Best Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater For Family Of 5

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Are you on the lookout for the best whole house electric tankless water heater?

Well, in this post, I would be walking you through some of the best whole house electric tankless water heaters available on the market.

Moreover, I would be throwing light on the “must-have” parameters in order to help you make an informed buying decision.

Lastly, I would be responding to the queries related to whole house tankless water heater reviews to help you clear most of your doubts if NOT ALL.

But, before that, I would be needing a small help from your end.

Are you willing to help me?

Well, if your answer is “YES”, then all you need to do is to respond to a couple of questions that I would be putting in front of you in a while.

Does it make sense?

So, which is your favorite tankless water heater brand?

How much are you willing to spend on your favorite electric tankless heater?

Would you be interested in buying a gas tankless heater or a commercial one?

Enough of questions, right?

So, without further ado, let’s begin…

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Which is the best whole house electric tankless water heater for large family?

Frankly speaking, all the products that made our list are of high quality and worth the investment.

Trust me, you’ll never REGRET investing in these units if you’re looking for a whole-house heater.

However, if your requirement is significantly different then you can skip reading henceforth.

Most of the time, I’ve been asked to pick one product out of all, and it might seem too easy to pick one but it isn’t.

But, for today, I’ve a clear winner, and I whole-heartedly vouch for it.

Editor’s Choice

Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater Comparison Chart

Tankless Heater	View Price on Amazon	Kilowatt (kW)	Maximum GPM	Dimensions (Inches)	Weight (Pounds)
EcoSmart ECO 27	$$$	27 kW	6.5 GPM	3.625 x 17 x 17	14.7
EcoSmart ECO 36	$$$	36 kW	8.7 GPM	3.625 x 17 x 21	18.35
Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 36	$$$	36 kW	7.5 GPM	4.6 x 16.6 x 14.5	19
Rheem RTEX-36	$$$	36 kW	8.8 GPM	3.5 x 18.25 x 21.63	22.7
BLACK + DECKER 27	$$$	27 kW	5.3 GPM	7.5 x 15.75 x 21.25	17.41

Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater Reviews

Even before we start reviewing some of the best whole house electric tankless heaters available right now, please allow me to explain to you the shortlisting process that we follow.

First and foremost, our core team members come up with a set of parameters on which we want to evaluate the product.

Each evaluating parameter is given a certain weightage depending upon its ability to influence a buyer’s decision.

During the evaluation process, the products are assigned marks across the evaluation parameters as per their performances.

Finally, we sum up the score, and shortlist the “top 10” scorer for reviewing.

In case, you still have any doubts or queries related to the evaluation process, feel free to contact us, we would be more than happy to assist you.

Ecosmart ECO 27 kW Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

Well, it goes without saying that the brand Ecosmart doesn’t need any introduction, and is definitely a well-established and highly trusted electric water heater brand.

It offers a wide range of models with different specifications so that you can choose the model that not only caters to your needs but also falls well within your budget.

If I’m not wrong then Ecosmart ECO 27 kW is the second most powerful Ecosmart electric tankless water heater after Ecosmart ECO 36 kW.

The manufacturer claims that the unit is capable of providing a flow rate of up to 6 GPM.

However, as per our evaluation as well as feedback from our clientele, you can expect the maximum flowrate to be somewhere around 5.6 GPM if not less in warmer climates.

At the same time, the flow rate can fall as low as 3 GPM if you’re operating the unit in a colder region wherein groundwater temperature is lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, I would just like to bring to your notice that with 5 GPM the whole house electric tankless water is capable enough to handle 2 to 3 showers simultaneously without any hassle.

Nonetheless, if your requirement is more than either you can opt for a gas tankless heater or an upgraded version, that is, the ECO 36 model which is capable of providing a flow rate up to 8 GPM.

Needless to say, the unit is highly energy-efficient, and according to the Department of Energy it can save up to 50% in water heating cost which is definitely something to brag about, isn’t it?

Neither installation would be a problem for you nor the space required would be a constraint for you, and the credit goes to the small, compact, and sleek design.

On top of it, the wall-mounted design will free the floor space for more storage.

The EcoSmart ECO 27 is equipped with self-modulating technology that uses energy to heat the water only when it’s needed.

With the help of digital temperature control, you would be able to set the temperature with a one-degree increment and thus will have better control over the unit.

Furthermore, if you’re a resident of northern USA, Canada, then definitely, I recommend this whole house tankless water heater to you.

Lastly, the lifetime warranty on electronics, exchanger, and element gives it an edge over its competitors and makes it a preferred choice.

Ecosmart ECO 36 36kw Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

So, here I come with yet another offering from the brand Ecosmart.

You can consider Ecosmart ECO 36 as an upgraded version of the aforementioned model.

It is more powerful and can provide water flow up to 8 GPM.

I personally liked the fact that the unit is manufactured in the USA.

Moreover, the ECOSMART ECO 36 is 99.8 percent energy-efficient.

The Ecosmart ECO 36 comes with the patented self-modulating technology that helps it to perform well even in the northern United States wherein incoming water temperature can drop as low as 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

At such a low temperature, the ECO 36 can heat up to 3.5 gallons per minute.

The unit can cater to the hot water needs of mid-sized to big homes as you can run 4 showers and a sink simultaneously and never run out of hot water.

Ecosmart ECO 36 is uniquely designed for tiny spaces and the installation process is also less time-consuming, simple, and hassle-free.

Lastly, ECO 36 comes with a lifetime warranty which clearly depicts the kind of confidence and trusts the manufacturer has in its offering.

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

The next whole house electric tankless water that I’ve for you is none other than Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus, a German brand, known for its innovative and advanced technology.

If you’re looking for a tankless heater for a house with two bathrooms, then definitely, you can trust Stiebel.

I personally like the Advanced Flow Control™ technology that the tankless heater comes with.

The technology helps the unit to effectively deal with a surge in demand without any hassle.

In case, the surge in demand is higher than the unit can handle, then it prevents showers, faucets, or other appliances to get cold water by reducing the pressure and keeping the hot water.

In simples words, the hot water flow rate might decrease but you’ll not have to deal with cold water suddenly in the mid of bathing, washing utensils, or whatever.

Even though the Tempra 24 isn’t as powerful as Ecosmart ECO 27 still it is good enough to cater to the hot water requirements of a mid-sized home.

Depending upon input water temperature, you can expect the flow rate in the range of 1.5 to 4.5 GPM.

You can get hot water for two showers simultaneously without any fluctuations and pressure drops.

However, if your hot water requirement is more than what the unit can deal with, then my suggestion would be to go for a more powerful variant, that is, Stiebel Eltron Tempra 29 kW or even 36 kW whichever suffice your hot water requirement.

It will also grab your eyeballs for the quietness level at which it operates.

Needless to say, it will save you a good amount of space as compared to a traditional water heater, and the credit goes to the small, compact, and sleek design.

The whole house electric tankless water heater draws 100 amps and requires 2 double poles 50 amp breakers.

Furthermore, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus Tankless Water Heater comes with a convenient digital display and a small CO2 footprint.

In short, definitely, a good option for those who are looking for a tankless heater for a couple of showers or faucets.

Rheem RTEX-24 Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

The brand Rheem is known for its innovative and reliable product, and Rheem RTEX-24 is definitely a great addition to its product line.

With an activation flow rate of 0.3 GPM and a maximum flow rate of 5.7 GPM, the unit is bound to deliver high-performance effortlessly.

In fact, the unit is capable enough to replace a 40-gallon storage tank water heater without any hassle if you’re a resident of a warmer climate.

The American brand offers several models of a tankless heater which comes in different shapes and sizes.

In order to cater to the hot water requirement of the end-users who are looking for whole-house electric tankless water, the brand has two models two offer, that is, Rheem 240V RTEX-24, and RTEX-36.

The RTEX-36 is a more powerful variant of this unit.

For a family of 3 to 4 people, the RTEX-24 could be a great fit, and for 6 to 7 people RTEX-36 would do the needful.

Since Rheem RTEX-24 comprises of 3 heating chambers so you would be needing 3 double poles 40 amp breakers, and it draws 100 amps.

A 150 amp service would do the trick for you.

Rheem RTEX-24 comprises a very accurate digital controller, and would definitely, save you a good amount of space because of its unique and sleek design.

Bosch Tronic WH27 6000C Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

The Bosch Tronic WH27 is 97% energy efficient and has an activation flow rate of 0.8 GPM and a maximum flow rate of 3.5 GPM.

The brand Bosch doesn’t need any introduction and has positioned this model as a whole house electric tankless water heater.

However, as per my knowledge and experience, I can affirm that the Bosch Tronic WH27 can successfully cater to the hot water requirement of smaller households, office suites, and garage apartments.

In simple words, with the flow rate in the range of 2 GPM to 3.5 GPM, the Bosch Tronic 6000 C can cater to a couple of applications only at a time.

Frankly speaking, it is less powerful as compared to the aforementioned tankless models.

It will require 3 double poles 40 amp breakers and would be drawing somewhere around 120 amps at full load.

The average shower head flow rate is at ~2 GPM so you probably won’t have that experience in the shower.

If you’re looking for a whole house electric tankless water heater for just a couple of person then you can opt for Bosch Tronic 6000 C as there are some better options for high hot water demands for more than 3 persons.

Of course, Bosch has got a great customer support service ready to help you resolve your doubts and queries.

Lastly, the Bosch unit is backed by 5 years warranty on the heating module and 2 years on parts.

Eemax EEM24036 36 kW Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

The Eemax EEM24036 claims to be 99.8 percent efficient and has an activation flow rate of 0.3 GPM and a maximum flow rate of 8 GPM.

From the maximum flow rate, you can have an idea that the Eemax EEM24036 is highly powerful and can cater to the needs of a single house irrespective of its size with ease.

The compact and sleek design makes the installation possible even in a tiny space, and the best part is, the entire installation process is simple and easy.

Another thing that I really wanna highlight is the “quiet operation”.

Yes, you heard it, RIGHT.

The unit doesn’t produce loud unwanted and irritating noise during operation.

Furthermore, Eemax EEM24036 is a 36kW whole house electric tankless water heater that can supply water to a three-bathroom house with a couple of showers running simultaneously.

In fact, the unit is powerful enough to cater to the hot water requirement of a tub as well.

Well, Eemax EEM24036 comprises 4 heating chambers each of 9kW.

In terms of service requirements, the unit would be needing 150 amps at full load and 4 double poles 40 amp breakers.

Lastly, the unit is backed by 5 years warranty for leakage and one year for parts.

Black and Decker 27 kW Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

To be honest, the Black and Decker 27 kW whole house electric tankless water heater isn’t as popular as the aforementioned models.

But in recent years, the popularity has surged significantly, and the credit goes to the high-quality, performance, and of course, customer support service.

The Black and Decker 27 kW is a value for money product which is clearly visible from the features that it offers at an affordable price.

Well, if you’re a resident of a colder climate then you can expect the unit to offer you a GPM of 3 to 3.5.

On the other hand, in the southern states or relatively warmer climate, you can expect a flow rate of 5 to 5.5 GPM which is pretty decent if you compare it with other models in the same price range.

In simple words, the unit can cater to the requirement of a mid-sized house.

It can easily supply hot water to two showers simultaneously with ease.

However, you might find some difference in the GPM if you’re operating the unit in extreme climates.

In case, your hot water requirement is more than what this whole electric tankless water heater has to offer then you can opt for a 36kW model which is more powerful.

Lastly, the unit is backed by 7 years warranty on leakage, 5 years on heat exchanger, and 2 years on parts.

Rheem RTEX-36 Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

The RTEX-36 is yet another tankless model that was made to our list from the brand Rheem.

In fact, the unit claims to provide you with an endless supply of hot water instantly for a single point of use or multiple applications.

Furthermore, the Rheem RTEX-36 comprises an external digital thermostatic control with an LED display in order to enhance usability, convenience, and user experience.

It also comprises of advanced self-modulation technology which is known to adjust power as per the demand of hot water, and as a result, you can expect the unit to be highly energy efficient.

Well, with a maximum flow rate of 8.0 GPM, the RTEX-36 is powerful enough to cater to your whole house’s hot water requirements.

On average, it can run a couple of showers and faucets simultaneously with the drop in pressure.

Just make sure that you’ve 150 amps supply available for this unit to operate.

As compared to a gas tankless heater, the RTEX-36 has a simple and newbie-friendly installation process.

Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 36 kW Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

The Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 36 kW will cost you less as compared to a gas tankless heater.

It is equipped with advanced and innovative technology that adjusts the water flow as per the demand and also ensures constant pressure and prevent temperature fluctuation.

In simple words, the whole house electric tankless water heater is meant to deliver high-performance without compromising on usability, convenience, and user experience.

On top of it, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 36 is powerful enough to cater to the hot water requirement of the whole home.

The minimum flow rate to activate the unit is 0.77 GPM, and the minimum recommended household electric service is 300 A.

And, the water output temperature ranges between 86°F – 140°F.

Since there isn’t any requirement for venting so installation is neither complex nor will it consume much of your time.

Lastly, the unit is backed by 7 years leakage guarantee and 3 years parts guarantee which definitely shows the trust and confidence that the manufacturer has in its offering.

RTEX-27 Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater

The RTEX-27 is equipped with idiosyncratic features and advanced technology in order to help you achieve an optimum result without any hassle.

Not only that but also the advanced self-modulation technology do the adjustment of the power as per the demand of hot water.

The unit comprises 3 heating chambers, and the installation is easy and hassle-free.

You can easily install the RTEX-27 in tiny spaces because of its compact and sleek design.

The customer support service is extremely helpful and would definitely help you in clearing your doubts and queries.

The unit is capable of providing a flow rate up to 6.6 GPM which is decent for mid-sized to bigger homes.

You can simultaneously run a couple of showers and faucets without worrying about hot water getting run out.

In layman’s language, the unit comes with almost all the features that you might be looking for in your whole house electric tankless water heater.

Whole House Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide

Well, in this section, I would be discussing some of the important features that should look for in a whole house tankless water heater.

Frankly speaking, whether you’re a newbie or an experienced professional, you’ll definitely get benefited from this comprehensive guide.

Sizing

It goes without saying that most of us look for some key features when it comes to buying a whole house electric tankless water heater, isn’t it?

One of the important parameters that you should look for is the temperature to flow rate.

In layman’s terms, these tankless heaters are rated on a scale that considers the maximum temperature rise possible.

In simple words, how hot the water can get at a given flow rate.

Flow rate is nothing but the number of gallons of water being heated per minute.

To sum up, always look for the correct size tankless heater for your whole-house applications.

Flow Rates

Well, if you’re looking for a tankless heater for the hot water requirement of your entire home, then the first thing that you need to do is to compile a list of all hot water devices that you’re expecting to use at a given point of time.

Let’s understand it with an example.

Just ask yourself, do I need to use showers, dishwashers, faucets, and washing machines at the same point in time?

Or, do I need to use two showers simultaneously?

Ask yourself questions, to figure out what exactly is your requirement.

Once you’re done with finding out the average user, all you need to do is to add up the total flow rates of those devices to come to a number.

Now, look for the whole house tankless water heater that is capable of meeting the total flow rate.

You can even reduce the device’s flow rate by installing low-flow water fixtures, which will definitely help you in reducing energy costs in case you’re planning to use multiple devices simultaneously.

Temperature Rise

To be honest, the temperature rise is an important parameter that you should ignore at all.

Reaching out to a temperature rise isn’t a tedious task, all you need to do is to subtract the temperature of the incoming hot water from the output temperature of the hot water.

The incoming groundwater temperature depends upon the region you’re living in and the time of the year you’ll be requiring the hot water.

In simple words, the more the difference between the incoming groundwater and the output hot water, the higher the energy would be spent.

At the same time, it is equally important for you to understand that the flow rates and temperature will vary depending upon the device, and so you need to account for different ratios.

In the below table, you can find the average flow rates (GPM) and average desired temperatures for some common household devices.

Fixture	Average Flow GPM (GPM)	Average Temperature (Fahrenheit)
Tub	4.0	102
Shower	2.5-3.0	104
Washing Machine	2.0	120
Dishwasher	1.5	110
Kitchen Sink	1.5	110

Warranty

Always look for the whole house electric tankless water that comes with a warranty.

In simple words, the longer the warranty the better it is.

Just for your information, Ecosmart ECO models come with a lifetime warranty.

Nonetheless, I always suggest my clientele refrain from buying a product that doesn’t come with a warranty.

Price

Of course, price is an important buying parameter, and it has the capability to influence the buyer’s decision drastically.

Trust me, the costliest products aren’t always the best ones and vice-versa.

So, always look for the whole house tankless water heater that not only caters to your needs but also falls well within your budget.

Even though you’re on a shoestring budget, you can find some really good tankless heaters only if you’ve done proper product research.

Digital Displays

It’s good to have a digital display in your best whole house electric tankless water heater as it will help you to monitor levels and customize operation.

A digital display definitely adds to the convenience and improves the user’s experience.

Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater Brands

As per my knowledge and experience, I can affirm that a branded product has an edge over a non branded counterpart in most cases, if NOT always.

Almost all the whole house electric tankless water heaters that made to our review list are of high-quality and offered by some of the most trusted and well-established brands.

I would request you to refrain from buying a local non branded tankless heater irrespective of the fact that it will cost you less upfront.

A branded product comes with a great customer support service, longer warranty, advanced and innovative technology, etc.

The 3 C’s that makes a whole house tankless water heater a good fit for your home house requirement.

[Related] Best Tankless Water Heater Brands

Comfort

Whole House Electric tankless water heaters are capable of providing you with an endless supply of hot water for long, comfortable showers, faucets, washing machines, and dishwashers.

Convenience

Whole-house electric tankless water heaters are small, compact, and sleek designed.

You can install these units in tiny spaces and quite a few of them can be wall-mounted and so floor space can be utilized for other purposes.

These units are ideal for use in new homes, retrofits, additions, and vacation homes.

Conservation

Almost all the whole house electric tankless water heaters that made to our list would reduce electricity bills up to 40 percent as compared to a tank-style water heater.

The whole house electric tankless water heaters last longer as compared to the tank-style counterpart.

Installation and Maintenance

Well, proper installation and maintenance of your demand water heater can optimize its energy efficiency.

At the same time, you also need to understand that proper installation depends on many factors including climate, local building code requirements, safety issues, etc.

Considering all these parameters, my suggestion would be to hire a qualified technician to expedite the installation for you.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to expedite the installation process on your own then, first and foremost, you need to consult the manufacturers as they have the necessary installation and instruction manuals.

Secondly, contact your city or town for information about obtaining a permit as well as local water heater installation codes.

Moreover, periodic water heater maintenance can significantly extend your water heater’s life and minimize loss of efficiency.

Don’t forget to read the manufacturer’s manual for specific maintenance recommendations.

What Size Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater Do I Need To Replace A 50 Gallon Water Heater?

Frankly speaking, in order to replace a 50-gallon water heater with a whole house electric tankless water heater, you would be needing to have information about the region in which you want to operate the heater.

For example, a 27 kW electric tankless water heater if you live in the northern part of the USA.

And, a 27 kW electric tankless water heater if you live in the northern part of the USA.

What Size Whole House Tankless Water Heater Do I Need For A Family Of 5?

Let’s assume that 5 people would be living in a single household so they would be using several faucets and showers simultaneously.

In short, five people would be needing a whole house 27 kW electric tankless heater if you live in the northern part of the USA where usually the groundwater has a lower temperature.

Moreover, the whole house electric tankless water heater that you will choose will have to work extra hard in order to bring the temperature up to 110˚F or 120˚F.

But, that isn’t the case with a resident of the southern part of the USA.

An 18 kW tankless heater should be more than enough to satisfy all hot water needs of 5 people in the southern part of the country.

What I’m trying to say is that the difference between the temperature of the input groundwater and the output hot water would help you in deciding the whole house electric tankless model that you should opt for.

How does a whole house electric tankless water heater work?

Having an idea about the working style of a whole house electric tankless water heater would definitely help you in one or another way.

The whole house electric tankless water heater heats water directly without the use of a storage tank.

When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit.

An electric element heats the water.

Since the process of heating gets initiated when the hot water tap is turned on so standby loss is almost negligible.

However, a whole house electric tankless water heater’s output limits the flow rate.

Wrapping Up the Best Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater Review

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 comprehensive buying guide.

And, in case, you wanna acknowledge and appreciate our efforts, then please share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.

After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?

Cutting long-story-short, let’s get back straight to the topic.

Trust me, all the whole house electric tankless water heaters that made to our list are of high-quality and worth the investment.

Not only have they performed extremely well in our evaluation process but also, received positive feedback from our clientele.

Moving further, the term “best” is relative and not absolute so the electric tankless heater that may be best for you might not even cater to my needs and vice-versa.

So, always look for the whole house electric tankless water heater that not only caters to your requirements but also falls well within your budget.

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