A water heater is an important home appliance that you cannot do without, especially in those cold winter months. If you are looking for a residential heater, you have to get a reliable one that you can count on to last for a long time.
With so many brands on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right water heater. In this article, I have assembled a list of the four best residential water heaters you can choose from depending on your home’s individual hot water needs. Plus, I cover all of the considerations you need to think about before you choose one.
Best Residential Water Heaters Reviews
Here is a list of the four best residential water heaters you can get on the market today. Let’s get started!
ECOTOUCH 9KW Electric Tankless Water Heater
The best thing about electric water heaters is that they are the most eco-friendly option. They have the highest energy factor, which means they are very energy efficient. The ECOTOUCH heater is no different.
It has an energy efficiency rate of 99.8, which helps save a lot of energy, resulting in you spending significantly less on water heating.
You get hot water instantly when you turn on the faucet without having to wait. The heater does not need time to preheat, and the temperature of the hot water produced is consistent without dramatic fluctuations like in many other heaters. This is the kind of reliability you want from a heater.
You can also get an unlimited amount of hot water at a flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute.
Another excellent feature with the ECOTOUCH heater is the smart self-modulation technology that adjusts temperatures of the water according to the flow rate. When the flow rate decreases, you don’t have to endure overly hot water while you are already in the shower.
The heater does this by reducing the amount of energy supplied to mirror the amount of water going through the pipes. This saves even more energy!
Another thing you will love about this heater is the digital display and the smart touch control panel that allows you precise control over the heater. For your safety, the water and electricity lines are completely separated, to prevent scale build-up and avoid leakages as well.
Lastly, the heater features a small compact design that does not take up much space, and since it’s an electric heater, you also don’t need venting, which means you can mount it anywhere in the house.
Pros
- An energy efficiency rate of 99.8 which helps save energy
- An unlimited supply of hot water
- Sleek compact design that takes up minimal mounting space
- Eco-friendly
- Digital display and control system
- Self-modulating
- Very friendly price
Cons
- Not suitable for a large hot water volume requirement
Camplux Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
Natural gas tankless heaters may not be as eco-friendly as electric ones, but they are much more economical to run. This makes them a good option for residential family homes.
This Camplux heater has a thermal efficiency of 88.5%, which saves you a lot of energy. It provides you with an unlimited hot water amount at a flow rate of 3.18 gallons per minute. This is enough to supply you with hot water for up to 3 simultaneous access points, which should be plenty for a small to medium size family.
You have total control of this heater, which is made possible by the digital control system. There is a digital LED display of temperatures that allow you to precisely set water temperatures.
It features a sleek compact design at 14.4×4.7×25.4 inches, which needs only a small storage space to mount it. The heater comes with a digital automatic control system, which includes child-lock technology for the safety of your kids, and an energy-saving mode.
For safety, the heater has antifreeze and dry combustion protection mechanisms. If you encounter any issues with the heater, you’ll be glad to know that Camplux’s customer service and support are available 24 hours a day.
Pros
- Can service up to 3 bathrooms, making it suitable for a small to medium size family
- Unlimited hot water supply at 3.18 GPM flow rate
- Automated control and LED digital display
- Available round the clock customer support in case you have any issues
Cons
- You may need a professional for the installation
Rheem 240V RTEX-11 Tankless Residential Water Heater
Sometimes, you may need a point-of-use heater for a sink in your home where you have no hot water line. If this is what you are looking for, then you may want to go get this Rheem tankless water heater.
It is an electric heater with an unlimited flow of hot water, and you can use it at a sink or a low-pressure flow shower. It has a thermostat for automatic digital control, and it also has a digital LED display that allows you to easily set the temperatures.
For most electric heaters, the most important bit is the heating element. This one has two immersion copper elements that are extra durable and easy to replace in case of damage.
The Rheem RTEX-11 has a small compact design that needs minimal space to mount. It is easy to install, and you can do it yourself without professional assistance.
Plus, with an energy efficiency rate of 99.8%, you are sure to save a lot of energy when using this heater.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- An unlimited amount of hot water
- Small compact design that saves space
- 99.8% efficiency rate which helps save energy
- Instant hot water when you open the faucet
Cons
- Only suitable for a small amount of hot water supply
Rheem 240V Heating Chamber RTEX-06 Tankless Water Heater
The Rheem RTEX-06 tankless water heater is also a great choice for a single point-of-use water heater. It is easy to install, and you can do it yourself.
It features a sleek and compact 3x11x6 inch design, which takes up only a small space for installation. You get an unlimited amount of hot water, and it’s also instant without having to wait for the cold water bursts to clear like with some heaters.
This heater also turns on or uses energy only when hot water is needed, and this saves a lot of energy, unlike conventional tank heaters, which heat and keep reheating water.
There is a digital LED temperature display and a digital dial for more accurate control. It also features a copper immersion heating element that is corrosion-resistant and very durable.
You need a 120V power outlet for plugging in this heater and it comes with a 3-foot cable.
Pros
- Sleek compact design which takes minimal mounting space
- An unlimited supply of hot water
- Only turns when hot water is needed, this saves a lot of energy
- Digital control and a digital LED display for accurate temperature adjustments
Cons
- Not suitable for multiple points of access
Considerations for the Best Residential Water Heaters
When you are looking for a residential water heater, you know it’s something you are going to get stuck with for a long time. For this period, your water heating unit is going to be at the center of the household’s hot water chores and activities, such as doing the dishes, showering, and boiling pasta, among other things.
This is why you should take the task of choosing your next residential heater very seriously, and to do so successfully, you need to know what you should be looking for in the search. Here are the most important factors to consider as you look for a new water heater.
Warranty information
A heater’s warranty information is one of the most important considerations to keep in mind. A great warranty helps you to easily access help if you encounter trouble with the water heater, or if it fails to function in some way.
A great warranty also lets you know that the manufacturer believes in their product and are therefore willing to stand by it.
The Size
Although traditional tank water heaters that take lots of storage space have significantly declined in popularity, you still need to check a heater’s dimensions to ensure it can fit in a space you plan to mount or install it.
Running cost
The running cost of a heater is the cost you will have to incur in terms of heating energy. A gas water heater, for instance, is more economical to run when you have a large family in comparison to electric water heaters. This should tell you what kind of energy source you need your water heater to run on.
The Volume of Water Required
The volume of hot water you need to run your household is an important guiding factor when it comes to deciding which water heater to choose. The amount of hot water you can get from a heater is determined by the heater’s flow rate.
It’s good to keep in mind that the volume of water you get from a heater may be lower depending on the groundwater temperature. For this reason, you should always give yourself 1 to 2 gallons per minute allowance. What I mean is, if you need a volume of 3 gallons per minute, be sure to get a heater rated 4 or 5 gallons per minute.
The Type of Energy
Some heaters are more expensive to run than others, depending on the type of energy they use. This makes some heaters better for larger amounts of hot water than others.
Gas water heaters are better when you need large amounts of water, compared to the cost of electric water heaters. if you have a big family, you are better served by a gas water heater.
Venting
You must vent your heater well to avoid poisonous fumes from accumulating in your house. Electric water heaters don’t need venting. Gas water heaters, on the other hand, need to be properly ventilated.
While some water heaters come with a venting kit, others do not. You need to pay attention to the kind of venting you need for your heater, especially if the venting kit is not included in the purchase.
Durability
Water heaters are expensive, and when you get one, you want to make sure it lasts for a long time. If this is your goal, then you need to pay attention to the construction of the heater and make sure it’s made of quality materials.
This way, you will know that you can rely on the heater for a long time without worrying about breakdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are natural gas water heaters safe for residential heaters?
When gas water heaters burn fuel, they emit some poisonous fumes. This is why you need to make sure that they are well ventilated if you install one.
This does not mean they are not safe. In reality, they are safe – you just need to make sure that they are well ventilated when you install them.
What’s the best residential water heater?
There is no one best one for everyone. Your choice depends on a lot of factors, as I have already highlighted. You have to know what you are looking for in a heater to get the most suitable one for your home.
How energy efficient are tankless water heaters?
Tankless water heaters are very efficient. If you are switching to a tankless water heater, then you are making the right move. Tankless water heaters only use energy when the hot water faucet is turned on. This means they don’t burn up standby heat energy like their tank counterparts do.
Conclusion
Getting the best heater on the market is easier when you know what to look for in one. While the many available brands don’t make the choice too obvious, knowing exactly what you need makes it easy to scan the market.
This post offered a list of the best residential heaters you can get for your home. The Camplux Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater is a great choice if you are looking for a heater for a medium family, thanks to the 3.8 GPM flow, digital display, and an unlimited supply of hot water.