas heater is a no brainer. Water heaters, however, can cost you a pretty penny, and when you get one, you want to ensure you get a quality one that will serve you well for a long time.
In this guide, I’m going to tell you about the best natural gas water heaters and all you need to know to pick the best one suited for your needs.
Best Natural Gas Water Heaters Reviews
In this list, I’m going to review the four best natural gas heaters that you can get on the market right now, so you can choose one that’s best suited for your water heating needs. Let’s dive in!
Eccotemp i12-NG Tankless Water Heater
One thing you will love about tankless water heaters is the unlimited supply of hot water. You don’t have to schedule activities in fear of the hot water in the tank running out in the middle of chores. This is true for the Eccotemp tankless heater too.
This heater comes with a compact sleek design, which means unlike conventional water heating units, you don’t need a lot of space to install it. The Eccotemp heater has a flow rate of 3 gallons per minute, which is enough for you to access water at multiple access points simultaneously.
The heater also activates only when needed, which helps greatly in saving energy. It also has an energy efficiency factor of 79%, which is impressive.
For hassle-free ignition, this heater has an electronic ignition system with a digital LED display for precise monitoring of its operation. You need a 110V power outlet to plug in the cord. The temperature control is automatic, and in case your child comes into contact with the heater, there is child-lock technology that ensures they don’t get hurt.
It’s also easy to install and comes with horizontal venting for your convenience.
Pros
- A compact design that takes minimal space
- Child-lock technology for your kids’ safety
- Electric ignition system
- Digital LED display for precise temperature control
- Easy to install
- An energy efficiency rate of 79%
Cons
- Not meant for elevation levels higher than 5500 ft
Camplux 10L Outdoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater, 2.64 GPM
Outdoor chores like washing your pet or car, among others, can be off-putting without a reliable supply of hot water, especially in the winter months. That’s why you need this outdoor natural gas heater.
Get hot water the instant you turn on the faucet with the Camplux 10L tankless heater. With an impressive water flow rate of 2.6 gallons per minute, you will have an unlimited supply of hot water. The power output for the heater is 68,000 BTUs per hour.
The Camplux is ideal for an outdoor camper or for outdoor chores around the house. It also makes outdoor excursions a lot more interesting. If you need a heater that you can use off the grid where electricity is not available, then this heater is the ideal candidate, as its two D-cell batteries allow for ignition without relying on electricity.
With an energy efficiency rate of 88.5, you can save a lot on energy costs for water heating. The heater is fitted with anti-freezing and overheating protection for safety. It features a compact sleek design that makes it easy to install and doesn’t need much space either. You can install this water heater indoors as well, but you will need to get a separate flue pipe for proper venting.
This heater is suitable for elevation levels below 2000 ft.
Pros
- Great for outdoor water heating needs
- Included standard garden hose
- An unlimited supply of hot water
- Very affordable
- An energy efficiency rate of 88.5% saves a lot of energy on water heating
- Two D-cell batteries allow ignition without electricity access
Cons
- Can’t be used for heating drinking water
- Not suitable for elevation levels above 2000 ft
EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater
Nothing says eco-friendly better than an electric water heater that is great for the environment. With the Ecosmart ECO 11 electric water heater, you get an endless supply of hot water for your home’s hot water needs.
You can save up to 60% on your water heating bills when using this tankless water heater in comparison to traditional heating units with a tank.
The ECO has an energy efficiency factor of 98% and only turns on when hot water is needed, which adds to the energy-saving and efficiency of this heater. It has a flow rate of 2 gallons per minute.
In addition, the small compact design means that this heater takes up only a small space. It’s the best option when you are pressed for storage space.
This heater comes with a limited life warranty meant to protect you in the event of damage to the unit. You can relax knowing it will be taken care of if you encounter problems. The return policy also allows you to return the heater if you don’t like it when you receive it.
Best of all, the heating element is easily replaceable. If it fails, you can just swap it without needing to replace the whole system!
Pros
- Lifetime limited warranty
- High-quality self-modulating technology
- 98% energy efficiency rate saves a lot on energy
- Only turns on demand
- Digital temperature regulator
- Very friendly price
Cons
- May not be suited for a large family’s hot water needs
Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater
You can never go wrong with a Rinnai water heater. With this heater, you enjoy the numerous benefits associated with a tankless water heater, like an unlimited supply of hot water.
With the Rinnai RL series heater, you get an impressive flow rate of 9.4 gallons per minute, which is enough to provide you with a continuous hot water supply at multiple access points in your home. It has a heat output of 199,000 BTUs.
Flushing cold water out of your water lines before you start receiving hot water is both inconvenient and wasteful. With the circ-logic technology of this heater, you can set recirculation so that when you open the faucets, you get hot water instantly without having to wait.
When it comes to the installation of this heater, you only need a small space as it features a small compact design. If a part of the heater is damaged, you don’t have to replace the whole system as the Rinnai heater parts are easily replaceable – it’s easy to just swap out the damaged part.
While tank heaters have a life expectancy of about 10 years at best, you get twice that time with this tankless heater. It’s backed up by a 10-year warranty, ensuring you get dependable support should you encounter any problems with the heater.
Pros
- A 10-year warranty
- Circ-logic technology allows you to activate recirculation to enjoy instant hot water at the faucet
- An impressive 9.4 GPM hot water flow that can supply a large home
- Small compact design that doesn’t need much space to install
- An unlimited supply of hot water on demand
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor installation
Considerations for the Best Gas Water Heaters
Your Hot Water Demand
The amount of hot water you need is one of the most critical considerations when getting a natural gas water heater.
Every natural gas water heater has an indicated flow rate, which lets you know the amount of hot water you can get from the heater per minute. This applies to tankless water heaters.
If you require a large volume of water, make sure you pick a heater that can supply it. You can do this by ensuring that the flow rate of the heater you intend to buy is high enough. Keep in mind that it can be lower than indicated, depending on the groundwater temperature.
Warranty
A heater’s warranty cushions you against damage of either the heater or parts of it. When you are getting a natural gas heater, you need to check the kind of warranty offered by the manufacturer.
Companies that are confident with their products offer solid warranties. This is because their products are tested and proved to work well. It’s the same about heaters. Don’t just look at the length of the warranty period – pay attention to the conditions stipulated too.
Reliability
When you get a heater, you want to relax knowing that your hot water needs are taken care of. You can only do this if you pick one from a reputable company that you can rely on. You don’t want to get a heater that keeps breaking down or that does not heat water well.
Size
Nowadays, there are a lot of varieties when it comes to heaters. Thanks to the tankless natural gas water heaters, you no longer need a huge space in your garage to install a heater. Their compact design allows you to install this heater in crawl spaces or even the attic.
Durability
When you are looking for a natural gas heater, you want to get a heater that will offer years and years of use without breaking. After all, these heaters can be expensive. To get this right, you need to get a heater that has a strongly constructed body using anti-corrosion material.
Venting and Type of Installation
Some heaters are meant for indoor installation only, while others are meant for outdoor installation only.
Heaters meant for outdoor installation mostly cannot be installed indoors without some special venting, which normally does not come with the heater. The other way around is true too. Heaters meant for indoor installation may not be suitable for outdoor installation, so be aware of which type you need.
Digital Display and Operation
With technological advancements, everything has gone digital and heaters are also part of the revolution. A heater with a digital control system makes it easy to control the unit even when you are not around.
The digital display on the heater allows you to control water temperatures precisely, which is very convenient.
Best Natural Gas Water Heaters Frequently Asked Questions
1) Which is the best natural gas heater?
As we have already seen, the best heater for you depends on your individual home water heating needs. There are a few factors you need to consider that will help you get the best heater for you. What may serve someone else may not do the same for you.
2) Are natural gas heaters safe?
Gas water heaters emit some dangerous fumes when they burn fuel during their operation. That’s why they come with venting. It’s good to make sure you get your heater properly vented so that the gas residues from the fuel don’t accumulate in your home.
Also, some people choose to install heaters meant for outdoor installation indoors. If you choose to do so, make sure you get a proper flue for it. This is not normally included with the heater.
3) Are natural gas water heaters energy-efficient?
Water heaters have varying rates of energy efficiency. An ideal situation would be when a heater’s rate is 100%. Natural gas tankless heaters are not that efficient. Not all energy supplied is turned into heat, but their efficiency levels are still impressive. Any efficiency rate higher than 80% is considered great.
Conclusion
Natural gas water heaters are a great option for your water heating needs, especially if you have a large family. They are very economical and they also last longer.
With more and more natural gas heater manufacturers joining the market, it can be hard to tell the quality options from the not-so-quality ones. This is why I have put this list together to inform you of the best ones, as well as what to look for in different heaters.
The Rinnai RL Series Tankless Water Heater is an especially impressive choice. If you require a large volume of hot water for your home, you should check it out. With the 9.4 gallons per minute, the circ-logic technology for water recirculation, and a 10-year warranty, you cannot ask for more than that.
I hope this guide helps you get the best heater for your home!