If you prefer a water heater that is space-saving and can offer endless hot water, a propane tankless water heater could be an ideal choice. In this post, we will shed some light on how to choose it and show you the best propane tankless water heaters in the market. Keep reading!
Our picks for Best Propane Tankless Water Heaters
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Best Tankless Propane Water Heaters Reviewed
Honestly, choosing a suitable tankless propane water heater could be a struggle especially when you don’t really know much about HAVC. We reviewed lots of models in the market and find the best 7 products that could meet most of your needs.
1. Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater – Best for Small to middle house
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We will start our review of tankless propane water heaters by setting the bar high with this item. Coming from the famous brand – Rinnai, this heater works as advertised and not as expensive as other models from this brand.
This water heater is only for indoor installation. Its GPM ranges from 6.5 to 9.4 makes it a suitable choice for small to middle home. Featuring a compact design, this water heater not only can be placed in small spaces but save more energy.
One thing that sets this model apart is that you can control it through the App. That said, you can turn it into a vacation model even if you are traveling.
The maximum water temperature is 140° by the installer and it performs better in warm areas. It is a bit noisy while working and needs to be installed by a plumber.
Pros
- Suitable for small to middle homes
- You can control it by the App and set it to the vacation mode.
- Space-saving design
- Reasonable price
Cons
- You’d better ask a plumber to install it which will cost extra money.
- A bit noisy.
2. Rinnai RU Series Sensei SE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater – Best for big house
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If you are looking for a good tankless propane water heater for your big house, this Rinnai RU Series Sensei SE+ one will not let you down.
It comes with an 11 GPM water flow rate to ensure your family members can enjoy the shower and wash dishes even at the same time. By implementing Circ-Logic technology, this heater can recirculate the hot water. In this way, you can get hot water faster than usual.
Aside from this, this water heater generates ultra-low CO2 emissions and only takes a small space indoor.
It has a higher price tag but will bring endless hot water for your entire house.
Pros
- A good option for a big house
- Circ-Logic technology included
- Very low CO2 emissions
- Compact design
Cons
- Expensive
- Installation is complex and you need to pay for a plumber.
3. Marey GA5PORT Portable Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater – Best for outdoor
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It goes without saying that we need hot water in different scenarios. For example, you want to take a shower in the RV or you’d like to wash your pet in the yard.
This item is one of the best tankless propane hot water heaters for outdoor use, in our opinion.
It is lightweight, with a small size and relatively cheap. You can take it anywhere you want. By connecting with a liquid propane tank, it heats the water efficiently. According to different inlet temperature, the flow rate changes from 1 GPM to 2 GPM. It also works at a higher elevation.
Want to know the best part? This kit includes a gas hose, regulator and even a showerhead.
This product is easy to use and install. Even though the hose and showerhead may not be very durable, you can replace them easily.
Pros
- Space-saving design.
- Cost-effective.
- Easy to handle.
- Great for use outdoors.
Cons
- The showerhead and hose are a bit flimsy.
4. GASLAND Outdoors BS158 1.58GPM 6L Portable Gas Water Heater
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This item from Gasland is another propane tankless hot water heater that we think is good for outdoor use.
Featuring a compact design, this water heater will bring you endless hot water no matter in the RV or on the beach. Plus, you can install and hang it with a breeze.
On top of it, the manufacturer makes this product with customer safety in mind. The anti-freezing protection mechanism ensures the heater can work well even in a chilly area. It also includes overheating protection to protect you and your family further.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable.
- The price is reasonable.
- The manufacture takes safety into account.
Cons
- The quality of the shower hose is not good.
5. Camplux 10L Outdoor 2.64 GPM Digital Display Portable Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater
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If you have more budget and want an outdoor tankless propane heater that is more powerful, you can go for this product.
This aptly-named Camplux heater features an output of 68,000btu/hour. It works smoothly even with low water pressure. The product comes from JAL group so that you can rest assured of their reputation for quality and customer service.
Besides, you can use it indoor as well with pipes installed.
Pros
- Works well with low water pressure.
- It can be used indoor under some circumstances.
- Good customer service
Cons
- You’d better buy a more solid showerhead and regulator.
- It may not work properly at high altitude area.
6. Eccotemp 4 GPM i12-LP water heater
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For people who are looking for a propane water heater for their small house, this model could be an ideal choice.
The 4 GPM flow rate is enough for a bathroom or a kitchen. You can control the temperature by touching the screen directly. Meanwhile, the child locking technology offers more safety for your family members.
For us, the icing on the cake is the black glass paneling, making it blend seamlessly into small spaces of your decor.
The installation is not complex and you will like its energy-efficient design.
Pros
- The black glass paneling is chic and beautiful.
- Easy to install.
- Energy-saving appliance.
Cons
- Be careful when descaling it.
- Only for a tiny home.
- A bit noisy.
7. Camplux CA528 5.28 GPM Indoor Tankless Propane Water Heater
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This is another good one from Camplux but it is for indoor use. Compared with Rinnai propane heaters we mentioned above, it is easier to mount and install.
This helps to cut the bill if you have some basic knowledge about it but remember that you need to buy the vent by yourself.
It is suitable for small to middle house and the wind resistance mechanism makes it work properly even in a windy district. However, it only starts to work at a minimum 7.0 psi.
Pros
- Easy to mount and install.
- Save energy.
- Work well in a windy area.
- Good customer service.
Cons
- You need to buy extra exhaust piping.
- Need a higher water pressure.
Benefits of Propane Tankless Water Heater
If you are on the fence about if the propane tankless water heater is right for your house, read those advantages we listed below.
More hot waters
Gone are the days of cold waters, the biggest advantage of propane tankless water heater is that the hot water is endless. You don’t have to wait for the water to be heated anymore and nothing bad will happen even if you take a very long shower.
Longer lifespan
More often than not, a propane tankless water heater will come with 5-15 years warranty and could last more than 20 years. In contrast, a tank heater usually can work 10 to 15 years.
Save more spaces
No bulky tank, tankless propane heater features a space-saving design. It is essential especially your space is limited. Plus, you can install it in the kitchen or in your RV.
Higher energy efficiency
Usually, a tankless water heater uses 30 to 50 percent less energy than a tank one. The efficiency of a propane one can up to 85 percent. This translates to a less bill to pay at the end of the day.
Disadvantages of Propane tankless water heater
However, there are some disadvantages you should keep in mind. A propane tankless water heater is not easy to install and has special venting requirements which means you need to pay a higher upfront cost. Besides, the appliance itself often comes with a higher price tag. You may need to deal with some common issues such as ignition and cold water sandwich.
How to choose a good tankless propane water heater
Honestly, it is a bit complex to choose the best tankless propane water heater when you don’t some basic skills. There are a few important factors you should figure out before making a purchase.
How much hot water do you need?
You can either install a super-powerful appliance for your whole house or buy a few separate ones to address different needs. It is paramount for you to count how much hot water you need at the same time. For example, you may need to take a shower while your mother are doing dishes.
That said, you should add up the flow rates of all appliances that will be used simultaneously. In general, the flow rate of a showerhead ranges from 1.2-3.5 GPM.
Installation
For most people, installing a propane tankless heater could be challenging and dangerous. There are some outdoor tankless heaters that easy to address but most of them need to be installed by certified plumber.
The venting could be a hard thing to deal with for a propane heater and may cause some hazard for your family. You may also need to install some valves and regulators.
You may need to pay more upfront if the installation process is complicated
Safety
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to the best tankless propane heater. Check if there is any self-protection system whenever there is a leakage or other dangerous situations.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The higher the efficiency, the less you need to pay for your bill. Meanwhile, it is more eco-friendly. Don’t forget to check this metric.
Price
The price is determined by material, size, brand and so on. We recommend you to choose a product from a well-known brand so as to get better customer service and warranty.
Verdict
In our opinion, you shouldn’t go past the Renai Ru Series Sensei SE+ if you are looking for the best propane tankless water heater for a big house. For someone who like to stay outdoor, the Marey GA5PORT Portable Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater will bring you enough hot water on demand.
