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110 Volt Tankless Water Heater: Finding the Right Small Water Heater for You

 
 

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Water heaters play an essential role in our household, but let's face it, there are times when your home's primary system needs a little help. That's where a 110 volt tankless water heater can step in and make a big difference. Whether you need a little boost to speed the hot water flow in a shower or hand sink, or you're simply looking for a portable system, a 110 volt water heater can definitely fill the roll.

Regardless of the specific type or brand, a water heater is an essential tool in most homes today. Think about the number of times you use hot water over the course of a typical day. Hot water is necessary for things like: Cooking, cleaning, bathing, washing your hands, laundry, and even making coffee and tea! So your main system may need a helping hand. That's where a 110-volt tankless water heater comes in, it's designed to deliver hot water for a specific purpose, such as a hand sink. 


Do You Need a 110 Volt Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters come in all different shapes and sizes, so before you commit to a purchase, you should determine whether a 110-volt water heater is going to be enough to suit your needs. Here are a few things to consider:

Location & Demand

The size and voltage of a tankless water heater depends on the needs you're trying to meet. Generally, individuals purchase a tankless water heater for one of the following applications:

Single Point Application - A single point application is used when you're only heating water for one source. For example, if you simply want to give your kitchen sink a heating boost, you could install a small tankless water heater beneath your kitchen sink.

Multipoint Application - A multipoint application is still less than a whole house system, but it does involve using the heater for more than one water source. In this case, you might use one heater for a shower and a hand sink.

Whole House Application - A whole house application is a water heater that is capable of heating the water for all of your hot water sources throughout your home.

In most cases, purchasing a whole house tankless water heating system is quite expensive and requires professional help to install. Many homeowners choose to use smaller electric tankless water heaters to boost heating for appliances, single rooms, or single water sources such as showers or faucets.

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Common Uses

The main uses of a 110-volt tankless water heater are:

  • Point of Use - The most common use of a small electric water heater is directly at the point of any water distributor, such as a bathroom or kitchen sink. You can install it right under the sink or cabinet, so it directly heats the water.
  • Travel - Because some of these heaters are so small, it's convenient to carry them around, and they are commonly used in cars, RVs, or with pets. There are even specially designed water heaters for travel that burn propane and are designed for outdoor use.
  • Supplemental Use - Individuals often add a tankless heater to their existing system to bolster hot water in areas like the kitchen or bathroom. There are two advantages here: First, if your tank runs out of hot water, you still have the electric heater as a back-up. Second, You'll have hot water immediately, you won't need to wait as the hot water from your tank travels through your home's plumbing.

If any of these uses resonate with your current situation, then there's a good chance you're in need of a 110-volt on-demand water heater.

Plugging into a 110v outlet

110-Volt Water Heater vs. 120-Volt Water Heater

When you begin shopping for a 110V electric tankless water heater it's easy to get confused. You may notice that many heaters are listed at 120-volts, but not 110-volts. Although this may be confusing, it actually has more to do with the way electricity travels through your home's wiring than the water heater itself.

The bottom line is these ratings (110v, 120v) are referring to the same thing.

A single hot wire in your home has 120V of AC voltage compared to a ground or neutral wire. However, as the electricity flows through the wiring in your house it encounters resistance which causes the 120V to drop to 115V or even 110V by the time it reaches the water heater.

A 110V tankless water heater is designed to work on 120-volts, however the manufacturer has tested it to operate at a lower voltage. In other words, it's rated at 110-volts and therefore can operate at this lower voltage.

Bosch Thermotechnology 7736505867, 3.6kW, Bosch US3-2R Tronic 3000 Electric Tankless Water Heater, 3.6 kW, 6.6" x 12.8" x 2.9", White

The Bosch US3-2R Tronic 3000 is a 120 volt tankless water heater designed for both commercial or residential use.

Types of 110 Volt Tankless Water Heaters

There are several different types of 110-volt tankless water heaters on the market today. To help you make an informed decision, let's take a closer look at each.

110v Plug-in Tankless Water Heaters

Small 110-volt water heaters are particularly convenient for apartments, as their shortened dimensions take up very little space where you might not have much to spare. Because of their small size they are also an excellent choice for RVs and campers.

CNCEST Tankless

Heaters like CNCEST's DY19 Instant Mini Hot Water Heater (shown below) can give you a boost when you're washing the dishes or hosing down your pet. It packs 3000 Watts of power into it's small size and is capable of delivering a temperature range between 95° to 113° Fahrenheit. 

It's a tiny little heater with dimensions of 5.31" x 2.36" x 6.59" and has a LCD display so you can view the outgoing water temperature. The heat exchanger is made from stainless steel and the unit can be plugged directly into any US standard electrical outlet.

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Of course, because they're so small, these heaters typically have a negative impact on your flow rate. We wouldn't recommend it for things like showers, baths, and laundry machines, but simple areas like faucets can certainly benefit at an affordable price.

Garosa Tankless

Another option is the Mini Electric Tankless Heater by Garosa. It can fit into the tiniest of places to secure close, direct, and effective heating in one location. These types of heaters typically perform fine for single points of use, such as a hand sink where hot water demand is minimal.


110 Volt Point of Use Electric Tankless Water Heater

Although there are a few plug-in electric tankless water heaters on the market, there's a good chance you'll be disappointed with their performance. Hardwiring a tankless heater into your electrical system is always the better choice. There's more models to choose between and although it's more of a hassle to install, your water heater will perform better.

Chronomite Tankless

The Chronomite SR-30L Tankless Water Heater is a no nonsense small 120-volt, 3600-watts low flow heater that can deliver .50 gallons of hot water per minute. Many tankless systems require six seconds to deliver hot water, but the Chronomite can do it in two!

The small design (9.63" x 2.75" x 6.25") makes it ideal to install under a sink. It's designed to raise the temperature of your incoming water by 49° F. So if your incoming water is 50°, you can expect the hot water to be 99° F. If you're looking for hot and fast hot water, in a no-frills package, this is an excellent choice. 

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EcoSmart Tankless

A popular choice is the EcoSmart POU 3.5 Tankless Water Heater. It has a temperature read out and power button on the front panel so you can easily see the output temperature. The 3500 Watt unit is streamlined and doesn't require much space (11" x 7" x 2.75"), and it's rated for 120V.

The components are made from stainless steel and copper, and the EcoSmart POU 3.5 should be able to handle one sink with a flow rate of 0.50 gallons per minute which is enough to handle a hand sink. If you require more hot water or you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider upgrading to the EcoSmart POU 6.0 which is the same heater with a bit more power.

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Ecosmart POU 3.5 Point of Use Electric Tankless Water Heater, 3.5KW@120-Volt, 6 x 11 x 3 Inch
  • Can provide hot water for one sink at 0.5 GPM in warmer climates
  • Requires 1 x 30 amp breaker and 10 AWG wire
  • For one sink at 0.5 GPM in colder climates the POU 6 is recommended
  • Amperage Draw 29 amp. kW - 3.5 kW
  • Connection Fittings 1/2" NPT

Stiebel Eltron Tankless

If you're looking for quality, you should definitely check out the Stiebel Eltron DHC 3-1. With it's sleek, no-nonsense design and superior German engineering, this 120V tankless water heater not only looks good, but it performs at a best in class level.

Although it's slightly larger (18.9" x 7.9" x 14.25") it should still be able to fit nicely in a cabinet, or simply in view under a sink. This 3000 Watt heater is listed as a 120V, but Stiebel Eltron informed us that it was rated for 110V.

With a temperature range between 86° to 140° F. your hot water will be piping hot, and the Electronic Temperature Control will keep the water at a constant temperature so you won't need to worry about sudden changes.

Stiebel Eltron 074050 120V, 3.0 kW DHC 3-1 Single Sink Point-of-Use Tankless Electric Water Heater, 10 Gauge
  • Up to 50% less power consumption compared to storage type heaters
  • Hot water instantly, available in many different kW sizes
  • Hydraulically controlled for quiet operation
  • Resettable safety high limit switch, never dry fires and fails prematurely
  • Lower installation costs compared to tank type units

Ariston Tankless

Another option is the Ariston Aures Slim Multi Electric Tankless Water Heater, it's small and compact (7.3" x 11.8" x 3.5") and offers the feature of adjusting your hot water temperature. There are three temperature setting options: Low (1Kw); Medium (2 Kw); and High (3 Kw).

The heat exchanger is made from copper and the unit can deliver a temperature range between 90° to 131° F. The 3000 Watt heater will need to be hardwired into your electrical system. 

Ariston Aures Slim Multi 3.5kW 110-Volt 0.59 GPM Point of Use Electric Tankless Water Heater
  • Supply endless, on-demand hot water to a single application, 0.5 gallons per minute
  • Save Space; compact design allows for installation flexibility to provide hot water where you need it
  • Electric tankless water heater requires a 110/120-Volt connection, 28-29 Amp
  • Instant heating technology saves time ensuring that hot water is always ready whenever you need it
  • 6-year limited warranty against leaks, 2-year on parts. Electric tankless water heaters have a 20 year lifespan

Ecosmart ECO MINI 4 4-Gallon 120V Electric Mini Tank Water Heater,White

EcoSmart makes a nice inexpensive 4.4-gallon 120 volt mini tank water heater. It plugs directly into a standard electrical outlet and is available in both larger and smaller tank sizes.

110 Volt Point of Use Electric Tank Water Heater 

Tankless water heaters have their advantages, but they are often more expensive than a tank-style water heater. In addition, as you can see, you'll need to have them hardwired directly into your home's electrical system, which will require hiring a professional.

We highly recommend considering purchasing a tank-style water heater. In most cases a tank-style heater will meet your needs, save you money, and you can simply plug it into a standard electrical outlet. If you're comfortable with doing a little light plumbing, you can even hook it up yourself. Here's a few excellent tank-style 110 Volt water heaters:

Bosch 3000 T Mini-Tank

A very popular tank-style heater is the Bosch 3000 T Mini-Tank Electric Water Heater. The 4-gallon tank has plenty of water to wash your hands or do dishes, and if you need more hot water, you can always upgrade to the larger 7-gallon tank model.

Installation is easy and the mini-tank can be plugged directly into a standard electrical outlet. The square design (13.75" x 13.75" x 13.5") allows for plenty of placement options. The included mount allows for wall installation, or simply setting it on a shelf or the floor.  

The Bosch 3000 T Mini-Tank has a temperature range of 65° to 145° F., and a fast recovery time. It requires 1440 Watts and is rated for 120 Volts. It's hard to go wrong with the Bosch 3000 T.

Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 4-Gallon (ES4) - Eliminate Time for Hot Water - Shelf, Wall or Floor Mounted
  • CONVENIENT HOT WATER HEATER: 4 gallon point-of-use mini-tank fits under your sink to provide hot water right where you need it. Thermal efficiency is 98%. Dimensions : 13.75 W x 13.75 H x 13.5 D Inches
  • LONG LASTING QUALITY: This electric water heater is easy to maintain and has premium glass-lined material for a long service life. (Amps 12A, Volts (VAC) 120)
  • INDEPENDENT INSTALLATION: 36-37" cord plugs into a 120 volt outlet for independent installation or in-line with a large hot water source
  • FAST RECOVERY RATE: Eliminates long waits for hot water at your sink, get on demand hot water at your every need (supplies up to 2 sinks at a time)
  • EASILY MOUNTED: Can be shelf, wall or floor mounted (bracket included); simply tap into the cold water line and install the water heater directly at the sink to provide hot water

The Stiebel Eltron SHC4 4-Gallon Water Heater is another excellent option. Stiebel Eltron is known for well designed and superior performing water heaters. The 4-gallon tank is glass-lined to reduce corrosion, and is large enough to handle hand washing or kitchen applications. This an excellent choice for RVs and other applications such as food trucks, wet bars, cabins, and of course household hand and kitchen sinks. If you need a larger size, a 6-gallon tank model is also available. 

No special wiring is necessary, the Stiebel Eltron SHC4 comes with a 3-prong grounded plug which works in a 110-120V outlet, and has a temperature range between 86° to 140° F. It's size is slightly larger (19-3/4" x 12-5/8" x 12-1/2") but it's sleek design and sharp white color makes it easy on the eyes and adds a stylish flair.

Stiebel Eltron 234046 SHC 4 4 Gallon Water Heater, 4-Gallon
  • The SHC 4, 4 gallon mini tank 120V (volt) electric water heater frees up precious space while providing plenty of hot water for hand washing or kitchen type applications

A more traditional looking tank-style water heater is the American Standard CE-6-AS 6-Gallon Tank. It's an excellent choice if you have the room for a slightly larger (13.88" x 13.88" x 15.5") heater that can sit on a shelf either in a cabinet or mounted on a wall.

The heavy gauge steel tank is lined with Dura Glass (fired at 1,600° F.) which helps protect it from corrosion. Considering the typical shower uses 6 to 8 gallons of hot water, the American Standard should just have you covered, but you could always upgrade to the larger 12-gallon model if you're worried about running out. Both the 6 and 12-gallon models run on 120 Volts and require hardwiring into your electrical system.

American Standard CE-6-AS 6 gallon Point of Use Electric Water Heater
  • Heavy gauge Steel tank
  • Inner Dura glas lined tank fired at 1,600°f for optimum protection from the effects of corrosion
  • Factory installed Brass drain valve on all models allows for easy draining of the unit which reduces sediment deposits extending tank life
  • Factory installed Brass temperature/pressure relief valve
  • American standard point-of-use electric water heaters are all certified at 300 psi test pressure and 150 psi working pressure. All tanks are also 100% hydrostatically tested at the factory


LORENZETTI CORAL 110V Electric Instant Hot Water Shower Head Heater + FREE wall support/tube Included (ducha electrica para agua caliente incluye nipple)

Another option is the Lorenzetti Coral Hot Water Shower Head. It's rated for 110V and replaces your shower head

110 Volt Electric Tankless Water Heater for Shower

There's nothing worse than stepping into an ice-cold shower, so it's understandable that you might want an on-demand water heater solely for the guarantee that your shower is hot . . . no matter what other appliances are using hot water.

There are a few 110 Volt water heaters on the market today designed specifically for showers. However, if you're looking for a high-quality instant hot water heater for a good, long shower, you might want to check out heaters with a higher voltage.

Boccherini Electric Instant Hot Water

The Boccherini Electric Instant Hot Water allows you to control the water temperature with it's three built-in power settings. It also has dual shower heads, one stationary shower head overhead, and a separate handheld head to give you plenty of mobility while showering.

BOCCHERINI Electric Shower Head Water Heater For Bathroom 110V / 120V Ducha Electrica Para Agua Caliente Regadera Duchas Electricas / 3 Temperature Water Selector
  • ✔ PREMIUM ELECTRIC SHOWER WATER HEATER | Instant hot water with an unlimited supply, when you want it without wasting any energy when not needed. VOLTAGE: 110 - 120 V
  • ✔ 3 TEMPERATURE SETTING SELECTOR | Three water temperature control, Warm, Cold and Hot. DUAL SHOWER HEAD / HANDHELD HEATER COMBO | Overhead shower head and hand shower separately.
  • ✔ IMPORTANT: Requires to install 40 AMP Breaker and 10 AWG wiring. Save up to 60 percent on your water heating cost with a BOCCHERINI Electric Shower Head heater.
  • ✔ INSTALLATION GUIDE included in the box and a QR CODE for video installation guidance. Please contact us by message if you have further questions about the product and we’d be happy to assist you.
  • ✔ BOCCHERINI is a brand that transforms and promotes development providing premium electric shower head heaters since 1989. Now we are more than 250 families benefited by the innovation and quality of our products.

iHeat Hot Spot Shower Head

Another option is the iHeat Hot Spot Tankless Electric Shower Head. This 110 Volt shower head fits directly on the shower nipple and can be used in the shower or outdoors. It's great for camping trips when "roughing it" shouldn't require cold showers, or even outdoor showers for pools.

Designed with advanced technology, it offers 5 power settings to choose between. But it should be noted, that the inlet water temperatures should be above 70° for best results, so it is definitely better suited for Summer time demand.

iHeat Tankless P FBA Electric Shower Head Heater Model AHSH 2500, 23A, 2.5Kw, Chrome Plated, 1/2" FIP Connector with 110v Cord Included, 10" in. by 4.5" in. Weighs 3.5lbs, 2.5 KW
  • Saves water costs by cutting down on long waits associated with waiting for hot water to reach your shower, hot water right at your shower head
  • Patented water proof design, keeps the consumer completely safe by isolating and properly grounding all electrical connections within the heaters construction
  • Patented design also eliminates the need to have to replace the heating element, by removing the unwanted air from the heating chamber
  • Tank less shower head heater connects directly to the shower Nipple for fast easy installation
  • Shower head heater was designed with a great Chrome finish and with all water proof construction to eliminate any interior moisture

Final Thoughts

Buying a 110-volt tankless water heater doesn't need to be a stressful task. If you just need a few gallons of hot water for a wet bar or a hand sink, purchasing a tank-style heater might be your best option as you most likely won't need to hire a electrician.

But if you want hot water for a shower, your best choice might be to purchase a tankless heater because your hot water usage won't be limited by the size of the tank. Just be careful that the tankless you purchase will be able to provide the necessary amount of hot water.

Even though there are some plug-in style 110-volt tankless water heaters available, unless your demand is minimal, you'll be better off purchasing a tankless that requires hardwiring or a tank-style heater. There's a reason reputable brands such as Stiebel Eltron, Bosch, and EcoSmart only sell hardwired 120-Volt water heaters.

Last update on 2024-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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