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Best Tankless Small Water Heaters: Reviews and Buyers Guide

 
 

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A tankless small water heater can be used as a stand alone unit or a booster to help deliver hot water to a bathroom that's not well served by the main water heating system. When a water heater is installed near the source it will serve (such as a sink), it's called a point-of-use water heater, and in most cases, this is the role of a small water heater.

In this post, we'll show you how to buy a tankless small water heater. It's not hard once you know what to look for and how manufacturers rate their units. Then, we'll show you some of our favorites. You'll be armed with the information needed to find the right unit to meet your needs.

Tankless Small Water Heater Reviews


 

Stiebel Eltron DHC-E

Stiebel Eltron is an industry leader in manufacturing water heaters. These German made tankless units are not only sharp-looking, but they also show off a sleek, stylish design.  

Select an output temperature range between 86- and 140-degrees by easily turning the knob on the front panel. With the use of advanced microprocessor technology, the water won't deviate from your chosen temperature, even if the water flow varies.

Stiebel Eltron 224201 240V, 7.2/9.6kW DHC-E 8/10 Single/Multi-Point-of-Use Tankless Electric Water Heater

Stiebel Eltron offers a smaller series of point-of-use units (DHC models) with Flow Rates as low as .50 GPM and as high as 1.6 GPM (40-degree Temperature Rise) and are designed for a single point-of-use.

The larger DHC-E series offers a Flow Rate up to 2.0 GPM (DHC-E12). This powerful series is capable of handling areas where more hot water is required, such as in the kitchen. The DHC-E series is designed for multi point-of-use.

We're big fans of Stiebel Eltron water heaters and their point-of-use units are no exception. The company has strict product standards and quality engineering. In fact, they're so confident in their product that they offer one of the best warranties in the industry.

If you're looking for an excellent, hard working small tankless water heater, we don't think you'll be disappointed. These are high-end units, so they'll be higher priced, and depending on the job you have set out for them, you may not want to spend the extra money. 

Stiebel Eltron 224201 240V, 7.2/9.6kW DHC-E 8/10 Single/Multi-Point-of-Use Tankless Electric Water Heater
  • No venting required
  • Reduces hot water pipe runs
  • Outperforms bulky hot water tanks
  • Voltage: 240.0

 
 

Rheem RTEX-08

If you're looking for a high quality, energy efficient (99.8%) small water heater, Rheem is a good choice. The company has been around since 1925 and is the top manufacturer of water heaters in North America.

We really like the RTEX series. It comes in 3 different sizes ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 GPM and is capable of delivering enough hot water for a small home if sized correctly. If you're looking for a smaller single point-of-use unit, Rheem also has 2 models for the job. One can deliver .50 GPM and another 1.0 GPM.

Rheem 240V Heating Chamber RTEX-08 Residential Tankless Water Heater

The output temperature can be adjusted in 1-degree increments by using a convenient knob on the front of the unit. With a temperature range between 80- to 140-degrees, these units should be able to meet nearly any personal preference. 

The immersion heating elements are designed with a brass top to prevent corrosion and allow for easy removal. But don't let the forethought of removal fool you, these heating elements are powerful and designed to deliver years of service.

It's worth mentioning the importance of properly sizing a tankless, especially if you're looking for a unit that can service a small home. Tankless water heaters don't have a reserve (tank) to store heated water, so if you require more hot water than the unit is capable of heating, you'll be very disappointed. 

Rheem 8kW 240V Tankless Electric Water Heater
  • ON/OFF Dial Control with adjustable digital temperature display
  • Self-modulating power control
  • 8kW Model Flow Rate: up to 1.95 GPM
  • Side 1/2" NPT water connections
  • On demand; continous hot water

 
 

Bosch Tronic 3000

The Bosch Tronic 3000 series is reasonably priced and ultra compact. With the exception of the larger 1.8 GPM unit, you'll have the option to mount  the tankless vertically or horizontally. This versatility, coupled with a lightweight design, means these units can fit into the tightest of spaces. 

With a respectable 98% energy efficiency rating, copper sheathed heating elements and a copper heat exchanger, the Bosch tankless point-of-use water heater is a solid performer for the money.

Bosch Electric Tankless Water Heater - Eliminate Time for Hot Water - Easy Installation, 9.5 kW - US9

We also like that Bosch uses a 45-degree temperature rise when factoring their GPM measurements, and with 5 units ranging in capacity from .50 GPM to 1.8 GPM you should be able to find the right size. These small water heaters are simply a no-nonsense work horse and they deliver a solid value for your dollar. 

Bosch Electric Tankless Water Heater - Eliminate Time for Hot Water - Easy Installation, 9.5 kW - US9
  • Country of Origin:United Kingdom
  • Package length:18.0"
  • Package width:18.0"
  • Package height:21.0"
  • Solid copper heat exchanger for longer life

 
 
 

Atmor AT-900

Atmor is another long-time player in the electric tankless water heater industry. With a wide range of sizes available that deliver between .50 to 2.25 GPM, you should be able to find the right unit for your needs.

The .56 GPM is perfect for a single sink installation. Using a 45-degree temperature rise makes this a nice compact and powerful unit.

Atmor AT-900-04 Tankless Water Heater Electric, 3.8kW, White

Although we really like this series because of it's competitive price and solid warranty, owners of the Atmor branded tankless heater seem to be split. Ultimately, we feel that this is a good choice for the price, and properly sizing can frequently be the difference between satisfaction and disappointment. 

No products found.


 
 
 

EcoSmart POU6

EcoSmart's tankless water heaters have been gaining in popularity over the last several years. The POU 6 model is capable of heating 1.4 GPM of hot water with a 45-degree temperature rise. Making this a solid performer.

The heating chamber is composed of stainless steel and is hand welded. The unit draws 220-volts of electricity and will need to be hardwired. Boat and RV owners enjoy the compact size, yet with it's good looks and versatility it'll fit right into your home.

Ecosmart POU 6 Point of Use Electric Tankless Water Heater, 6 KW,White,1/20, 1/40, 1/95

Overall, we like this small point-of-use water heater and think it's worth being on your short list. However, we do have a few concerns. Unfortunately, EcoSmart offers one of the shortest warranties in the industry with only 1-year. In addition, for the warranty to be valid, the unit must be installed by a licensed electrician/plumber within 30 days of purchase. 

Ecosmart POU 6 Point of Use Electric Tankless Water Heater, 6 KW, 1/20, 1/40, 1/95, White
  • Designed for single point-of-use applications such as hand sinks in RVs, boats, restaurants, hotels, and medical offices requiring low flow rates not exceeding 1 GPM

 
 

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Tankless Small Water Heater Buying Guide

As you begin shopping for tankless water heaters, you'll find that the flow rate is frequently the most common term used when selecting the unit's size. When you shop for a tank-style water heater it's critical to choose one that has a large enough tank to meet your hot water demands. 

The same is true with tankless units, only instead of selecting the correct sized tank, you need to determine the correct flow rate. Get the flow rate wrong, and you'll find yourself in cold water . . . literally.

Selecting the Right Size

There are 2 terms you need to understand in order to select the correct size tankless water heater: Flow rate and temperature rise. Let's take a closer look at each: 

Flow Rate

Water enters a tankless water heater cold and is heated as it travels thru the unit. The number of gallons the unit is capable of heating each minute (gallons per minute or GPM) is called the flow rate. If a tankless unit is capable of heating 2.5 gallons of water each minute, it has a flow rate of 2.5 GPM.

The majority of tankless water heaters have a flow rate of .50 to 2.25 GPM. It's important to get the flow rate right or the unit won't be able to keep up with the demand. In which case, instead of hot water, the tankless will deliver cold or luke-warm water.

Another thing to consider is the amount of hot water needed at any given moment. According to 2010 Plumbing Standards, a standard shower head uses 2.0 GPM and a hand sink will draw .50 GPM. It's important to know the demand so you can determine the GPM you'll need.

Think of it like this; your tankless is designed to deliver 1.25 GPM, but you actually need 1.75 GPM for your shower. Your shower probably won't be cold, but it certainly won't be as warm as you'd like. 

Since the same rules apply when selecting a point-of-use tankless water heater as a whole house system, you can check out our more extensive article on how to buy a tankless HERE. Just keep in mind, that you'll only need to focus on the areas that the tankless small water heater will be servicing, such as a bathroom or a kitchen sink.

 
 

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Temperature Rise

Temperature rise is simply the difference between the temperature of the water that enters the tankless and the temperature of the water when it leaves. 

The temperature the water enters your home varies since water is colder in the Winter than it is in the Summer. If you live in a cold climate, it's even colder. You may wonder why this matters if you select a water heater with the correct flow rate. Simply put, it matters a lot. 

When the incoming water enters your home at 65-degrees and tankless delivers hot water at 110-degrees, the temperature rise is 45-degees (110 - 65 = 45). But if it's Winter, the water is coming into your home at 40-degrees, your tankless will need to increase the temperature (temperature rise) by 70-degrees! (110 - 40 = 70). The same unit that may have been able to effortlessly deliver 2.5 GPM in the Summer may now be struggling to deliver .50 GPM in the Winter!

A tankless water heater isn't necessarily able to work harder when the temperature rise is higher, and that means it'll deliver a lower GPM. In other words, you may need to purchase a more powerful unit (higher flow rate) to meet your hot water needs in the Winter.

Often, you'll find that manufacturers tend to lead with the tankless unit's GPM. However, to accurately compare the efficiency of one unit to another, it's critical that you pay attention to the temperature rise.

Other Considerations

One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a point-of-use water heater, is that sizing is not as important as when you're buying a unit that'll be servicing your entire house. If you are looking to buy a unit to deliver hot water to a hand sink for a secondary bathroom or a shop, a .50 GPM will likely do the trick, and if the water is a little cooler in the Winter, it probably doesn't matter.

Also, we've been assuming that you'll install your tankless small water heater as a stand alone unit, but many people choose to configure them as a booster to your main water heater. By configuring your small water heater in this manner, you'll have nearly instantaneous hot water until your main hot water heating system can take over. A smaller, less powerful unit will almost always do the job in this case.

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Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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