Best Electric Hot Water Heaters Review 2021 - Top 9 Ranking (2023)

FAQs

What brand of electric water heater is the most reliable? ›

The Rheem Marathon is the best electric water heater on the market today. Its guaranteed 40-year life-span implies it will be the last water heater purchased by homeowners, avoiding the need to replace a water heater every 10 years.

...a gas tankless water heater or heat pump water heater could work well for you. Both gas tankless water heaters and heat pump water heaters work well for households who don't have a high demand for hot water at any given time. And both can provide considerable savings on water heating bills.

Our best overall picks are the Rheem Performance 40 Gal. Natural Gas Tall Water Heater and the Rheem Performance Plus 50 Gal. Electric Water Heater, both of which offer large capacity, durability, and longevity.

Electric heat-pump water heaters

An electric heat-pump hot water heater uses much less electricity than an electric storage water heater, and are the most efficient hot water systems on the market.

Consider these differences and features before selecting one, even if you have a budget. AO Smith excels in gas water heaters, while Rheem excels in electric tank and tankless water heaters. Rheem also offers Wi-Fi-enabled water heaters for convenience.

Electric Heater Disadvantages

Usually has a more expensive maintenance cost. Won't work during power outages unless there is a power source. Heats less water per hour.

Tank-style water heaters typically last between eight to 12 years, but a water heater can last longer with proper care and maintenance. A tankless water heater usually lasts 20 or more years because it doesn't contend with corrosion issues like a tank-style water heater.

The best water heaters range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the style of water heater— tank or tankless.

What is the most used water heater? ›

Storage tanks are the most common type of water heater. As the name suggests, these consist of an insulated tank in which water is heated and stored until needed, then emerges from a pipe on top of the water heater.

Electric residential water heaters are generally considered to have a 100% recovery efficiency. This is because immersion style elements place all the heat into the water and there is no flue.

High efficiency water heaters use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models, saving homeowners money on their utility bills. Actual energy savings from high efficiency water heaters depend on family size, heater location, and the size and placement of water pipes.

The Rheem Performance Platinum Smart Electric Water Heater is the best electric water heater in our guide. Both quiet and efficient, this water heater comes with a 10-year warranty to give you peace of mind when purchasing it. It uses a hybrid pump, making it more efficient than regular electric water heaters.

A. O. Smith Water Products Company is headquartered in Ashland City, Tennessee, home of the world's largest water heater factory. The A. O. Smith network includes five manufacturing facilities in North America, plus plants in Nanjing, China and Veldhoven, The Netherlands.

A. O. Smith is dedicated to making water heaters that are built to last. While all A. O. Smith tank water heaters have a limited warranty lasting between 6 to 10 years, it is not uncommon to find water heaters that are still properly functioning well over a decade or more.

Rheem is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It manufactures in Fort Smith, Arkansas; Montgomery, Alabama; Oxnard, California and Eagan, Minnesota. All manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 certified.

We researched and tested dozens of electric heaters, taking into consideration their heating performance and controls, safety features, noise levels, and design. Our best overall pick is the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove, thanks to its effective heating abilities, decorative appeal, and easy assembly.

Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.

So, after looking at the different types of electric heaters available, due to its lower power-output, halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters to run.

Are more expensive water heaters better? ›

“Typically, the higher the cost, the better the unit will run.” You will, however, spend more up front for a gas hot water heater, such as the AO Smith 50-Gallon Proline Gas Water Heater, than you'll spend for a similar-size electric hot water heater, such as the AO Smith 50-Gallon Proline Electric Water Heater (both ...

Even water heaters with the same brand's sticker on the front differ in quality, longevity, and warranty depending on where they are sold. For example, water heaters sold at a big box store are significantly different from those sold through a plumbing supply distributor.

Water heaters, air conditioners, and certain stoves qualify for a 30 percent tax credit when you upgrade to newer, more-efficient models.

Whether purchasing a water heater for a new home or replacing a broken one, it's important to understand the types of water heaters available to you and how much they cost. Storage tank water heaters cost on average between $820–$1,290. Tankless water heaters cost between $1,200–$3,500.

The average water heater runs at around 1125 watts, though some more powerful water heaters can use up to 4000 watts. Check out the specs on the back of your water heater to get the most accurate wattage number. You can also calculate kilowatts by multiplying amps and volts and dividing by 1000.

A small (50- to 60-gallon) storage tank is usually sufficient for one to two three people. A medium (80-gallon) storage tank works well for three to four people. A large tank is appropriate for four to six people.

While today's water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.

Electricity: Water heaters powered by electricity are considered safer and generally more efficient than most other fuel sources. Fuel Oil: Oil-fired heaters have high recovery rates and low operating costs.

Traditional water heaters that are more than 15 years old are likely to be much less efficient than new ones. A tank-type water heater has a useful life of about 10 to 15 years, and the unit's efficiency is going to decline with time.

A water heater with a good recovery rate will heat the water back up quickly and return the radiant system to its desired operating temperature (125 degrees). Gas and oil fired water heaters offer the quickest recovery rates, electric water heaters the slowest.

How long does a Rheem water heater last? ›

Rheem hot water systems have a typical life span of between 5 and 15 years depending on water conditions and how well the system has been serviced. You can add years to the life to a Rheem hot water system if you have it serviced every 5 years.

Sediment buildup shortens the life of your water heater and adds to your energy bill by reducing its efficiency. Draining two or three gallons of water is usually enough to flush out sediments, but always let the water flow until you no longer see particles in the bucket.

Rheem Manufacturing is owned by Paloma, a Japanese water heater manufacturer headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. The North American operation is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and is among the largest American HVAC and water heater manufacturers.

Conventional Tank Water Heater

Conventional water heaters are by far the most common type of water heater on the market. These water heaters are composed of an insulated tank typically holding anywhere from 20 to 80 gallons of water, which is heated by natural gas or electricity.

This residential water heater market in the United States is dominated by three major players in AO Smith, Rheem, and Bradford White. In 2021, AO Smith and Rheem together accounted for more than 70 percent of residential water heater shipments in the United States.

The tankless water heater is—you guessed it—tankless! Because there's no tank, it doesn't work off of capacity; it works off demand. A tankless water heater heats up water as you need it, and it brings hot water to your appliances quickly—and never runs out.

A home with two or fewer people can be served by a 23- to 36-gallon tank. A tank size of 36- to 46-gallons is best for homes of up to four people. A home with five people can be served by a 46- to 56-gallon tank. For six or more people, look at larger tanks with a 60-gallon or greater capacity.

According to the Department of Energy, tankless hot water will save you anywhere from 8 to 34 percent on your hot water bills, depending on how much water your household uses.

What is a Tier 3 water heater? ›

A unit rated as Tier 3 indicates a higher level of efficiency and quieter operation than Tiers 1 or 2. Tank Size. Select a tank of similar size (or larger) than your existing tank.

Pricings: When the prices of Rheem and Carrier ACs are compared, Rheem is best at this. Carrier air conditioners are much more expensive, but the Ac worths their value. You should give a try to Rheem air conditioners if you are low on budget.

Tank-style water heaters typically last between eight to 12 years, but a water heater can last longer with proper care and maintenance. A tankless water heater usually lasts 20 or more years because it doesn't contend with corrosion issues like a tank-style water heater.

How long are water heaters under warranty? Most electric and gas water heater warranties last for five or six years. However, warranties for more expensive models can last for up to 10 years.

While today's water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.

And finally, perhaps the greatest benefit to these systems is that they are incredibly durable. With nothing more than a once-per-year flushing maintenance service, a tankless water heater can easily last 20 to 30 years, and some will even last quite a bit longer.

Tankless water heaters typically have a lifespan of 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters with standing water tanks can last around 10 to 15 years before you notice signs of age.

No, unless you're going on vacation for a month or longer, you shouldn't turn off your water heater. Here's why: You won't see significant energy savings. You'll create more problems by turning your water heater off/on repeatedly.