Best Gas Water Heater for Your Home and Family’s Needs

When it comes to investing in any large home appliance, you want the highest quality money can buy. So if your home needs some hot water upgrades, only the best gas water heater will do.

You should know that there are different kinds of water heaters available on the market. But how do you choose the best gas water heater? After all, each water heater comes with its own set of features, pros, and cons.

Before you drop big bucks on a new water heater, you need to take the time to determine your household needs and how different types of water heaters can meet them.

What You Need to Know Before Buying the Best Gas Water Heater

Shopping for a new home appliance can be intimidating. Here are some of the features you should consider before choosing the best gas water heater for your home.

white gas water heater

Image via Pixabay

Construction zone

You should choose a gas water heater that has the best construction possible.

Why? Because having a sturdy construction makes the appliance last for a longer period. With such models, you won’t have to worry about replacing them shortly.

In fact, some options for the best gas water heater feature a corrosion-resistant interior.

Going digital

Many gas water heaters have digital displays that provide information for how they work. Not only this, but the displays can also help you customize operation and examine water levels.

So, you should choose the gas water heater with the best digital display for your needs.

Burning energy

It’s best to choose a gas water heater that comes with an official ENERGY STAR rating. Water heaters that have the ENERGY STAR rating come with electric heat pumps, solar power, or other high-efficiency technology.

These units heat the water just like regular water heaters but with much lower energy consumption, often using up to 30 percent less energy.

Size matters

Of course, the best gas water heater for you will need to come in the right size.

Often, the size of a water heater will also affect its weight. Therefore, you should buy a water heater that is the right size to fit in your home, and that won’t be too heavy for its permanent location.

white water heater

Image via Pixabay

Prevention is better than a cure

You should choose a gas water heater that has an anti-scale feature. This technology helps prevent the buildup of sediment and minerals at the base of the tank by swirling the water.

However, the downside is that anti-scale water heaters can have much shorter lifespans than regular water heaters. So, if you want to purchase a gas water heater with an anti-scale device, ensure that it comes with a warranty of at least 12 months.

Keep yourself safe

The warranty is extremely important when it comes to purchasing a gas water heater. Most gas water heaters have a warranty period of 3 to 12 years.

However, we suggest purchasing a water heater that comes with as long of a warranty period as possible. This will help cover repairs and keep your out-of-pocket costs low.

What Type of Water Heater Is Right for You?

Depending on your preferred energy source (electricity or gas) and how much hot water you regularly use, there are many different choices when it comes to picking out a new water heater.

Store up

Storage tank water heaters feature a tank that heats as well as stores water until it’s needed. Plus, they have a pressure and temperature relief valve, which opens if either reading surpasses a preset value.

Normally, natural gas models cost less to operate and consume less energy than their electric counterparts. However, it’s also important to note that gas water heaters cost more than their electric counterparts at the time of purchase.

open gas water heater

Image via Pixabay

Go tankless

Tankless water heaters heat the water as you use it with the help of heating coils. Unlike storage tank water heaters, they do not store water.

These water heaters are extremely energy-efficient when compared to the storage tank water heaters. However, they only deliver 3.5 gallons of hot water per minute, depending on the inlet water temperature.

Condensing is best

Condensing water heaters are ideal if you use natural gas and require an appliance with a capacity of over 55 gallons. They’re also very popular because they’re extremely energy-efficient.

As a matter of fact, all condensing water heaters have an energy factor of 0.94 or above. If you’re keen to decrease energy waste in your house, you should definitely consider a condensing water heater.

These appliances come in many sizes, shapes, and forms. And, like conventional water heaters, some have storage tanks as well.

Heat it up

Heat pump water heaters take heat and humidity from the surrounding area and pass it to the water. What’s so great about these devices is that they consume 60 percent less energy than their electric counterparts.

The downside is that they don’t operate well in extremely cold spaces. Because of this, they require an installation location that stays between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

How We Reviewed the Best Gas Water Heater

tankless gas water heater

Image via Pexels

We aim to help you find the best gas water heater that meets your needs.

First, we compared the features of different gas water heaters currently on the market. Some of these features included size, digital display, safety, and ENERGY STAR rating.

After that, we researched professional reviews from sites such as EWASH, Grills & Outdoor Cooking, Consumer Reports, Water Heater Magazine, and WaterHeaters.review. We then referenced Amazon reviews to see what real customers had to say about their purchases.

We have shortlisted some of the best gas water heaters that will let you do your laundry, clean your dishes, and enjoy hot showers without worry.

The Best Gas Water Heater for Your Home:    Our Top 8 Picks

Here are some of the best gas water heaters you can buy right now. Also, it’s important to note that our best gas water heater list is in no particular order.

Let’s get started:

Takagi T-H3-DV-N



Takagi T-H3-DV-N Condensing High Efficiency Natural Gas Indoor Tankless Water Heater, 10-Gallon Per Minute, 199,000 BTU

  • Endless hot water, On-demand usage, Compact, Space saving, Energy conservation
  • Computerized safety features, No pilot light to have to worry about
  • Safety features include freeze, overheat, surge protection, and troubleshooting diagnostic codes
  • Satisfies the 2012 SCAQMD Rule 1146.2 for Ultra-Low NOx Emissions
  • Primary heat exchanger utilizes commercial-grade copper alloy for 25 times better heat transfer than stainless steel, Integrated controls and power cord as standard features

This condensing, tankless gas water heater is approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for commercial use. The best thing about this model is that it is ENERGY STAR rated and has an energy efficiency of 95 percent.

Apart from being energy-efficient, this Takagi water heater also complies with Ultra-Low NOx regulations. This unit has an output of 199,000 British thermal units (BTUs) and a flow rate of 9.5 gallons per minute (GPM).

On Ama​​zon, this appliance scores a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. Customers were overall very happy with the performance of this water heater.

Pros

  • Quiet operation

  • Provides consistent hot water for hours

Cons

  • It doesn’t deliver hot water instantly

  • Requires proper ventilation

TC-Home 10L Instant Hot LPG Water Heater


The main burner and water heater exchanger are made with the latest combustion technology to reduce burning noise and excess consumption of gas. This gas heater also features overheat protection and a flame failure device to ensure your safety.

The unit features ion flame-inspection technology that shuts down gas power automatically in case of an unexpected flameout. In addition to this, the gas water heater also features low water pressure start-up technology and begins with just 2 psi of water pressure.

This gas water heater has an Amazon rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Reviewers say that the unit works great and is easy to set up.

Pros

  • Easy to set up

  • Provides consistent hot water for hours

Cons

  • May have a loose wire inside

Eccotemp i12-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater



Eccotemp i12-NG Tankless Water Heater

  • Whole home indoor, gas powered tankless water heater, rated at 3 GPM that activates only on demand and no pilot light needed, reducing energy consumption
  • Sleek, modern design with black tempered glass front panel featuring an easy to use LED display controls
  • Features fully automatic temperature controls with an energy saving mode and child lock technology
  • Safe electronic ignition system; Plugs into standard 110v electrical outlet with UL-listed cord. Field tested to 5500 ft. elevation (not recommended to be used any higher)
  • Uses standard 1/2″ NPT water fittings and comes with horizontal venting allowing for a convenient and quick installation

This gas water heater comes with a touch screen, an LCD for the temperature, and complete automatic temperature controls for added accuracy. The LCD shows GPM flow and output temperature.

Also, this Eccotemp gas water heater features child-lock technology and an energy-saving mode. Plus, the water heater is fired by natural gas and is made for small to medium production rates.

This makes it ideal for small houses, cottages, and vacation cabins.

The Eccotemp i12-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater has an Amazon rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. One buyer says that it looks sleek and works perfectly.

Pros

  • Good design quality

  • Sleek profile

  • Easy installation

Cons

  • Doesn’t work above 2,000 feet

  • Only for small households

New Excel Tankless On-Demand Gas Water Heater VENTFREE – Natural Gas Unit


This gas water heater from Excel is vent-free and is easy to install. Apart from this, it comes with low water pressure start-up technology.

What’s so great about this model is that it is perfect for small apartments, flats, and mobile homes. And it delivers hot water quickly upon opening the tap, thus conserving water and energy.

Lastly, the unit has copper heat exchangers that are efficient and durable.

This gas water heater holds a rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. Customers love this model because it performs exceptionally well and is easy to install.

Pros

  • Vent-free design

  • Low water pressure start-up

  • Copper heat exchanger

Cons

  • Not for continuous use

EZ Tankless Ultra HE



EZ Ultra HE Natural Gas Condensing Tankless Water Heater

  • Condensing Technology – The EZ Ultra HE uses exhaust gas to preheat incoming water for added efficiency.
  • This heater can be vented horizontally or vertically using 2″ Solid Core Schedule 40 PVC/CPVC
  • Back-draft prevention device and stainless steel horizontal vent pipe are included.
  • Capacity Up to 3.4 GPM @ 45F Rise In Ambient Temperature
  • FREE SHIPPING

This gas water heater features a flue pipe and a back-draft prevention device. Additionally, the heater comes with a lower baffle and a condensation drainage pipe. Because of this, it can generate sufficient water for one shower and one kitchen sink while adding 45 degrees to the base water temperature.

This EZ Tankless model provides up to 3.4 GPM of continuous and consistent hot water. You just need to open the shower or faucet, and hot water will come out in a few seconds.

Then, after you close the tap, the heater will automatically extinguish itself.

This gas water heater currently holds a rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. Customers say that it’s well-built and worth the price. It is indeed the best gas water heater for many households.

Pros

  • Automatic extinguishing feature

  • Instant heat-up

Cons

  • Intricate installation procedure

Rinnai V65iN



Rinnai V65IN Tankless Water Heater, Large, V65iN-Natural Gas/6.5 GPM

  • V65iN HE High Efficiency Tankless Hot Water Heater – Natural Gas: Indoor Installation Only
  • Up to 6.5 GPM hot water flow rate (varies by groundwater temp)
  • Control-R 2.0 mobile app features timers and schedules throughout the day and allows you to remotely put the system into vacation mode.
  • Endless hot water for your entire home
  • Residential Factory Warranty – 120 months (heat exchanger), 12 months (labor), 60 months (parts)

This gas water heater is compact and can fit in any part of your house.

It uses condensing technology and has an energy factor of 0.95. This water heater is made for indoor installation. It also has handy error lights and an intuitive user interface.

Apart from this, it delivers around 6.6 GPM and uses 10,300 to 150,000 BTU of gas.

For ignition purposes, this gas water heater uses a voltage capacity of 60 hertz. What’s so good about this unit is that it uses Ultra-Low NOx technology for reduced emissions.

This gas water heater scores a rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. A majority of reviewers say that the unit is very quiet and works great.

Pros

  • Simple to use

  • Ease of installation

  • Durable design

Cons

  • Add-on required

  • Delay when heating water

Excel Tankless On-Demand Gas Water Heater


The best thing about this unit is that it is vent-free. You can easily install it inside, and it has an oxygen depletion safety shut-off system. You don’t need to deal with an expensive installation of ductwork and flues.

Also, the appliance features low water pressure start-up technology. As a result, it only needs a water pressure reading of 2 psi to begin.

Because of this, this gas water heater is perfect for mobile homes, hunting cabins, flats, small apartments, and sailboats. It saves water and energy by providing hot water instantly upon turning on the faucet.

Additionally, the heat exchangers are durable and thermally efficient because they are made of oxygen-free copper. On top of that, the simple design of this device won’t look out of place in your laundry room or kitchen.

This gas water heater holds a rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. Customers love this model because of its ease of installation and performance.

Pros

  • Water- and energy-saving

  • Vent-free design

  • Low water pressure start-up

Cons

  • Water heats up quickly but lacks consistency

Tengchang 10L 2.6GPM Instant Tankless Hot Water Heater



Tengchang 10L 2.6 GPM LPG Gas Propane Instant Tankless Hot Water Heater Boiler Bath

  • Gas Type: LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas (PROPANE) ; Working temperature:-8-45℃
  • Capacity:10L/min (2.6Gal), 25 degrees warm water producing rate
  • Thermal input: 20KW ;Thermal efficiency: ≥80% ;Temperature rise: 25℃
  • Minimum working water pressure: 0.025MPa ;Gas pressure: 2800Pa ;Gas inlet: G2/1
  • Water Inlet: G1/2”-4′ ; Water Outlet: 20.96MM 1”/14T ; Vent Type:4.2

This is the final product on our best gas water heater list, but it’s certainly no less impressive than the models mentioned above. This Tengchang gas water heater features ion flame-inspection technology that shuts down power automatically in case of a flameout.

Additionally, the main burner and heat exchanger feature the latest combustion and energy-saving technology to reduce burning noise and the consumption of gas.

This model receives 4.2 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. One reviewer says that the unit is both affordable and easy to install.

Pros

  • Easy installation

  • Affordable option

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with new batteries

The Best Gas Water Heater You Can Buy Right Now

All the above-mentioned gas water heaters would make a great addition to your living space. In other words, they are all well-designed water heaters that are equipped with high-quality features.

In fact, these units have a high level of performance that easily makes them worth the cost of purchase. But above all, they are designed to meet the diverse needs and suit all kinds of families and spaces.

With a model chosen from our best gas water heater list, you’ll never need to compromise between performance and aesthetics.

Do you have any tips for conserving the hot water in your home? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Image via Commons.wikimedia.org

Leave a Comment




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.