Who doesn’t love a warm bath after a long day of work or travel? The convenience of having a water heater installed in your home is endless. And quite justly, the demand for them has risen quite a bit in the past few years.
There are many different types of heaters out there, from gas-powered to electric ones. While all of them get the job done, the tankless electric ones have some extra benefits.
Check out our list of the best whole house electric tankless water heater reviews, if you’re looking for an upgrade to your old heater or planning to get a new one.
From budget-friendly to the high-end pricey ones, we’ve added one for each category. We’ve also included tips and tricks to make sure your purchase is worth it.
Why wait then? Let’s get to it.
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Well, now that you’ve decided on buying a tankless heater, you must be wondering what features you’re supposed to look out for. Here’s everything you need to consider before buying:
Hot Water Capacity and Flow Rate
Consider how much water you and your family need daily. Will the heater be enough to provide for your family? Will it be wasteful? Always take water conservation and climate effects into consideration while buying one of these tankless heaters.
For example, if your family has four members, a heater of 40-gallon capacity will be enough to meet all the typical daily needs. Also, check different charts to find out how much the flow rate of the faucets at your home might be. Determine how many points the heater will need to provide for and get one accordingly.
Energy Source and Efficiency
As there are different styles of units out there, you need to decide between them. If you’re looking for an electric unit, ask yourself – is it energy efficient?
Usually, the gas-powered ones are more affordable, but the electric ones are more energy-efficient. Thus, tankless ones are probably the most efficient ones and useful as they reduce waste and require less storage.
Recovery Rate
The recovery rate indicates how fast your heater can convert cold water to produce hot water after the initial supply has diminished. A low recovery rate means it’ll take more time to do this. Again, a high recovery rate means you won’t have to wait too long to take a hot shower.
Space and Electrical Requirements
How much space do you have for the heater? If you’re getting an electrical tankless unit, space won’t be much of an issue. But the electrical requirements for these need to be met properly for it to run without trouble.
Most of them need a service of 240 volts, along with a dedicated line that can handle the current draw from your unit.
Looking at all the different product reviews in different places may seem daunting. But guess what? This list of the top whole home electric tankless water heaters will help you choose easily without looking at all the endless lists out there.
This product has made it to our list as the “best overall” choice. It’s perfect for serving a single-family home without trouble. Its features include a compact design, copper, and stainless components for both durability and easy replacement as well as self-modulation.
If your household often needs hot water for two showers simultaneously, this is the perfect heater for you. As it has a 6 GPM flow rate, it can provide continuous hot water to meet all your needs easily. However, it’s mentionable that in cold regions, the flow rate does drop to 3 GPM.
A great thing about this machine is that the controls are very accurate and easy to operate. It comes with a digital control panel with which you can control how hot you want your water to get. The increment is by 1 degree.
If going full tankless seems too intimidating, you can choose this product with a mini tank that saves space and gets the job done. The tank is so small that it’ll fit right under your sink without trouble. Its capacity is 4 gallons. To top it off, the thermal efficiency of this machine is 98%.
This is a durable machine with a long-lasting glass-line build that’s meant to serve you for many years. As it is capable of supplying hot water to two sinks at the same time, it’s perfect for small families.
Besides, you don’t have to worry about how to install it either. Its independent installation feature makes sure you can just plug its 36-37 inch corded plugs to a source and be done with it.
Unlike many other heaters in the market, this one has a fast recovery rate. So, if you’re looking to change your unit because it keeps taking too long, you might as well get this one.
As it is completely tankless, it heats water as it passes through the unit. So there’s no trouble of making room for a big bulky tank. Its sleek design is easy to mount on the wall and saves a lot of floor space.
In terms of features, it comes with a self-modulating technology, 2 gallons per minute capacity, and a digital control panel. This unit is best used in weather conditions where the temperature is 67 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
In a colder climate, it can heat up two sinks at the same time. But it’s even better for warmer regions as it can provide water for two sinks and a shower simultaneously.
As these heaters only use power when you need hot water in the outlets, they can save a lot from the bills too. This product requires a minimum of 125 amp electrical panel for its installation. That needs to be connected to a 60 amp double pole breaker, which is in line with a set of #6 AWG wire.
Pros
You definitely won’t be left out in the cold with this unit installed in your home. This heater has it all – the latest technologies, great water flow rate, and a capacity of 6.5 GPM. You can count on it to meet your demands all around the home.
Since this is specifically designed for indoor use, it has a mobile app feature for controlling its usage. You can use this feature to put it into vacation mode when you’re not at home. So, the next time you’re out for the holidays, no need to worry about the extra electricity bills.
Considering the recent issues with energy and water scarcity, this unit is indeed an ethical choice. As you wait for the water to arrive from your old tank heater, approximately 8,000 bottles of water get wasted per year.
However, this is not the case with the product here. Since it’s the size of a small suitcase, it not only saves space but also reduces CO2 emissions. Moreover, it’s environment-friendly and very economical.
The Stiebel Eltron company is well known for being a pioneer in the market for tankless water heaters and producing impressive products. This readily portable unit from their company is obviously no exception. Its compact and solid design, along with its usage efficiency, makes it a very beloved product in the market.
This heater can supply endless hot water at temperatures ranging from 86 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. As it is tankless, there’s minimal waste and maximum output. Controlling it is a breeze given its front panel with intense microprocessor technology. This makes sure there’s no deviation from the set temperature.
Accordingly, a nice bonus is that this product does not require venting. That means installation is no problem. This is a bright example of the best quality of German engineering out there. With only 208 volts required, it’s sure to serve you efficiently and conveniently for years to come.
Pros
You must be wondering by now – how does it work? What makes a tankless unit different from everything else? The basic difference between a tankless heater and a traditional one is that it doesn’t need to store the hot water to supply it. So there’s no need for a tank.
Instead of continuously heating water that’s stored in a tank, these machines heat up your water as you use it. The whole house electric units don’t need any extra pipeline or ventilation. Installation positions for this kind of heaters are quite flexible.
Moreover, electric units save more energy (up to 60%) and work faster. But since they work at a fast pace, a large sum of electricity is needed. This leads to a higher electric bill than expected. These heaters can be used to provide for a big house.
Also, additional buffers or supplement units can be attached to them for extra convenience. Most of these come with self-modulating and freeze protection technologies that work as safety measures.
A digital control panel is present, which allows you to set your water temperature according to your needs. And since these are so compact, they emit less CO2 and are quite energy efficient.
When you use a conventional heater that has a bulky tank, there’s a lot of cleaning to do. You need to make sure to check inside the tank once in a while and have it cleared of any dirt or debris. Another issue with these tanks is that they run out of the water a lot and need to be replenished.
But with a tankless heater, you don’t have to worry so much about the dirt or debris. No tank means no possibilities of algae contaminating your water supply. As far as cleaning goes, you just need to make sure it’s mounted properly, and there’s no problem in the pipelines connected.
Depending on the installation position and power capacity, these electric units can be divided into two.
The POU systems are placed closer to the output and meant for lesser usage. Most people locate these close to the shower or sink. Since there’s a lesser distance, these never fail to be consistent with supplying endless hot water of the same temperature.
As the name suggests, the entire house system is meant to be centrally located. It is capable of providing warm water to all outlets in the house.
These are much larger and usually need to travel more distance to reach certain outlets. This is why you’ll sometimes find whole-house systems being inconsistent with providing water of the same temperature everywhere.
You must’ve already figured out that tankless water heaters are not only cheaper and more efficient but also lasts longer than their counterparts with tanks. Considering you have had your tankless water heater installed by a professional with adequate insulation, it should last you about 20 years.
The reason behind their longevity is that the standard water heaters are exposed to continual moisture, which might cause them to corrode at a faster rate. Parts can be replaced to extend the heater’s lifespan, but water quality and its mineral content may affect the rate. Thus, corrosion may occur and reduce the heater’s lifespan.
In that sense, tankless water heaters are less likely to be affected by water quality by having less exposure to moisture. Therefore, these are supposed to last much longer.
Now that you’re ready to make the big move and replace your old heater with an electric tankless one, it’s time to know how to change it properly. You’ll need to get a building and plumbing permit first. Some places have stricter laws than others. And it’s best to install your heater with a pre-approved bracing system.
These are available easily in most hardware shops. Work out the hot water demands of your home properly by discussing it with your manufacturer. Then select one that suits your home space and need.
Once you’ve checked these out from the list, you can just get your toolbox and get to work. Installing one with a copper pipe will require you to use a propane torch and pipe cutters.
Always make it a priority to look at the manual and follow the guidelines properly. Be sure to take safety measures like wearing gloves and goggles.
Electric tankless water heaters are the best kind of heaters out there. Their compact designs are perfect for small apartments with less storage space. Since they heat water on the go, you don’t need to wait at all to take a hot shower.
There are a few cons to this water heating solution. Its operating cost over the long term is comparatively higher. More power might be needed for operation. And hot water will be unavailable during power outages.
There is no risk in using them. Tankless water heaters are completely safe. But yes, you do need to check with your municipality for building and plumbing permits while installing one to make sure it’s safe.
You save money, space, and energy. Maintenance is minimal, and problems are easier to fix. Electric tankless water heaters are efficient, and you have a lower carbon footprint.
Yes, you can. If you get a more powerful one, you won’t need to. But it’s possible to use a buffer heater, along with a central one for convenience.
Final Words
If you’re looking for a more economical lifestyle, investing in an electric tankless unit for your house might be the best way to go.
So, we’ve made sure to include only the best whole house electric tankless water heater reviews here to fit your taste and need equally.