Best residential water heaters are becoming very common for most people for residential usage. In the market today, you can have various provisions for you in such a way that you are not able to know which one is good and which is not. They might have the same purpose, but then you need something worth your money.
In this post, there are 10 best residential water heaters you can get for various needs and demands. Now let’s start!
What Is the Best Residential Water Heater on the Market?
Comparing the Best Residential Water Heaters
| Photo | Title | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rheem 240V 2 Heating Chambers RTEX-18 Residential Tankless Water Heater | Check Latest Price | |
 | EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater | $186.42 | Check Latest Price |
 | Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Indoor, Camplux 2.64 GPM On Deamnd Hot Water Heater, CM264-NG, White | $299.99 | Check Latest Price |
 | Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater | $795.34 | Check Latest Price |
 | Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater | Check Latest Price | |
 | Tankless Water Heater Natural Gas, Camplux 5.28 GPM On Demand Instant Hot Water Heater for Whole House, Indoor, 120V AC | $549.99 | Check Latest Price |
 | Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater | $605.99 | Check Latest Price |
 | Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater: Outdoor Installation | $1,016.47 | Check Latest Price |
 | Rinnai RL94EP Tankless Hot Water Heater, 9.8 GPM, Propane, Outdoor Installation | $2,534.14 | Check Latest Price |
2021’s Reviews of Residential Hot Water Heaters
#1. Best Pick – Rheem 240V Heating Chambers Tankless Water Heater
Features:
- LED display for convenient use
- Most advanced self-modulating technology
- Easy to adjust power for meeting hot water demand
- Durable copper immersion
- Simple installation
- Easy replacement
- High energy efficient
#2. Residential Electric Water Heater – EcoSmart ECO 11 Tankless Water Heater
Features:
- Lifetime warranty
- Compact and small shape
- Patented self-modulating technology to auto control the water pressure
- 99.8% energy efficiency
- Constant hot water supply
- Save up to 50% of heating costs
- Digital temperature control
#3. Residential Gas Water Heater – Camplux 10L High Capacity Heater
Features:
- Perfect for whole house use
- Modern design with color digital temperature display
- Eco and full gas switch for energy saving
- Flame-out protection and anti-freezing protection
- Lifetime warranty
- Compact shape for shower use
#4. Whole House Water Heater – Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater
Features:
- Endless hot water supply
- Large power with 6.5 GPM, perfect for whole house use
- The mobile app enables you to control it remotely with a phone
- Easy to control
- Energy efficient
- Fast hot water supply
- 1-year limited warranty
#5. Outdoor Residential Water Heater – Rinnai V Series HE Propane Heater
Features:
- Endless hot water supply for whole home
- High energy efficient for outdoor installation only
- Remote control supported
- 1-year limited warranty
- Reasonable price
- Powerful design for family of 3-4 to use
#6. Propane Heater for Indoor Use – Camplux CA528 Indoor Heater
Features:
- Powered by 120 VAC voltage
- Precise temperature control
- On-demand hot water supply
- Double adjustment of water and air
- Advanced safety features to protect your safety all the time
- Energy saving
- Temperature intelligent adjustment
#7. Advanced Residential Water Heater – Rheem 240V Heating Chambers Heaters
Features:
- External digital thermostatic control
- Easy to operate LED display
- Advanced self-modulating technology
- Durable copper immersion for heating elements
- Simple installation
- Constant hot water supply
#8. Electric On Demand Hot Water Heater – Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus Heater
Features:
- Multiple models and powers available
- Automatically control water temperature and pressure
- Space saver with a compact shape
- Electronic flow sensor for convenient operating
- The LED display shows the exact water temperature
- 7-year leakage and 3-year parts warranty
#9. Residential Outdoor Tankless Water Heater – Rinnai RL Series Water Heater
Features:
- Endless hot water supply
- High energy efficient
- 7.5 GPM hot water flow rate for large family use
- Circ-Logic technology allows for setting recirculation patterns
- 120 months warranty guaranteed
- Perfect for large family shower use
#10. Gas Condensing Residential Indoor Water Heater – Rinnai RL Series HE+ Heater
Features:
- Endless hot water supply
- For outdoor installation only, save your residential space
- Able to set recirculation patterns based on customized habits
- 120 months warranty
- Super powerful for whole family to use
- Easy to operate
Features of Best Residential Electric Water Heater
There are specific features that you should be looking for when buying the best residential water heaters. Have a look at some of them:
1. Water pressure needed
The best residential electric water heater should have a manageable water pressure required to have it work. You should be keen so that you buy low water pressure from a high one depending on your needs. For small to medium families, you should consider 1.5 to 3.0 gallons per minute. This ensures that a lot of water is not wasted.
2. Energy efficiency
The electric water heater should as well be energy efficient. You should not always be surprised by the high electric bill at the end of the month. The amperage of the heater determines energy efficiency. 100-200 amps are well economical. It should also be able to recover extra heat through a condensing technology that would otherwise be lost.
3. Should be easy to install
Once you have purchased a water heater, you need it fixed. The cost of installation depends on the need. Most installation firms will quote their prices based on the requirement that is required to install it. Once it has been installed, there comes the maintenance cost. The cost should be favorable so that you do not end up spending much money. It is better to go for a high costly water heater at the purchase, but whose maintenance is low, that having to pay for a high maintenance cost.
Features of Gas Condensing Water Heater for Residential Use
Condensing water heaters water heater units that are fueled by gas. Unlike the conventional heaters where the products of combustion such as flue gas are let out, a condensing water heater recaptures the flue gasses and the heat and is used to heat the incoming water resulting in less heat wastage. This causes these condensing heaters to have about 98% efficiency ratings. Here are some features of a gas condensing water heater.
A durable heat exchanger
A condensing water heater has a huge heat exchanger made of impermeable materials, usually stainless steel. The heat exchanger facilitates the heat exchange between the combustion gasses and the incoming water. The combustion products are condensed and the latent heat recovered which is then used to heat the water.
Energy efficiency
The condensing water heater is highly efficient it has an energy efficiency of 95%. It conserves energy, instead of letting the water vapor and other combustion gases go, they are used to heat the incoming water. This leads to a reduction in energy consumption and thus reduces your monthly energy bill.
Environmentally friendly
These tanks make use of a metal fiber burner, located in the combustion chamber. The burner produces clean and a high-intensity flame that has an intensive heating effect and is eco-friendly. Gas water heaters with a condensing system are the most environmentally heating systems as they have reduced CO2 and NO emissions. Statistically speaking, using a condensing water heater for your residential needs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions which are estimated to be equivalent to the volume of gasses 17000 cars produce.
Economical
Since these water heaters have high efficiency, they will greatly reduce your natural gas bills by approximately $100 per year. Larger families with higher demand for hot water will save even more money which can be used for other household needs.
Safety features
The condensing water heater is fitted with safety features such as the air-fuel ratio sensor and the exhaust and water temperature safety control. The heater also has a flexible venting pipe for intake and exhaust.
A constant supply of hot water
The efficiency of the residential water heaters causes the tank to heat the water as soon as it’s full. This means that there will be a constant supply of hot water in your home with this water heater. You do not have to rush your morning shower in fear that the hot water will run out or that hot water is not enough for everyone.
Makes use of the latest technology
The condensing water heater is an innovation that makes use of new technology, that enables it to remain efficient and energy saving as well as durable. As soon as it is installed, you will be able to enjoy your hot water for less. Besides the heater is protected by an 8-year warrant that guarantees you peace of mind.
Condensing water heater is a highly effective residential water heater, it may be expensive to buy and install but once installed, you will enjoy lower operating costs and high-quality service. It is equipped with highly technological innovative features that make it a great long term investment.
Prices of Best Residential Water Heaters
When buying the residential water heaters, you might want to spend as little cash as possible. Everyone will want to buy something cheap if all other factors are kept constant. However, it is critical to buy an electric residential water heater at a more affordable price but then consider the effectiveness of what you are buying. There are lovely brands of water heaters in the market that you can use for residential purposes, but they do not cost the same.
When considering the cost of the best residential water heater, you should consider all the expenses that come with it until you start paying the energy bills. This is why we divided such costs into three major categories as follows:
The cost of buying the heater
The first cost implication is that which you spend on buying the electric heater on itself. This cost varies from one brand to another and also depending on the specifications that you go for. In most cases, the standard residential water heaters cost between $100 to $700. You, therefore, can choose what can work for you within the range.
The cost of installation
You might have to hire an expert to install the heater for you, except if you are an installation expert. This cost ranges between $70 to $400. Some installation firms have their prices fixed while others are free for bargaining. You can choose the best expert so that as you pay the cost, you can get the best results.
The operation cost
The cost of operating an electric residential water heater depends on the hot water consumption in the family. This cost might be as low as $20 and as high as $300 per month. This means that such a cost is within your control. If you are living in a cold place where hot water is in high demand, then you will pay more. But if it is low, it can be as low as a negligible cost.
Types of Best Residential Water Heaters
If you have decided to purchase or replace a heater for your house due to age or worn outs, one is advised to take a look at certain features and attributes on the best water heater to choose on. The best type will depend on attributes like there size, water usage, energy source, and your own use. In this article, I will outline tips to use when identifying the ideal water heater for your home, which would provide for the best results. Water heaters come in different types as follows;
Storage tank water heaters
These are traditional tank water heaters one can easily purchase at a cheaper price. They use energy on a constant basis and have a quite higher monthly energy cost than the tankless modern types.
Tank fewer water heaters
Tank fewer water tanks heaters are new in the market and are quite affordable at worth its price. They are of compact size, low monthly cost and provide for adequate hot water for use at any time. They come in two versions; the electric version and the gas version with a professional installation. Being of small size can be of a negative factor if hot water is demanded at a higher rate by many consumers hence one may be forced to purchase a quite a number of tank fewer heaters to meet each and everyone’s needs.
Point of uses water heaters
These are mini water heaters, for example, the Insinkerator used for secondary heating systems. They are used under sink circumstances when hotter or more water for consumption is needed at a certain delivery location because they are fitted really close to the faucet. It provides instant hot water because water doesn’t pass through inlets and outlets that end up cooling before use.
Energy Sources
Taking a keen look at the source of energy used by water heaters is also very important when identifying to choose on the best residential water heaters for your home. Power-efficient water heater models are more expensive to purchase but provide a moderate yearly cost of operation. The energy-saving is good at minimizing the yearly cost of operation but can be very expensive to purchase.
Electric
Electric water heaters are both fits for tankless and tank systems, as well as for secondary heating mechanisms for water heaters that use solar energy. Electric sources have the least life expectancy and have a slightly higher annual operation cost. Electricity is simple to use as it only operated through the click of a button than other sources of energy that have complex operation techniques.
Gas
Gas heaters are also most commonly used as electric heaters because they cost more than the electric models but really efficient and their annual cost of operation is low thus very efficient to use in your home. They also come with a natural gas hook up that works very swiftly throughout once installed for use.
Solar
Solar water heaters have the highest cost and it has to be connected to a secondary heating source to provide for sufficient hot water throughout. Solar heaters are fitted with a pipe system in order to maintain enough heated water for usage. Nevertheless, they work well when there is no storage tank in use and not suitable for geographic locations. It works well in areas that receive enough solar to power the heaters.
Hybrid electric
Hybrid electric heaters are the most modern advanced heaters in the market that use a heat pump technique to pump in heat from air producing hot water. They can be very costly to purchase and maintain. They are also limited to areas that are too cold therefore cannot work efficiently in such areas.
Final Pick: Top 3 Best Residential Water Heaters