So, are you on the lookout for the best tankless water heater brands?
It goes without saying that tankless water heaters have become quite popular in recent years because of energy efficiency, longer lifespan, advanced technology, warranty, space-saving, and the list goes on and on.
However, as a newbie or a first-time buyer, you might find it difficult to narrow down on options when the market is flooded with tankless water heater brands and models, and unfortunately, even tom and jerry claims to be better than others.
Trust me, it’s not only you who is finding it difficult to come to a conclusive decision when it comes to buying a tankless water heater.
In this post some of the questions that I along with my core team would try to answer in the best possible manner are as follows:
- Which is the best tankless water heater brand?
- Which brand should I opt for a commercial tankless water heater?
- Which is the best brand for a whole-house tankless water heater?
- Which indoor or outdoor tankless water heater brand should I opt for?
- Which electric tankless water heater will suffice my requirements without costing me a fortune?
- Which propane or natural gas tankless water heater brand should I opt for?
- Which brand RVs tankless water heater should I buy?
I’m assuming that if I’m able to answer the aforementioned questions correctly, then definitely, most of the avid readers of this blog will get a satisfactory answer to their query.
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
ALRIGHT, so without any further ado, let’s begin digging deep into each of the tankless water heater brands to find out the winner.
Whether you’re planning to buy a tankless water heater for your newly built home or wanna upgrade from a conventional one, you need to consider a lot of things.
Failing to do so, might end you buying a product that is NOT worth your investment.
Definitely, a tankless water heater is a long-term investment and we don’t buy it every other day, right?
To begin with, you need to figure out whether you’re planning to install the tankless beast on your own or you would be hiring a certified technician.
To be honest, if you don’t have prior knowledge of plumbing, then definitely, it would become difficult for you to install the tankless heater on your own.
On top of it, some tankless models allow you to reap the benefits of a warranty only if the installation is done professionally.
You should consider the installation very seriously in order to avoid any last-hour misadventure.
Similarly, you also need to be sure about the number of water source that you wants to support.
Because it will help you to decide on the sizing of a tankless water heater.
Remember, a tankless hot water heater can only provide you with an endless supply of hot water if sizing is done correctly.
Buying an oversized water heater wouldn’t be technically a good choice as it will lead to wastage of electricity bills.
On the other hand, buying an underpowered tankless heater would fail to cater to your daily hot water requirements.
From perfect sizing, I mean a selection of the appropriate flow rate.
For example, you’re a family of 5 and resides in a 3 BHK, then definitely, you would be needing a powerful tankless water heater with a GPM higher than at least 10.
On the other hand, an under-sink tankless water heater would be sufficient if you’re looking for a heater for an individual fixture.
In simple words, there are tons of permutations and combinations that you need to look for in order to make a smart buying decision.
Trust me, I’m not making you afraid, it’s the law of the game.
At the same time, it is equally important to understand that a powerful tankless model would be bulkier, heavier, and bigger in size than its smaller counterparts.
Once you’ve got the answer handy for the aforementioned questions, the next thing that you need to figure out is, which tankless heater model would suffice your hot water requirements without increasing your budget.
I really liked the fact that an electric tankless water heater is relatively small, compact, and sleek in design which makes it possible to get installed in small, and tiny spaces including unconventional spaces such as an attic, closet, etc.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to buy a propane tankless or a natural gas tankless water heater, then definitely, you need to be sure that the fuels are easily available in your area at an affordable price.
Another important thing that you need to look for is to ensure that how much voltage you need to run the heater itself.
Many of you might not be aware of the fact that there are certain models that don’t require much electricity at all.
But, if you’re buying a tankless model that needs a power source, then you need to ensure that your home is properly wired to support the installation of such a device.
And, most importantly, if you’re planning to buy an outdoor tankless water heater, then always look for CSA-approved water heaters, as it would be worth the investment.
Best Tankless Water Heater Brands
So, here I’m with the list of the top brands that you’ll never regret investing in for sure.
It goes without saying that each and every brand comes with its own sets of pros and cons.
So, in order to make the best buy, you need to sync your requirement with the brands offering without compromising on pricing.
Remember, the cheapest tankless heaters aren’t the worst and the costliest aren’t always the best.
Rinnai Tankless Water Heater
Frankly speaking, Rinnai is perhaps the best tankless water heater brand that I’ve come across in recent years.
Needless to say, the brand has proved its mettle time and again without fail.
All the Rinnai tankless water heaters are equipped with advanced and innovative technologies that enhance the users’ experience, convenience, usability, etc.
Many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that Rinnai is a well-known brand in the indoor gas tankless water heater domain.
Furthermore, they manufacturer high-quality propane and gas-powered instantaneous water heaters for both residential and commercial facilities.
Definitely, the Rinnai tankless heaters are one of its class and you shouldn’t hesitate of investing in them.
For example, V65IN Tankless Water Heater is one of my favorite picks from the brand Rinnai.
Not only is it highly affordable but can effectively cater to the hot water requirement of small to mid-sized homes.
Moreover, if you’re a resident of warmer climatic conditions, then you expect the flow rate to be up to 6.5 GPM.
The unit is equipped with Control-R 2.0 mobile app that features timers, schedules throughout the day, and also allows you to remotely put the system into vacation mode.
Furthermore, the brand Rinnai boasts about the warranty duration of its tankless heaters.
For example, the model V65IN comes with 10 years of warranty on heat exchanger, 12 months on labor, and 60 months on parts which are incredible, indeed.
To sum up, if you’re looking for a “value for money” propane or gas tankless water heater for either residential or commercial purposes, then without any doubt, Rinnai tankless is a great option that you should definitely, explore if it falls within your budget.
However, the installation isn’t something that the newbies and first-time buyers should try themselves rather my advice would be to hire a certified technician to do the needful.
Rheem Tankless Water Heater
So, here I’m in front of you with yet another high-quality tankless brand that is worth your time and money.
Rheem tankless water heater is definitely, yet another leading brand of tankless water heaters specializing in gas and electric powered units.
Furthermore, the RTG-84XLN-1 Tankless Water Heater is my favorite pick from the brand Rheem.
The RTG-84XLN-1 is equipped with exclusive water savings technology conserving up to 1, 100 gallons per year.
Not only that but also the exclusive hot start programming minimizes cold water burst by staying in a ready-fire state.
The Rheem RTG-84XLN-1 is a mid-efficiency outdoor natural gas tankless water heater that is designed for continuous hot water.
And, the best part is, the unit is equipped with the Ultra-Low NOx burner that meets SCAQMD rule requirements of safety with low emissions.
You’ll also get accessories along with the heater that includes a digital remote control and 10 ft. of thermostat wire.
Furthermore, you’ll get 12 years warranty on the heat exchanger, 5 years on parts, and 1-year labor.
EcoSmart Tankless Water Heater
It goes without saying that if you’re looking for an electric tankless water heater, then definitely, EcoSmart is one such brand that you can’t afford to ignore.
If I’ve to say in one simple sentence, then EcoSmart ECO comprises almost everything that you might be looking for in your favorite electric tankless model.
Not only are they small, compact, and sleek designed but also, can be mounted on a wall so that the floor space can be utilized for some other important task.
Definitely, these little beasts are equipped with cutting technology to help you with superlative user experience, convenience, and smooth functioning.
And, you know what, the best part is, these little units are equipped with patented self-modulating technology that claims to save you up to 50% on energy bills.
In simple words, after certain years, the ECO 27 will start paying for itself.
Many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that EcoSmart is a leading name in green energy products and innovation.
Just for your information, the Ecosmart tankless units possess an energy efficiency rating of 99.8 percent.
In case, you’re a first-time buyer of an EcoSmart tankless heater, then let me tell you, the user needs to set up the digital temperature settings so that S/he can get the hot water at the preferred temperature every day.
Lastly, you would be amazed to know that EcoSmart offers you a LIMITED lifetime warranty on certain tankless models like this one which clearly depicts the confidence and trust that the manufacturer has in its offering.
Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater
If you’re looking for some of the oldest and most trusted tankless water heater brands, then definitely, Stiebel Eltron is one such name.
The Stibel Eltron has been into the industry before most of us were born indeed.
Yes, you heard it, RIGHT.
They are serving successfully the end-users for more than 90 years now, and the best part is, they keep on innovating and bring advanced technology to the end-users at an affordable price.
Can you believe it, they sold their first immersion water heater long back and 1924, and post that, they have been busy making history.
The passion of the brand to bring the best product at an affordable price is clearly visible from their offerings.
In fact, the products are a unique blend of innovative technology, affordability, and customer satisfaction.
Trust me, they have successfully run their business because they give the first preference to customer satisfaction.
ALRIGHT, enough of bragging.
No need to believe my words.
Just do some research about the Tempra Plus models, and you’ll find how good are they yourself.
I’ve reviewed a couple of Stiebel Eltron tankless heater models including Tempra 24, and of course, my favorite Tempra 36.
Some of the qualities of Tempra Plus models include heavy-duty electronics, single flow sensor design, advanced flow control.
On top of it, they are also equipped with a convenient hinged cover that gives users easy access to the unit.
Well, like the aforementioned brand, the Tempra Plus models are also highly energy-efficient and can save you up to 15 to 20 kWh of energy as compared to a traditional water heater.
Neither does it take much of your home space nor does it makes the operation a nightmare for the first-time buyer.
In fact, with the help of accessible dials that the unit is equipped with, you can easily adjust the water temperature.
Trust me, if I’m using this tankless water heater that too from a long-time, then it has to be one of the most advanced tankless water heaters on the market :):):).
Noritz Tankless Water Heater
Well, the discussion of the top tankless water heater brands would be incomplete without taking into account the brand Noritz Tankless Water Heater.
They have also been into the market for quite a few years now.
In fact, the first tankless electronically controlled tankless water heater was introduced by this brand in 1981.
Not only are they serving the users like you and me for the last 60 years but also, they are known for superior-quality and highly-efficient energy savings.
Moreover, the Noritz tankless water heater provides numerous benefits for both residential and commercial uses.
Well, they are convenient to use, eco-friendly, provide significant energy saving and area also, reliable and long-lasting.
In simple words, you’ll get fresh and clean water whenever you need it.
One of the Noritz tankless water heaters that I really admire is Noritz NR98-SVNG.
The unit is highly durable and can last longer because it comprises of heat exchanger that 25 percent thicker piping than standard models.
Furthermore, in the warmer climate, flow rates can go up to 9.8 GPM which means the unit is a good choice for a small and mid-sized home.
Bosch Tankless Water Heater
The BOSCH tankless water heater is yet another highly popular and well-established brand that doesn’t need any introduction.
Furthermore, the Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T is one such model that you can afford even though you’re on a shoestring budget.
The unit comes with a thermal efficiency of 98 percent.
In spite of being small and portable, the 3000 T can supply hot water to two sinks simultaneously.
Since the unit is equipped with advanced technologies so the wait time decreases drastically making the unit highly popular among the “affordable” user segment.
The maintenance cost is almost negligible of this electric tankless heater making it a preferred choice for buyers with a shoestring budget.
Navien Tankless Water Heater
Well, the Navien Tankless Water Heater is unique in its own sense.
These tankless heaters are equipped with advanced condensing technology which keeps the brand in a different league altogether.
Not only are they easy to install, but also easy to operate.
In fact, the installation flexibility that the Noritz Tankless heaters come with makes them highly popular among the house owners who don’t want to install an additional gas supply line.
Yes, you guessed it, RIGHT.
The Noritz tankless heater eliminates the need to install an additional gas supply line.
They use 2-inch PVC venting which is more affordable and easier to install.
On top of it, the Noritz tankless heaters are pretty good at handling cold water sandwich problems.
The premium condensing tankless heater makes the entire installation process a cakewalk without compromising on efficiency and performance.
As compared to other tankless heaters, the Noritz counterpart has a relatively lesser wait time, and the credit goes to the advanced recirculation pump.
Two stainless steel heat exchangers and ultra-low emission of NOX are some of the idiosyncratic features that are bound to grab your eyeballs.
I highly recommend the brand to all the avid readers of this blog who are looking for a “value of money” tankless water heater.
In simple words, you get most of the benefits and features of a premium tankless heater without having to pay a premium price.
SioGreen Tankless Water Heater
SioGreen water heaters have penetrated the market recently and are definitely a key player in the “infrared” tankless category.
The SioGreen heaters have introduced some really great tankless heaters such as Sio Green IR260 which has been well received by the end-users with folding hands.
Trust me, I’ve been a key watcher of the growth that the brand has dared to achieve in an epigrammatic span of time.
As per my knowledge and experience, the brand experiments a lot with their offerings, and if you’re someone who likes to try new and innovative products, then definitely, you should give it a shot.
However, it’s too early to comment about the brand’s potential and capability.
Time will only tell, how the brand will go and what market share will it capture in the near future.
As of now, they are doing something different, and we should definitely appreciate their efforts irrespective of the fact that we liked or NOT the product.
The USP of this brand is inculcation of quartz material into the heater.
Moreover, the SioGreen tankless heaters are bound to last longer as they comprise no metallic heating tube.
And, as a result, problems such as corrosion, hard water deposits build-up, etc can be dealt with in a much better and efficient manner.
The good about Quartz is that it is available in abundance and is also recyclable.
Furthermore, the brand Sio Green uses a patented coating outside the quartz tube in order to contain the Far-Infrared Energy to heat cold water as it passes through the heating chambers.
If you’re a first-time buyer, then you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that far-infrared energy is not only safe but is also known to condition hard water deposits.
- It almost negates the maintenance cost. In fact, it helps you to get rid of routine flushing maintenance tasks as there is no need to replace the heating elements periodically. If I’ve to explain in one single statement, then it will save you both time and money
- Secondly, the brand claims that there would be no corrosion or calcium deposits
Takagi Tankless Water Heater
Most of the time, the avid readers of this blog have a complaint that I don’t review quite a few affordable products be it tankless water heaters or something else.
Trust me, I and my core teamwork really hard to come up with high-quality yet affordable products.
Unfortunately, most of the cheap products fail to score high on our evaluation parameters so we neither review them on our blog nor recommend them to our clients.
However, we review some of the cheapest models from brands such as Takagi tankless, and it was literally an idiosyncratic moment for us, as it exceeded our expectations which happens rarely.
In spite of being branded as a cheap tankless water heater manufacturer, the brand Takagi has never compromised on the quality of its offering.
You’ll find these tankless units to be equipped with advanced technology which makes it a preferred choice for not only those who are on shoestring budgets but also, the ones looking for a premium tankless heater.
Well, I would like to bring to your notice that Takagi T-H3J-OS-N is our top pick, and it’s definitely for more than one reason.
Like the other tankless models that we’ve reviewed so far, the Takagi tankless is also small, compact, and can be installed easily in tiny spaces.
Also, you can expect an endless supply of hot water without any interruption if you’ve done the sizing is done perfectly and the flow rate is chosen correctly.
Since the unit is equipped with computerized safety measures so you don’t have to worry at all about the kids and pets of your house.
The energy star certified T-H3J-OS-N comes with a flow rate of 6.6 gallons per minute which is sufficient to cater to the needs of a small and mid-sized home.
Marey Tankless Water Heater
Well, the ECO180 is my top pick from the Marey brand.
It does not contain any fabrics and is German-designed with a high-quality stainless steel water channel and heating chamber.
It goes without saying that the Marey tankless heaters are NOT only equipped with smart technology but also a digital panel that sets the water output to the desired level effortlessly.
The patented technology that it uses makes it both sediment and limescale proof.
It’s a relatively bulky and powerful heating unit and can save you up to 60 percent on energy bills as compared to a traditional tankless water heater.
In case, you’re a first-time buyer, then I highly suggest you should hire a professional to install the unit in order to not only reap maximum benefits out of it but also ensure safety and high-quality.
The unit can support two simultaneous showers in warm climatic conditions.
Eccotemp Tankless Water Heater
The Eccotemp tankless heaters are yet another popular and affordable brand that you’ll not REGRET investing into.
Furthermore, the Eccotemp tankless models have a premium look and are worth the investment.
My top pick is the Eccotemp i12-LP water heater that uses liquid propane as a fuel.
In case, you’re looking for the natural gas version of this model, then you can find it here.
The unit is one of the most advanced offering from the brand ECCOTEMP.
With 80, 000 BTUs per hour and a flow rate up to 4 GPM, the tankless unit is bound to deliver high-performance without fail.
It is equipped with throat-cutting technology including low flow ignition that makes it possible for the end-users to enjoy hot water without any cold spots.
On top of it, the unit draws literally low power, that is, 2 amps while in use, and 2 watts while ideal.
I give full marks to the brand for the looks and beautiful design that makes it possible for the unit to sync well with any environment.
Like you, I was also not well-aware about the brand.
So, I did some research and came to know that you can find ECCOTEMP at over 2,000 major and independent retailers throughout North America, Europe, and Australia.
Do I still need to tell you about the popularity of this rising brand?
What is the best tankless water heater to buy?
Trust me, all the brands that we’ve discussed so far are one of their kind and worth the investment.
However, like any other product, these brands also come with their own sets of pros and cons.
Moving further, I would be comparing some of the very popular models in order to help you make an informed buying decision.
Rinnai vs. Navien vs Rheem vs. Noritz vs. Takagi Brands Comparison Chart
| Features/Models | Rinnai RUC98iN | Rheem RTGH-95DVLN | Noritz NR98SVNG | Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP |
| Flow Rate | 9.8 GPM | 9.5 GPM | 9.8 GPM | 6.6 GPM |
| Power Source | Natural Gas or Propane | Natural Gas | Natural Gas | Propane |
| BTU | 199,000 Max | 199,000 Max | 199,900 Max | 140,000 Max |
| Usage | Indoor | Indoor | Indoor or Outdoor | Indoor |
| Temperature Range | 98° F to 140° F | 98° F to 140° F | 100° F to 140° F | 99° F to 167° F |
| Energy Factor | Up to 0.96 | Up to .93 | Up to 0.82 | Up to 0.79 |
| Certification | Energy Star | Energy Star | Energy Star | Energy Star |
| Voltage | 120 Volts | 120 Volts | 120 Volts | 120 Volts |
| Warranty | 12 Years | 12 Years | 12 Years | 10 Years |
| Check Current Price On Amazon | $$$$ [Editor’s CHOICE] | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ |
Ecosmart vs. Titan vs. Stieben Eltron vs. Rheem vs. iHeat Brands Comparsion Chart
| Brands/Features | Ecosmart ECO 36 | Titan SCR2 N-120 | Stiebel Eltron 224199 | Rheem RTEX-13 | iHeat Tankless S-16 |
| Flow Rate | 6 GPM | 4 GPM | 5 GPM | 4.8 GPM | 3.5 GPM |
| Usage | Indoor | Indoor | Indoor | Indoor | Indoor |
| Fuel Type | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| Voltage | 240 volts | 220 volts | 220 volts | 240 volts | 240 volts |
| Breaker | 40 A | 60 A | 50 A | 60 A | 60 A |
| Required Wire | 8 AWG | 6 AWG | 6 AWG | 6 AWG | 6 AWG |
| Temperature Range | 80°F – 140°F | 65°F | 86°F – 140°F | 80°F-140°F | 70°F-124°F |
| Energy Efficiency | Up to 50% | Up to 60% | Up to 20% | Up to 99.8% | Up to 60% |
| Certification | ETL and CAN/CSA | – | – | – | – |
| KW | 36 kW | 11.8 kW | 24 kW | 13 kW | 16 kW |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | 10 Years | 7 Years | 10 Years | 5 Years |
| Check Current Price On Amazon | $$$ [Editor’s CHOICE] | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Tankless Water Heater Brands PROS
Well, the aforementioned chart would definitely help you to choose the tankless water heater that caters to your needs as well as falls well within your budget.
Moving further, I would be highlighting the pros of the high-quality tankless models that make these brands a preferred choice.
At the same time, I would also like to affirm that cheaper tankless heaters aren’t always the worst, and if you’re on a shoestring budget and can’t afford a premium brand, then you can opt for a cheaper variant.
Needless to say, investment in a cheaper brand definitely has risk involved which I can’t deny.
So, why people preferred investing in a branded tankless water heaters?
As per my knowledge and experience, I can affirm that branded tankless heater models have the below benefits.
Energy Efficient
Frankly speaking, most of the branded tankless water heater models are energy efficient.
And, the best part is most of these models are energy star certified.
Not only are the aforementioned models more energy efficient as compared to the conventional water heaters but also, cheaper models.
Endless Hot Water Supply
Trust me, a brand has got a face value that speaks about its perception among the end-users.
Brand building isn’t easy, sometime it may take decades to gain the trust of the end-users.
The reason why I’m curating all these stories is that the brands don’t ONLY CLAIM but also deliver.
In simple words, if you’ve done the sizing of your branded tankless water heater correctly, then it will definitely, provide you with an endless water supply for years to come.
Saves Money
Most of the branded tankless water heaters are bound to save you a good amount of money in the long run as they are easy to maintain, less prone to defects, and comes with a longer lifespan.
Reliable
Definitely, you can trust a branded tankless model more as compared to any random cheap tankless heater.
Brands are reliable, isn’t it?
Not only you can expect them to last longer but will also experience hassle-free and smooth functionality.
Safety
Well, if safety is your top priority, then you can afford to choose any tom and harry, and then later regret your decision.
It always good to be safe than sorry.
Most of the branded tankless water heaters that we’ve reviewed so far come with built-in safety features so even though you’ve kids and pets in your home, you don’t have to get worried at all.
Warranty
Last but not least, branded tankless water heaters come with a longer duration of warranty which clearly shows the trust and confidence of the brands in its offering.
For example, the EcoSmart Eco series boasts about its lifetime limited warranty that it offers to the end-users.
Tankless Water Heater Brands CONS
It would be WRONG if I’ll keep boasting about the benefits of buying a branded tankless heater.
Frankly speaking, the branded products do have their own share of cons.
Let’s debug each one of them.
High Upfront Cost
Needless to say, if the brand is offering you high-quality tankless heaters that are NOT ONLY equipped with advanced technology but also comprises of safety features, convenience, longer warranty, relatively higher efficiency, high performance, and longer life-span, then it will definitely ask you for some extra bucks.
Trust me, their is NO FREE LUNCH IN BUSSINESS.
So, if you’re looking for a superlative convenient product, then have to pay the price for it.
Higher Installation Cost
Since most of the brands ask you to get the tankless water heater installed by a certified professional in order to reap the benefits of the warranty so the installation cost rises automatically.
Whenever you’re planning to buy a branded tankless water heater, ensure that the warranty needs professional installation or NOT.
What size branded tankless water heater do I need?
Well, while we’re discussing different models and brands, I emphasized a couple of times the importance of sizing a branded tankless water heater correctly.
Failing to do so will lead to dissatisfaction and wastage of money.
So, let’s have a quick look at the best way to select the right size for a branded tankless water heater.
Does it make sense?
Most of the branded tankless water heaters that we’ve reviewed so far are rated according to the maximum temperature they can provide at a specific flow rate.
So, in order to determine the size of a branded tankless heater, you would be needing the overall flow rate at peak hours in your house along with the temperature rise that you’re looking for.
Too much, technical?
Don’t worry, we’ll try to explain everything in the simplest way that we could.
And, even after that if you’re left with doubts and queries, then feel free to reach out to the izzysmarthomeguide.com team via a contact form, and we would be more than happy to assist you.
Remember, buying an undersized branded tankless water heater might save you some money upfront but would be a disaster in the long-run as it wouldn’t be able to cater to your hot water requirements in an effective way leading to the fluctuation in the hot water.
Let’s have a quick look at some of the steps that you might consider when it comes to selecting an appropriate branded tankless water heater.
Number of Devices
First and foremost, you need to figure out the number of devices that you want to run at peak hours.
Once you’ve figured out the devices, then the next thing that you need to do is to calculate the cumulative flow rates at peak hours.
Now, you’ve got the maximum cumulative flow rate that you would be requiring at the peak hours.
So, what you need to do is to look for the branded tankless water heaters that are capable of providing the cumulative flow rate.
Got CONFUSED?
No worries, let’s understand the calculation with the help of an example.
Suppose at peak hours you run a faucet, a shower, and a dishwasher with x, y, z gallons per minute flow rate respectively.
Then, the total cumulative flow rate that you would be required would be the sum of the three flow rates, that is, x+y+z GPM.
Temperature Rise
Temperature rise is yet another important parameter that could significantly influence the sizing of a branded tankless heater.
So, what does temperature rise actually mean?
Temperature rise could be defined as the difference between the incoming groundwater temperature and the outgoing set temperature.
So, the difference could be huge in extreme cold climatic conditions as compared to a warmer climatic condition.
In layman’s terms, more amount of energy needs to be spent in heating the water to bring it to the same output temperature in cold climatic conditions as compared to the warmer climatic condition.
Sizing
So, for you, the right size branded tankless water heater would be the one that would be able to provide you a temperature rise of 55 degrees Fahrenheit with a flow rate of 3.26 gallons per minute.
To add, always look for the branded tankless water heater that not only caters to your hot water requirements in an effective way but also falls well within your budget.
Branded Tankless Water Heater Installation Cost
As discussed earlier also, one of the major drawbacks of a branded tankless heater is that it will cost you more upfront, as well as installation, would also be a costly affair as compared to conventional tankless heaters.
The installation cost is huge, and it could shot up almost twice that of a conventional tankless unit.
If you’re planning to buy a branded propane tankless heater, then the probability is very high that you can reap the benefits of a $300 federal tax credit and other state and local rebates available in your area.However, the branded tankless heaters come with a less maintenance cost as compared to a storage-tank water heater.
And, I can bet that a branded tankless water heater in today’s world could be a far better investment in the long run as compared to its conventional counterpart.
I totally agree that installing a branded tankless water could be a costly affair, and the installation cost can shot up to $2,000 in some cases.
The installation cost to a large extent depends upon the size, model, and type of the branded heater.
Some other factors that can influence the installation cost are materials, labor, permit costs, etc.
Branded Tankless Water Heater System Types
The branded tankless water heaters are mainly categorized in the four types that we would be discussing in a while.
Knowing the different types of tankless water heaters that exist in this world will only help you in making an informed buying decision as you would be able to figure out easily which type syncs well with your requirement and budget.
Non Condensing
Frankly speaking, the non-condensing tankless water heaters are the first generation of tankless heaters.
These units comprise a heat exchanger that helps you with your hot water requirements.
Depending upon the non-condensing tankless model you’ve opted for, the efficiency factor can vary in the range of 0.82 and 0.85.
With this range of EF aka energy factor, you can expect to save up to 80 dollars annually on your heating bills as compared to a conventional water heater.
The only drawback I find in the non-condensing tankless heaters is that they deliver hot exhaust which makes it compulsory to install expensive stainless steel venting.
The reason I suggested stainless steel venting is because it will have relatively lesser rusting issues so the lifespan would be more.
However, they have got a certain advantage as compared to condensing unit in terms of being less bulky and cheaper.
Condensing
From the name itself, many of you would’ve guessed that it is the second generation of the tankless brigade.
The good thing about condensing tankless heater is that it comprises the second heat exchanger to eliminate heat from the exhaust as well as heat the water further which increases the efficiency of the unit to up to 0.94.
The increase in the EF is directly proportional to the annual saving in the heating bills and in the best scenario, you can save up to 100 dollars annually.
Wait, I’m not done, yet.
The second-generation tankless water heaters can be vented using less expensive PVC materials.
However, these little beasts do have their own share of cons in terms of higher upfront cost as compared to non-condensing tankless heaters.
Condensing Hybrid
So, here we’re with the third-generation tankless water heaters.
To be honest, it isn’t entirely tankless rather a much more advanced and sophisticated system that comes with a small 1 or 2-litre holding tank, and hence, it got the name hybrid.
The reason why the small tank design works so well is that it eliminates the disadvantage of lower efficiency when the end-users demand is a short regular draw, and it does so by storing a small amount of hot water for instant use.
With an EF of .92 to .96, the hybrid tankless models can save you up to 120 dollars.
Point of Use (POU)
A point of use tankless water heater could be of great help in this case, some of the fixtures are far away from the central heating system.
In order to reduce the wait time, you can install these little beasts under the sink or in the vicinity of the fixtures.
However, you don’t need them in small-sized homes.
As per your requirements and budget, you can install multiple point-of-use tankless heaters such as for the kitchen, sink, bathroom, laundry, etc.
Branded Tankless Water Heater Fuel Types
Most of the tankless water heater brands offer three variants of the tankless heater, that is, electric, propane, and natural gas.
As a newbie or a first-time buyer, you might get confused with these types, and as a result, end up buying the one that doesn’t sync well with your requirement.
Remember, the fuel type that you’ll choose will have an impact on the size, usages, efficiency, performance, lifespan, and of course, upfront and installation cost.
On top of it, if you’re looking for a branded tankless unit for a newly built home, then you need to be very careful in selecting the type of fuel.
At times, it has been found that changing fuel source once the unit has been installed led to huge installation costs.
Don’t choose any fuel type randomly rather look for the fuel availability and price in your area that you’re planning to opt for.
Compare it with other fuel types, and then make a buying decision.
Let’s have a quick look at all the three fuel types.
Electric
It goes without saying that the electric tankless water heater has seen a surge in their demands in the last couple of years, and trust me, there is more than one reason for it.
First thing first, the electric tankless variants are cheaper as compared to both the propane and natural gas tankless water heaters.
And, the drawback associated with an electric tankless water heater is that it demands higher energy to operate.
Some electrical tankless models might demand you to upgrade your current home electrical system which could be a costly affair, indeed.
Moreover, the electrical tankless units are comparatively easier to maintain, and to some extent, the credit goes to the straightforward and simple design that this little beast comes with.
However, the thing that really grabbed my eyeballs was the price tag associated with an electric tankless heater.
You can get a high-quality premium tankless water heater in less than $700.
On the other hand, a similar quality of propane or natural gas tankless water would definitely cost you more than $1000.
So, if you’ve got a budget constraint, then definitely, an electric tankless unit would be perfect for you.
Installation of an electric tankless unit is easier and less costly as compared to gaseous counterparts because most of the electrical units wouldn’t be requiring venting which is known to increase the installation cost of a tankless unit drastically.
Also, the electric units are environment-friendly as they don’t emit greenhouse gases.
And, in the context of fuel, as we all know, the price of electricity is more stable as compared to natural gas or propane in the long-run.
Nonetheless, I don’t deny the possibility that natural gas might be cheaper in your region at present.
Propane
Propane tankless water heaters can play a significant role in reducing your heating water bills, but only IF you’re interested in doing things correctly.
It goes without saying that using propane as a fuel could be a great rescue as compared to electricity in the current times of surging utility cost.
Since the propane tankless units are eligible for federal tax rebates of around $300 and other state incentives so it might grab your eyeballs.
Natural Gas
Frankly speaking, out of all three models, my vote will stay strong with natural gas tankless heaters.
Needless to say, in most parts of the world including the United States, natural gas will cost you lesser as compared to the other two.
And, the natural gas tankless heaters perform comparatively better than their electric counterparts.
Also, they possess better energy saving from an operating costs perspective.
Moreover, a gas unit heats water at a rapid pace, and as a result, the response time is quick with lesser wait time.
But, all these benefits come at a cost that slowly and gradually gets added up in the maintenance cost.
Branded Tankless Water Heater Energy Efficiency
Without any second thought in my mind, I can affirm that a tankless water heater is more energy-efficient as compared to a conventional tank-styled water heater.
For example, if a home that has a hot water requirement of fewer than 41 gallons every day can increase the energy efficiency up to 34 percent by upgrading the conventional tankless unit.
On the other hand, even though the daily hot water requirement of your home is more than 41 gallons but less than 86 gallons per day, the energy efficiency can be increased up to 14 percent by installing a tankless heater.
In case, you want to achieve a higher energy efficiency of up to 50 percent then you need to install a demand water heater at each of the hot water outlets.
So, why there is a huge surge in energy efficiency as soon as you upgrade to a tankless water heater?
Well, the success could be attributed to the negligible standby heat loss to the environment.
Since the tankless water heater doesn’t store hot water so heat doesn’t get lost in the surroundings.
According to estimates by ENERGY STAR, a family with an ENERGY STAR qualified demand hot water unit saves around $100 or more every year in utility expenses.In spite of higher upfront cost as well as installation cost, the tankless units have becomes a preferred choice because of their low maintenance cost and longer lifespan.
As a result, in the long-run, the tankless units pay for themselves.
Just forget to mention, they last almost twice (20 years) as compared to a conventional water heater.
Wrapping Up The Tankless Water Heater Brands
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative comprehensive piece of information.
And, in case, you liked our efforts and want to appreciate us, then all you need to do is to share this information with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
Cutting long-story-short, we’ve tried to the best of our capabilities to cover almost all the brands of the tankless domain.
All the brands that we’ve reviewed in this post are well-established, trustworthy, and worth the investment.
But, at the same time, it is quite obvious that some brands would be superior as compared to others.
So, to negate any confusion regarding the brands and the tankless models, we’ve prepared two comparison charts for you.
The brand comparison chart will definitely help you in making an informed buying decision.
That’s all, as of now :):)
[Also Read]- Is a tankless water heater worth it?
- Will a single tankless unit be enough for my house?
- Tankless water heater pros and cons
- How many amps does a tankless water heater draw?
- Why do I have hot water in the sink but not in the shower?
- How long does it take to make a tankless water heater pay back for itself?
- Why does it take so long to get hot water from my tankless water heater?
- Do you need a recirculating pump with your tankless water heater?
- Why does my shower go from hot to cold?
