Full water heater systems are quite expensive to install. The tank that stores the heated water takes up a large amount of space, and you’ll even probably need a separate room just for the heater. And if you live in an apartment, you won’t even be able to install one if it doesn’t already have one built.
Luckily, tankless water heaters allow you to easily set up a heating system for your showers without worrying about entire heater systems. These cheaper solutions are also surprisingly affordable and can keep you warm during cold days. Here are some of the best tankless water heaters in 2022 that you can find on the market right now.
Though tankless water heaters may not appear all too different at first, you may want to consider thinking about your next water heater if you want to enjoy hot water at home.
Not all tankless water heaters are made at a standard size. In fact, tankless water heaters largely vary in size depending on the inner circuits and systems present inside the appliance. So, depending on the manufacturer, some tankless water heaters may be able to fit inside your cramped shower room, whereas other tankless water heaters will require you to place them in a more open area.
Aside from the size, you’ll want to take into account the shape of the tankless water heater itself. For the most part, tankless water heaters have a rectangular shape that’s easily mountable on a bathroom wall or beside a sink, as that’s where they’re most commonly installed. However, some tankless water heaters are shaped differently, due to the presence of other components such as a mini tank to create hot water. Consider where you plan on placing the heater before deciding to buy one.
Tankless water heaters are meant to do one thing - heat water - but that doesn’t mean they can’t do more than just that. Many tankless water heaters come with digital thermostats for a more accurate display of temperature, and some even come with a self-modulating feature that keeps the hot water at just the right temperature at all times. These features aren’t exactly necessary, but they can be handy on many occasions.
While not all tankless water heaters are portable, some are designed to be, and you may want to be able to bring a tankless water heater with you during travels or if you want to use them in more than one location, so you always have a supply of hot water. These types of tankless water heaters usually run on natural gas or propane, rather than utilizing a heat exchanger, so be careful while using them.
Affordable tankless water heaters can set you back as little as $100. A tankless water heater can come equipped with a modern thermostat and touch controls despite its affordable price. Some tankless water heaters are more expensive at $200 and can come with additional features such as self-modulation. The most expensive tankless water heaters can cost you as much as $400 per unit.
For the most part, however, the price of tankless water heaters varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
One of the major benefits of a tankless water heater is that once it is warmed up, you will have a constant flow of hot water. That means that you don't have to worry about running out of hot water during your shower, even if the washing machine and dishwasher are all running at the same time. So, how does a tankless water heater work this magic?
There is a heat exchanger in the unit. A heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat between two or more liquids. Cool water or hot water can be produced with a heat exchanger; however, in the case of a tankless water heater, hot water is produced.
Once the hot water tap is turned on, cool water flows through the heat exchanger and is heated up. Because there is no tank, a continuous supply of hot water will flow through the tankless water heater and out of the hot water tap.
We choose tankless water heaters based on what powers them, the energy efficiency, the features that come with them, and customer reviews.
Not sure if a tankless water heater is right for you? This video from Roger Wakefield outlines the pros and cons of both options, so you can make the right pick:
Water heaters are one of the last appliances you’d expect to have high-tech features, but that’s exactly what the ECOTOUCH water heater has to offer. With touch-based controls and a sleek design, it’s got the looks to match its high-spec functionalities.
And the high-tech features don’t end there. The heater itself has a smart system that detects the flow of incoming water. So if you’re pumping less water than expected, the heater will look to lower the heating temperature to keep the water at a reasonable level so you won’t scald yourself. It’s both handy and hands-free and can be great if you hate manually adjusting the temperature every time you take a shower.
Whether you’re conscious of your own carbon footprint or you just want to save up on the electric bill, there are good reasons to want an energy-efficient water heater. The EcoSmart ECO 11 tankless water heater supplies the user with warm water using an energy-efficient design. Heating systems are one of the most energy-intensive appliances in a modern home, so having an energy-efficient model can save you some money in the long run.
The heater itself also has a self-modulating feature to keep the user warm and not too hot. It claims to save up to 60% on electricity, which could be reason enough to want to buy this heater.
When it comes to heavy-duty appliances, Bosch is a name that comes to mind for many people. This is no exception for their water heaters, which not only supply heated water but also last for quite a bit of time.
What separates this water heater from the rest on this list is the presence of a mini-tank inside. This mini-tank allows the system to heat water faster and even keep some water hot after you turn the machine off. It’s also mountable in many different locations, so you won’t find trouble installing it in your home.
When it comes to convenience and extra features, the Rheem RTEX-18 sits at the top of the list. Its digital thermostat allows you to more accurately check the temperature at all times, ensuring the right heat level for your water. It also contains a self-modulation system to maintain just the right level of heat at all times.
With an easy-to-install frame and sleek build, this heater is great for modern homes that want to stick to the minimal and sleek theme even in their bathroom or sink. It is quite pricey compared to other heaters but is well worth the price.
During a power outage, having access to a water heater can be extremely valuable, especially during cold nights. In these situations, water heaters powered by sources other than electricity can prove to be very useful. The Rinnai Indoor water heater is one such example, running on natural gas.
The heater itself is simple enough, but it comes with extra features to make it extra special. In particular, you can install a special app that connects to your heater, allowing you to schedule the times when it heats water. You can even put the heater on vacation mode should you feel the need to do so.
Water heaters are usually installed permanently on a wall, floor, or some other location in the house, and they largely spend their entire lifespan mounted on that same area. This propane tankless water heater, however, can be carried around and used wherever and whenever thanks to it running on propane instead of electricity.
There are a few reasons why you’d want one of these heaters. For example, if you’re camping or on a road trip, this heater can provide you with warm water whenever you need it, and it can also be used in hotels or motels if they don’t come with their own heating systems.
These days, most tankless water heaters use digital thermostats to tell the temperature, accompanied by touch controls or more sleek buttons. But there are still people out there who prefer the old-fashioned look and feel of water heaters. The Titan electric water heater has more analog controls and thermostat, so those who prefer those types of heaters can still enjoy hot water as they did back in the good old days.
A: In general, you will save more money running a tankless water heater than tank water heaters. Tankless water heaters use less energy to heat up the water, and their operating costs are far less than tank-based heating systems.
A: That depends on what is considered “better”. Tank water heaters provide hot water instantly but require more energy to run. On the other hand, tankless water heaters run on less energy, but take time to heat the water as there’s no tank to store the heated water beforehand.