Gas Tankless Water Heaters, they sound great on paper, but how do they stack up to real-world testing?
Most of us dream of a home without water pipes and having flexible hot water supply.
With that in mind, you may like to know that Tankless water heaters have been a reality for quite some time.
In the past, they’ve been quite small, both in size and in heating capabilities. Lately, though things have been changing to the better. You can now find a wide range of heaters that provide high flow rates and workhorse capabilities at competitive prices. Best of all, they’re eco-friendly and easy to install home appliances.
Some water heaters will such as the Rheem RTGH-95DVLN (the Rheem, for short) will provide flow-rates that start at 5.5 gpm and go up to 11.3 gpm.
If you add up the gallons per minute of all the different flow rates, there’s a total of 93 gallons per minute! While there’s no doubt that such flow rates will supply enough hot water to heat, and keep, the water in 2 whole bathroom fixtures and maybe enough to heat a shower as well, it also has another side effect: it’s a space hog.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater | Best Overall |  |
| Tankless Water Heater | Budget Pick |  |
| Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Indoor Direct Vent Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Full of features
- Energy efficient
- 4 Star Rating
Cons:
- A little pricey
- Plastic fitting
- Causes acidic corrosion in the water from acid in the gas
The Rinnai RUC98iN is a 9.8-13.5-gpm watt-saving tankless water heater (which uses natural gas) that runs off of a 600,000-BTU Ultra Series Indoor Burner that saves energy and has a 4-star efficiency rating by Energy Star.
This particular model is broken up into three sections. The first is that it uses pressurized venting, the second is that it’s a tankless water heater, and the third section is that it’s an indoor model. As a tankless water heater, this model is very energy efficient; as it only heats the amount of water you use and nothing more.
These types of water heaters are great for most situations, but one thing to keep in mind is that it will only work with potable water. If you are wanting to heat water for an application, like a spa, you would need to use a tankless gas-fired water heater.
2. Rinnai V65IN Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Water temperature, pressure, and flow is adjustable
- Safety Auto-shutoff
- Superior energy efficiency
- Transparent water level indicator
- Anti-freeze setting
- Quieter and visually pleasing
- Flow rates of 6.5 gallons per minute
- High-quality build that lasts
Cons:
- Higher replacement cost
- Can only use the controls provided
- Warranty is limited
If you're looking for the best products, this is one of our favorites. It's a top-of-the-line gas tankless water heater, which has regulated CSA and ETL safety certification. This unit has a super easy installation and features an ergonomic design with a sophisticated LCD control panel. This control panel allows you to easily adjust the water temperature, pressure, and flow, so you can precisely customize your water heat.
This Rinnai unit has a safety Auto-shutoff feature, which is an energy-saving feature that lets you adjust the temperature and pressure settings, reducing the risk of accidents while hot water is running. The Rinnai V65IN’s water flow rate is 6.5 gallons per minute, and is capable of producing 82 liters per minute. It’s well-known for its high-end technology, which ensures power efficiency and efficiency of heat.
3. Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Cost-effective.
- Reliable.
- Very easy to install.
Cons:
- Does not work with a well-water system.
- Does not produce hot water at low temperatures.
Safety Auto shut down Valve.
The Tankless Water Heater/Gas Water Heater by GASLAND comes with adjustable temperature settings at 1,2,3, and 4, and it also comes with a 12-volt DC plug. It also contains an automatic shut-off valve which comes in handy especially when the pressure of the water tanks is low.
The indoor water heater also comes with a power indicator that comes out at the top of the unit so that you can see what kind of status your water heater is in.
4. Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Great value for what you get
Cons:
- Slow delivery
- Higher-than-average price point
The Rinnai RL94eP outdoor installation tankless water heater is a high-quality water heater that delivers boiling water quickly and efficiently.
This tankless water heater is easy to install, and installation only takes a few hours (as long as you have a few basic tools). It has a maximum temperature of 140 degrees, and the flow rate is 3.9 gallons per minute. It is weatherproof and comes with a 25-year warranty as well as a 5-year warranty on internal parts.
The Rinnai is also efficient and provides fast hot water. According to a representative that we spoke with, the hose must be at least 2 to 3 feet from the Rinnai, otherwise there will be a temperature difference between the cold water source and the hot water.
5. Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Indoor Direct Vent Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
Pros:
- Comes with a 10-year warranty
- Can heat up to 4.5 gallons of water per minute
- Gives you continuous hot water
- Quiet operation
- Safe, eco-friendly
- Could save you money
Cons:
- Expensive
- Can’t be used for laundry or dishes
The Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Indoor Direct Vent Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater gives you continuous hot water without the hassle of bulky and wasteful storage tanks. Other than being environmentally friendly since it doesn’t produce any BTUs or pollution, it’s also safe for your family as there’s no risk of scalding.
This model comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which means it’s one of the most reliable tankless water heaters on the market. It features an Energy Star rating, making it extremely efficient.
The Rheem RTGH-95DVLN can heat up to 4.5 gallons per minute, which is enough water to run almost every hot water-using appliance. It runs up to 50% more efficiency than gas water heaters, so you’ll save a ton of money on your electricity bill.
6. Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Takagi makes great water heaters
- Never run out of hot water
- Easy installation
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Sold as a pack of two with the Takagi TKJ-R2-NG-IN Indoor, Outdoor, and TKJ-RX-NG-IN Indoor, Outdoor tankless gas water heaters
- A little pricey
- We don’t recommend them for homes with more than one bathroom
- Takes some time to get used heating water
80% Gas Efficiency, 540 Water Output, 1000-Watt, ENERGY STAR, No Sound and UL Efficiency Certified.
The Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater is our top pick for its performance, reliability, and great customer service.
This indoor-outdoor tankless water heater has a rating of 80% and can deliver 540 liters of hot water per hour, which is more than enough for households with one or two bathrooms.
7. Takagi T-K4-OS-NG Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Very economical to run on natural gas
- Heats water very quickly and efficiently
- Perfect for small to medium sized households
Cons:
- Can be quite loud
- Must be used to outdoor temperatures
The Takagi T-K4-OS-NG is a beautiful tankless water heater. It’s a great option for families who are looking for their next tankless water heater. With four heat settings and a standard temperature range, this unit is one of the most popular Takagi water heaters on the market.
One thing that surprised me about this heater was its noise. I found that it makes a fairly loud noise for water heating, but it’s nothing unbearable. It could just be a sign that these units use higher pressure to heat water faster and more effectively.
For a natural gas water heater, this unit is really quite economical. The fact that it runs on natural gas certainly helps with its efficiency. The Takagi is also a very convenient water heater. The fact that it can be placed outside the house means that it can be in places where you might need water and nowhere near your water heater.
8. Rheem RTGH-95XLP Prestige Propane Outdoor Whole House Low NOx Condensing Tankless 9.5 GPM Water Heater
Pros:
- Exceptionally fuel efficient
- Icy Sturdy Design
Some of you will find external water heaters to be a fire hazard. So here are the best gas tankless water heaters for you.
The Rheem RTGH-95XLP is another top outdoor water heater that will help you save money on your outdoor water heating costs. As always, this unit comes with a variety of features which set it apart from the rest of the herd.
The thing that is most impressive about this unit is its fuel efficiency. This 91% efficiency heat pump water heater can save you as much as 1,100 to 1,800 gallons of fuel per year, which is pretty close to one-fourth of the average annual outdoor water heating costs for a four-person household.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best gas tankless water heater on the market?
There are many gas tankless water heaters that have received high reviews from customers as well as numerous professional reviews. However, it can be difficult to find information about particular units because there are so many on the market.
In this article, however, we focus on the 7 best gas tankless water heaters, which we narrowed down using a combination of customer reviews, Amazon reviews, previous reviews from sites like Consumer Reports, and other research data at our disposal.
What we discovered from our research is that there are several distinct differences in how gas tankless water heaters work. Some have a gas inducer that easily turns from continuous flow to intermittent flow. The gas igniter simply turns on and off to adjust the turnover rate of hot water. Others use electronic technology to do the job. The different mechanisms work differently and are suited to different needs.
How good are gas tankless water heaters?
Gas tankless water heaters are an excellent alternative to traditional storage tank water heaters. Many of them cost significantly less and couple the convenience of water hot water at will with the cost savings of eliminating the energy storage device.
However, cost savings isn't the only the only reason to love these appliances. They can save you space in smaller homes (since you can eliminate the need for a storage tank) and also make water more available at all times (since its stored in the unit itself). They can also be taken with you when you move out on your own to college or a bigger apartment.
Gas tankless water heaters are so powerful, in fact, that some of the "whole house" water heaters on the market use gas to increase recovery time.
What is the downside of a tankless water heater?
While the tankless water heater is a fantastic upgrade for your home, it isn't without its draw backs. If you are buying one of these units, you should definitely know about the limitations before you make your purchase.
The capacity will be significantly lower than what you are used to. A tankless water heater will only heat water as you need it, so they are a wonderful choice if you have two-in-one baths or areas that you use frequently in your home. Otherwise, you'll likely need to purchase multiple units to cover the whole house.
Setup and installation can be more complex than a traditional water heater. You'll have to plan your plumbing around the placement of the unit which may take some time.
What is the best outdoor tankless gas water heater?
At the moment, many Americans can not use a traditional tank type water heater. This is due to some of them having old-fashioned water distribution networks, or the local gas authority is too sketchy. A tankless water heater is the perfect solution to this problem.
Conclusion
We dedicated an entire article to GSH models. Why? A lot of our readers asked for it, as they are interested in upgrading to tankless hot water heaters in their homes. We will go through the reasons for this trend, and compile a list of the 7 best gas tankless water heaters on the market. For the most part, our comparisons are based on hard data. They rely on and rate five features: price, efficiency, energy star rating, warranty, and tankless water heater reviews. Using this criteria ensures we can put you in a position to make a clear choice among the market leaders.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater | Best Overall | |
| Tankless Water Heater | Budget Pick | |
| Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Indoor Direct Vent Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater | Upgrade Pick | |