Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Plus Tankless Water Heater Best Overall
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Plus Tankless Water Heater is our pick for the best overall electric tankless water heater. This model is easy to operate and features a digital display. It features a continuous flow system that reduces water flow if the demand for hot water is too great, so there is no need to stop and allow the water to warm up. Its small size can fit in almost any home, and its so quiet you will hardly notice it running.
Its able to raise the temperature of your water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on how much and how fast you need it. The only real problem with the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Plus Tankless Water Heater is that if your water source is not close to the wiring, it can be costly to install. Despite this, we think this is the best electric tankless water heater you can buy this year.
The Titan SCR2 N-120 Electric Tankless Water Heater is our pick for the best electric tankless water heater for the money. This heater is inexpensive and easy to install if the heater is close to the electrical panel. The controls are easy to understand and it only has only two buttons to adjust the water temperature. It only turns on when it detects water moving through it, so the energy savings are huge.
The downside to the Titan SCR2 N-120 Electric Tankless Water Heater is that it has a very slow flow rate and can take a long time to fill the bathtub. For the first few minutes, the temperature fluctuates a bit as well.
What Is Hard Water
Water that’s relatively pure and mineral free is called soft water. Rain water starts out as soft water, but as it’s absorbed into the ground, the water travels through soil and rock. Eventually, it finds its way to rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
As the soft rain water travels to its destination, it begins to absorb minerals from the ground. The more minerals the soft water absorbs, the harder the water becomes.
Hard water contains a high concentration of natural minerals, calcium carbonate and magnesium in particular. Although, not considered to be a health concern, hard water definitely causes problems for many of your home appliances.
Tax Credit And Rebates
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. According to them, Home builders are qualified for a $2,000 tax credit for a new energy-efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code and supplements.
According to Federal Tax Credit, if you install a gas, oil, or propane tankless water heater which achieves at least 0.82 energy factor will get a $300 tax credit benefit. However, it may vary from state to state.
We cover almost all the good and bad sides of both the tankless water heater. Now it is your turn either you choose a gas water heater for a higher flow rate with low fuel cost, or if you want low maintenance and installation cost, then you may go for an electric one.
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Best Electric On Demand Water Heater Buying Tips And Tricks
How do people figure out exactly what they need for their house or apartment before buying the best electric on demand water heater?
A great place to start is the planning guide found here. This is usually an overview of what you need, not a detailed list, but it can give you a bit of an idea. If they don’t know the names of things, they can use Google search terms like “state or country” combined with “living or food.”
This guide provides helpful tips on how best to plan your future needs by paying attention to not only current requirements but also anticipated ones.
Define the purpose of your best electric on demand water heater. What do you want your best electric on demand water heater to be doing? Are you planning on using the best electric on demand water heater frequently, or is it an infrequent purchase? Is price a concern in your best electric on demand water heater decision? Or quality and features?
How Does A Tankless Water Heater Work
Known as on-demand water heaters, tankless water heaters dont store any water. Therefore, they are vastly smaller and more versatile because they require so little space.
A console will heat all the water that you need when you need it. By only heating the amount of water that you need when it is required, a tankless electric water heater can cut out a lot of energy use since the hot water heater wont constantly be heating a tank full of water so that it can be ready at a moments notice.
These water heaters work by piping water through the console, where a heating element heats the water as it passes through. Heating elements are made from nichrome, copper, and other alloys that turn electricity into heat.
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Whale F700 Water Heater
The need to have a huge supply of hot water made me buy this product. You can get 6 gallons or 23 liters from it. It has a thermostat that regulates the electric heating element while it can also produce cold water if you need it.
When heating water, it can reach a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. But with the temperature-pressure relief valve, the water cant get too hot. A bilge pump is also added to stop electricity sparks. Since it can dispense both hot and cold water, its design includes waste management.
You can rely on its durability as the inner tank is composed of aluminum and the exterior is of marine-grade stainless steel. These materials guarantee long-term service and strength to face the rigors of the marine environment. Thats why the manufacturer has the confidence to give a two-year warranty to all users.
The double-walled construction is also great as it protects the freshwater supply from contamination. Thus, I dont worry too much about the water that I keep in my boat.
Its convenient to just focus on the same area when working on the tank since the fittings and heat exchanger barbs are all situated in the front. Therefore, both the installation and marine hot water heater troubleshooting are easy. Hold-down brackets complete the horizontal mounting of this heater and its done with no troubles.
- Hot water retention for 10 hours
- Very first water release is too hot
Determine Desired Temperature Rise
The difference between the temperature of the hot water exiting the heater and the cold water entering the unit is called the temperature rise. If you want a shower up to 110 F and you live in south Florida with groundwater at 72 F, then you need a 38 F temperature rise .
A tankless water heater is sized by rating itstemperature rise at a given GPM. So a unit could be rated at a 33 F temperature rise at 2.0 GPM. Based on manufacturer’s data, this same unit could also provide a 65 F temperature rise at 1.0 GPM.
You see, the slower the flow of water through the unit, the more the water can be heated.
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Sizing The Tankless Water Heater
By now, you know the required temperature rise and you have added up the required flow rates for all the faucets and showerheads to be heated by the unit that may be on at one time.
As an example, let’s say you require 11 GPM to accommodate two showerheads , one lavatory faucet at 2.2 GPM, and the kitchen faucet at 2.2 GPM. Based on the previous section, you need a 38 F temperature rise if you live in southern Florida. So, you need a whole-house unit capable of handling 11 GPM at a 38 F rise, and you’d like an electric model.
Such a capacity is fairly large for an electric tankless water heater, but a 240-volt Tempra 29 model by Stiebel Eltron can produce about 5.5 GPM at a 38 F rise. This indicates you would needtwounits this size to meet the 11 GPM requirement.
On the other hand, if you live in the northern half of the countryin Michigan, Maine, or Washington, for examplethen your incoming groundwater will be much colder than our Florida example. Probably at least 30 F colder, which means you’ll be looking for a unit that can handle a 68 F temperature rise. Once you require a bigger unit like that, you’ll have to move up to a gas-or propane-fueled tankless water heater or heaters.
What Is A Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, use high-powered burners to rapidly heat water as it runs through a heat exchanger and deliver it directly to your faucets or shower without storing it in a tank. Tankless water heaters are usually powered with electricity or gas. These types of water heaters were found to be 22 percent more energy efficient on average than the gas-fired storage-tank models in tests conducted by Consumer Reports.
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Electric Tankless Water Heater Facts
Homes without a gas line or propane tank can also enjoy the advantages of on-demand hot water by installing tankless units powered by electricity. These units, which heat water with thick copper rods, are quieter and about a third smaller than gas or propane tankless heaters. And because they dont need vents, they can be installed almost anywhere, including under sinks and in small closets.
One drawback to electric units is its limited output, which tops out at 36 kilowatts, or about 123,000 Btus. That may be enough to supply a whole house in areas with warm groundwater, but in colder climes theyre better suited to point-of-use service, where the demand for hot water doesnt get too high. Whichever type you choose, it will need sufficient amperage at the main panel and heavy-gauge wires.
Also, electric heaters last only about half as long as gas units: Typical warranties are three to five years. Once the heating elements fry, it usually costs about as much to replace the entire heater as it does to swap in new elements.
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Review
Pros
- Hands down the best small electric tankless water heater
- Can achieve up to 54°F water temperature increase
- Unmatched reliability and the longest lifespan
- Perfect small electric on-demand heater for showering
- Made by Stiebel Eltron in Germany the best electric tankless water heater brand
Cons
- Dimensions and volume-wise is not the smallest, nor it is the most lightweight
- Draws 50 amps, requiring two 30A breakers and thicker wires
- With almost $500 price tag, it is not the cheapest electric unit
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Gas On Demand Water Heaters Last Longer
Choosing the right type of water heater is an important task. The right choice can save you money, and save the environment at the same time. This is especially true if you live in a state with high gas prices. The best water heaters are designed to be energy efficient. To make the task easier, you might want to enlist the help of a professional. A plumber can cost anywhere from $45 to $150 an hour depending on the degree of difficulty. Having a professional install your new water heater can save you money in the long run.
The right water heater can also improve your air quality. If you are looking for a water heater, you might want to consider a tankless system. Tankless water heaters are designed to last for years, unlike traditional storage tank units. The best tankless water heaters are highly efficient and can save you money over time. Tankless water heaters can be found at David Gray Plumbing.
Service Life And Warranty
Usually, the service life of a tankless water heater is more prolonged than traditional water heaters. In the tankless system, gas and electricity both are lasting more or less 20 years. Among two, gas-fueled required more maintenance to get long service life.
Though a tankless water heater lasts long without any significant troubles, a warranty can save buyers in any accidental case. The gas water heater manufacturer offers a roughly 10-years warranty for a heat exchanger, 5-years for sprats, and 1-year for labor.
In the case of an electric water heater, many manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty, or some are offering five years sprats and a 1-year labor warranty. The electric water heater is required less troubleshooting and repair than the gas type.
Besides, some manufacturer offers free installation, if so you can cut your expense. To cover the warranty in most cases, manufacturers demand installation by a professional plumber. Otherwise, the warranty may void.
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How To Remove Limescale Build
The good news is, once limescale build-up forms, it can be removed by flushing. Flushing a tankless water heater is critical to keeping it operating at it’s peak performance, and to help it reach it’s service life potential. Regular flushing is especially important if you live in an area with hard water.
Manufacturer recommendations vary, but most suggest flushing your unit every 12 months. Although, keep in mind that, in the end, the frequency should be based on the area’s water hardness.
Purchasing a set of inexpensive test strips can help you check the mineral content of your water. Consulting with a professional can also be helpful, as he can give you his recommendation for the flushing frequency in your area.
Pro: Take Up Less Space
If space in your home is limited, tankless water heaters provide a huge benefit. They are usually mounted to the wall and take up significantly less physical space compared to tank-style water heaters.
To give you an idea of how tankless and tank-style water heaters compare in terms of size, the average 40 to 50-gallon tank-style heater is 54 to 60 inches tall with a 20-inch diameter and is shaped like a cylinder.
The average tankless unit is around 27 inches tall, 18 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and rectangular.
Tank-style heaters take up floor space, usually in the basement, while tankless units are mounted to a wall like a circuit breaker and can fit in most closets.
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Gas Condensing Tankless Water Heaters
A condensing tankless water heater kicks things up a notch by adding a second heat exchanger to take advantage of excess exhaust heat that normally escapes out the flue.
The exhaust heat is actually routed back inside the heater to pre-heat the incoming water. The result is that your water is heated to the desired temperature more efficiently and decreases the operating cost. These are the only tankless water heaters that are Energy Star certified.
Features Of The Ecosmart 27
The EcoSmart 27 is a tankless water heater system that can be installed in townhouses, apartments, condominiums, and homes, giving you a greener alternative to traditional heaters.
The EcoSmart 27 provides between 2.7 and 6.5 gallons of hot water per minute, depending on the temperature of the water in your natural surroundings, and is sufficient for most size homes.
The entire unit measures 17 x 17 x 3.62 inches when fully assembled and is one of the more compact and space-saving water heaters on the market. Its built to last with a lifetime warranty, solid reputation, and is and made with a combination of copper and stainless-steel parts, as well as steel housing that keeps it protected wherever its installed in your home.
Once its in, youll be able to change the temperature of the water in increments of just one degree using the digital control panels, and it maxes out at 140 degrees. However, with the right know-how, there is the ability to change it to the factory maximum of 180 degrees in some cases, but this should only be needed by those in colder climates.
The tankless heater uses self-modulation technology so it will only heat what you need and therell be no more wasted water or energy in your home. This technology has been patented by EcoSmart and is used in all of their heaters big and small, with the 27 being their most impressive.
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Performance & Everyday Use
So, what kind of performance can you reasonably expect? In the warmest parts of the country, you can put out 3.1 gallons per minute , enough for two bathrooms. However, in most parts of the country, one bathroom is a more reasonable expectation. In the coldest parts of the country, such as far northern Minnesota, the Airthereal Evening Tide EVT-18K will barely work at all. The water is simply too cold when its coming into the heating element. That said, youll get at least some coverage in most of the country. And if you want to use a tankless heater for your whole house, you can install more than one heater.
The temperature of the water can be adjusted as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that this is very hot. Most people use 120-degree water if theres any risk of children turning on the tap. To change the temperature, you simply press the + and – buttons under the LCD display. Theres also a power button, so you can easily turn the heater off altogether.