The Best Water Heaters of 2022

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With so many options for water heaters, you may want to take the time to learn about what to consider when buying the best water heater for your home. There are many types of water heaters in a wide variety of categories. In this article we’ve provided our choices for the best water heaters of 2022 based on customer reviews, product features, and more.

The Best Water Heaters of 2022

Choosing the most fitting water heater for your home needs makes all the difference in the energy you use when taking showers, using the bathroom, and all other activities related to using water in your home. Selecting the best water heater depends on the amount of water it holds or water capacity, power usage, ease of installation, and other special features. Here are our top picks:

• Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. Water Heater
• You can purchase the water heater at The Home Depot.
• Rheem Performance 50 Gal. Electric Water Heater
• Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater, Electric
• Rinnai High-Efficiency Natural Gas Water Heater

Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. Water Heater

The Rheem brand is a respected name when it comes to water heaters. The Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. Water Heater is rated best overall and is a tank water heater with excellent all-around efficiency and performance. It holds 50 gallons of water, making it ideal for a family of up to five. This water heater has a 40,000 BTU gas burner with the ability to deliver 77 gallons of water of hot water in the first hour. This is a staggering amount when compared to competitors. Also, the price is only about $300 on annual energy costs, so it is a great value.

You can purchase the water heater at The Home Depot.

Rheem Performance 50 Gal. Electric Water Heater

For those on a budget, the Rheem Performance 50 Gal. Electric Water Heater is a great buy! The water heater offers an electric usage of 4,500 watts with a 50-gallon capacity for a family of four. The unit lasts six years and can deliver 61 gallons of water in the first hour. However, the unit lacks energy efficiency but does include some added features to enhance its reliability. These include overheating protection with a temperature release valve so the tank does not exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can purchase the water heater at The Home Depot.

Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater, Electric

The best tankless electric water heater is the Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater, Electric. The product offers a Stiebel Eltron Tankless Tempra 24 Plus, a steady flow of hot water, and showers that do not get cold! The Stiebel Eltron water heater automatically reduces the amount of water flow when the demand starts to exceed its capacity so it can keep the warm water flowing. The electric component of the water heater saves money by using 15 to 20 percent less energy and provides up to five gallons of hot water per minute. Also, the Eltron has digital controls for the water temperature and output and is small at just 15 pounds.

Also, the BTUs/power output is 18,000 watts.

You can purchase the water heater at The Home Depot.

Rinnai High-Efficiency Natural Gas Water Heater

The Rinnai High-Efficiency Natural Gas Tankless Heater can’t be beaten when it comes to the best tankless gas heater. Combine tankless water heater efficiency with gas power to slash energy use by up to 40 percent with the Rinnai High Efficiency 6.5 GPM tankless gas water heater. This high-efficiency unit pumps out up to 6.5 gallons per minute of hot water with a robust 150,000 BTUs. However, the unit also needs a limited number of pipes for venting, called a concentric venting system. This means the intake and the exhaust go through the same vent. Additionally, the unit contains a temperature lock and is small at only one foot wide and two feet tall for compact spaces.

You can purchase the water heater at The Home Depot.

Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. 10-year Hybrid

The Rheem Performance Platinum Hybrid Electric Heater is all about energy efficiency with an Energy Star rating. The unit offers nearly $500 per year savings compared to other water heaters and includes a 10-year warranty. The upfront costs may be higher, but you compensate for some costs with long-term energy savings. The Rheem Platinum is excellent for a family of up to five people. Along with these benefits, it is also a smart water heater so that you can track usage and other data through your Apple or Android smart device. And last but not least, the unit self-cleans, removing sediment.

You can purchase the water heater at The Home Depot.

Types of Water Heaters

You have several types of water heaters to choose from when you shop for your new home, ranging from traditional types of units to newer hybrid models.

Storage Tank Water Heater

Storage tank water heaters connect to electric or gas power. Gas units with tanks use a flame burner, and electric tanks use electricity to generate the heating of the water in the tanks. Coils in the water are heated and regulated with a thermostat at a pre-set temperature day and night. Once the heated water supply is used, family members must wait until the water gets hot again.

Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heater

Tankless water heaters do not continuously heat water in a tank day and night. Instead, they operate on demand and only start heating when someone needs hot water. They use gas or electricity to heat the water when the tap is turned on. The energy from a coil quickly burns to turn the water hot. The tankless heater offers an ongoing supply of hot water on demand. However, they can run slow and produce up to five or six gallons of water per minute.

Heat Pump (Hybrid) Water Heater

Hybrid water heaters use existing heat from the air instead of gas or electricity. A heat pump compresses the air and pushes out the cool air to keep just the warm air. However, the unit will use electric coils to heat the water when water consumption is high and is therefore considered a hybrid model. Due to the need for warm air to be the most effective, hybrid water heaters work best in warmer climates.

What to Look For When Buying a Water Heater

Here are the primary factors and features to look for when shopping for a water heater.

• Gas or electric
• Type of venting
• Sizing and capacity
• Efficiency rating
• Brass vs. plastic drain valves
• Digital displays

Gas or Electric

Gas water heaters are generally more expensive than electric water heaters. They range between $1300 and $2600 on average for a 40-gallon water heater, whereas the same size electric water heater costs $950 to $1500. When it comes to energy costs, gas water heaters cost about $30 per month and electric water heaters $42 per month.

Type of Venting

Electric water heaters do not use vents, so they can be installed anywhere in your home. Gas water heaters can only be placed in certain areas because they are much larger due to their venting systems. They have to release the carbon monoxide exhaust gases through the ventilation pipes.

Sizing and Capacity

Water heaters range from 20 to 100 gallons, with larger capacities keeping water hot for longer as more is used. Ideally, every 10 gallons supports one person. That would be a 40-gallon tank water heater for a household of four people.

Larger capacity water heaters are also bigger because they hold more water. Therefore, you need to determine how big of a tank you need and where it will fit in your home when looking to buy a new water heater. Because of their venting systems, gas heaters will always take up more space than electric heaters. Gas and electric water heaters also come in tall models ranging between 50 and 76 inches and short models ranging between 30 and 49 inches.

Tankless water heaters are the best option for those needing to fit a water heater into a tight space. However, they don’t store the same amount of water as typical tanks, limiting how much water can flow and stay warm simultaneously.

Efficiency Rating

Efficiency ratings show how much energy the water heater unit uses when it heats the water. Every water heater will have an efficiency rating. A gas unit will have a much lower efficiency rating than an electric water heater, but because gas is significantly cheaper, running a gas tank heater will cost considerably less than running an electric water heater.

Tankless water heaters are great for small spaces and save energy costs because they don’t always run. If your home is small and does not need a lot of water and you are the only occupant, this option can save you up to 40 percent on your energy bill.

Brass vs. Plastic Drain Valves

Drain valves apply to tank water heaters that are drained for maintenance. Plastic valves are less expensive but aren’t as durable as brass valves. Therefore, brass valves are the better value.

Digital Displays

New water heaters offer digital features to monitor your water usage and turn it on at different times. The digital water heater can initially cost more, but the programming gives you more control and saves you money.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What brand of water heater is the most reliable?

Rheem is one of the top-rated brands of water heaters.

What is the best gas water heater brand?

The Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. Water Heater is rated best overall and is a tank water heater with excellent all-around efficiency and performance. It holds 50 gallons of water, making it ideal for a family of up to five. This top water heater product has a 40,000 BTU gas burner with the ability to deliver 77 gallons of water of hot water in the first hour, which is much higher than competitors. Also, the price is only about $300 on annual energy costs, so it is a great value.

What water heaters last the longest?

Tankless water heaters last the longest with advanced technology. They can last for about 20 years.

What should I look for when buying a water heater?

Here are the primary factors and features to look for when shopping for a water heater.

Gas or Electric: Gas water heaters are more expensive than electric heaters.

Type of Venting: Electric water heaters do not use vents, so they can be installed anywhere in your home. Gas water heaters can only be placed in certain areas.

Sizing and Capacity: Water heaters range from 20 to 100 gallons, with larger capacities keeping water hot for longer as more is used.

Efficiency Rating: Efficiency ratings show how much energy is used by the water heater unit when it heats the water. Every water heater will have an efficiency rating.

Brass vs. Plastic Drain Valves: Drain valves apply to tank water heaters drained for maintenance. Plastic valves are less expensive but aren’t as durable as brass valves.

Woman hands setting temperature of water in heater electric boiler. Interior details close-up.Digital Displays: New water heaters offer digital features to monitor your water usage and turn it on at different times.

Should I replace my 20-year-old water heater?

Most water heaters only last about 20 years, with several lasting only about eight to 12 years.

Is a tankless water heater better?

Tankless water heaters are great for smaller spaces where you do not need to have the water heated up until someone needs it.

Are stainless steel water heaters better?

The most significant advantage of a stainless steel water heater is its natural resistance to corrosion which results in a longer life span. In addition, due to their composition of corrosion-resistant metal alloys, stainless steel tanks are stronger and more durable than glass-lined ones.

Summary

Choose a water tank that accommodates the number of people in your household. The top of the line is the Rheem Performance Platinum. If a tankless water heater works better for you, the Stiebel Eltron is an excellent choice. It holds 40 gallons of water and is smaller, so easier to install.