The Best Water Heater

What should you look for when shopping for a new water heater? The best water heater for your needs should have the right tank size, use a fuel type that is easy for you to access, and have some built-in features for performance and heat loss.

Choosing the right water heater can help you reduce your energy bills. It is important to compare different tank sizes and to look at a few different specs when shopping for a new water heater. Here are a few tips and product recommendations to help you find the best water heater for your needs.

We looked at four criteria to select water heaters and assign ratings:

These seven appliances are worth considering if you want to replace your water heater. Compare their features and fuel types to find a water heater adapted to your needs.

Westinghouse offers a lifetime warranty on this appliance as well as a six-year warranty on parts. This water heater is a durable thanks to the stainless steel tank.

The design directly exposes cold water to the heating element at the bottom of the tank. The temperature of the hot water isn’t lowered when cold water enters the tank, which makes the appliance more effective.

It uses two heating elements and features heat traps designed to reduce heat loss. The high recovery rate of 25 gallons per hour makes this water heater ideal for families.

Installation is easy, and the temperature range of this water heater goes from 110°F to 150°F. The 52-gallon tank and energy efficient design make this appliance a good choice for a household of three or four people.

This is a small electric water heater that would be perfect if you live alone in an apartment. It is affordable the annual operating cost is very low.

It uses two 3800-watt heating elements to warm up water and features a glass lining to reduce heat loss and make the tank more durable.

There is a six-year warranty on the tank and parts. We like the compact design of this water heater and think it is ideal for an apartment or small house. It is 31.5 inches high and 17 inches wide and deep.

The temperature ranges from 90°F to 150°F. The thermostat will automatically maintain the water at the temperature you select. There is a built-in overheat protection feature.

This water heater is a great choice thanks to its low initial cost, energy-efficient design, and wide temperature range. The 20-gallon tank is adapted to the needs of a single person or couple but won’t be sufficient for a family.

This 40-gallon propane water heater has an affordable initial price. It is an appliance you should consider for a household of three or four people.

It features a burner with a performance rating of 36,000 BTU/hour. The push button ignition system makes the water heater easy and safe to use.

The flow rate is 78 gallons during the first hour of operation, which makes this water heater very performing and perfectly suited to the needs of a family. This performance rating also means the appliance can heat more water as needed without using a lot of energy.

The built-in air intake system eliminates the need for filters. This lowers maintenance costs, and you won’t have to worry about clogged or dirty filters affecting performance.

The system performance is monitored thanks to a gas valve, and this water heater features an overheat protection feature. It is also designed for low emissions, which makes using a propane-powered appliance safer.

The uniform energy factor of this appliance is 0.65. You can use this decimal rating to compare the performance of this water heater with similar appliances. If you find a water heater with a higher uniform energy factor, it will use less energy for similar results.

This water heater comes with a six-year warranty on the tank and parts. It is designed to be self-cleaning, and the temperature range is 45°F to 160°F.

This propane water heater stands out thanks to its low initial price, flow rate, and wide temperature range.

This natural gas water heater is energy-efficient thanks to the two inches of foam insulation that protect the tank. The tank also features a glass lining to prevent corrosion.

There is a self-cleaning feature so you won’t have to worry about buildups inside of the tank. The 40-gallon tank is a good match for a household of two to four people.

This water heater uses a 40,000 BTU burner to heat water. This appliance comes with a six-year warranty.

The downside of this water heater is that it isn’t Energy Star compliant. However, this water heater is still an interesting choice due to the low initial price, the good reputation of the manufacturer, and the design that reduces heat loss.

This tankless water heater is designed to provide hot water for two or three bathrooms. It uses natural gas but is safe to use indoors thanks to the low emissions design.

The 180,000 BTU burner is the feature that stands out the most. This performing burner can provide 8.4 gallons/minute if you need a 35°F rise, or 6.6 gallons/minute if you need a 45°F rise.

There is a built-in self-diagnostic system to detect problems and help with the installation process. This tankless water heater features an electric ventilation blower.

There is a five-year warranty on parts and a 12-year warranty on the heat exchange element. This water heater is more expensive than other tankless models, but the performance of this appliance make this water heater a viable option for a home with more than one bathroom or for a setting where electricity won’t be available.

This tankless electric water heater is designed for point-of-use installation. It uses a copper heating system to warm water up rapidly and effectively. We like this tankless water heater because of its low initial price.

This water heater is available in different models. Depending on the model you select, you will be able to use it with a 120V, 208V, or 240V electrical system, which makes this water heater perfect for an RV.

The built-in thermostat prevents water from getting too hot, and some of the models feature a dial so you can easily adjust the temperature.

Overall, this tankless water heater is an excellent choice due to its affordable price and will meet your needs if you want to use it for a single point of use such as a shower. Make sure to compare the different models to find one with features and a flow rate that meets your needs.

This is another option to consider if you need an electric tankless water heater. This appliance is slightly more expensive than the one we listed above and only runs on 240V.

However, the controls make this water heater a better option if you want to adjust the temperature more precisely. There are six models to choose from. The most performing and expensive appliance is ideal if you need to use water with a low inlet temperature.

You can also get one of the more performing unit to have enough hot water for a shower, dishwasher, and washer at the same time.

The most affordable model is the Echo 11. This electric appliance can heat two gallons of water per minute. The Echo 36 is the most performing model and can heat 3.5 gallons of water per minute in a cold environment.

A water heater should last between eight and 12 years. It is important to do some research before buying a new appliance since choosing a water heater adapted to your needs will help keep your energy bills down.

The size of the tank impacts the initial price of purchase as well as how much energy the water heater will use to keep water at a specific temperature. You need to assess the needs of your family to determine which tank capacity is best.

Water heater tanks typically range from 20 to 80 gallons. You can install a small tank in a closet while a larger tank will only fit in a basement. The location of the existing hookups for your water heater might limit your options.

If you live alone or in a home with two people, the best water heater for your needs will have a tank capacity of 20 to 36 gallons. An appliance with a tank of 36 to 46 gallons is recommended for a household of two to four people.

A 50-gallon water heater is a good choice for a household or three to five people. You will need to explore appliance with a tank capacity that is somewhere between 56 and 80 gallons if there are more than five people in your home.

The recovery rate of a water heater is expressed in gallons per hour. This rating indicates how quickly the appliance can raise the temperature of the water by 90°F.

A water heater with a low recovery rate might not sustain your need for hot water if you take a shower while using an appliance such as a dishwasher. You might also have to wait for the tank to warm up the water again once you are done taking a shower.

Tankless water heaters tend to have a higher initial cost. They are more compact and can usually be attached to a wall near the point of use. They need to be installed in a well-ventilated area.

If you want to get a tankless water heater, look at the flow rate and maximum temperature rise. A bathroom faucet requires a flow rate of at least 1.5 gallons per minute while a shower requires 2.5 to three gallons per minute.

If you want to take a shower while you wash a load of laundry, you will need a water heater with a flow rate of at least five gallons per minute. Living in a cold state means you will have to invest in a more performing tankless appliance since you will need a better temperature rise performance.

Natural gas and propane water heaters require ventilation. Installation one of these appliances might not be a viable option if you don’t have the proper hookups or can’t use a well-ventilated area.

You can generate enough hot water for your household with a smaller tank capacity if you choose a natural gas or propane water heater. For instance, you can meet the needs of three to four people with a 50-gallon electric water heater but would only need a 40-gallon natural gas appliance for the same household.

However, natural gas and propane tend to be more affordable than electric appliances. These water heaters are usually more performing, which means you will save money on your energy bills.

Electric water heaters tend to have a lower initial purchase price. You can find performing and energy-efficient appliances if you shop around, and repairs are typically more affordable.

These tips and recommendations will help you find the best water heater for your needs. Remember to compare the features and specs of different appliances and to look at the annual operating cost besides comparing the initial purchase price.