Top 5 Tankless Water Heaters - Gas and Electric
77Top Manufacturers of Tankless Water Heaters
1. Noritz
Noritz manufacturers advanced tankless water heaters for residential and commercial applications.
Pros
- Popular - The world's #1 manufacturer of tankless water heating systems.
- ENERGY STAR certified - certified energy efficiency and approved for numerous goverment tax credits
- Every Application - They have products for every application to fit all demands concerning water-flow, spacing, etc.
- Heavily Appraised - Many plumbers and installers consider them to be the best.
2. Chronomite Tankless Water Heaters
Chronomite specializes in only tankless water heater. Chronomite was the first to patent microprocessor technology allowing their tankless water heaters to deliver unlimited hot water IN JUST 2 SECONDS. (Other brands required 6 or more seconds.)
Pros
- Fastest Start Time - Located at the point of use and delivers instant hot water in only 2 seconds. Other brands require take considerably longer.
- Easy Installation - Installs in 15 minutes.
- 100% Lead-Free - Different states in America define "lead-free" as being ANYTHING within a certain percentage of lead. Example: California Healthy and Safe Code defines "lead-free" as 0.25% percent average lead for pipes and fixtures delivering water. Chronomite goes beyond the safety code and manufacturers 100% lead-free products.
- Self Cleaning - Eliminates alkali and calcification buildup lowering corrosion risks, flooding risks, and operating costs.
- Great for Commercial Application
Cons
- Currently don't have any products for whole home installation as of 8/27/10
3. Stiebel Eltron
Stiebel Eltron manufacturers not just electric water heaters but also solar water heaters, hand dryers, and many other space heating and water heating products. They carry tankless water heaters as well as tank water heaters.
Pros
- High quality - German engineering, German quality. Very well made products.
- Popular - Stiebel Eltron is the largest manufacturer of water heaters in Germany.
- Worldwide plants - Products produced and distributed worldwide.
- Easy Installation - easily replace conventional house water heaters.
- Superior to Eemax & Bosch - reviews here
Cons
- Electrical Requiremens - may require electrical service upgrade and/or dedicated power line to increase power input
- Can't Handle Low Water Flow - the heater doesn't kick in until a certain level of water flow is reached. Low-flow water faucets and shower heads may have to be turned on full power before the heater begins to work. Low water pressure in the house would delay start times.
- Large Size - some models too big and waste space.
4. Bosch
Well known manufacturer of home & commercial appliances.
Pros
- Works well, energy efficient
- Built Tough, Durable
- Can Handle Large Families
Cons
- Massive problems with "unlucky units" - fluctuating temperatures, constant malfuntions, confusing controls
- Hard to install/maintain
- High installation costs
- Not a popular brand - not every can service a Bosch unit, replacement parts can be hard to find
5. Eemax
Eemax manufacturers electric as well as natural gas tankless water heaters. They have a large selection of hot water heaters for residential, commercial, and industrial use.
Pros
- large selection
- Whole Home units don't require venting (can be installed anywhere)
- Finger tip temperature control with display
Cons
- Poor support
- Built Flimsy
- Recent Review - Bad
My Personal Advice?
Use Noritz for home applications and Chronomite for point-of-use applications. Check out Stiebel Eltron for large family or multiple-person use. I would also consider Bosch since they seem to have a good number of satisfied customers and are not known for bad customer service. I would avoid all the rest considering all the number of bad reviews online as well as the nature of the reviews.
The ones that didn't make the list:
Rheem:
- Not as advertised!
- Long Wait Time - have to wait or restart several times for hot water
- Low water capacity (can't provide water for multiple outlets alll at once. 2 person model can't deliver water hot enough to both persons showering. Massive decrease in water pressure.)
- Ugly - too many pipes, not aesthetically pleasing
- Requires "Vent Kit" Don't have concentric venting
- Difficult Installation - requires upgrades to gas, water, electric
Takagi
- Expensive
- Hard to install
- Not familiar with many plumbers/installers
- Imperfect customer service
- 18 less than stellar reviews here
Rinnai
- Low Quality, Flimsy
- Hard to install
- Won't run on low water flow
- Terrible Customer Service - Dropped from the BBB listing with an F in consumer review ratings.
- Numerous bad reviews like this one.
- 300 Rinnai reviews, mostly BAD
Resources:
 | Amazon Price: $176.14 List Price: $508.00 |
 | Amazon Price: Too low to display List Price: $149.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $469.39 List Price: $569.00 |
 | Amazon Price: Too low to display List Price: $915.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $269.00 List Price: $299.00 |
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Oh man... tankless water heaters can run from a few hundred to a thousand. I would suggest you contacting local dealers for reputable brands and see what they think. Every situation is unique. They should be able to look at your home layout, and your needs. Let me know how it goes and what brands you decided to go with.
Great Hub and good choices on some of the top brands for water heaters. Another great brand is WaiWela.
Great review. I would add to the list a new model from Rheem the Prestige Gas model come sin both a indoor and outdoor model. These are both condensing type systems and look like they may be a good contender for 2011.
MACACH 21 months ago
We are planning on getting a tankless water heater when we can afford one. Do you know the general prices for tankless water heaters? Thanks for the review- that helps in our decision making as well as price-point.Glad to become a fan!