Have you noticed an increase in your monthly electricity costs? Your tank water heater might be the problem. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place. This article will steer you towards the best-rated gas-powered tankless water heaters. Choosing a top-quality tankless gas water heater can conserve energy, space, and time, while also helping to protect the environment.
Tankless water heaters are designed to provide unlimited hot water as the water gets heated as it flows to the source, whether it’s the shower or the tap. Using tankless heaters is less costly than tank water heaters. The reason being, tankless heaters do not need to maintain the temperature of water in the tank. Instead, water is only heated when you need it.
A tankless heater occupies minimal space and provides an unlimited amount of hot water as they don’t store water in tanks that may run out when you need it.
Tankless gas water heaters use natural gas to heat water, and that is what we shall talk about next They are also known as on-demand water heaters as they provide you with hot water on demand. If you decide to go for a gas tankless water heater, you will help save the environment by releasing minimal greenhouse gases.
Let us now get into business and see the options of the best tankless water heaters available.
1. Rinnai V65iN Indoor Tankless Water Heater-Natural Gas
Rinnai tankless water heaters perform excellently and with efficiency, and their V65iN model is designed well with great features that ensure it heats your water well. It is compact and weighs only 0.32 ounces and measures 13.9 by 8.8 by 23.6 inches, which means that it will occupy less space. Its condensing technology obliges two heat exchangers, making its energy factor to be 0.95, and it is designed for indoor installation.
This tankless gas water heater produces up to 6.6 gallons of water per minute because it uses 10,300 to 150,000 BTUs of gas. It comes with factory re-set temperatures with the maximum and minimum being 129 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Rinnai tankless water heater is environmentally friendly as it uses ultra-low NOx technology, which ensures it meets the standard emission level requirements.
You can be sure that you will be safe when using this gas tankless water heater by Rinnai as it has valves for hot and cold on and off functions. In addition, an enhanced scale and leak detection lead to automatic switching off of the water heater. It also features a temperature lock which ensures your temperature levels stay as you set them unless you want them changed.
During winter, temperatures may drop below the normal range, and Rinnai V65iN has an anti-frost that will turn on at low power to keep the water in liquid form if that happens.
PROS
- Energystar certification
- GPM flow rate of 6.5 even with cold water input
- EnergyStar certification for efficient conversion
- Temperature lock that ensures your set temperature remains the same
CONS
- Does not operate quietly
- To reach higher temperatures like 140 degrees, it needs an add-on that is not included
- Takes time to get water to the set temperature
2. Rinnai RL94EP RRL94eP Large-Propane
If you are still searching for the best tankless gas water heater, I guess you just found it. Rinnai RL94EP is a great gas water heater that does not need a storage tank to provide you with a constant flow of hot water for all your needs. Like other tankless water heaters, it saves energy by heating water only when you need it, and it is rated by a UEF to save you from expensive water and power costs.
You will also enjoy recirculation benefits with this tankless water heater. It features ThermaCirc360 technology that can offer faster hot water through an external pump which is sold separately. It saves a lot of space that you can use for something else. This gas tankless water heater is suitcase-sized and compact to occupy the least space possible.
You can use it even if your home is mobile and certified for use in mobile homes. However, it is also designed for indoor use only, and you may need a professional to install it for you.
PROS
- Installation is quite a task
- Efficient
- Occupies small space
CONS
- It is not pocket friendly
- Non-condensing
3. Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater
The search for the best tankless gas water heater has brought you here, and you will get one. Takagi T-KJr2-iN gas water heater saves you energy and money. Your electricity bills will go down once you switch to this unit. Furthermore, the water heater is safe as it features freeze protection to ensure that your water does not freeze even in winter. Other important features also include a flame sensor and overheat cut-off for maximum safety for use at home.
You can use it in many different hot water applications such as radiant floor plans, recirculating systems, among other applications. The maximum flow rate is 6.6 GPM, and it is Energy star rated as it does not overconsume energy during operation.
You can constantly monitor the water temperature if you use Takagi tankless water heater for your indoor hot water needs, as it has inlet and outlet thermostats. However, you will need a professional to install it to ensure you don’t do it in an unsafe way.
PROS
- Installation is not very hard
- Energy-efficient
- Cost-effective
- Compact and occupies less space
CONS
- Not quite
- You lose the warranty aspect if it is not installed by a professional
- It is not a condensing unit
- It does not heat water when used with water-saving fixtures
4. Noritz NRC66DVNG Indoor Condensing Tankless Hot Water Heater-Natural Gas
Unlimited hot water access is something that we all enjoy. It is compact and lightweight and has different effects meaning that it shall treat you differently. The indoor unit uses the condenser to boost energy efficiency.
The EF rating of this tankless water heater is 0.91. That high rate of a gas water heater is only possible because the water heater uses a condenser that can move from 0.8 EF rating to 0.9 EF rating. Its major drawbacks are the weight and the increased size. Nevertheless, it is a great gas tankless water heater as a condenser does not increase its weight. It only increases the dimensions.
Noritz tankless water heater is an indoor-only unit; therefore, you need to be a little cautious and channel the water condensate with the right piping. You can use the 3-inch schedule 40/80 PVC for venting. The IK-WV valve kit needed for installation is sold separately and can be quite costly.
The maximum hot water flow rate of 6.6 GPM is highly ideal for small and middle-sized households, and the best thing is that it uses natural gas, which is affordable, to keep constant hot water flow in their rooms.
PROS
- Small and lightweight
- It has a 10-year warranty
- It features a condenser
- It is efficient
CONS
- Only designed for indoor use
- Available only in one model, the 6.6 GPM
5. Camplux 5L Outdoor Portable Water Heater Tankless Propane Gas Water Heater
This is the best tankless gas water heater for outdoor activities like camping as it is small and portable for easy transportation to different destinations. It is CSA safety standard approved, a flame failure device, overheating, and anti-freezing protection, which can discharge the residual water to prevent freezing when the temperatures are low. When the water temperature protection reaches 176 degrees Fahrenheit, this tankless heater shuts off automatically.
If you want to ensure you save as much energy a possible, this is the way to go. Camplux tankless gas heater features an energy-saving technology that makes it save up to 11.5 percent energy. In addition, this water heater exchanger uses propane, and the main burner is constructed with advanced technology to minimize gas consumption and the noise produced during burning.
Camplux gas tankless water heater is designed in a lightweight, compact size with portable handles for ease of transportation, and it weighs about 10 lbs. Installation is easy and takes about only 15 minutes. You can get up to 1.32 gallons with a 28,000 BTU/hour when you use this gas tankless water heater, and it is highly efficient, and you don’t have to wait to preheat before operating it.
PROS
- It is sold at a pocket-friendly price
- Energy efficient-uses 2D batteries
- Easy to install
- Lightweight and portable
CONS
- Loud operation
- The quality of the nozzle and hose is questionable
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Tankless Gas Water Heater
Gas tankless water heaters, as discussed, are energy efficient and use natural gas to perform their task. A good gas heater will ensure you get your water at the right temperature. If you have finished going through the reviewed products, I believe you have found the best tankless water heater, and now you only to check for features to consider before you buy one. Let us now look into those factors;
a). Capacity
When looking for gas tankless water heaters, you need to understand their capacity. Also, remember that these tankless heaters do not store water in a drum. Instead, they heat water constantly as it is used. Tankless gas water heaters are rated at their flow rate based on total output using Gallons per Minute (GPM).
b). Size and Portability
This is a factor you should put in mind, especially if you are looking for tankless gas water heaters for small-scale use. If you want a tankless heater for outdoor use, you will need to get one that is small and easy to transport, so you can conveniently carry it anywhere when needed. These models of gas tankless water heaters are easy to use and do not require any special wiring. Often, they are easy to set up, and you can use them to wash your pet or for camping.
c). Energy Factor
You can calculate the energy efficiency of tankless gas water heaters by their energy factor. Most tankless heaters have their energy factors listed in the product description, and that will make it easier for you.
d). Built-in Recirculation Pump
The purpose of a recirculation pump is to provide instant hot water immediately after you turn on the faucet. In the absence of this feature, you will have to wait for 10-20 seconds before getting hot water. Some gas tankless heaters may come with a built-in recirculation pump, while others do not, and you can install the pump separately. These pumps help you save gallons of water, so this is a feature you may want your gas tankless heater to have.
e). Energy Efficiency
A good tankless water heater will help you save energy; these units are more energy-efficient than the tank water heaters. In addition, the best gas tankless water heater will prevent the standby loss of energy caused by tank heaters. Therefore, if you buy your tankless gas heater for energy efficiency purposes, ensure it will do so well.
f). Weight
Tankless water heaters are light in weight, and their design is compact. However, others are lighter, and you may consider getting such since they are easier to install than heavy ones. For example, if you want a tankless unit that releases 6-8 GPM of water, you can get one below 50 pounds, which will be easier to install than getting a heavy one.
g). Low NOx Technology
The low NOx gas tankless heaters release minimal emissions into the atmosphere. You can install such gas units inside the house as they are safe and will do you no harm. In full, NOx stands for Nitro Oxide. Ensure that your tankless gas-powered unit has minimal emissions of nitro oxide.
Gas water heaters use a burning fuel, normally natural gas, for heating water, while electric heaters use electricity for the same purpose. Electric units are more popular but keeping them running is quite costly, and for that reason, we have gas models as an alternative. The best thing about gas units is that they are also available in tankless models, and you can enjoy on-demand hot water all day long.
