Top 7 Best Gas Water Heaters For Home Use – 2020 Update

Are you in the process of finding a replacement for your old-age, seriously damaged water heater? Are gas units your absolute choice?

Then spend your next 15 minutes to find out about the best gas water heaters right below.

Best propane water heaters

• Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater: Indoor Installation – Best overall
• Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater: Indoor Installation – Highest flow for whole-house use
• Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater- Best for camping
• Tengchang 10L 2.6 GPM LPG Gas Propane Instant Tankless Hot Water Heater Boiler Bath – Budget-friendly

Best natural gas water heaters

• Rinnai V65eN HE Tankless Hot Water Heater – Best overall
• Eccotemp i12-NG Tankless Water Heater – Best for a family with kids
• Eccotemp fvi12-NG FVI-12 Natural Gas High Capacity Tankless Water Heater – Perfect for cabins and smaller homes

Best propane water heaters

Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater: Indoor Installation – Best overall

Rinnai V65IP Tankless Water Heater, Large, V65iP-Propane/6.5 GPMCheck Price on Amazon Now! I did a lot of internet research to find a best-overall propane water heater, and Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater comes into my sight. This water heater offers endless water supply for the whole house, the shower, washing machine, kitchen or wherever you want.

This unit activates at a minimum of 0.26 GPM. Hot water can take a minute or two to reach the far-end faucet locations in your house. It doesn’t seem to be a problem as long as you don’t locate your bath too far from the center.

What I love about this tankless unit is quiet operation. Yes, it runs noiselessly. Each month, you only have to pay $20 or less for your gas bill, which is amazing. It is easy to install, but if you want to do it yourself make sure you do proper research on the size of the gas pipe or exhaust exit.

Product Specifications 

GPM	6.5 GPM
Voltage	120 Volts
Maximum Power Output	30,000 BTU
Min. flow to activate unit	0.26 GPM
Output water temp. range	98°- 120°F
Dimensions	14.04 in. x 22.95 in. x 9.27 in.
Weight	45.6 lb
Highlight features	Easy-to-install, ultra-compact, consistent pre-set temperature, control-R 2.0 mobile app features timers and schedules

So if you are interested in going tankless water heaters, Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater: Indoor Installation is just the best bang for your buck.

Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater: Indoor Installation – Highest flow for whole-house use

Rinnai RL94iP RL Series, LargeCheck Price on Amazon Now! Even though this unit is small, it delivers 9.4 gallons per minute of hot water, which is the highest flow rate on the list. This promises endless hot water supplies for your whole house. On propane, the RL94iP can accommodate 4 fix faucet locations simultaneously.

Water remains hot and consistent during the use. This unit adopts a smart direct power vent that protects hot water and prevents reheating when it is off. When it comes to durability, Rinnai products are certainly my top recommendation. What’s more, this unit runs exceptionally quiet.

What makes users disappointed is probably the fact that you have to wait a minute or two for hot water to come.

Product Specifications 

GPM	9.8 GPM
Voltage	115 volts
Maximum Power Output	199,000 BTU
Min. flow to activate unit	0.26 GPM
Output water temp. range	98° – 120° F
Dimensions	14.04 in. x 22.95 in. x 9.27 in.
Weight	46.3 lbs
Highlight features	Up to 9.4 GPM hot water flow rate, Circ-Logic technology, compact, interior-mount

Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater: Indoor Installation is your babe especially when you need consistent hot water supplies and amazing safety features.

Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater – Best for camping

Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water HeaterCheck Price on Amazon Now! Outdoor life doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM is a great option for camping, vacations, and cabins. This small unit offers the lowest water pressure on the market. Only 3.0 PSI and you have enough water for dishwashing and camp laundry.

This amazing unit comes with various safety features, including overheat protection, flame failure device, anti-freezing protection. What’s more, you can install this beast indoor thanks to the oxygen depletion sensor protection.

Camplux makes an outdoor shower possible. You can also supply hot water for farm stable to bath horses or dogs. The price is another considering factor because it is very affordable.

Now, the installing instruction could be a bit confusing, but take your time to read through it carefully.

Product Specifications 

GPM	1.32 GPM
Voltage	3 volts
Maximum Power Output	28,000 BTU
Min. flow to activate unit	0.4 PSI
Output water temp. range	46.4℉ – 114.8℉
Dimensions	11.42*4.33*14.8 in
Weight	10.8  lbs
Highlight features	CSA approved, compact size with folding handle, flame failure device, anti-freezing protection and oxygen depletion safety shut-off protection

Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater upgrades your outdoor life to a new level. Highly recommend for campers.

Tengchang 10L 2.6 GPM LPG Gas Propane Instant Tankless Hot Water Heater Boiler Bath – Budget-friendly

Tengchang 10L 2.6 GPM LPG Gas Propane Instant Tankless Hot Water Heater Boiler BathCheck Price on Amazon Now! There are many reasons why Tengchang 10L is just the tankless water heater you need. First of all, the installing process is quite straightforward, it doesn’t take you hours to have hot water. Therefore, you can tackle the installment yourself.

This unit works both indoor and outdoor. It supplies consistent hot water, though it will shut off after 20 min in use. My advice is not to go anywhere if you plan to have a hot bath.

Featuring unconventional energy-saving and combusting technology, this little beast saves you lots of unnecessary gas consumption. It operates noiselessly and requires low water pressure to start up with.

Affordable, easy to use, plenty of hot water, what else do you expect from a tiny machine like this?

Product Specifications 

GPM	2.6 GPM
Maximum Power Output	N/A
Min. flow to activate unit	0.025MPa
Output water temp. range	46 – 113 °F
Dimensions	24 x 13.6 x 5.9 in
Weight	15.8 lbs
Highlight features	Automatic ignition system, flame failure protection device, fitted with overheating and pressure safeguard, suitable for both summer and winter

Tengchang 10L 2.6 GPM LPG Gas Propane Instant Tankless Hot Water Heater Boiler Bath is your budget-friendly buddy at home.

Best natural gas water heaters

Rinnai V65eN HE Tankless Hot Water Heater – Best overall

Rinnai V65eN Tankless Hot Water Heater, LargeCheck Price on Amazon Now! If you prefer natural gas over propane, Rinnai V65eN should be your first-class choice. The simple and elegant unit is suitable for most average-sized houses. It is quite lightweight and easy to install.

Using a natural gas heater, you can utilize both new and old gas line pipes. This machine can power several faucets at a time for a typical household. It doesn’t require extra storage space since it can be mounted outside.

What I don’t like about this model? It is certainly not a budget-friendly option. The price makes people hesitate for sure.

Product Specifications

GPM	6.5 GPM
Voltage	120 V
Maximum Power Output	150,000 BTU/hour
Min. flow to activate unit	0.26 GPM
Output water temp. range	98°- 120° F
Dimensions	14.04 in. x 22.95 in. x 9.27 in
Weight	43.6 lbs
Highlight features	Wifi Capable, Ultra Low NOx, Up to 6.5 GPM hot water flow rate, control-R 2.0 mobile app features timers and schedules

Rinnai V65eN HE Tankless Hot Water Heater is a unit that delivers hot stream around your house endlessly. A best-for-your-buck catch.

Eccotemp i12-NG Tankless Water Heater – Best for a family with kids

Eccotemp i12-NG Tankless Water HeaterCheck Price on Amazon Now! Eccotemp i12-NG is an added flavor in the bathroom. With a sleek and modern design, this unit can provide extra aesthetic appreciation to your house. Made of stainless steel, Eccotemp guarantees durability.

The i12-NG offers automatic temperature control. There is an LED touch screen display that allows you to see GPM flow and temperature. The lower the flow is the hotter water becomes. As soon as you open the tap, hot water comes without delay.

This is a portable and flexible device. When it comes to installation and system settings, you don’t have to spend hours to figure out how it works. The i12-NG is suitable for family with kids since it supplies steady hot water without compromising your gas bill at the end of the month.

Product Specifications 

GPM	4.8 GPM
Voltage	120 V
Maximum Power Output	25,000 – 80,000 BTUs
Min. flow to activate unit	0.6 GPM
Output water temp. range	N/A
Dimensions	16 x 16 x 11 inches
Weight	28.9 pounds
Highlight features	Sleek, modern design with black tempered glass front panel, safe electronic ignition system, uses standard 1/2″ NPT water fittings and comes with horizontal venting

Small house owners and cabin users who want to elevate their hot water use could count on Eccotemp i12-NG Tankless Water Heater for exceptional performance, countless safety features, and flexibility.

Eccotemp fvi12-NG FVI-12 Natural Gas High Capacity Tankless Water Heater – Perfect for cabins and smaller homes

Eccotemp fvi12-NG FVI-12 Natural Gas, 3.5 GPM, High Capacity Tankless Water Heater, WhiteCheck Price on Amazon Now! Want a compact water heater that works for your cabin or small home? Eccotemp fvi12-NG FVI-12 is what you need. This unit is a low-cost investment for your home. The cost for purchase, installment and gas bill is very much affordable.

Compared to other expensive versions, this water heater is very well-made. It offers two knobs designed especially for your hot water demands. They work consistently and effectively. As a tankless unit, the efficiency rating of this unit is as high as 0.8, meaning it saves a lot of gas.

The space-saving design allows you to squeeze it into a tiny bathroom. The water heats up fast and runs up to your expectations.

The drawback? It isn’t a noiseless unit. The heater emits a rather loud noise when you turn it on.

Product Specifications 

GPM	3.6 GPM
Voltage	110 V
Maximum Power Output	25,000-74,500 BTU
Min. flow to activate unit	0.65 GPM
Output water temp. range	N/A
Dimensions	4 x 15 x 24 inches
Weight	29 lbs
Highlight features	Easy to read digital temperature display, on a compact and space-saving design, safe electronic ignition system

Eccotemp fvi12-NG FVI-12 Natural Gas High Capacity Tankless Water Heater will turn your small cabin into a luxurious space for your pleasure.

How to choose the best gas water heater (buying guide)

Capacity and size 

The first consideration should be the amount of hot water a unit can deliver and its size. To determine the amount of hot water, take a look at the hot water demand output in your family and compare it to the capacity of your desired unit.

For example, if your family spends 40 gallons of water per day, you should buy a unit that can store more than 40 gallons.

Of course, if you go tankless, this shouldn’t be a problem. But simply considering the GMP or gallons per minute would save you a lot of trouble.

Features 

Features are what you need to consider next. Here are a few features you are likely to see in a water heater.

• Digital display: It gives you information about the temperature or the performance of the unit.
• Anti-scale devices: This feature allows the unit to reduce mineral scale buildup inside the tank, thus lengthen its durability.
• Brass drain valves: Go for brass drain valves rather than the plastic ones since they are more durable.

Energy Efficiency 

The energy efficiency rating tells you the amount of money you save at the end of the month. Most tankless water heaters have an efficiency rating of 0.82, which means they save you a lot of electricity or gas.

Since they have no storage tank and energy is used only when you open the tap, the energy rating is higher than other types.

Warranty 

Water heaters come with a warranty of 3 up to 15 years. Of course, your water heater is less likely to break after a few years, but just in case, you should aim for a unit with the longest warranty.

Budget 

How much you want to spend on a water heater. Not just the initial price you have to pay to buy one, but the installation and running cost. Think about it carefully.

Who makes the best gas water heater?

Rinnai 

Rinnai brings Japanese-quality products to your house. The company offers a generous warranty, but you certainly don’t need it.

Camplux

Camplux offers a solution for small houses, cabins, and campgrounds. Portability and ease of use are two prominent traits of Camplux products.

Tengchang

Tengchang is famous for budget-friendly water heaters. Their product range isn’t too big, but you can certainly find high-quality yet affordable units.

Eccotemp

Eccotemp is a leading manufacturer in making your home a comfy space. Its water heaters are diverse and durable. They also come in a wide price range, so that you can choose a suitable unit for your wallet.

FAQs

How long does a gas water heater last?

No matter how sturdy your water heater is, it will never last longer than 15 years (more or less). Of course, the answer to this question varies depending on how you take care of your unit.

If you know how to flush a water heater and do it according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, you have a few more years to enjoy. The materials to build a water heater play an important role too. A fiberglass tank water heater is likely to be more durable. Sometimes manufacturers can offer a lifetime warranty on the tank.

When should you replace a water heater?

Regular maintenance will allow your water heater to stay longer. However, if your water heater is above 10 years old or starts having leaks, you need to consider either upgrade it or replace it with a new unit.

Before the replacement or upgrading process, check whether there is an electrical problem to blame for the unit’s failure.

Can water heaters explode?

Yes, it isn’t a myth. Your water heaters can be exploded due to internal machinery failure.

A water heater explosion happens when the T&P, also known as the temperature and pressure relief valve is broken, blocked or plugged. The valve works to release pressure, stream and handle the rising temperatures.

If the valve stops working properly, the pressure will build up and eventually lead to an explosion.

Is it normal to smell gas from the water heater?

Here is a simple explanation. Natural gas has absolutely no smell, but mercaptan has been added to the gas just so it would be easier to detect when leaking. If you smell “gas,” that indicates a problem with your water heater or other gas equipment.

However, you need to make sure that what you smell is a gas odor. Water heaters are often located in places that exposure to mold and air pollutants, which can cause a weird smell in the water.

Can a homeowner install a gas water heater?

If you trust in your mechanical ability to tackle the job yourself, go for it. But remember most manufacturers will refuse to compensate any damages occur later on if they know the water heater wasn’t installed professionally.

What do you do if your water heater is leaking from the bottom?

The leaks can either come for the T&P valve or drain valve. Malfunction of either one can lead to a puddle of water or leaks at the bottom. Problems caused by the T&P valve can be serious, you should replace the valve or call a plumber to help.

Leaks can occur from the internal tank in case you use tank water heaters. The water leaks are slow and it would take you a long time to notice. Typically, this happens because of sediment buildup. If it the case, you surely need to replace the water heater.

The bottom line 

When it comes to the best gas water heater, I only entrust these 7 items for their superiority, built quality and performance. I would recommend you running through the list carefully and pick only what matches your budget and preferences.

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