Technology has undoubtedly made some regular day-to-day activities more accessible and convenient, from washing clothes and dishes, cleaning floors, and even taking warm baths.
Now, you can take a hot shower anytime – in the middle of the night, when you’re hurrying to beat the morning traffic, and after a long day’s work. All you have to do is turn on the switch, and voila, you have hot water.
However, finding the perfect water heater might prove difficult. As such, we’ve compiled the best ones on the market just for you! So please sit back and relax because it’s about to get hot here.
Best Water Heaters Reviewed
A brand with a solid reputation after 30 years of effective service, A.O Smith is a preferred choice for many plumbers, and with reason. Their products are of high quality, and this model proves that.
The A.O Smith natural gas water heater is designed to provide hot water for households with 5+ people. With a powerful 40,000 BTU, this water heater offers 81 gallons of hot water in the first hour.
Unlike other brands, this heater has an electronic gas valve that puts you in control. This feature allows you to control the water temperature to suit your preference.
Other impressive features include the LED status indicator and the in-built safety system. The LED status indicator lets you monitor your heater’s functionality, which means you can tell if the heater is working correctly.
On the other hand, the in-built safety system protects the heater and the home at large from accidents like fires.
With a uniform energy of 3.55-3.70, this is one of the market’s most competent and efficient water heaters today.
All functions of this model are controlled simultaneously by an advanced control. So, you can adjust the different modes (energy saver, high demand, electric, heat pump, and vacation) to suit your preferred heating option.
For instance, you can activate the high-demand mode when you need hot water. Similarly, the vacation mode helps you save energy when traveling and won’t use your hot water.
In addition, the Rheem electric water heater is compatible with the EcoNet intelligent monitoring system. It means that home or away, you can receive alerts and notifications about your heater on your mobile phone or tablet via the EcoNet app.
The Rheem Platinum Hybrid water heater also has an in-built system that protects it from water damage. Its leak detection cable alerts you of any possible or occurring leakage. With this, you can save up to $4000 that would have been spent on water damage repairs.
The Rheem Smart water heater is also the quietest hybrid on the market at 49dBA.
The Rheem Gladiator electric water heater gives you more than just hot water; its smart features provide a smooth and seamless experience.
For one, you can monitor the performance of your water heater from your mobile device. From tracking energy usage to checking the availability of hot water, adjusting water temperature, and monitoring functionality, the EcoNet technology gives you complete control of your water heater.
It also has a LeakGuard feature that protects your home from water damage, and it detects leaks and limits them to 20 Oz of water. Besides this, it is easy to install and service.
This is the model for you if you’re looking for an energy-efficient water heater. This heater saves up to 73% of water heating costs. With this, you can save an average of $3000 in 10 years.
That’s the great thing about this heater; you save energy and money while getting excellent hot water service. It also utilizes the four operating modes; hybrid, electric, efficiency, and vacation.
Finally, with a 10 years warranty, you don’t need to worry about maintenance.
Another high-efficiency water heater, the Westinghouse Electric Water Heater, uses 10-15% less energy than standard models, which means less water heating costs. Moreover, the 2” thick insulation allows for minimal heat loss.
Furthermore, it has a larger capacity (52 gallons) than other heaters. This would mean more hot water for your household, and this feature is outstanding if you have a large family.
Another outstanding feature of this model is the stainless steel tank that protects against water damage.
Types of Water Heater
Knowing the various types of water heaters available is essential if you’re considering buying one. The five major types include:
Conventional Water Heater
This is one of the most popular types of water heaters. They have a hot water tank maintained 24 hours a day and run on natural gas, oil, and electricity.
Conventional water heaters are suitable for homes in any climate and are also very affordable and easy to install. However, the downside of these heaters is that they utilize a lot of energy.
Because this heater has a constant well of warm water, it constantly uses energy to maintain the temperature. In addition, they are more vulnerable to water damage and occupy space.
Tankless Water Heater (On-Demand)
As you’ve probably guessed, this type of water heater has no tank. Rather than storing water, tankless water heaters use heating coils to heat water as you use it. When you turn on any hot water tap in your home, internal sensors detect the flow and ignite the gas that heats the water. And once you turn off the tap, the heating process stops.
As such, tankless water heaters only provide hot water when needed, lowering the monthly energy cost. Also, this type requires less storage without a need for a reservoir; however, the initial cost is more expensive than conventional water heaters.
This heater runs on natural gas, propane, and electricity.
Heat Pump Water Heater (Hybrid)
Heat pumps capture heat from surrounding air and transfers it to the water tank. They use about 60% less energy than conventional tanks.
Also, these pumps are the most efficient alternative to fuel, oil, and electric water heating pumps, making them both energy-efficient and cost-effective.
Because their water heater is situated at the top, they require at least 8” vertical clearance, and in essence, they take up quite a bit of space. You also need to install the heat pump water heaters in climates of 40-90°C, and anything lower may develop a fault.
Condensing Water Heater
Condensing water heaters are similar to conventional heaters; they capture hot gases and redirect them into the water exchanger, which helps in saving energy. Moreover, the condensing water heater is environmentally-friendly and has cheaper operational costs.
On the flip side, it occupies space and costs 3 to 4 times more than a conventional water heater.
Solar Water Heater
This heater absorbs the sun’s heat and transfers it to the water tank. As such, they’re both eco-friendly and cost-effective, lowering your water and electricity bills.
However, you need adequate rooftop space, which may be better for smaller houses. The cost of an installment is also expensive.
What to Consider When Buying a Water Heater
Regardless of the type of water heater you settle on, here are 3 things you need to consider when choosing one.
1. Size
The size of water heaters generally ranges from 40 to 100 gallons. For a typical family of 4, a 40-gallon water heater is usually sufficient. However, this size might not be ideal if you have a more prominent family. So you want to go for models with larger capacities.
2. Tank vs. Tankless
Tankless water heaters provide water on demand. They take less space and are said to be 24-34% more efficient than their counterparts. On the other hand, they cost more to install.
Tank water heaters store water to a predetermined heat of 100°F, which means holding water until usage. As a result, they are less energy-efficient, and however, they’re generally cheaper than tankless water heaters.
3. BTUs (British Thermal Unit)
This refers to the amount of gas or electricity used to heat water in a tank. BTU ranges from about 30,000 to 88,000; a higher BTU input means more heat in less time.
The A.O Smith water heater is our top pick, and with good reason. This model is designed to provide an endless hot water supply for yourself and your family. Furthermore, the electronic gas valve allows you to control the temperature.
Also, installing this heater doesn’t require technical know-how and is seamless and easy. Thousands of clients can attest to this fact.
Its in-built safety system is unmatched. It prevents accidents such as fire outbreaks and inflammation, providing security for your home.
Finally, this heater offers up to a 6-year warranty. And with a leading brand like A.O Smith, you can rest assured that your product will receive the best maintenance option.
