Best Gas Water Heaters – Tested & Reviewed
Running water has become an essential element in our everyday lives. Without hot, running water at the turn of our faucet, how would we manage to get anything clean?
With that in mind, you already have a pretty good idea of how important your home water heater is. This unit gives you the ability to have hot water on demand, any time that you need it. Some units have the power and the flow rate so that you can get scalding hot water out of multiple plumbing units or faucets at the same time.
If your old gas water heater is on its way out and is starting to have issues, you may already be in the middle of the shopping process for a new water heater.
Table of Contents
- 10 Best Gas Water Heaters - Comparison
- Best Gas Water Heaters - Reviews
- 1. Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM
- 2. Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater
- 3. Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater
- 4. Rheem G100-200 Natural Gas Universal Commercial Water Heater
- 5. Takagi T-D2-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater
- 6. Rheem 50 gal. Residential Gas Water Heater
- 7. HTP RGH-199 Effiency High-Efficiency Crossover Hybrid
- 8. Rheem RTGH-95XLN Prestige Natural Gas Outdoor Whole House Low NOx Condensing Tankless 9.5 GPM Water Heater
- 9. Takagi T-H3-DV-N Condensing High Efficiency Natural Gas Indoor Tankless Water Heater
- 10. Rheem RTG20124 Flush Kit - Tankless Gas Heater
- Things to Consider - Best Gas Water Heaters
- Final Verdict
10 Best Gas Water Heaters - Comparison
Image | Product Name | Dimensions (inches) | BTU | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 18.5 x 9.8 x 27.5 | 199,000 BTU | ||
 | 13.8 x 6.7 x 20.3 | 140,000 BTU | ||
 | 14.02 x 10 x 22.99 | 199,000 BTU | ||
 | 30.25 x 30.25 x 66.12 | 199,900 BTU | ||
| 8.5 x 13.8 x 20.3 | 199,000 BTU | ||
 | 21 x 21 x 65 | 38,000 BTU | ||
 | 19.7 x 19.7 x 36.3 | 199,000 BTU | ||
 | 18.5 x 9.75 x 27.5 | 199,900 BTU | ||
 | 11.25 x 17.75 x 24.88 | 200,000 BTU | ||
 | 15.4 x 12.7 x 12.4 | 199,900 BTU |
Best Gas Water Heaters - Reviews
Today, we are going to help you out by giving you an overview of some of the best gas water heaters that you can find, and beyond.
This gas water heater by Rheem has a lot to offer. Every time that you buy a Rheem product, you know that you are getting one of the highest quality utilities on the market, by the sheer amount of testing and oversight that each one of their products undergoes.
This unit is government certified, and has been meticulously tested and reviewed by third party companies and organizations first, so that you know you are getting a reliable, functional, and efficient unit.
This model is 94 percent energy efficient, and uses a stainless steel condensing heat exchanger for higher performance.
What we liked
- This energy efficient gas water heater is great for your wallet, and is rated as 94 percent energy efficient.
- This Rheem model uses a stainless steel condensing heat exchanger for the best in durability and efficiency
- Works for up to 38 feet of 3 inch PVC pipe, or 5 feet of 2 inch PVC piping
- This model is also available in a low Nox version
- What’s notable is that Rheem as a company makes it a mission to meet or exceed rigorous industry standards with their units to bring you the best in functionality and reliability.
- This unit is government certified and has been meticulously tested by third parties to bring you the highest working standards and energy efficiency in gas water heating technology
What we didn't like
- Has a low, droning, consistent rumble which can be louder than some models
- The customer service with Rheem seems to be lacking, in comparison to other companies.
This reliable water heater by Takagi puts out an impressive amount of heating power at 140,000 BTU. This unit has a 6.6 gallon per minute flow rate which can give you ample amount of hot water in a brief period of time.
It even has built in outlet and inlet thermistors so that you can constantly monitor the water temperature within your hot water heater.
What we liked
- This gas heater puts out an impressive 140,000 BTUs of heating power
- The Takagi also has a 6.6 gallon per minute flow rate for maximum water heating efficiency
- This model is built to last and is encased in a durable stainless steel casing, and requires four inch stainless steel category III venting
- It as outlet and inlet thermistors for so that you can constantly monitor the temperature of your water heater
- This unit has an energy factor of .81-.83
What we didn't like
- It doesn’t come with all of the hardware that you need to install it, and you are going to have to get some expensive pieces to be able to fully install it
- You are probably going to have to get this water heater installed by a professional technician.
This Rinnai natural gas water heater gives you the ability to heat a lot of water quickly, with relatively high efficiency. It can effectively heat up to 9.4 gallons of water per minute, and gives you the ability to run five separate plumbing outlets simultaneously.
This model is 83 percent energy efficient, so that you don’t have to be as concerned with massive energy losses and running up your bills while running hot water.
It is rated to provide up to 199,000 BTUs of power and can heat water up to 140 degrees or 185 degrees for residential and commercial use, respectively.
What we liked
- This Rinnai is rated to provide 9,900-199,000 BTUs of heating power, so it can serve a wide variety of households and heating needs, both large and small
- This model has an 83 percent thermal efficiency rating, so you aren’t going to have to worry about energy loss when you are using your water heater
- The residential temperature settings of this model range from 98 degrees to 140 degrees
- The corporate temperature settings for this model range from 98 degrees to 185 degrees
- Gives you the ability to use 5 plumbing outlets simultaneously, and provides 9.4 gallons of hot water per minute
What we didn't like
- Because this unit is so large, it can take a long time to heat up water
This natural gas heater by Rheem is another powerful and reliable water heater model. This particular unit provides up to 199,000 BTUs of power, which make it great for heating water for multiple plumbing outlets, at the same time.
It has a universal tank design so that you can set it up just about anywhere, and it is designed to save space so that having enough clearance for your water heater tank doesn’t have to be as much of a concern.
This tank uses a patented multi-fuel tank design for faster water heating and an automatic fuel damper for more energy efficient heating.
What we liked
- This powerful hot water heater can deliver up to 199,000 BTUs of power so that can heat water for multiple different outlets at the same time
- This model has a universal tank design, which makes it easy to install
- This heater also uses a universal space saver design so that you don’t have to worry about a massive heater taking up a ton of space in your home
- This Rheem model has a patented multi-fuel tank design for quick and efficient water heating capabilities
- It is also equipped with an automatic fuel damper that regulates the amount of fuel that is used to heat the water in your heater
What we didn't like
- Though it isn’t common, this model can sometimes be shipped with defects that were not fixed by the manufacturer
This is yet another powerful unit from Takagi that boasts 199,000 BTU of heating power. This model provides an impressive flow rate of 10 gallons per minute, which is plenty fast enough to use multiple plumbing outlets at the same time.
We really like that this outlet also has an inlet and outlet thermistor so that you can continuously monitor the temperature of your water.
It comes with a TM-RE30 remote for easy use, and this model is made for light commercial use so it provides a good balance of power and efficiency.
What we liked
- This is another reliable and efficient heater from Takagi with a unit that provides up to 199,000 BTUs of power
- This model has a high flow rate at 10 gallons per minute, which is fast enough heating rate that allows you to easily use multiple different plumbing outlets at the same time
- This unit does require four inch category III stainless steel venting
- This water heater also provides inlet and outlet thermistors so that you can constantly monitor your water temperature
- This unit comes with a TM-RE30 remote
- This model is specifically designed for light commercial applications
What we didn't like
- Certified Takagi service members can be difficult to find depending on where you are located
This is another great gas water heater model from Rheem that uses a 40 gallon water heating. It is compliant with NAECA, ANSI, ICC, and ASHRAE codes and it also has a low lead compliant ignition type. It uses a Piezo igniter to kickstart your water heater, and it uses an eco-friendly burner to help you save money and help the environment.
This water heater has a lot of great features like the Guardian System and a sensor air-fuel shut-off device that turns off your heater when you don’t need hot water. This also helps you save energy and money.
This water heater effectively heats your water from 80 degrees to 155 degrees, and the tank is constructed to prevent against sediment build-up, to keep your water heater in top working condition for years.
What we liked
- This is a durable and reliable 40 gallon gas water heater from Rheem
- It is compliant with NAECA, ANSI, ICC, ASHRAE Codes
- This unit also has a Low Lead Compliant Ignition Type
- This model has a ¾ inch Piezo igniter for reliable heating
- It has an eco-friendly burner which will save you money on your bills and also means that this water heater is better for the environment
- It is built with a Guardian System and a sensor air-fuel shut-off device so that you aren’t wasting energy when you are heating water
- This tank is also designed to fight sediment build up and resist corrosion
- Gives you a viable heating range of 80 degrees to 155 degrees
What we didn't like
- The design is fairly simple in comparison to other heaters in this review
- We couldn’t find a gallon per minute rating listed for this model, which could mean that it isn’t that great for using multiple plumbing devices simultaneously
This water heater by HTP is a little different from other models because it is a hybrid heater with a focus on being highly energy efficient. This model uses advanced modulating and has a 10-to-1 turndown ratio, it also made primarily of stainless steel and is a tankless design.
The thing about this model that is different from other tankless water heater is that you don’t get those bursts of cold water, when you have hot water running. It has a 3.5 gallon fire tube heat exchanger for heating efficiency and a built-in leak detector for gas to prevent disaster from happening and to keep your and your home safe.
It is Energy Star certified, which makes it environmentally friendly and will help you save money on your bills.
What we liked
- The HTP RGH-199 is a little different than some of the other water tanks in this review in that uses a hybrid system
- It uses advanced modulating and has a 10-to-1 turndown ratio
- This model has a 316 liter stainless steel encasement with up to a 3.5 gallon fire tube heat exchanger
- This unit comes in either LP or natural gas
- What’s really nice about this model is that it has a built-in leak detector for gas, so that you can always make sure that you and your family are safe
- It has an air handler application which is a combination of heating and DHW
- This gas water heater is Energy Star certified which means that it is better for the environment and that it will help you save money on your utilities
What we didn't like
- This model may sound like a great investment, but it is actually fairly prone to having manufacturer’s defects.
What most are going to really enjoy about this particular gas water heater is that it has a supremely high energy factor rating of .94. That means that this gas water heater is both environmentally friendly and will help you save money on your energy bills.
It has an efficient and powerful stainless steel condensing heat exchanger and a two pipe vent direct system that is made for PVC pipe. This heater has a .26 gallon per minute flow arete with a .40 gallon per minute minimum activation flow rate.
It is nice that this heater includes a digital remote control and 10 feet of thermostat wire, so that you can easily install your unit and have the ability of monitoring the temperature of your water.
What we liked
- This is another tankless model that is extremely energy efficient, with an energy factor rating of .94
- This unit has an extremely efficient stainless steel condensing heat exchanger
- It has a two pipe vent direct system that is made for PVC pipe
- This model has a .26 gallon per minute flow rate and has a .40 gallon per minute minimum activation flow rate
- This particular model comes with a digital remote control and includes 10 feet of thermostat wire
What we didn't like
- The water pressure that seems to be provided by this water heater is relatively low, and could use some improvement
- It takes about 30 seconds to heat the water before it comes out of your plumbing outlet, so it kind of takes a long time to heat
Two of the key highlighted features of this unit are that it is designed to save on space and it is incredibly energy efficient. This model is really compact so that it is easy to install without having to take up too much space.
This water heater also has a high energy efficiency rating, so you aren’t going to be wasteful with energy consumption while you are using it. It has several built-in computerized safety features that make this unit totally risk averse, and it doesn’t use a pilot light so that you don’t have to be concerned about a fire hazard around your water heater.
What we liked
- This is another one of the most compact water heating units that we are going to take a look at today
- This is an on-demand style water heating unit that heats water quickly, as you need it
- This unit is really compact so it is easy to find a place for it in your home
- It is built for conserving energy, so that you don’t have to worry about this water heating unit running up your bills
- This unit does not have a pilot light, so you don’t have to be concerned about having a pilot light and the safety issues that can pose
- This model has computerized safety features that automatically regulate the heater for getting water to the desired temperature, without causing any kind of risk or hazard
What we didn't like
- Some of these units can be shipped with manufacturer’s flaws or damage to them
- This unit is powerful, but it is also fairly noisy with the humming sound that it makes
Instead of being a full gas water heater, this is actually a replacement piece for the flush kit on your current water heater.
This kit gives you the ability to replace your old, worn out flush kit with a brand new one, so that you can extend the working lifespan of your current gas water heater. This particular kit is made for tankless heating models.
What we liked
- This is a replacement flush kit for a tankless gas water heater, so that you can easily replace the flush kit on your hot water heating unit
- It is a Rheem/Ruud replacement flush kit for tankless gas water heater
- The greatest benefit to this replacement kit is that instead of having to replace your entire gas water heater, you can simply replace your old flush kit for a new one, so that you can extend the viable life of your current water heater
What we didn't like
- The replacement parts and the flush kit itself is affordable, but the cost of the labor to get this installed by an expert can be almost as expensive as buying a full new heating unit
Things to Consider - Best Gas Water Heaters
Now that we have taken a look at some of the highest performing water heaters in 2018, what are some of the key factors that you need to pay attention to when looking for the right water heater for your home?
Flow Rate
One of the first things that we recommend when taking a look at new water heaters is the flow rate. Flow rate is usually represented as GPM, which stands for gallons per minute. That number will indicate how many gallons of hot water that your gas water heater will be able to provide within that given time frame.
The higher the number, the higher availability that you are going to have of hot water, which gives you the power to get hot water quickly. It can also give you the ability to get hot water out of multiple plumbing outlets at the same time.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency ratings are another number that you are going to want to pay close attention to. This number can often be represented as a percentage or a decimal, and indicates the energy factor level of that particular heater.
For you, the energy efficiency rating of a water heater indicates that you will be helping the environment and saving money on your energy bills.
Safety
Another one of your top concerns when getting a new water heater should be safety. Make sure that the heater that you are looking at has automatic shut-off functions and features that make your heater as safe as possible, so that you aren’t risking injury to yourself or damage to your home.
Size
Is the heater going to be able to fit where you have the hookups for it? Make sure that you measure the area where your current water heater is so you can assess if you have space for the new one.
Final Verdict
After a careful assessment of all of these models, there is one that stood out to us the most. That heater is the Takagi T-KJr 2 gas water heater.
For the compact size of this water heater, it provides 140,000 BTUs of power and has a 6.6 gallon per minute flow rate. It is one of the smaller models that we looked at today, but it has plenty of power for your average-sized home.
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