Best tankless water heater for tiny house in 2022 – Reviews & Buyer Guide

1. EcoSmart Eco 27 Tankless Water Heater

EcoSmart is a well-known brand in tankless water heaters. Its mission is to create eco-friendly and energy-efficient green products. Among all of its tankless water heaters, its ECO series is known to be the most economic, energy-efficient, and budget-friendly.

Features

1. Self-modulating technology:

ECO 27 with its patent self-modulating technology can save 50% of your water heating cost. Because of this technology, tankless water heaters can operate at variable levels based on the amount of hot water demanded. So, in case you need a small quantity of water then the ECO 27 will work using only a single heating element instead of operating all three heating elements. This way, you can experience a lot of energy-saving while only paying for what you get.

2. Advance temperature digital control

Eco 27comes with a digital dial control to set the temperature. With a temperature change of 1°, you can adjust the dial to your desired water temperature. This makes it easier to set the desired temperature while other tankless waters heater only allows a minimum temperature change of 5°.

3. Copper and stainless-steel parts

Eco 27 is configured with copper and stainless-steel parts that make it durable and more resistant to corrosion.

4. For activation, a modest minimum flow rate is necessary.

Eco 27 has a very minute minimum flow rate of 0.3 GPM. This means that you only need to draw at least 0.3 gallons of water for the tankless water heater unit to start working. Which is quite less than 0.5 which other tankless water heaters require to kickstart. As a result, even if the tap is slightly ajar, you will have hot water.

5. Temperature rise range:

Temperature Rise 35°F 45°F 55°F 65°F

Flow rate 5.27 GPM 4.10 GPM 3.35 GPM 2.82 GPM

6. Warranty

An ECO 27 comes with a lifetime warranty on heat exchanger, electronics, and parts but it has some conditions attached to it. The condition is to have it installed by a licensed professional as well as flush the unit every 6 months. While the decision rests with you that whether you hire a professional or install it yourself and use that money to buy a newer unit when the old one expires.

Certifications

This unit is ETL, UL 499 and CSA certified.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

2. Rheem RTEX-18 Tankless Water Heater

It is a fantastic option for tiny dwelling owners. It gives a sufficient hot water supply and easier controls. The thing that makes it optimized for a tiny house is its quiet operation. We all know how disturbing it can be to always hear noises whenever using the appliance. Especially, in a tiny house as you cannot be far from noises. This water heater gives you the luxury of hot water, cheaper cost, and a peaceful(noiseless) life.

Caution: Its lesser flow rate of 4.4 GPM means that it may not deliver as expected if you live in an extremely cold region. All tankless water heaters are susceptible to decreased flow rate if the incoming temperature is colder.

Features

1. Self-modulating technology:

Its self-modulating technology allows the unit to operate on different capacities depending on the water demand. Hence, you can observe the highest energy saving which cuts the cost you have to bear.

2. Advance temperature digital control

Its advanced temperature control dials allow temperature change at 1° degree.

3. Capacity to give 4.4 GPM

Its hot water capacity of 4.4 GPM means that you can use two faucets at a time without worrying about running cold water.

4. Support Temperature rise

This temperature rise means that if does not exceed the hot water capacity and the difference between incoming water temperature and the desired temperature is within this range. If so then you can expect to get an endless supply of hot water with the respective hot water flow rate.

Temperature Rise 82°F 62°F 49°F 41°F 31°F 25°F

Flow rate 1.5 GPM 2.0 GPM 2.5 GPM 3.0GPM 4.0 GPM 5.0 GPM

5. Quiet working

A peaceful life is all that most of us want. The Rheem RTEX-18 extremely quiet operation can’t be any less of a plus, for the tiny house owners.

6. Warranty

Rtex-18 comes with a five years warranty on the heating chamber and one year warranty on parts.

Certifications

This unit is certified by UL 499, ETL, and CSA.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

3. Stiebel Eltron – Tempra 24 Plus Tankless Water Heater

The tankless water heater brand Stiebel Eltron is well-known. It is gained quite a lot of popularity due to its advanced flow control technology. This technology uses intelligent flow control to make sure that you always get hot water even if you inadvertently exceed the tankless water heater capacity. The logic behind this is that the Stiebel Eltron tankless water monitors the flow while heating the water. In case, the water flow exceeds the capacity then this tankless water heater will restrict the flow to a level where you will still get continuous hot water. However, it will be less than the expected amount.

Features

1. Advance Flow control Technology:

Using this feature, your tankless water heater controls the water flow rate that you are receiving. Hence, whenever someone tries to exceed the water flow, while you are in the shower you don’t have to worry about cold water. This smart tankless unit will decrease the water flow coming to you to ensure that you get uniform hot water instead of running a cold shower.

2. Copper heat exchanger:

Its durable copper heat exchanger makes it more corrosion-resistant, hence a higher lifespan.

3. Temperature Rise

Temperature Rise 92°F 73°F 54°F 37°F

Flow Rate 1.5 GPM 2.25 GPM 3.0 GPM 4.5 GPM

4. Saving monitor

It has a saving monitor that tells you how much you have saved in energy costs. Hence you don’t have to always keep a tab on ROI.

5. Noise-free working

Its noiseless or practically silent working gives a peaceful life with the hot water luxury.

6. Warranty

The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 plus supports a 3-years parts replacement and a 7-years leakage protection warranty.

Certifications

This unit is certified by UL Std. 499, CSA Std. C22.2, WQA tested & certified lead-free compliance.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

4. Rinnai V65iP propane Tankless Water Heater

Who doesn’t know Rinnai, the giant of the water heater industry? Rinnai is a global water heater manufacturer and exporter. It is acknowledged for its durable natural gas & Propane tankless water heater. Currently, there are no electric water heaters from Rinnai. Being a global giant in the tankless industry speaks for itself.

The Rinnai V65ip model is an indoor propane-fueled tankless water heater. It is an excellent unit for a tiny house. Mainly, due to its features that are user-friendly and give higher performance.

Features

1. Enhanced scale detection:

Its smart technology detects scale deposit levels and tells you when you need to flush your tankless water heater for a longer lifespan.

2. Wi-Fi capable:

This unit can be connected and controlled from your smartphone using Wi-Fi technology. This way you can control the unit functioning remotely.

3. Temperature rise Range:

Temperature Rise 37°F 50°F 60°F 80°F 100°F

Flow rate 6.5 GPM 4.9 GPM 4 GPM 3 GPM 2.5 GPM

4. Low NOx

This unit has a very low NOx emission (20 ppm) that complies with the South Coast Air Quality Management.

5. Warranty

For the residential unit, Rinnai offers a 10 years warranty on the heat exchangers. This warranty is increased to 12 years if installed with an isolation valve kit. It also comes with a 5-year components warranty and a 1-year labor warranty.

In the latest unit’s user installations manual, Rinnai is changing its warranty terms and conditions. Which states that this limited warranty applies to installation done in Canada and the united states. So, an installation that doesn’t follow all the terms can void the warranty. Hence, be sure to read the warranty guide to understand everything.

Certifications

This unit is certified by CSA Std. C22.2. This unit is also energy-star certified.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

5. Atmor AT-912-29TP Tankless Water Heater

Features

1. Self-modulating system:

Similar to our other recommendation, an Atmor AT-912 also comes with a self-modulating technology that enhances your energy saving by working only at the required level. Hence no energy loss due to excessive operational level.

2. Temperature rise range:

Just like any other tankless water heater, an Atmor AT-912 flow rate depends on the incoming water temperature. You can get different GPMs at different incoming water temperatures. It can be found by using the difference between the incoming temperature and your desired temperature. The following chart can give an idea of what to expect.

Temperature rise 68° 55° 45° 35°

GPM 3 GPM 3.93 GPM 4.5 GPM 5.9 GPM

3. Digital temperature control with 1 degree increment

These features allow you to have more optimized control, to match your various needs. Hence you don’t have to keep track of water temperature before you use it.

4. Warranty

This brand comes with a superior warranty of 7 years for the leakage issues and a 2 years warranty for the limited parts only.

Certifications

Lead-free and ETL certified

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

6. Titan SCR2 N-120 electric Tankless Water Heater

Titan is a tankless water heater manufacturer that has been around for 35-40 years now. It is known for making good tankless water heaters but most of the units are low powered. Hence in colder areas, they can only be used as a point-of-use. A point-of-use give only hot water for 1-2 specific faucet and cannot provide hot water for more faucets. This is because their water heating capacity depends on the unit power and the incoming water temperature. However, they are certainly worth looking into for deciding the best tankless water heater for your needs.

Features

1. Dual copper heating elements:

Titans tankless water heaters are quite durable and are liked by the customer for their long and problem-free life. It has dual copper heating elements makes it more resistant to corrosion hence you can easily expect it to last a long time without any problem.

2. Temperature rises and hot water capacity:

A titan SCR2 N-120 is a sufficiently powerful unit that can meet most of your needs. It is an excellent whole house water heater in the warmer regions and a good point-of-use tankless water heater in the colder regions.

Temperature Rise 24°F 32°F 45°F 55°F 65°F 95°F

Flow rate 4.0 GPM 3.0 GPM 2.3 GPM 2.0 GPM 1.5 GPM 1.0 GPM

3. Warranty

The heat exchanger on a Titan SCR2 N-120 is covered by a ten years warranty, while it offers a parts replacement warranty of one year.

Certifications

UL499 certified, ETL Certified

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

7. Takagi T-KJr2-IP Tankless Water Heater

Takagi is another global tankless brand that is known to make high-end and quality products. This series is made to give performance as well as a higher value. It is a gas-operated tankless water heater that comes with a high hot water yield and a temperature rise up to 100°.

Features

1. Modulation technology:

This unit also comes with modulating technology, which uses different levels of flame to heat the water based on your demand. Hence, it ensures you higher savings by working at optimum capacity to deal with your needs.

2. GPM and Temperature rise

This tankless unit comes with a sufficient flow rate of 6.6 GPM. Takagi T-KJr2-IN propane can maintain this flow rate up to 35 degrees of temperature rise. With a higher increase, the flow rate will continue to decrease as follows.

Temperature Rise 35°F 50°F 60°F 80°F 100°F

Flow rate 6.6 GPM 4.7 GPM 3.7 GPM 3 GPM 2.5 GPM

3. Multiple level protection:

The thing that makes this unit the most amazing is its multiple protection features. Each is designed to protect this unit from different factors.

• Freeze protection:

Although it is an indoor unit, it does not mean that it never faces the possibility of freezing. As in some areas of the united states, the temperature can fall to 35° Fahrenheit. Which is sufficient to freeze the water in most tankless water heaters.

A Takagi T-KJr2-In has a freezing mechanism that ignites the burner to protect the unit, whenever the temperature falls to 40°F or below.

• Overheating protection:

Takagi tankless water heater uses its thermostats and the reset button to shut the connection in case the water in the tankless unit is getting overheated. It activates this safety mechanism if the water temperature reaches 182°F.

• Surge Protection:

while surge protection protects the unit in case of a power spike.

4. Troubleshooting error codes:

This unit comes with troubleshooting errors that work exemplary in identifying the problem. Making most of your work easy. You don’t have to be at the sake of your plumber for identifying the problem. With the help of these error codes, you can solve some of the common issues with the help of an error codes guide and save your money.

5. low NOx

It is a propane-powered unit which means that it combusts propane to heat water. Such fuel consumption is accompanied by the production of by-product gases that are harmful to us. This unit reduces the production of NOx to a very low level.

6. Warranty

This unit has a warranty of 10 years on a heat exchanger. A 5 years warranty for parts replacement. This unit warranty can only be availed when the installations are performed by a licensed professional.

Certifications

This unit is Energy Star certified and UL certified.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

8. Eccotemp FVI-12 Liquid Propane Tankless Water Heater

Whenever selecting a tankless water heater for a tiny house, you have two major options to choose from. This is because, in a tiny house, only a limited number of faucets operate at a time, and mostly only a single faucet operates frequently. This in turn gives you a chance to decide whether you want to install a whole-house tankless water heater system or a Point-of-use. A tankless unit can be a whole house use or a point-of-use based on the incoming water temperature or GPM of hot water it gives.

Features

1. Point-of-use

A point-of-use tankless device operates similar to a normal tankless water heater but due to its limited or lesser GPM capacity, it can only give hot water sufficient for 1-2 faucets only.

2. Warranty

An Eccotemp FVI comes with a 2 years warranty on the heat exchangers.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

9. GIRARD 2GWHAW Tankless water heater

It is one of the most loved tankless units by the RV or tiny house owners. Mainly, as it is a quality product with easy installation and extremely cooperative customer service. Moreover, it can easily meet the RV and Tiny home’s needs. It is a smart tankless water heater which means that it uses smart technology to make sure that you get the hot water as well as ensure you the best savings. Now, one thing that caught our sight while researching was that this tankless had the most positive feedback ratio.

Features

1. Self-Modulating technology:

Self-modulating technology reduces fuel consumption and enhances savings.

2. Freeze protection:

Its Self-ignite burner kick into action when it senses the freezing temperature.

3. Quiet brushless working:

Ensures hot water without any noise. It practically operates noiselessly hence you can have a peaceful time.

4. Warranty

A two years warranty on leaking and corrosion

Certifications

This unit is CSA certified.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning; 

10. Sio Green IR288 Tankless water heater

Sio Green is an extremely innovative tankless water heater brand. It uses quartz and infrared technology to heat water. It is a lifesaver when you live in an area with hard water as you don’t have to worry about regular maintenance to remove scale deposits.

A Sio green IR288 is a POU tankless water heater and can be used to facilitate a single outlet. Although it may look expensive, it is extremely cheap as it saves your maintenance cost especially if your locality has hard water.

Features

1. Modulating technology:

Sio Green IR288 comes with smart modulating technology. It calculates the temperature rise that you need and operates on the needed level to ensure maximum savings.

2. Maintenance free:

This tankless water heater uses quartz technology in its heat exchanger that makes it resistant to corrosion. So, you don’t have to worry about periodic flushing of the tankless unit for it to function properly. This is an ideal tankless water heater for regions with hard water. With this unit, regardless of water hardness, you don’t have to worry about flushing it regularly.

3. Temperature Rise:

Temperature Rise 30° F 40° F 50° F 60° F

Flow Rate 2.1 GPM 1.7 GPM 1.4 GPM 1.2 GPM

4. Warranty

A Sio Green IR288 comes with a 2-year warranty.

      This module needs the following requirements for proper functioning;