Endless hot water running down your shower, yet small bills every month, and no risk of gas leakage – isn’t this what everyone would want for their home? If this is your case, you are lucky because you are on your way to finding the best whole house electric tankless water heater. We have prepared a detailed buying guide which will show you all the benefits of having such a water heater. No more worrying about ventilation or space issues related to your existing water heaters.
Hurry up to read our reviews on whole house electric tankless water heaters. In them, you will find our honest opinion about the top products on the market, and you will learn about the pros and cons of each one of them. We hope that our reviews will help you to choose the most suitable heater which your home deserves.
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Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth the Money?
Before you choose which water heater to buy, you probably ask yourself, ‘Are Tankless Water heaters Worth the Money?’. You do have the right to receive answers to this essential question. After all, installing a tankless water heater costs a lot. No one would want to do it if it wasn’t efficient. The following part of the article will help you get the answers you need.
Tankless water heaters provide hot water right away whenever you need it. In doing so, they need more power than traditional heaters because they use electric coils. However, the water doesn’t have to be reheated, which makes these devices budget-friendly. According to recent research, tankless water heaters are around 25 % more efficient than traditional ones.
Indeed, traditional water heaters need initially less power to heat the water. However, they keep the water in them always hot, even when it is not being used. Of course, if the hot water is not used, it gets cold at some point. So it has to be reheated. Following this stream of thought, tankless water heaters don’t waste so much energy because they don’t need to reheat any water.
Anyway, before you decide whether to get a tankless water heater, it is a good idea to calculate whether the overall cost of installing the tankless device and the monthly electric bills will be cheaper than using traditional heaters. Keep in mind that tankless heating devices need more energy to heat the water. Check whether your house is prepared to handle such an energy flow. If your home is old, you may also need to rewire it, which will cost some additional more money.
What is the Lifespan of Tankless Water Heaters?
The initial cost of installing a tankless water heater may seem a fortune and may become even the reason for some people to get rid of this idea. However, if you consider how much you are going to save from energy costs, maybe you will decide that the tankless options are worth it after all.
Another factor that you need to take into account is how long you plan on staying in the house in which you want to install the heater. If your plans exceed ten years, then you should know that if you decide to go with a traditional water heater, you have to replace it every ten years. Whereas, the tankless device is supposed to function properly for at least 20 years.
How to Minimize Costs?
If you want your tankless water heater to work effectively, it is advisable to install a water heater timer. Thus you can adjust the heater to function according to your needs. For example, you can set it to turn off when you go to bed, and then turn on again some hours before you will need it. The timer will not only help you to reduce costs, but it will prolong the life of the heater.
Another idea that will help you minimize costs is to reduce the desired temperature. Keep in mind that every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that you cut will help you to reduce your electricity bill with 5 %. Yet another way to decrease energy waste is to insulate the heater using an insulating blanket. This type of insulation will reduce your power costs by around 10 %. As you can see, reducing electricity bills while using a tankless water heater is achievable.
All of the above information is relevant for indoor water heating devices. If you want to understand if outdoor tankless water heaters are worth the money, we will encourage you to visit our exclusive guide on the matter. There you will read our reviews on the top outdoor units and will learn about their benefits and drawbacks.
Best Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heaters Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Camplux Electric Tankless Water Heater |
| View On Amazon | |
Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heater |
| View On Amazon | |
Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater |
| View On Amazon | |
Stiebel Eltron Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater |
| View On Amazon | |
Rheem Tankless Water Heater |
| View On Amazon | |
EcoSmart Tankless Water Heater |
| View On Amazon |
Best Electric Tankless Water Heaters – Top Picks
In this part of our buying guide, you are going to read our reviews on the top products available at the market. Please, note that they are not presented in any particular order.
1. Camplux Electric Tankless Water Heater
The instant water heater by Camplux provides endless hot water with temperature from 86 degrees Fahrenheit to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. This product features a slim design, and it can be even installed under the sink, which saves space. This heater also has a digital touch control display and a smart remote control so that you can easily set the desired temperature.
This tankless water heating device is very durable as it is made of stainless steel. It is both NFS and ETL approved, which means that it is efficient and that it is protected from leakage or overheating. The only things you need to get this heater running is 0,85 GPM water flow and 3* 50A circuit breaker connection. It is recommended to install the heater close to an outlet so that you can save energy. All the parts of this heater come with a 1-year warranty after being purchased. The only disadvantage of this product is that you will need an extra cable to install it.
Pros:
- This product is less expensive than similar ones.
- It comes with easy to understand instructions.
- The heater offers a compact design.
- The product features a smart remote control and a digital display.
Cons:
- Tech support can be better.
- It works only with 150 A service, so if your building runs only 100 A service, you won’t be able to use this heater.
2. Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heater
Thanks to the Circ-Logic technology that the Rinnai water heater has, you can set patterns of recirculation which to be suitable to the habits and needs of your family. In other words, you can have endless hot water whenever you need it. This device runs on natural gas. Its manufacturers promise that it is very efficient, and it provides 11 GPM hot water flow. A disadvantage of this product is that it can be installed only indoors, which could be an issue if you don’t have enough space for this.
The Rinnai heater comes with a 120-month warranty for the heat exchanger and a 60-month warranty for its parts. The vent kit which you get with the heater includes only adapters on the top but no piping. If you notice any dripping from this unit, don’t panic – this is expected to happen due to condensation. Try to dispose of the dripping safely.
Pros:
- This device heats the water quickly.
- It provides you with endless hot water.
- The unit works quietly.
- This heater is easy to install.
Cons:
- Not going to give you the hottest water.
3. Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater
The price of this water heater is a bit above the average one. The unit features a smart design, which saves a lot of space, but at the same time, it provides the necessary amount of hot water. Another advantage of this product is that it doesn’t require any extra ventilation. Yet another good thing about this heater is that it offers auto modulation, and it also measures the hot water electronically, which saves energy. This device has a special monitor on which you can see how much you have saved from energy costs.
The unit has buttons with which you can preset the temperature. The device functions quietly, which means that it won’t bother you. If you have decided to buy this product, have in mind that there could be some reduction of hot water flow if the demanded hot water exceeds the capacity of the unit. Another disadvantage of this heater is that it doesn’t come with an installation kit.
Pros:
- This device is easy to install.
- The unit doesn’t take a lot of space.
- The heater doesn’t need any extra ventilation.
- On a saving monitor, you can see how much energy this heater has saved you.
Cons:
- If a faucet is far away from the heater, the water isn’t going to flow abundantly.
- Water pressure goes down significantly if you have more than one water source running at the same time.
4. Stiebel Eltron Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater
This Eltron water heater costs more than similar products, but it is still a budget-friendly option because it saves you 15-20 % of your electric bill. This device features a smart design that can fit almost anywhere, so you won’t have to worry about not having enough space. Another advantage of this product is that it doesn’t require any venting. This heating unit offers digital temperature control, which can regulate the desired temperature.
You should also know that this water heater doesn’t recirculate – it turns on when you use the hot water, and then it turns off when you don’t use the hot water anymore. The warranty for this heater covers 3 years from the purchase. If the parts of the device show any defect during this time, Stiebel Eltron will replace them. If you need to install this heater outside the house, then you have to put it in a waterproof case.
Pros:
- Using this heater, you will save money from your electric bill.
- The unit is sleek and doesn’t take a lot of space.
- The heater is easy to install.
- It is very simple to set the required temperature.
Cons:
- It takes a longer time for the water to get warm if the water source is away from the heater.
5. Rheem Tankless Water Heater
The price of the Rheem water heater is around the average one. The unit is easy to install thanks to ¾ inch water connections. The heater features a digital thermostat which is equipped with LED lights so that you can quickly check if it has reached the desired temperature. The device is self-modulated – it can adjust itself to meet the required level of temperature. If you size up the heater correctly, then you will have a continuous endless amount of water.
The unit consists of three heating elements which are made of durable copper. Another advantage of this heater is that the flow rate of hot water can reach 5,9 GPM. Since the device is electric, it doesn’t require any batteries or ventilation. A disadvantage of this unit is that it doesn’t come with hoses, so you have to buy them separately. It is not recommended to install this unit outside unless you live in an area that never freezes.
Pros:
- The installation of the device is easy.
- Thanks to its design, it doesn’t take a lot of space.
- The customer support at Rheem is very helpful.
- The price in the unit is affordable.
Cons:
- The heater is noisy when it operates.
- The power consumption to water output ratio isn’t the best.
6. EcoSmart Tankless Water Heater
The EcoSmart water heater is considered to be among the budget-friendly options at the market. First of all, its cost is around the average one. Then, this unit is supposed to save you about 50% of your electric bill every month. The saving on heating costs is possible because of the digital temperature control that this product features. This control allows you to adjust the levels of temperature that you demand to have.
The parts of this device are made of copper, which makes the whole unit durable and efficient. The copper components are also easy to replace if you need to. If you want this unit to run correctly, you need 200 Amps. A disadvantage of this heater is that it doesn’t feature remote control. If you have already decided to purchase this product, keep in mind that it is not advisable to install it outside.
Pros:
- The heater provides an endless supply of hot water.
- The unit saves a lot of space.
- This product saves you 50% of your electric bill.
- The unit is self-modulating.
Cons:
- It may take a lot of time for hot water to run.
- The warranty is valid only if you hire a licensed expert to install the heater.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters?
Now that we have answered positively to your question, ‘Are electric tankless water heaters worth it? We will also tell you what the pros and cons of tankless water heaters are. We hope that in this way we will help you to make the most informed decision.
Advantages
- Electric tankless water heaters provide an endless amount of hot water on demand. Using them, you won’t worry anymore that you will run out of the water while having a shower.
- These devices are budget-friendly in the long term. They indeed cost a lot to purchase and install. However, they save you energy costs every month. So, in the end, they are worth buying.
- The tankless heaters have a very compact design which saves space. So they are ideal for housings which don’t have an abundance of space.
- These units last longer than the traditional heaters. The lifespan of an electric tankless water heater can reach 20 years and even more, whereas traditional ones need to be replaced every ten years.
- Moreover, tankless devices are more eco-friendly. After all, they don’t have a rusty unit that will eventually appear in some landfill.
- Another advantage of these heaters is that they come with longer warranties. Typically the warranty of a tankless heating device is around 15 years. In comparison to these, traditional heaters have a guarantee of no more than six years.
- Yet another benefit in favor of the tankless heaters is that they won’t cause any leakage of water on the floor.
Speaking of the advantages of water heaters, other similar products that prove to be very efficient are direct vent water heaters. Resembling the electric tankless heating devices, the direct vent ones are expensive to buy and install but energy saving in the long term. On our webpage, you can learn more about them and check reviews of the top products. After all, the thing that we care about the most is your comfort, so we would like to help you to find the product that suits your needs and desires the closest.
Disadvantages
- Indisputably, the first disadvantage is the initial investment that you need to do with the purchase of the tankless heaters. These devices cost much more than traditional heaters. To be exact, they cost three times more than the traditional ones.
- Also, the electric tankless water heater installation may be a bit pricy, especially if you use the services of an expert. Of course, you may decide to mount the heater by yourself, but thus you risk damaging it. So it is advisable to ask experts to do it for you.
- Some houses, especially older ones, are not ready to have an electric tankless water heater installed in them. Some of them may need rewiring. So you have to pay an electrician to make the necessary updates. Thus the initial costs of installing a tankless device will get even higher.
To sum it up, like every other device, the electric tankless water heater has its benefits and drawbacks. It is up to you to decide whether you are ready to invest a certain amount of money, thinking about the long-term future. As we have said, a tankless water heater is expensive, but when you do the maths, in the end, they turn out to be efficient.
How to Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater?
By now, you should have already decided whether you need an electric water heating device or not. If you are reading this part of the article, we assume that you have favored the idea of getting one. So now is the time to show you how to install a tankless water heater. Below we are going to enlist several steps that you need to follow throughout the installation process.
- Before you start mounting the electric tankless heater, you should know that it requires a high voltage supply.
- Another thing to take into account is the fact that you need connector sets for the water supply. Using these connectors, you will find it easier to maintain the device in the future.
- Before the installation, you should turn off the incoming water supply to your housing.
- Then you should disconnect the water line from the existing water heater. You’d better put a bucket under the water pipe to avoid any water dropping on the floor as there may be some water left in the line.
- Now is the time to disconnect the water heater from the electricity. You can simply do this by unplugging it from the outlet.
- After you have disconnected your old water heater, you should dispose of it according to what the law in your area says.
- Take your new heater out of the box and place all its parts and the manual with instructions near you so that you can follow the steps of installation.
- Choose the most suitable place for your new water heater. Make sure that there is enough space around it so that you respect any building codes.
- Follow the instructions of the manufacturer and install the heater on the wall. You may need to provide further support for the weight of the device.
- Then you should make all the necessary connections.
- You should start with the water supply line.
- Then you should connect the unit to the heating source. So now you should plug the heater into the wall outlet.
- Last but not least, go under the shower and enjoy the endless hot water supply.
Now that you know how to install a tankless water heater, you are ready to mount any other bathroom fixtures and accessories from top-notch double showerheads to the best shower pans. At BeyondShower, we have prepared detailed buying guides and product reviews of bathroom equipment. They will help you become an installation expert so that you won’t need to pay for a professional whenever you need to mount a device. Moreover, our guides will assist you in the process of finding the products that will suit the needs of your family and you.
Adjusting Your Water Heater to Change Your Shower’s Temperature
If your shower simply isn’t hot enough for you, or if it is too hot and needs turning down a little, you can make this adjustment yourself at home. Usually, it means that you simply haven’t found the perfect temperature for your hot water heater, but if you think that there is a problem with your hot water heater, you may need to call out a plumber who can help you further. Usually, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the preferred temperature for home water heaters in order to ensure that bacteria are killed in the heater and to ensure that it is a good temperature in your shower.
Sometimes, this temperature may be too high for people in the household with sensitive skin. The elderly and children may find that the water is a little too hot. If this is the case for you, you could simply turn down the temperature dial on the hot water system but if your heater is difficult to get to or if it is impractical to get to the heater, you can use the following guide to find out how to remove the panel to change the temperature for your shower.
- Turn off the hot water heater by locating the switch in your circuit breaker panel.
- Remove the cover that is over the temperature dial on the water heater using a screwdriver. The panel cover is normally labeled as having the dial behind it.
- There is usually some insulation behind the panel cover, so you should remove this before you continue.
- You can now use a flat-headed screwdriver to change the temperature setting.
- Put the insulation back and ensure that you screw the cover back on.
- You can now turn the hot water heater back on again.
Wrap Up
Finding the most efficient way to have an endless supply of hot water is not an easy thing. There are a lot of things to consider before you make the right decision. Despite its few disadvantages, the main one of which is the high price of the product, the best whole house electric tankless water heaters are considered to be the most budget-friendly option in the long term.
In our buying guide, we have chosen to present to you the top products. In our reviews on whole house electric tankless water heaters, you read our honest opinion about them, and you learned about their pros and cons. Also, thanks to our guide, now you know what the advantages and disadvantages of an electric tankless water heater are, as well as how to install such a unit.
If you are interested in other bathroom fixtures and accessories such as the best grout for showers or the best low-flow showerheads, we encourage you to visit our homepage. There you will learn about different types of bathroom equipment. You will read the reviews of the top products, as well as useful tips concerning them.
Thanks for reading, and as always – stay put!