If your water heater isn't working like it should, then it may be time to replace it. While many homes rely on a 50-gallon water heater, 80-gallon water heaters are suitable for larger homes.
80-gallon water heaters are best for families with five or more people in their household and are frequently powered by electricity. If that's the direction you want to go, there are plenty of options to choose from, especially as water heater technology grows more advanced and affordable.
Keep reading to find the top 10 80-gallon electric water heaters for 2020. But first, check out the following frequently asked questions help you along your way of purchasing an 80-gallon electric water heater.
80-Gallon Electric Water Heater FAQs
How Much Does an 80-gallon Water Heater Cost?
Your costs will vary, but you should typically expect to spend between $1,000 and $4,000 on a water heater this size. Heaters with lower price tags generally offer fewer features than their more costly counterparts.
How Long Do 80-Gallon Water Heaters Take to Heat Up?
This will depend heavily on the unit you purchase. As you shop, pay attention to two numbers.
- The First Hour Rating will tell you the total amount of gallons that the heater can warm in an hour if starting with a full tank of water.
- The Recovery Rate will tell you how many gallons the heater can supply in an hour if starting with an empty tank.
How Long Do Water Heaters Last?
Many 80-gallon water heaters are electric, an they can last an average of 15 years. However, your results may vary based on how well you maintain your unit and how much stress you place it under.
Are New Electric Water Heaters More Efficient?
Yes, legal requirements around energy consumption have forced manufacturers to begin creating more efficient water heaters. This is good news for consumers, as you can expect to save on your monthly energy bills after upgrading to a newer water heater.
Do Water Heaters Lose Efficiency Over Time?
Unfortunately, water heaters do lose efficiency over time. If you've noticed that your energy bills are creeping higher, it could be a sign that you need to invest in a new water heater.
Will a 80-Gallon Water Heater Be Enough Hot Water?
As a general rule, you can expect the draw efficiency to be approximately 70% of the tank size, or 56 gallons of hot water for an 80 gallon water heater. When hot water is being drawn from the tank it's replaced with cold water. If large amounts of hot water is drawn, the water heater is not able to heat the cold water fast enough, which is why an 80 gallon tank can only deliver approximately 56 gallons of usable hot water.
You should have enough hot water to draw four baths simultaneously, or run a load of laundry while three baths are running. In most cases, an 80-gallon water heater will deliver more than enough hot water for a large family.
Top 10 80-Gallon Water Heater Picks
These are our top 10 choices for 80-gallon electric water heaters:
1. General Electric - Electric Hybrid Water Heater
General Electric is one of the most respected names in the water heater market. Their flagship 80-gallon electric water heater could be just what you need to satisfy your home's hot water supply needs.
This electric water heater features 67-gallon first-hour delivery, the latest heat pump technology, and can save 3-4 person households between $370 to $490 on their annual electric bill. This is made possible by a design that's highly energy-efficient, with top-of-the-line insulation.
2. A.O. Smith Commercial Electric Water Heater
This electric water heater from A.O. Smith is one of the most affordable 80-gallon tanks on the market. And at such a reasonable price, it's hard to believe that you can purchase a durable water heater that's graded for commercial use.
The water heater uses a cutting-edge self-cleaning system, which reduces sediment build-up and extends the lifespan of the tank. It also includes Blue Diamond Glass Lining, which offers extra protection against leaks.
A.O. Smith Commercial Electric Water Heater
3. Westinghouse 4500-Watt Electric Water Heater
This 4500-Watt heater from Westinghouse is another excellent option. It can provide your family with all of the hot water it needs without racking up your energy bill. The stainless steel tank has been laser-welded to provide an impressive 98% thermal efficiency.
This tank's stainless steel design also makes it very durable. You'll find that the tank resists corrosion and features several smart technologies that can extend the life of your water heating system. It's one of the reasons why Westinghouse is among the top brands in the water heating market.
When you purchase this heater, Westinghouse will also provide you with a free lifetime limited warranty. This ensures that in the unlikely event that the heater stops working soon after you purchase it, you can get it replaced or request a refund without issue.
Westinghouse 4500-Watt Electric Water Heater
4. Stiebel Eltron ACC300 Electric Water Heater
If you're looking for an electric water heater that offers a high flow rate, the Stiebel Eltron ACC300 could be your ideal product. It was designed to allow families to use multiple water outlets at the same time without sacrificing temperature or pressure.
For example, with this tank, two people in your family could take a warm shower at the same time. Or, you could wash the dishes with hot water while another family member runs a bath. In addition, this unit can also reduce your hot water costs by up to 80% thanks to its efficient design.
5. Westinghouse 16,500-Watt Electric Water Heater with Stainless Steel Tank
Westinghouse is one of the top manufacturers of electric water heaters. With this product, they've built a water heater that can meet the demands of virtually any household's hot water needs. The secret is in the tank's 16,500-watt heating element, which heats water much faster than some other 80-gallon models.
Like all Westinghouse electric water heaters, this one is also energy efficient, and both the inlet and outlet valves have built-in heat traps. This, along with the tank's stainless steel design, enables the heater to reach an energy efficiency rating of 98%, which means it could save you some serious money on your household's water bills.
Westinghouse 16,500-watt Water Heater
6. Rheem 12,000-Watt Electric Water Heater
Rheem is another respected manufacturer in the water heating industry. This unit stands out due to the high temperatures it can reach. The unit is capable of heating your water up to more than 180° Fahrenheit! That's sure to meet all of your water heating requirements.
Additionally, Rheem has built this 80-gallon water heater to last. It features the company's proprietary steel construction, which includes a coat of high-temperature porcelain enamel. This design makes the heater one of the most energy-efficient on the market.
Rheem 12,000-watt Water Heater
7. Westinghouse 5,500-Watt Electric Water Heater
Once again, you can't go wrong with purchasing a Westinghouse Electric Water Heater. This one is similar to the other two referenced in this article. Think of it as a middle option between the 4,500-watt Westinghouse water heater and the 16,500-watt unit.
This tank also gives you a great bang for your buck. It's a 100-gallon tank that could be an excellent choice for families who wish to keep more water heated at any given time.
As with the other Westinghouse models, this one also features a stainless steel tank, excellent thermal efficiency, and a limited lifetime warranty.
8. A.O. Smith Voltex Hybrid Electric Water Heater
If you're looking for a hybrid electric water heater, then this option from A.O. Smith could be your best bet. It costs a bit more than other heaters, however, it makes up for the increased price with several extra features.
For example, the tank has a vacation mode which reduces your operating costs and provides freeze protection during extended absences. The company also claims that this can provide you with a reduction in water-heating coasts that is 73% greater than standard electric water heaters.
A.O. Smith Voltex Hybrid Water Heater
9. Rheem Performance Platinum 80-Gallon EcoNet Hybrid
Rheem's Performance Platinum 80-gallon EcoNet heater is another excellent hybrid option. This tank features a high efficiency rating, ranging between 3.55 and 3.70 UEF. This can reduce your hot water heating costs by an average of $404 per year.
This heater also provides some quality-of-life features that many homeowners will appreciate. For example, it includes an LCD screen with a built-in water sensor alert, and an audible alarm. It also includes EcoNet WiFi technology that pairs with the company's free mobile app.
You can use this feature to take even more control of your water systems. It includes:
- Customizable temperature
- Vacation settings
- System monitoring
- Energy-saving features
In addition, Rheem also provides a free 10-year warranty.
10. Stiebel Eltron Accelera 300 E Hybrid Water Heater
The Accelera 300 E can reduce your home's annual water bill by as much as 80%. It features a unique system that extracts heat from energy in the air. Because of that, your Accelera water heater will use less energy than a toaster while in operation, providing a best-in-class ENERGY STAR rating of 3.39.
This unit also stands out with its easy to use LED interface, which makes it incredibly simple to control the system and monitor it's performance at any given time. These features are what have made Stiebel Eltron the best-selling water heater brand in Germany for the past 40 years.
Make Sure Your Water Heater is Up to Speed
Water heaters are large investments which can be difficult for some homeowners to install. We highly recommend hiring a professional plumber to install your new heater. But before you write off your old water heater as needing to be replaced, it's a good idea to give it a second look.
If your electric water heater isn't functioning properly right now, that doesn't necessarily mean that you need a new one. Instead, you may just need a water heating specialist to come out to your home to take a look at your heater. They may be able to fix your water heater issues without breaking your budget.
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