Gas water heater reviews come in all shapes and sizes. They also come in many different types of quality. The same is true about the modern gas water heater. If you’re looking to include the best equipment into your home, then there are certain facts that must be considered when shopping for a gas water heater. Without those facts, then the best gas water heater can never truly be found.
Here’s the Best Chart For Gas Water Heaters
Because water heaters today come in many different shapes and styles, it is extremely useful to be able to compare and contrast each make and model to determine its strengths and weaknesses. This chart will help you do just that.
| Picture | Name | Our Rating | Max BTU (Power) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Takagi Indoor Tankless Water Heater, Natural Gas | 4.7 | 140,000 | $$$ |
 | Rheem RTG-64XLN Outdoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater | 5.0 | 150,000 | $$$ |
 | Rheem RTGH-95DVLN Indoor Direct Vent Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater | 4.6 | 199,000 | $$$$$ |
 | Rinnai RU98IN Indoor Condensing Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater | 4.1 | 199,000 | $$$$$ |
 | Eccotemp L10 High Capacity Outdoor Tankless Water Heater | 4.0 | 74,500 | $ |
| Rheem 22V50F1 Natural Gas Water Heater | 4.0 | 38,000 | $$$ | |
 | Rinnai RL75iN Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater | 3.8 | 180,000 | $$$$ |
 | Rinnai RL75eN Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater | 4.1 | 180,000 | $$$$ |
 | Takagi T-H3J-DV-N Condensing High Efficiency Natural Gas Indoor Tankless Water Heater | 5.0 | 160,000 | $$$ |
 | Rheem RTG-64XLP Outdoor Tankless Propane Water Heater | 4.5 | 150,000 | $$$ |
| Picture | Name | Our Rating | Max BTU (Power) | Price |
How Do I Find the Best Gas Water Heater For Me?
The first consideration that must be taken when shopping for a new gas water heater is the setup that already exists in your home. Many of the new gas water heaters require nearly 200k BTU to heat the water appropriately. This is especially true if you are looking at tankless water heaters right now. Most homes are not setup to have natural gas come through at that level. This means a costly upgrade may be necessary to get the desired water heater installed.
Fuel options are also an important consideration with these water heaters. Use the gas water heater reviews to determine if the equipment runs on natural gas, propane, or another fuel. Some gas water heaters are designed to work outdoors because of their fuel source, while others may need to have specific exterior venting installed so that they have proper levels of combustion. Accommodating these needs after a purchase can be a surprise expensive that sometimes may be more than $1,000.
A final consideration is to consider whether or not you want to have a tankless hot water system. Tankless systems can provide unlimited hot water, which is perfect for those who live to linger in a shower for long periods of time. Tankless models also save on energy costs, but the down side is that there is never hot water available in the home until the faucets turn on and the equipment activates.
What Are the Advantages of a Gas Water Heater?
The #1 reason to look at a gas water heater is portability. Although natural gas water heaters are designed for a permanent installation, the same is not true of propane-fuelled water heaters. With a 20-gallon tank, the same that many use for a gas grill, a barn, an RV, or even a boat can have hot water on demand with today’s technology. They can even be hooked up to pressure washers so you can have a hot high-powered stream of water for sanitizing patios, decks, and driveways.
Gas water heaters that are regulated by flow algorithms are also extremely energy efficient. With flow rate triggers between 0.26 – 0.40 gallons per minute on most water heaters, you’ll only engage the fuel source when you need hot water. This “pay as you go” type of system can save between 15-60% on utility costs every month depending on your household’s habits.
This means many of the best gas water heater options today will eventually pay for themselves. Look at it this way: if your $1,000 new tankless water heater saves you $40 per month in utility costs, then it will pay for itself in about 26 months. In the meantime, you’ll also have unlimited hot water at your disposal.
What Are Some Common Problems With Gas Water Heaters?
The main issue that trips up shoppers of gas water heaters today is the flow rate that comes from the equipment. The cheapest models typically have a 4.0 GPM capacity. This means a home can have 2-3 faucets on at the same time for hot water use at most. Although most people won’t have three bathroom faucets running simultaneously, there could be a washing machine, a dishwasher, and a shower-taking place. On entry-level equipment, that means the hot water will be tapped out.
Many tankless gas water heaters at the entry-level price range just provide 35 degrees of net temperature change at that 4.0 GPM flow level. In a colder climate where water at the tap might be just 37F, that would make the water temperature from the heater become 72F only – more than 30 degrees less than the minimum that most people prefer. To reach better temperatures, a flow rate around 2.0 then becomes necessary… or a household would need to purchase a second water heater.
A final issue with gas water heaters is having the wrong venting installed. Stainless steel is common, but some homes have PVC venting installed that may not be compatible. Leaks in the system can also be problematic, so be sure that the vent is fully sealed to make sure that full benefits of the water heater can be experienced.
What Are the Prices of Gas Water Heaters Today?
Entry-level gas water heaters are very affordable right now. Low capacity models and ones that are suitable for travel are priced in the $200 range. This is true for the tankless models and the smaller, more traditional tanks. On the upper end of the spectrum, the best gas water heaters may be priced above $2,000 at times.
The average household will find that they can find a water heater, which meets their needs for less than $900. Many of the top models are in the $500-$700 range. This, however, does not include any structural changes that may also be necessary with the installation of the modern water heater.
What Do Our Reviews Have To Say?
Rinnai RU98IN Indoor Condensing Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
What we really loved about this particular water heater was the durability of its hardware. It includes heavy-duty forged brass Webstone Isolator valves EXP E2 and offers users a MC-91-1US controller. It meets both the Texas and California standards of nox emissions and its ultra-efficiency will help you save plenty of money every month on the utility bills. Expect to use 5-6 faucets simultaneously with continuous hot water once installed.
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Eccotemp L10 High Capacity Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
It is the portability of the Eccotemp L10 that makes it such a tempting investment today. It will work in an RV for sinks and showers because it can be powered by 12v RV power pump. You can also hook it up to a more traditional power supply from your home as well. It offers a standard connection to your propane fuel source and once installed, it works pretty well. We did notice, however, that this unit did tend to perform better when the water source has a sub 3.0 GPM flow rate. At 5.7 gallons, or about 4 faucets functioning simultaneously, the temperature change from the source was about 25 degrees.
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Rheem RTGH-95DVLN Indoor Direct Vent Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
It’s the temperature control that is the primary advantage that comes with this particular water heater. The flow regulation allows for precise hot water temperatures to be experienced throughout the system with very little delay. Instead of waiting for sometimes 60-90 seconds for hot water to come with a traditional tank, most faucets get hot water in 10-15 seconds. It also offers a digital remote control for better users results and up to 10 feet of thermostat wire that are included with the purchase of the water heater.
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Rinnai RL75eN Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater
If you want the 160F capacity of this unit, then you’ll have to purchase the commercial product separately. Most homeowners aren’t going to need that, but Rinnai still provides all users with commercial grade products. This is especially important for the heat exchanger as it provides users with a premium level of durability that exceeds other hot water heaters at this price point. A 12-year warranty protects the purchase and this unit can even be used in a bank of three or more to supply a massive amount of hot water.
Click here to look at pricing on Amazon and get the best deal.
Gas water heaters have seen many technological improvements over the years. If you haven’t replaced your water heater in more than a decade, then now is the time to look at affordable options. The best gas water heater reviews will lead you to the right equipment that your home needs today.
