Best natural gas tankless water heaters – A Buyer’s Guide
The pattern is always predictably the same. Standing “au naturel” in the shower, you’re staying just out of reach of the cold water. A tremble runs down your spine as you wait for the hot water. That’s quite enough, thank you. Tired of an ailing hot water system, an oldster that’s fitted with a slowpoke of a tank, you’ve made your choice. You’ve decided to actively research tankless water heaters.
From the off, the benefits are plain to see. Tankless hot water arrives instantly at your faucets and shower heads. Furthermore, these appliances are also known as on-demand heating systems, which means your shower will work its therapeutic magic when the need arises, not at all times of the day and night. In plain English, these technologically advanced appliances save money, yet they have more to offer than your old tank type water heater.
- GPM – The Gallons Per Minute flow rate helps you to gauge the number of showers the appliance will simultaneously supply with hot water. Mid-range GPM ratings won’t heat more than two showers at a time. Furthermore, that figure drops if you live in a cold region.
- NG – Natural gas, a cheap fuel source. Note, fuel affordability can fluctuate. The energy tariffs are higher in areas where electricity is popular. Still, even when electricity is the popular energy source, natural gas appliances tend to heat water faster. Balance these facts when you’re debating fuel issues.
- BTU – An acronym that stands for British Thermal Units. It determines the amount of gas energy burned. Use this figure to assess heater efficiency.
- Energy Star Compliance – A certification that lends authority to the BTU and flow rate factors. It also takes account of the Energy factor rating.
- Energy Factor – Tankless water heaters use a number of calculations to determine how efficiently they perform. The energy factor number expresses those complex formulas as a simple to interpret figure. The closer that number comes to one, the more efficient the heating system becomes.
Outdoor natural gas
tankless water heater Indoor natural gas
tankless water heater
Shot Descriptions
- Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater – The Best Budget All-Arounder
- Rinnai V65IN 6.6 GPM Indoor Low NOx Tankless Water Heater – The Best Low Emission Budget Appliance
- Rheem RTG-84XLN 8.4 GPM Low NOx Outdoor Tankless Water Heater – The Best Low-Emission Outdoor Model
- Takagi T-KJr2-OS-NG Outdoor Tankless Water Heater – Best Budget Outdoor Water Heater
- Takagi T-H3-DV-N Condensing High-Efficiency Natural Gas Indoor Tankless Water Heater – Best Large Home Appliance
- Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater – Best Concentric or PVC venting option
- Rinnai RL75iN Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater – Best digital controller model
- Noritz NR981-SV-NG Indoor-Outdoor Tankless Water Heater – The Best in Venting Versatility
- Bosch Greentherm C1050ES NG Tankless Water Heater – Best Feature Rich Water Heater
- Noritz EZTR40-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater – Best Affordable Condensing System
Quick Comparison Table
Item model | Size, Weight, Usage | Max flow | Warranty |
---|---|---|---|
Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG![]() Check the price | 6.7" x 13.8" x 20.3", 38 lbs, Indoor | 6.6 GPM | 10 year heat exchanger and 5 year parts |
Rinnai V65IN 6.6 GPM![]() Check the price | 13.9 x 8.8" x 23.6", 49.8 lbs, Indoor | 6.5 GPM | No data |
Rheem RTG-84XLN![]() Check the price | 14" x 10" x 26", 54 lbs, Outdoor | 8.4 GPM | No data |
Takagi T-KJr2-OS-NG![]() Check the price | 6.7" x 13.8" x 20.5", 38 lbs, Outdoor | 6.6 GPM | Residential: 12 year heat exchanger, 5 year parts and 1 year labor |
Takagi T-H3-DV-N![]() Check the price | 11.2" x 17.8" x 24.9", 59 lbs, Indoor | 10 GPM | No data |
Rinnai RUC98iN![]() Check the price | 10" x 18.5" x 26", 82 lbs, Indoor | 9.8 GPM | 12 year heat exchanger and 5 year parts |
Rinnai RL75iN![]() Check the price | 14" x 9.3" x 23" 65.9 lbs, Indoor | 7.5 GPM | 12-Year Warranty on Heat Exchanger, 5 Year Parts |
Noritz NR981-SV-NG![]() Check the price | 17" x 13" x 29", 54 lbs, Indoor-Outdoor | 9.8 GPM | No data |
Bosch Greentherm C1050ES NG ![]() Check the price | 11.2" x 17.9" x 30.5" 86 lbs, Indoor | 10.5 GPM | 3 - 15 Years depending on application |
Noritz EZTR40-NG![]() Check the price | 27.2" x 18.3" x 9.4" 86 lbs, Indoor | 6.6 GPM | 12 years heat exchanger, 5 years parts, 1 year labor |
Indoor natural gas tankless water heater
Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater, Natural Gas
Gas-fired, this is the smallest model in the Takagi range. The output rating promises a 150,000-BTU energy output and a 6.6-GPM max flow rate, which is enough to supply on-demand heated water to one, maybe two bathrooms or showers. Reliable by design, this model isn’t a suitable fit for larger homes.
The review opens with a budget-friendly low tariff tankless hot water heater. Purchase this model if you live in a small home or apartment, knowing it’s recommended as a built-to-last appliance. In point of fact, that last feature is supported by a 15-year warranty.
Pros and Cons
- Fueled by Natural Gas (NG)
- Energy factor of 0.81 to 0.83
- Affordable
- Friendly customer service department
- 140,000-BTU, 6.6-GPM heated output
- Requires 4-inch stainless steel venting
- Not designed for larger properties