Rheem Tankless Water Heater Reviews

It goes without saying that more and more people are turning their back to the traditional heating systems. Any alternative that is going to cut down your energy bill and protect the environment is better than conventional models, which explains the popularity of tankless water heaters.

Are tankless water heaters a wise investment?

Some may take a step back when checking the price of tankless water heaters. Add the installation costs, and you get to understand why do people take time when switching from tank water heating to tankless systems.

The tankless water heating systems have no tank for collecting the water and don’t use any electricity for keeping the water hot. Therefore,  they need less fuel to give you hot water. The risk for water to damage the system is also lower since the water doesn’t stay inside the system.

Since they give you hot water on demand, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than the standard systems with tanks. They’re also more durable and not as damaging for the environment.

What’s to say about Rheem in a nutshell?

It was Donald and Richard Rheem that founded Rheem Manufacturing Company in the 20s, in Emeryville, CA. Operating for almost a century now, Rheem stands out as the only manufacturer in the world that makes a cooling, heating, water heating, commercial refrigeration, and pool&spa products. It’s also the most important manufacturer of water heating options in North America.

Top 5 Rheem Tankless Water Heaters

   1. Rheem 240V heating chamber RTEX-13

Should you ever need a tiny tankless water heater for a single-point of use, the Rheem 240V Heating Chamber RTEX-13 Residential Tankless Water Heater is reliable anytime.

Even if the compact and small size may be the selling point, the unit is a lot more than that. It comes with digital thermostatic control which is easy to adjust and LED display for more comfortable operation (with +1/-1 degree precision).

The unit features two long-lasting copper immersion heating elements and comes with self-modulating power control.

Installing the unit shouldn’t pose problems to most, and you only need 3ft of electric cable and 1/2NPT adapters. The water heater also includes side 1/2in Compression water connections.

You may use the unit as a water saver shower head, relying on 1.5GPM output. The water heater has 99.8% energy efficiency, and it’s threaded for easy replacement.

Here’s our take on the pros:

• It’s small, compact and has a sharp appearance
• It’s easy to install and to operate
• It’s 99.8% energy efficient
• It has adjustable digital thermostatic control and LED display

The inherent issues are easy to overcome:

• The risk for leaking isn’t null
• It’s only for a single point of use

Beggars can’t be choosers and, for the buck you’re paying, you get a dependable, small, and easy to install the tankless water heater.

   2. Rheem 2 heating chambers residential tankless water heater

Dependable and loaded with useful features, Rheem 240V 2 Heating Chambers RTEX-18 Residential Tankless Water Heater is a valid option to use in residential applications.

The performance is excellent since the unit comes with advanced self-modulation technology. Therefore, it’s able to adjust the power to the hot water demands at a time. The water heater also features two copper immersion heating elements that are long-lasting. They’re field serviceable, which is always good news for the consumer. The flow rate for the water heater can get as high as 4.4GPM.

You need 3/4in NPT water connections for install, which is supposed to be effortless for many. The unit is threaded for straightforward replacement when required.

The digital temperature display eases out the operation, and the unit can heat water even in cold winter. It’s small and compact, eliminating the need for ample storage space.

Let’s have another look at the right parts:

• It presents self-modulating technology
• It has external digital thermostatic control with LED display
• The heating elements are made with copper
• It’s easy to install and to operate

The shortcomings aren’t significant:

• One may need to install a flow regulator for best performance
• It requires a lot of power

No matter the small issues, the tankless water heater is a wise investment to make for single-point or other applications.

   3. Rheem Low NOx Propane Liquid tankless water heater

For those of you looking for tankless water heaters running on LP (liquid propane), the Rheem RTG-84DVP Low Nox Direct Vent Tankless Water Heater Liquid Propane Energy Star 8.4 GPM is money well spent.

The unit only needs a minimum flow rate of .26GPM and a .40GPM minimum activation flow rate. The input is 180,000BTU, and the water heater can handle you while using a shower, dishwasher, and even the washing machine at the same time.

Operating the water heater shouldn’t pose problems thanks to the remote control and the 10ft thermostat wire. It also comes with a digital display for accurate water temperature or checking the unit’s status at a time.

Thanks to its build and features, the water heater meets low nitrogen oxide emission standards. Besides, it’s eligible for federal tax credits on energy efficiency.

The unit comes with a 3″/5″ concentric vent system and a built-in condensate collector. It’s small and compact, which makes the storage easy. Keep in mind that you also need to have the vent termination kit for proper operation.

Here’s our point of view on the positive aspects:

• It’s small, compact, and reliable
• It’s powerful and dependable
• It comes with remote control and digital display
• It’s eligible for federal tax credits

The pet peeves don’t make us back down:

• There is no ready-made installation kit for the unit
• The customer service isn’t amazing

Be that as it may, the tankless water heater is still a reliable option for anyone willing to use an LP model from Rheem.

   4. Rheem Low NOx Outdoor NG tankless water heater

For those of you looking for an outdoor NG tankless water heater, the Rheem RTG-84XLN 8.4 GPM Low NOx Outdoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater is one reliable option to remember.

The tankless water heater runs on natural gas, and it’s specially made for outdoor installation. By the way, installing the unit is more comfortable than in the case of indoor models, since you don’t need to worry about venting.

You need a minimum 8.4GPM at 35F degree for the water heater and 6.6GPM at 45F degree rise. 0.26 GPM is the minimal flow rate. It can support various faucets and has an energy efficiency of .85-.90, being able to sustain households with more than one bathroom.

The minimalist design and the compact size help you install it almost anywhere in your home. You don’t need to make any drilling for the exhaust pipe since it’s an outdoor model.

The unit uses 10ft. Thermostat wire and remote control for straightforward operation. You don’t need to go outside to set the temperature.

Let’s not forget to talk about the build, which doesn’t disappoint. The unit is made with high-quality stainless steel, for durability in outdoor applications. It has an ergonomic design, so all the pipes and cables don’t show, for a cleaner and more appealing appearance.

Here’s what we like the most about it:

• It has a compact shape and an ergonomic design
• It comes with thermostat wire and remote control
• It’s made with stainless steel
• It’s dependable, sturdy, and long-lasting

We’re not making a fuss out of the inherent problems:

• It’s a bit heavier than similar models
• You still need to make connections for the water, gas, and water supply

Wrapping it all up, the unit is always a reliable choice for outdoor applications, and you shouldn’t hesitate when buying.

   5. Rheem Indoor Direct Vent tankless NG water heater

When the price tag is the last thing to notice on a tankless water heater, take the plunge with Rheem RTG-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Indoor Direct Vent Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater.

Bear in mind that the tankless water heater is a heavy-duty model that impresses with the features and performance.

The unit features a stainless-steel condensing heat exchanger, which explains the 94% energy efficiency for the water heater. The tankless water heater doesn’t pose any safety issues since it comes with plenty of safety features. The two-pipe direct vent system is made for PVC pipe, whereas the electric blower eases out and secures the operation.

Since it’s a self-diagnostic system, installing and servicing the unit is effortless for most. The digital display informs on the temperature, but also provides maintenance codes for reliable performance. Don’t forget that you can use the digital remote control and the 10ft. thermostat wire for straightforward operation.

It’s an EZ-Link compatible unit that allows the connection of several water heaters for the high demand applications. You may have a Manifold for six or 20 units when using the MIC-185 and the MICS-180 manifold control.

Because of the build and design, the unit is reliable for usage up to 9,840ft elevation above sea level. It also presents freeze protection to -30F degrees, eliminating worries in cold regions.

Here’s the shortlist of positive aspects:

• It’s a self-diagnostic system
• It comes with digital display and remote control
• It’s EZ-Link compatible
• It comes with safety features and freezes protection

We’re not changing our mind over some minor problems:

• The installation may get tricky at times
• The warranty could be better

More often than not, the tankless water heater is the best addition to your household, but it can very well work in commercial applications too.

FAQs on Rheem tankless water heaters

Q: What’s the best way to identify the size unit you need for your home?

A: The size of your house, climate, insulation, and several people using water appliances are some of the aspects to consider when selecting your tankless water heater. Ideally, you’d want a Rheem dealer to run the numbers for you so that you get the most accurate model for your home.

Q: Is it possible to install it in the same place as the previous water heater?

A: If your unit has enough combustion air, you can install Rheem tankless water heater anywhere in your attic, garage, utility room. It’s possible to mount it on an outside wall. You may install it in a place where there’s no room for a traditional water heating system with a tank. As for the Digital Temperature Controller, you can install it at your best convenience.

Q: Is a Rheem tankless water heater cheap after running?

A: The high EF is one of the several benefits of tankless water heaters. A Rheem tankless water heater doesn’t come with a standing pilot light and no standby loss either. Besides, the burners are modulating for ensuring the best efficiency.

Q: Are Rheem tankless water heaters prone to overheat?

A: Rheem tankless water heaters include Over Heat Limiting Film which is wrapped around the entire heat exchanger. It regulates the temperature of the heat exchanger and turns the unit down when the temperature is no longer safe. It’s one of the most impressive features of Rheem tankless water heaters.

Q: Why is the sensing burner important?

A: The sensing burner is going to recognize incomplete combustion throughout the operation of the water heater. Once the incomplete combustion is detected, the water heater is going to address the issue for the best performance.