Indirect Water Heater for home Reviews

The Best Indirect Water Heater in 2021

We know how absurdly chilling the water can be in the cold, especially if you are in a country that is away from the equator. Now, imagine you are washing your face or are taking a shower when suddenly you feel cold water on your skin. That sounds so unpleasant!

The solution for such a dilemma is indirect water heaters. If you want to know more, then stay tuned as this article has all the necessary information and details to help you find the best indirect water heater out there.

You don’t have to worry about finding the right product for yourself as we have assiduously scrutinized reviewed products and have included a section containing their perks and cons.

Features to Consider Before Buying Indirect Water Heater

Before we get to our best indirect water heater reviews, let’s talk about the factors that will help you to make a choice between them.

Features to Consider Before Buying Indirect Water Heater

Storage Limit

The capacity of the heater is a crucial aspect that you must check before buying it. A heater that is incapable of coping with your house’s needs is useless. Hence, before buying such a product, you need to be sure of your family’s usage of water and then proceed with the purchasing process.

Security

Generally, indirect water heaters are safe to use, but it is wise to check for the safety features before buying it. Also, be sure to inspect the heater for any faults in the safety valve. These prevent the pressure or temperature from exceeding the safety limit and harming the unit itself.

Power Utilization

Indirect heaters tend to spike up your electricity bills by a lot. Therefore, before buying such a product, you must check its input power rating. Such a rating tells you the power that the item needs to function, and recently, in the market, you will find numerous heaters that require less input and give outstanding output.

Size

More often than not, customers tend to go for bigger and bulkier products as they have a misconception that it will yield better output. Instead, we suggest that you lean for smaller and more efficient heaters that take up less space and can be installed anywhere in your home.

Installation process

Indirect water heaters are generally large in size and manually installing them can be a massive burden. Therefore, we recommend you to do thorough research on the same before you go ahead and order your product. Also, some brands provide free installation to their customers so that is also something you can look into.

Editor’s Recommendation: Top Five Indirect Water Heater

6 Best Indirect Water Heater Reviews

This section contains the best indirect water heater reviews along with pros and cons, which should give stronger grounds for picking any one of the products that are being discussed here.

1.

If you are looking for a heater that ensures optimum performance, then you have hit the jackpot. Rheem’s MR50245 contains thermally fused components that reduce heat loss significantly, even in the dry weather. And its brass drain valve ensures that the product works with an efficiency of 90% to 94%.

Furthermore, the product’s multiple layers of fiberglass tubing give it outstanding strength, and its polybutene tank of the item is rustproof and corrosion-proof, and hence, making the unit exceptionally durable and gives it improved longevity.

Lastly, the unit is light enough to be carried effortlessly, and its easy assembly and installation features make setting up the product feel like a walk in the park.

PROS:

  • Easy to set up and it is light enough to be carried around without any effort
  • Is made of sturdy and robust material, making the product long-lasting and durable
  • Small dimensions of the product let you install it anywhere in your house

CONS:

  • Works remarkably with well water

2. Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 2.5-Gallon 120V Electric Mini Tank Water Heater, White

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Looking for a smaller, easy-to-install water heater that outputs performances as those bulkier heaters? If you are, then the Ecosmart’s mini water heater guarantees to provide everything that you are looking for in your water heater.

Being smaller doesn’t mean that the unit is any less efficient and powerful. The unit can dispense 2.5 gallons of hot water, ready to be used in all kinds of uses. And the tankless water heater has an energy efficiency rate of 99.8 percent. Therefore, it ensures optimum output as well as reduces your electricity bills. Additionally, its light and little structure enable you to install the product anywhere without little to no complications.

Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 2.5-Gallon 120V Electric Mini Tank Water Heater, White
  • Sleek and compact design with digital output temperature display
  • ECOSMART tankless water heaters are 99.8-percent energy efficient

PROS:

  • Light in weight and small in size, installing the product is as easy as ABC
  • Has a digital display, that shows the temperature of the water coming out of the heater
  • The 99.8% energy efficiency of the product reduces electricity bills and ensures the best outcome

CONS:

  • Additional parts might be required when installing the heater

3. Reliance 6 6 SOMS K 6 Gallon Compact Electric Water Heater

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Water heaters are expensive! And numerous customers have withdrawn from buying the top-notch water heaters due to its prices. Thankfully, Reliance has given us a water heater that ensures to give us the optimum performance and exceptional durability at an affordable price.

The 66SOMSK requires 120 volts to operate. Hence, the product can run anywhere without any effort. It contains a 1650-watt copper heating element, which makes sure that the incoming water is thoroughly heater. Therefore, it lets you relish hot water every time you open your spigots or faucets.

And its 6-gallon capacity provides you with a constant supply of hot water all the time. Besides, its built-in temperature and pressure release valves prevent any unwanted accident or mishaps. We highly recommend this product for this very reason.

Reliance 6 6 SOMS K 6 Gallon Compact Electric Water Heater
  • Ideal for under counter or crawl space installation
  • 6 gallon short, 6 year warranty, electric.

PROS:

  • 6-gallon capacity
  • User-friendly design of the product makes installing the product much easier
  • Built-in temperature and pressure valves reduce the chances of accidents

CONS:

  • Some of the parts might be made of poor-quality materials

4. Westinghouse WER052C2X045N06 Electric Water Heater with Durable 316L Stainless Steel Tank, 52...

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Heavy-duty water heaters, which ensure remarkable durability, are Westinghouse’s moto, and we assure you that their recent electric water heater is going to get you hooked. The unit is capable of storing a staggering 52 gallons of hot water. When the water is in the storage, the heater does its magic and makes sure that you get hot water whenever you turn on the spigot or faucet.

And it has an energy factor of 94%, meaning that all the energy is utilized in the heating process. Therefore, the wastage of energy is minuscule, and it also reduces your electricity bills.
Finally, the stainless steel used to make the thing gives it exceptional durability and hence, makes the product longlasting as well as a great one-time investment.

Westinghouse WER052C2X045N06 Electric Water Heater with Durable 316L Stainless Steel Tank, 52...
  • 6-Year limited in residential applications on tank for your convenience
  • 52-Gallon tank provides hot water for households with 5+ people

PROS:

  • Dispenses 66 to 54 gallons of hot water within an hour
  • Made of stainless steel, the product is remarkably durable and sturdy
  • Requires 240 volts to run, which can be found anywhere

CONS:

  • Heavy and complicated installation

5. Rheem RTGH-95XLN Prestige Natural Gas Outdoor Whole House Low NOx Condensing Tankless 9.5 GPM Water...

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Gas water heaters ensure efficient heating of the incoming water. But the tough part is choosing the right one. Well, Rheem’s natural gas water heater is one of the best in the market. With an energy factor of 94 percent, the item guarantees to provide optimum output with minimum loss of energy.

And its electronic control or system improves efficiency further. Therefore, it helps in reducing your electricity bills exponentially. And its thick PVC pipes and tubings provides superior durability and sturdiness. So, the unit is a remarkable one-time investment.

Rheem RTGH-95XLN Prestige Natural Gas Outdoor Whole House Low NOx Condensing Tankless 9.5 GPM Water...
  • .94 Energy Factor (EF) with efficient stainless steel condensing heat exchanger
  • 2-Pipe Direct Vent System designed for PVC Pipe

PROS:

  • Thick PVC piping provides improved longevity and strength to the contraption
  • The intricate electronic system reduces electricity bills
  • Condensing heat transferring unit guarantees to convert the energy into heat

CONS:

  • Bulky and complicated installation

6. AO Smith SUN-80 Residential Solar Water Heater

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Installing most water heaters is a hassle. But AO Smith’s newest creation, the Sun-80, guarantees easy installation. This is mainly attributed to its side mounting, which makes installing the unit an effortless job.

Furthermore, its side and top connections that can work with both open and closed-loop setup promise to efficiently heat the incoming water. The other heat transferring unit efficiently transfers the heat to the water and enables you to relish hot water every time.

AO Smith SUN-80 Residential Solar Water Heater
  • Side and top connections for open loop systems or closed loop systems using an external heat exchanger
  • Dynaclean diffuser dip tube helps reduce lime

PROS:

  • A Dyna clean diffuser dip lowers the lime content in the water
  • The heating element is very durable and long-lasting
  • Permaglass coating makes the tank rustproof and corrosion-proof

CONS:

  • Hefty in size which complicates the whole installation process

How Does An Indirect Water Heater Work?

Hot water systems such as an indirect water heater are among the most important household appliance in current time. They help in enhancing our experience in a variety of tasks such as showering, washing clothes, etc. But have you wondered how exactly do indirect water heaters work? Well, let us find out.

How Does An Indirect Water Heater Work?

When asked, most people would say that an indirect water heater uses some kind of electric/gaseous heating technology that directly generates warmth within the user’s water supply. But, that’s not the case. Instead, we get coiled rods placed within a boiler or furnace. Now, the coiled rod is first heated, then brought into contact with the heater’s water tank where it cools off. During this time, heat energy is transferred between the coiled rod and the water in the tank. This process keeps repeating until the desired amount of temperature level is achieved.

Its concept can be compared parallelly to that of an air conditioner wherein heat is sucked from a particular space in order to produce cold. Unlike air conditioners however, indirect water heaters don’t require a ventilation system to operate. That is because the tank in such kind of heaters don’t require the usage of power and can hence be operated using an external source.

How to Use an Indirect Water Heater?

An indirect water heater uses the laws of energy transfer to create hot water. Hence, there is no need for external gas or electric heating sources to make the item function. Install the unit in your basement. A word of caution: make sure that the unit’s capacity is not exceeded by your family or household’s water usage.

How to Use an Indirect Water Heater?

Then connect it to your house’s water supply. You can do the whole thing by yourself or could take professional help. After the installation is completed, set up the desired temperature and turn-on any spigot or faucet in your house. You should be instantly getting hotter water.

With this, you can have instant hot water for showering, washing clothes, etc. Numerous fabrics need warmer water, and the indirect heater’s instant hot water supply makes sure to give you that.

What Is the Difference Between a Direct and Indirect Water Heater?

Mainly, the difference between a direct and indirect water heater is its heating unit. Direct water heaters generally use gas or electric heater to do the heating for you. Whereas, an indirect water heater doesn’t require one. Therefore, there is an additional expense with direct water heaters.

What Is the Difference Between a Direct and Indirect Water Heater?

Though indirect ones might be a bit cost-effective, this is overshadowed by a direct heater’s efficiency and output. You see, an indirect heater uses the law of conservation fo energy to create hot water. Therefore, there is an increased chance of heat loss as the water travels through the pipes of your house.

Even if fewer parts of an indirect heater is exposed to the surrounding, the energy loss from indirect water heaters is more.
Furthermore, to increase this inefficiency of an indirect heater, you can always purchase a supplementary HVAC system. But this would raise the cost of the complete heating unit.

Why Should You Buy An Indirect Water Heater?

There is no doubt in saying that water heating systems are not just a fancy equipment anymore. They have now become an integral parts of our daily routines. Imagine going for a shower on a cold winter night and not having warm water dropping on your body. Could you possibly get accustomed to such a horror considering the time we live in? I’m guessing the answer is no. But why exactly should you choose an indirect water heater over other water heaters. Let us look at a few pointers.

1. Performance

Since indirect water heaters come with an attached water tank, the user gets ample amount of hot water throughout the day. Adding to that, the boiler equipment that these kinds of heaters run on is also quite large itself. This means that even the production of hot water is quite quick and in large amounts as compared to other types of water heating systems.

2. Durability

As far fetched as it sounds, most indirect water heaters come with a lifetime warranty. That is something no other water heating system provides. However, if you look at it scientifically, it is not impossible for brands to provide such a scheme. As we know, the boilers used for indirect water heaters are made of robust stainless steel. Additionally, they don’t have to withstand a lot of stress in the heating process neither do they have to run for a long time. Therefore, unlike other water heaters the only time they are put under minor stress is when the user demands for hot water.

3. Cost-effective

Since indirect water heaters use external sources for their heating, they are much cheaper than any other heating system upfront. Statistically speaking, you pay about 20-25% of the amount while buying an indirect water heater as compared to when you would buy a tankless water heater. Now, it is worth mentioning that indirect water heaters might not be the best to save money in the long run since they do produce more heat loss comparatively. However, that problem can be dodged by just using your heating system more efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here we have some of the most commonly asked queries regarding indirect water heaters:

Q. What is an indirect water heater?

Indirect water heaters are generally water heaters which do not require extra heating unit. It works by using nature and uses heat to create hot water. It requires less electricity compared to other types of water heater and doesn’t need extra fuel to generate heat.

Q. Why is an indirect water heater so expensive?

Water heaters are one of the most expensive components installed in your house. They contain numerous delicate parts such as copper, top-quality insulation materials, and whatnot, which are very expensive by nature.

Plus, heaters have exceptional durability and longevity. So, buy a top-notch heater once, and you can use it for decades.

Q. How healthy are indirect water heaters?

Indirect water heaters use no chemical components, and therefore, the water is not being exposed to harmful contaminants. And the item is installed in basements, which is far away from the use of people, especially kids. Thus, there is no health issue with the product.

Q. Can I Install an Indirect Water Heater Myself?

Despite having a simpler mechanism than other types of water heaters, installation of indirect water heaters is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some of you might be able to install it by yourself but it is always recommended to seek help from a professional.

Q. How long does an indirect water heater last?

Most indirect water heaters last for 15-20 years. However, since they come with a lifetime warranty, you needn’t worry about its longevity as a customer.

Final Words – Our Personal Recommendation

We understand how important water heaters can be, and hence, we have provided the best. And we assure you that if you buy one of the products on the list, you will be satisfied with its performance.

Even if you don’t buy the products, the information and details we have provided will help you buy the heater that you deem is the best indirect water heater.

And if you’re vouching us to recommend you a product, we suggest you buy:

Just buy it and fully enjoy your hot water baths!

Last update on 2024-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. WaterFilterly is user-supported. We might receive a commission on any purchase you make through clicking links on this page.

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