Best water heaters according to redditors
We found 89 Reddit comments discussing the best water heaters. We ranked the 56 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 89 Reddit comments discussing the best water heaters. We ranked the 56 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
I've installed two of the Takagi T-KJr. They're built like tanks, have been around forever, and are pretty efficient. They're also pretty inexpensive ($500-$600). I'm up in Wisconsin, so if this heater can keep up with our crazy delta Ts in single bath houses, I know it'll be able to keep up with your needs just fine. There are some larger heaters from other companies like Triangle Tube and Rinnai that are good, but they are much more expensive or oversized for what you need.
As for $35 investments, I previously part-timed in a warehouse with an 8' x 8' wet room built atop the office, and installed an electric water-heating showerhead (like this one, but a little more expensive) over it. The lime/scale in the water there would coat the elements, and it'd burn itself out within a dozen or so showers. I went through two of them before I realized what was happening. I got the battery powered wand to replace the second, and just filled a bucket and dropped in an induction coil for 30-45 mins to heat it. With the van, I just add my largest camp-pot full of boiling water and squish it around some before beginning my shower.
If I were to do it again, I'd have gotten this style instead, so I could semi-permanently install it in my Aqua-tainer instead, and still be able to turn it on and off. Food for thought.
As for shipping, I currently utilize a storage unit where I keep everything from off-season recreational gear to a fairly extensive tool collection, and they have mail service. My shower-device deliveries all went to a UPS store box, though. The warehouse wasn't necessarily occupied during biz hours, so I skipped mail service setup there, and instead used the UPS store for all my mail. I later downsized the warehouse to the storage unit, reducing that bill 90%. Failing these sorts of options, /u/SunnySouthTexas provided the format to get anything sent to general delivery at the nearest post office to you. They'll hold it for 30 days.
I've had a tankless for about 8 years now. I love it. Endless consistent hot water is awesome. Even though we use a lot of water in our household, our bill has gone down too. Probably mostly due to the really old inefficient water heater before.
If you really want upwards of 9 gpm, then yeah, 2 tankless water heats in series will probably do the trick. You may look into adding on a real small water heater, like a 6 gallon unit to handle the recirculation and prevent the cold water sandwich effect. Most recirculation pumps aren't recommended for tankless.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W6AVMY
I installed this one (a 6 gallon) in my dad's cabin. With a low flow showerhead its enough to take a decent shower with.
FWIW:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077K428LC/ref=dp_cerb_1
Garden hose+ propane tank + portable water heater = bliss.
I’ve used these style heaters off grid for years, they work very well!
Looks like Amazon is having a sale one one.
https://www.amazon.com/Camplux-Outdoor-Portable-Propane-Tankless/dp/B01CJPU6JI/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen-bath&ie=UTF8&qid=1500185250&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=tankless+water+heater&psc=1
Looks like the heater shoudl be about $900
since it's replacing an existing tankless heater, I'd think MOST of the work for installation is already done.
Last time I had a problem with the price of a job, I asked the contractor to estimate the time it would take, subtracted materials, and then asked what justified $500 per hour for labor.
Either way, $1200 - $1800 for installation sounds high, by about $1000. I'd get a few more quotes.
Use a camping shower, then sell it on Ebay, Craig's List, or Amazon when you are done with it:
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-BOSS-XB13-Basecamp-Operated/dp/B011TRLVP0
I have an Ecotemp that has been trouble-free for 8 years now. The only issue with it is that it's designed to use D batteries for the propane ignition circuit, at something like 6vDC if I remember correctly. I built a small circuit to step down anything up to around 18vDC to 6v so I could connect it to any automotive battery (alternator charging or not) or power it from a LiPo battery back up to a 4S which I use for portable ham radio operations.
https://www.amazon.com/Eccotemp-L5-Portable-Tankless-Heater/dp/B01MXDZCKM
Yes it will.
Old school:
https://www.amazon.com/Immersion-heater-immersion-heaters-Camping/dp/B01M63MZ71
THen use instant, french press or pour over. Sorted.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0057X27OC/ref=psdc_3754791_t1_B00DDPZ5HM
For the $500 model.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00DDPZ5HM/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3NJ9RMM8KBCU&colid=3NFJLKZEG7L6I
For the condensing, $1100 model.
Yeah I have all of my plumbing inside as well, except for the black water and grey water tank.
So the hot water heater....I wanted an on demand unit. I originally bought this unit https://www.amazon.com/EZ-101-Tankless-Water-Heater/dp/B003327HDK. I started realizing I just didn't have anywhere to put it. You may have better luck cause you are starting totally from scratch it looks like, but my van already had walls up when I bought it. I still have this unit, and I sat on it forever trying to figure out where to put it. It just wasn't going to work. I couldn't mount it easily and run the vent piping.It also draws its combustion air from the space it is mounted in which could be a concern depending upon your use. I was just planning on opening the roof top vent and securing it while sleeping. If you are in the SF bay area I will sell it to you cheap. 50 bucks and its yours :)
I realized I had to buy a different unit, and it ended up being very expensive. I bought https://www.amazon.com/Suburban-5132A-Demand-Water-Heater/dp/B013002JD2 I found it for about 600 on Dyers RV. I have it installed. I haven't used it yet, but it was very easy to install I just had to drill a 4 inch hole in the side of the van and it does intake and exhaust through a hole there with a concentric vent so there is no fire hazard because the exhaust comes out of the inside of the concentric circle. It requires very small clearances. 1/4" on the top and sides so it saves a lot of space. It is definitely a big budget item, but it will be worth it in terms of space I believe.
I have the ecosmart11 tankless hot water heater. I like it for space efficiency and simple installation, but it requires a 60 amp breaker dedicated to it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LZRF9M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You might be able to get by with an Ecosmart8, but it still requires to be wired directly to a 40 amp breaker. This is lots of amps to dedicate to hot water, especially if you are working from a 50 amp service at an RV park or wherever you have your trailer parked. Zero overhead even with the 8 for things like A/C and cooking. You could make it work if you were very careful about when you were using hot water, but I would skip it and go with a propane unit like jamilbk linked.
I am thinking about going with a standard issue front load washer and dryer, but just stacking them to save space. The top load washer combo with the dryer on top commonly used in condos and apartments are small in stature, but take up almost the same space as a real front load washer and dryer that are stacked. These front load washer/dryer combo units are really costly and seem to have more complaints about performance and repairs.
Regardless, if you are living in a tiny house on wheels, dedicating space to a washer and dryer might not be on the priority list.
We use one of these for our sprinter. It’s setup to be an outdoor shower but it works.
out door shower
What about tankless? They seem much more efficient than the standard kind of water heater, even if you're wanting to heat already-warm water.
For those who said it’s impossible, the flagstaff 176LTD. Two beds, dinette area, space to put portapotty (next to the cabinet by the trailer “queen” size). Out side they have hook ups to set up the grill. Instead you can hook up a portable tankless water heater/ shower and have an outside hot water shower. All this with a GVW UNDER 1500lbs. That should give you wiggle room to actually put stuff in it and not blow up your transmission. It also has a small “refrigerator” and is well under $10k even if you bought the water heater and porta-potty. Keep in mind, it’s an 8 foot box, so it’ll be small, but it has all your must haves.
https://www.amazon.com/Takagi-T-KJr2-Indoor-Tankless-Natural/dp/B0057X27OC
I'm not near there but I'd bet someone on here is. This is the Takagi tankless, I've installed several of these, they are super easy. $532 for the tankless + about $100 for the valves and pex.
Yep, heated.
You can have:
Look at the "related products" too.
I haven't decided what I will use yet.
There are these USB/plugin hot plate cup warmers out there, but i haven't tried them myself. https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Warmer-Office-MWBLK/dp/B000CO89T8/
There are also immersion heaters designed to heat contents of a cup. I also haven't tried it myself, but always tempted to buy https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Water-Heater-Aluminum-GCG/dp/B00PFZFK78/
I'd use a vacuum stainless steel flask. That would be less work and less energy used as you'd only have to fill it once.
Just get a portable on demand unit, try camping supply stores for maybe 300 bux
Like this, for just a shower these things have come a long way, portable on propane on demand.
https://www.amazon.ca/Eccotemp-L5-Portable-Tankless-Heater/dp/B01MXDZCKM
I imagine something like this would do the trick. Off flavors from the aluminum should be minimal. It certainly isn't as cool as the iron rod though.
You can purchase one of these for pretty cheap: https://www.amazon.com/Gasland-Portable-Propane-Tankless-Outdoor/dp/B07CJ36VBJ
It runs on LP and is highly portable. I have one of these in my back yard.
What happens if you turn your tub on first, let it get hot, and THEN turn on your sink? If they're fed from the same line it might help a lot. Otherwise, there are plug-in 'instant on' tankless water heaters you might be able to install under your sink. I would DEFINITELY get permission before doing something like this though. I'm a landlord and wouldn't appreciate a tenant making these kinds of modifications without asking first.
This one looks promising but has only one review: https://www.amazon.com/Focket-Electric-Tankless-Fashionable-Temperature/dp/B07TC4QQPV
I used one of these (included with the van) in order to keep things simple:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DP3ZWCY/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_eodGxbH5KPXJ4
You could also added a full water system or get one of these: Mr. Heater BOSS-XCW20 Basecamp Battery Operated Shower System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011TRLWIG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_WqdGxb7JKMPYB
The sink is a manual hand pump faucet connected to a 5 gallon aquatainer.
The drain from the sink and shower combine and exit in the back corner. I've included some fittings so you can connect it to a bucket or a long drain hose or just let it drain right there which is what we usually do. It's positioned next to a big open area in the underbody where you could install a grey water tank of you wanted to.
I had this on my boat Amazon 6 gal 120vThere is another version that 2000w. I just used a 10 gauge extension cord to plug it in to a twistlock. It replaced a 2000 dollar stainless engine heated one.
I think they use to be cheaper too. Home Depot and Lowes has them as well.
Well, this all depends on how handy you are and your site conditions. One thing to be sure about is the warranty. Does It require professional (licensed) installation?
This model is probably more than enough for your condo and is in the same price range as the Rinnai. I’m not an expert on every brand, but I know Stiebel Eltron are considered among the best. My philosophy is spend the money on things that should have a long expected life span.
The size of the unit will depend on the number of fixtures you have and where you are located in the country.
Stiebel Eltron 24 Plus Tempra, Tankless Water Heater, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GYZS4RJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JHXQDb70BA9HQ
The sherpa has a 12 volt outlet, why not get a 12 volt immersion heater: https://smile.amazon.com/Immersion-heater-immersion-heaters-Camping/dp/B01M63MZ71/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512071378&sr=8-3&keywords=12+volt+immersion
Out of curiosity, what makes that heater better than the cheap sub-$10 ones like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Water-Heater-Aluminum-Watts/dp/B00PFZFK78/
Seems like the additional wattage is unlikely to do that much unless it's being used for actual boiling...?
Some of them are, but not all of them. This post was talking about a gas fired one.
here is one from amazon:
[example gas fired tankless heater](
http://www.amazon.com/Rinnai-RL75iN-Natural-Tankless-Gallons/dp/B0058DPG1C/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346699631&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=%22gas+fired%22+tankless+instant+water+heater)
[here is another, (poke around, they got lots! )](
http://www.amazon.com/Eccotemp-FVI-12-NG-Capacity-Tankless-Heater/dp/B00388M4B4/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346699631&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=%22gas+fired%22+tankless+instant+water+heater)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001LZRF9M/ref=s9_pdx_hm_awbw_bFkn9_g60_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-11&pf_rd_r=0186YQ1BPXTVTN3F0KVG&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=d35238a4-975c-5224-bcca-be7ef5e2c1d7&pf_rd_i=3754791
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Electric-Mini-Tank-Heater-2-5-Gallon/dp/B0148O658Y
Heh yeah the one i linked is the minimum or a “sink model” but they make them in all shapes/sizes and with various tank sizes, electrical requirements, etc. just search around.
https://www.amazon.com/Eemax-EEM24013-Electric-Tankless-Heater/dp/B07D7SY8DR/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1541606077&sr=8-2-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=110+tankless+hot+water+heater+electric&psc=1
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Performance-13-kW-Self-Modulating-2-14-GPM-Electric-Tankless-Water-Heater-RETEX-13/300800566
found this... seems like a decent option and something you can stow away when you aren't using it. I really would go tankless and easy to use for renters that want the same thing, rather than rigging something up that isn't very appealing to the eye or even slightly complex in operation
edit:[this](http://www.amazon.com/Marey-Portable-Propane-Tankless- Heater/dp/B005DROEZC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_60_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=31FltoZQhML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160SR96%2C160&refRID=12Y7PQC4FNS6NV01QPDE) one might be better, but the reviews are mixed. Having a shower head is nice as well for the renters to rinse off if they need to
This isn't true.
why not just get two of these
https://www.amazon.com/Camplux-Ventfree-Outdoor-Portable-Tankless/dp/B077K428LC/
or
https://www.amazon.com/Gasland-Portable-Propane-Tankless-Outdoor/dp/B07CJ36VBJ/
​
>Problems with running two showers off one heater?
the heater can only raise so much water by so many degrees. running two showers may exceed the flow rate that the heater can warm up to anything usefully hot.
​
/not a plumber
I have a Bosch 2.5 gallon electric water heater which works great.
I have a pretty robust electric setup (400 Ah battery capacity, 400 w solar, 3000 w inverter), but I could probably get away with less.
You're also going to need to be able to do the rough in plumbing, which is fairly straightforward but might be challenging if you're not particularly handy.
My apologies, this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0148O658Y/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_7ZbCCbCR26949
Link???? We're not scries. :P
I have had this one in my AZ list forever: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JLSH5S/
Is this similar to what you are considering?
EDIT: I realize the link I added has mixed reviews. I have it on my list to find one similar to that when I go to buy, not that specific model.
Ok let's try this again.
I'm looking to replace my Rinnai tankless hot water heater
Model R75 LSi
with a Rinnai RL 75iN (see link below)
https://www.amazon.ca/Rinnai-RL75iN-Natural-Tankless-7-5-Gallons/dp/B0058DPG1C
Can they be swapped out without any extra work?
In the USA one can order on Amazon latin-america style "suicide showers" that might run on the 20A 120v bathroom circuit, but with that little voltage and current you aren't going to find more then a 40°F rise in water temperature -- so it might work to conserve already heated water at a low flow-rate, but the water will be little more then room-temperature once the apartment's hot-water storage tank is depleted and you are drawing directly from cold-climate ground-temperature water.
Otherwise, the exact thing you seek is available, but be aware that it requires power like an American clothes dryer. The electric showers I used in Europe/UK also required ~32A 240V power.
I can't say that I've never used a camp shower outdoors with the shower hose though the window...
In all of these cases, I'm not sure that the water-volume from the cheaper options would be to your satisfaction.
I am only going by the legal advice I was given by our lawyer (that the hot water going out for a short time doesn't make it inhabitable).
The way it was explained to me is that you can still take cold water and heat it on the stove if you need hot water, for example. Not being able to take a hot shower sucks but it's not render the place unlivable.
11 days seems like a long time when it's happening but, by your account, they seemed to be making an honest attempt to fix it.
I would advise in the future to fight this when it was happening, and not months after the fact. You might be able to come up with a compromise like buying something like this (just an example).