Having the best condensing tankless water heaters can save you so much on gas and energy bills each month.
Unlike conventional natural gas or propane tankless water heaters, this heater type uses two exchangers to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas effectively. Some of which reaches as high as 0.97UEF or 0.99EF, which is super-efficient in energy consumption.
Because of the lower operating costs and rising gas price, condensing tankless water heaters are turning out to be more popular in every country. In this article, we would like to offer detailed introductions on condensing technology and provide the best product that meets your needs.
Summary
| Best Type | Recommend Products |
| -Best one for commercial use | Takagi T-H3-DV-N Tankless Water Heater |
| -Hot selling type | Rinnai RUR98iN Tankless Water Heater |
| -Best cost-effective one | Noritz NRC661-DV-NG Tankless Water Heater |
| -Best technological one | Naiven NPE-240-A Tankless Water Heater |
| -Best one for large hot water demand use | Rheem RTGH-84XLP Tankless Water Heater |
Table of Contents
The 4 Best Condensing Tankless Water Heaters Chart
How Does Condensing Tankless Water Heater Work?
Condensing tankless water adopts the use of 2 heating exchangers, one gets heat directly from the gas burner while the secondary elements are added, typically stainless steel materials, to recover the wasted gas from flue gases, through such smart design, the efficiency of energy reaches as high as 90%, which solves the problems of gas-wasting to large extent.
The condensing design recaptures any heat that would be lost in non-condensing tankless water heaters, and results in less energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Plus, it keeps the exhausted temperature so low that cheaper venting can be used, such as economical Schedule 40 PVC pipe, in nearly all the applications.
Is this condensing tankless gas water heater reviews exciting you already? Keep reading
Why Pick Condensing Type?
In Europe, these are known as Condensing boiler. The water working process is basically the same as the conventional tankless water heaters. But, as compared to the most popular models in Canada and America, what troubles most on conventional tankless water heaters are the less energy efficiency, a large amount of heat and gas energy are wasted as the combustion of flue gases are vented out.
To fix this issue, best tankless water heaters brands such as Rheem, Takagi, and Navien, etc, adopt the condensing technology onto their heaters. Exchangers are the major elements in condensing process, and they both contribute a lot in capturing wasted gas and cooling products of combustion, that is why the heat exchangers of condensing types need to be a lot larger and more efficient than conventional models.
Getting top rated heater means that you are able to save as high as 98% heating energy per month, which helps save large bigger money on heating bills. Plus, it protects the global environment by emitting less carbon dioxide gas.
For beginners, condensing models are commonly used in America as commercial tankless water heaters, but because of their low heating costs and operating costs, they are getting more and more popular use as residential tankless water heaters nowadays.
Advantages Or Features of Condensing Tankless Water Heaters
- They require more maintenance
- They have less heating costs and operating costs
- Ideal for commercial use or high demanding homes
- They are highly environmental friendly equipment with less CO2 and NOx emission.
- They use cheap PVC venting because of the low temperature of combustion
- The price can be a bit higher than normal tankless water heaters.
- The installation of it is quite complicated, which is suitable for professional installation.
- No need to buy the extra larger tank water heater
Let’s do a quick comparison between condensing tankless water heater and the non-condensing one
Comparison Of Condensing And Non-Condensing Tankless Water Heater
| Condensing tankless water heaters | Non-condensing tankless water heaters | |
| Input | 199000 BTU/H | 180000 BTU/H |
| Energy Factor(EF) | 0.82EF | 0.99EF/0.97UEF |
| Output | ~163000 | ~178000 |
| Max GPM | 98 | 10.1 |
| Installation Time | 4-8 hours | 4 hours |
| Venting | Other Type(not PVC) | 2” PVC |
| Gas pipe | Typically 3/4” pipe | Can use existing 1/2” pipe |
In general. Condensing tankless water heater is more expensive than conventional tankless water heater models, but it is extremely energy-efficient, for a long period of usage, the using costs can be a lot less than non-condensing tankless water heaters.
In order to help you select the most suitable models for you, we made best condensing tankless water heater reviews for you as follow:
Top 5 Best Condensing Tankless Water Heaters Reviews
This product is first on our honest condensing tankless water heater reviews
This Takagi natural gas tankless water heater is actually a commercial tankless water heater with a flow rate reaches as high as 10 gallons per minute.
The heating exchangers for condensing are made of stainless steel, which is highly corrosion resistant and has a long service life too. Much wasted gas and energy are saved because of the design too.
The released hot water temperature can go as high as 185 degrees F, and it requires 199000 BTU per hour for peak performance. As the flow rate and required power range are pretty high, it is best to be used for a commercial tankless water heater or for the family in large demand for hot water supply. If you intend to get a residential type, you may consider the following recommendations.
Don’t not let its large flow rate scare you, it is really is pretty light, and takes up only a small piece of space. The setting up of it is also simple; just add some gas line on it.
Pros:
- Can be controlled remotely
- Has a large flow rate
- Set up is easy
- Weight is light
- The most ideal for commercial use
- High-temperature water offered
Cons:
- In cold regions, the flow rate may be lowered
- The waiting time for hot water is a bit long
This sits at the #2 spot on today’s condensing tankless water heater selection
Since its launch, this product has been selling hot and is one of the most praised natural gas tankless water heater. As a result of its condensing, there are double venting you can select, both with cheap materials, and they include concentric PVC and twin pipe.
FYI, natural gas tankless water heaters are normally large power types, of course, this is not an exception. The flow rate of this unit is 9.8 gallons per minute, with power requirements range from 15200 to 199000 BTU.
Rinnai brand is one with a creative spirit, and has made many trials and successfully reached the energy rating of its products around 0.95. Though in large power and large flow rate, it is simple to start, needs only 2 watts to keep the machine up and running.
The price of the unit is quite high among other natural gas tankless water heaters on the market right now, but when used for a long time, you will know how wisely you are in getting this heater. All the designs, including internal heating structures and condensing technology, give you the best operating experience and save a large sum of heating costs for you.
Pros:
- Quick heating time
- Offers double venting options
- Has an high-temperature range
- Supply hot water for many applications
- Available for commercial use with commercial remote
- Quiet working condition
Cons:
Installation is hard, you need to get a professional to help you
One of the top condensing tankless water heater
In order to better save energy, this Noritz tankless water heater is also equipped with two heat exchangers, one is made from the copper while the other is stainless steel. They are used for getting direct heat and recovering wasted gas. Because of its condensing design, the thermal efficiency of the machine reaches as high as 93%.
The gas consumption of it runs between 15000 and 120000BTU per hour. Compared with other recommended water heaters, this one is suitable for residential use, the flow rate between 0.5 and 6.5gpm suits home hot water demands perfectly. It is able to supply water for two bathrooms in southern areas and one and a half bathrooms in northern parts.
If you live somewhere cold, the freeze protection device senses under zero temperature smartly and takes action to protect itself.
Pros:
- Endless hot water supply
- Quiet working condition
- Can be vented with Schedule 40 PVC pipe
- Protects part in cold climates
- 12 years warranty for heating parts
- Low NOx design
Cons:
Cold water sandwich
This is 4th on our condensing tankless water heaters review.
Navien tankless water heaters are widely known for their smart design and large satisfying user experience, especially for NPE-A series, many high technologies are added to save energy and reduce heating costs.
Of course, this machine is also armed with condensing technology, but what’s worth the most mention is the built-in insulated buffer tank and recirculation pump. It is said that the series of heaters are the first and only system that uses such devices.
How cool is that?
With a buffer tank, you get to save much money on buying an extra water tank and eliminating cold water sandwiches effectively. While the recirculation pump effectively reduces the waiting time for getting hot water, thus heating and water bulls are both saved.
The water flow rate is pretty large, enabling supporting many bathrooms and kitchen faucets the same time. When bathing, your mind is at rest as you never run out of hot steaming hot water.
Pros:
- Customer service is amazing
- Installation instruction is very clear and is simple
- Requires only 1 second for hot water
- It is powerful
- Great at keeping water temperature and hot water flows pretty fast after turning on
- External interface, water temp and error codes, turn the unit off easily with a button
Cons:
Installation is a bit hard
This is the most voted best condensing tankless water heater and for good reasons.
This tankless water heater is an efficient, highly-energy saving stainless steel condensing heat exchanger that saves up to 94 percent resources
When used as a residential heater, the 8.4gpm flow rate is able to supply non-stop hot water both for kitchen and bathing use. If you plan to use it as a commercial tankless water heater, you can manifold up to 6 units by using an optional MIC-6 manifold control board. In addition, it is strong enough to be used for an industry, the best 0.26 GPM minimum flow rate and 40 GPM minimum activation flow rate suits large water demand.
You can use it with a remote control and there are 10 feet of thermostat wire included. But, the buying price can be a bit high, but if you have enough budgets and want the best condensing tankless water heaters, then buy this, you will find it highly cost-effective.
Pros:
- Can save up to 94% energy
- Intelligent electronic control
- Comes with a Self-diagnostic system
- Digital temperature display
- Built-in electric blower
- Environmental friendly low NOx design
Cons:
Installation is done by professionals
Summary
| Best Type | Recommend Products |
| -Best one for commercial use | Takagi T-H3-DV-N Tankless Water Heater |
| -Hot selling type | Rinnai RUR98iN Tankless Water Heater |
| -Best cost-effective one | Noritz NRC661-DV-NG Tankless Water Heater |
| -Best technological one | Naiven NPE-240-A Tankless Water Heater |
| -Best one for large hot water demand use | Rheem RTGH-84XLP Tankless Water Heater |
The best condensing tankless water heater price is generally much higher than non-condensing types because of its special design, but, it helps save much energy, which means the heating costs and hot water costs will be reduced to a significant degree.
Although, they have an high purchasing price, for long time use, you will discover that using costs of it will be even cheaper than using non-condensing type.
And so, we have listed the best condensing tankless water heaters based on multiple tests carried out. If you want to know more about the products price and details, please feel free to check on Amazon
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