10 Best Propane Tankless Water Heaters 2021

Finding the right water application can be extremely difficult, especially online. The same goes for tankless water heaters. Although electrical water heaters have vastly become more eco-friendly, they can’t reach the level of environmental consciousness of natural gas heaters as well as propane tankless water heaters.

If you’re undecided on which one you should choose, we crafted this detailed guide that will help you pick among 10 best propane tankless water heaters.

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Research for the best propane tankless water heaters

While we broke down some of the most notable features to look into when springing for the best propane tankless water heaters, there are additional criteria to look into when springing for them.

It’s worth noting that there are additional classifications tankless water heater manufacturers make to ensure users know what they are looking for. That said, there are

• Indoor heaters.
• Outdoor heaters

The reasons these two classifications exist is because of the although minimal, still potentially hazardous carbon dioxide emissions, as well as its chunkiness and other factors. Indoor heaters can be installed near the bathrooms and kitchens, or in the lobby. Indoor ones are more compact and can be located at any location in the house.

Additionally, the outdoor propane tankless heater is chunkier, larger and that way takes more space. They are more practical in large households, those that sport more than two bathrooms, but they need freeze protection when the temperatures go low and the first snows fall.

Another thing to consider is installation expenses. Both propane and natural gas heaters have high initial costs because not only they are more expensive than electric ones, they also take longer to mount and install. Many companies will extend your warranty if you opt to hire a professional to install it. Further installation by a professional is also advised when there are additional vents.

Additional vents are usually provided in the condensing propane tankless water heater, which helps you save more energy and be eco-friendly by channeling the energy through those additional vents. That saves more energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the best tankless water heaters also sport the Low NOx emission so that less greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide is emitted.

Finally, it’d be good to go through some YouTube videos and learn more about the energy management with propane tankless water heater, as well as read the customer reviews. While propane powered heaters are more friendly towards your energy savings, it’s still worth noting they are powered through a greenhouse gas, and emissions of carbon dioxide represent one of the greatest climate change drivers.

Features to look for when purchasing the best propane tankless water heaters

• Clean water – Tankless water heaters provide adjusted hot water for baths, showers or washing machine directly from the pipe, and in addition to being hot, the water is also clean, unlike the tank water heaters which require amount of water to be stuck in a tank where it spends a lot of time before it gets used. The main drawback of tanked water heaters in that sense is that the water can become corroded or contaminated, which simply leads to poor water quality even for showering purposes.
• Instant hot water – propane tankless water heaters function incredibly fast and provide instant hot water for endless amount of time. That said, propane water heaters provide constant hot water, which is ready for use within minutes, not to mention seconds.
• Long lifespan – Propane-powered tankless water heaters are extremely durable and can last anywhere between 10 to 20 years. In addition to a long lifeline, most of the popular companies that make them provide long-lasting warranties, while some companies offer the lifetime warranty if you hire their certified professional staff to do the assembling.
• Environmentally-friendly – Liquid propane is the major power source for propane water heaters. It is listed in the clean fuel that brings less pollution to the environment and is more eco-friendly. Also, as opposed to the electrical water heaters, this one also provides reliability in the sense that your electricity bills will be less expensive, leading to annual savings increase.
• Compact – Propane tankless water heaters are smaller compared to the tanked water heaters, and require less space. Additionally, some companies make even smaller designs so that they can fit in smaller houses and apartments where they are more functionally-capable for smaller bathrooms. Those that are larger are usually enabled to be installed outdoor, so they wouldn’t consume so much space.

10 Best Propane Tankless Water Heaters 2020

Now that we’ve gotten to know some of the most important features to look for in tankless water heaters that are powered with propane, it’s time to dive into the best of the list we’ve crafted with purpose to provide tankless water heaters with the most features and the best value.

We broke down the three best propane tankless water heaters you should look at at first.

1. The best propane tankless water heater overall – Rinnai RUC98iP
2. The best budget propane tankless water heater – Eccotemp L10
3. The best compact propane tankless water heater – Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP

1. Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP – Best compact option

• Price: $699
• Weight: 38 pounds
• Dimensions:7 x 13.8 x 20.3 inches
• Warranty: 10 years

Takagi’s propane-powered tankless water heaters excel at silent and high-end performance for both large and smaller residential and workplaces. This model is no exception, especially because it’s extremely silent and fast at its performance. Another great thing about it is that it requires minimal maintenance if checked regularly.

It boasts a power input of up to 140000 BTUs per hour, which makes it more practical among the competition and provides high-end performance. The flowrate rating is also pretty reasonable and enables constant hot water flow at different temperatures and climates.  The best part about it is that it can deliver temperatures above 150F while providing 6.6 gallons every minute, which is great for both options, although better in warmer climates. In colder regions, the supported flow rate goes up to between 3 to 5 GPM.

The unit is also equipped with a remote controller, which can be used to set the temperature increment, fix the right temperature, and change certain settings with ease. Finally, its minimalistic design is good for both larger and smaller places, and it’s compact and well-designed, so it won’t require too much space. That said, given that propane squeezes more performance and is more environmentally-friendly, you don’t have to worry about the space either.

Pros

Outstanding performance in both warm and cold climates, little to no maintenance, energy-friendly, doesn’t occupy a lot of space.

Cons

Good only for small homes, installation requires some additional parts.

2. Rinnai RUC98iP – Best Option Overall

• Price:$$$
• Weight: 82 pounds
• Dimensions: 10 x 18.5 x 26 inches
• Warranty: 12 years

Rinnai is a well-known tankless water heater manufacturer who excels at delivering both propane and natural gas products, although there’s a lot to be said about the tankless propane heaters. RUC98iP is definitely the best overall tankless water heater, in our opinion, because not only it’s suitable for large homes, households, and workplaces, but there are outstanding features that make it safe, reliable, and high-performing.

Unfortunately, they are chunkier compared to the competition that most sports a mid-build  and is more suitable for compact homes. Rinnai’s products are more intended for homes with a lot of bathrooms and more simultaneous performance. This model is equipped with no fabrics while also boasting concentric or PVC venting capability, depending on the infrastructure you use and how much water you need.

Additionally, this is one of the most energy-friendly options, being rated with 96% Energy Factor, thanks to its ultra-low NOx emissions. In terms of performance, RUC98iP supports up to 199,000 max BTU for the household, while its maximum water flow can reach 9.8 GPM. That makes it ideal for both warmer and colder areas, although the rate is to drop to 5 to 6 GPM. Nevertheless, this still means more simultaneous showers, as well as multiple washing machines and bathroom-related applications.

Even though it’s chunky, it comes with a space-saving design, so it’s suitable to be installed anywhere. The installation isn’t easy however, so it’d be best to pick a certified professional who can assist you. Another drawback is also that this model is more expensive than the others, although the features it delivers are impeccable.

Pros

Space-saving design, large capacity and great GPM, energy-efficient, good for cold and hot weather.

Cons

Expensive and hard to install.

3. Eccotemp L10 – The best budget option

• Price: $
• Weight:
  27 pounds
• Dimensions:
  8 x 14 x 25.5 inches
• Warranty: 1 year

Eccotemp L10 is not only great and environmentally friendly for using Propane; it’s environmentally-friendly that it’s affordable and accessible easily. It can be assembled with extreme ease, and its portability allows clean installation in parks, campsites, outdoor areas and small apartments and houses with not more than one bathroom.

Although it has vastly smaller capacity compared to its high-end competitor Rinnai, Eccotemp L10 provides 74,500 BTU’s capacity with stainless rain cap design that means that getting wet won’t damage it. Its cutting-edge performance also earned it a 9’ CSA-approved gas regulator, as well as half an inch NPT, which can be used to monitor the hose adapter and protect it.

It is also equipped with various safety-related features like automatic safety shutdown timer, which resets every 20 minutes after the water stops. After the reset, it starts working again. You can use the CSA regulator to monitor and adjust the amount of propane to be used, which contributes to its environmental-friendly use. The company also promises that the instant hot water delivery works great if you have pets or small children, meaning you can safely and reliably wash and bathe your own pets inside.

It comes with 2.6 GPM maximum water flow, which should be enough for one shower, although it will be slightly difficult to use in the northern areas where temperatures are lower.

Pros

Compact, easy for installation, portable, gas regulator, safety shutdown timer

Cons

Low GPM

4. Rheem RTG-64XLP

• Price: $$
• Weight:3 pounds
• Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 26 inches
• Warranty: 12 years

Rheem RTG-64XLP is among the best propane tankless water heaters on the market because it delivers outstanding value and impeccable advantages over most of the heaters we’ve mentioned. It is equipped with a modern and intelligent design while providing input of 150,000 BTUs.

It is reliable, and it’s equipped with a series of safety-reliable features which make it an extremely powerful device. There are high water flow rates, with 6.6 gallons of hot water per minute being offered, with them being much lower in the winter ambient, however.

The temperatures this model can provide are up to 180F, with high-end performance, which delivers hot water in minutes. Finally, it promises low NOx emissions, which make it one of the most popular environment-friendly options. It also has a durable design, so it’s expected to last longer while releasing less gas for the necessary heater.

Unfortunately, the installation process may be a bit difficult. In addition to the less compact component, the manufacturer advises consumers to install the device outside, which is great as opposed to the competition that more often than not advises installing inside.

Pros

High-performance, environment-friendly, high input power, high temperatures

Cons

Requires installation outdoors, difficult to assemble, requires additional expenses

5. Takagi T-H3-OS-P

• Price: $$
  Weight: 59 pounds
• Dimensions: 22 x 17 x 19
• Warranty: 5 and 12 years

This is another Takagi’s reliable propane tankless gas heater, which will provide a reliable source of hot water for your entire home as long as it doesn’t consist of more than three bathrooms. Nevertheless, it provides consistent performance. It is equipped with a smart design and a digital display that shows the temperature level and helps users to keep up with the usage.

It boasts extremely compact design, as well as computerized safety features, which means it’ll be protected from freezing, as well as overheating on the summer weather. It weighs only 63 pounds, which makes it easy to carry and assemble, with great temperatures for heating and temperature adjustment.

It’s also worth noting that this model boasts ultra-low NOx emissions, which means that it is supported by various air quality management standards that help it limit pollution and be even more energy-efficient.

Finally, it is equipped with dual heat exchangers with commercial levels of HRS35 copper, which makes it less prone to corrosion. It is also covered in stainless steel, which protects it from the corrosion.

Pros

Low NOx pollution, various safety features, good for multiple bathrooms

Cons

Temperature is difficult to adjust.

6. VEVOR Propane Hot Water Heater

• Price: $
• Weight: 15 pounds
• Dimensions:
  1 x 7.9 x 28.1 inches
• Warranty: N/A

There are many features that make VEVOR Propane Hot Water heater one of the best propane tankless water heaters, thanks to its G1 2-inch pipeline, tube ignition mode, battery protection, and more.

In addition to that, it is equipped with additional energy-saving technology, which decreases gas consumption while keeping the tankless heater silent. It also comes with compact and light design and easily mountable wherever you want.  The manufacturer promises an overall 11.5% energy saving thanks to its advanced technology.

Other than that it offers protection technologies against overheating, as well as low water pressure startup function, and finally freezing protection that will work in colder environments. It is equipped with stainless steel body that protects it from corrosion and an LED screen that is used for proper adjustments of the temperature.

Pros

Advanced energy-saving technologies, compact design, multiple protection technologies, good water flow

Cons

Needs to be far from the bathroom

7. Eccotemp i12-LP

• Price: $
• Weight:
  9 pounds
• Dimensions:
  7 x 25 x 5 inches
• Warranty:2 years

Eccotemp i12-LP is another eco-friendly propane-powered tankless water heater that functions within smaller to medium apartments and houses with up to two bathrooms. It has a stylish and sleek design with a black glossy panel made of black tempered glass. Additionally, there is an intuitive LED display with temperature controls you can use to have a better feeling of temperatures changing.

When it comes to the features, the good side is that you don’t have to install it outside compared to some other options above. It is rated at 4 GPM which means it is more suitable for warmer environments than colder ones. With that in mind, it is also included with a safe electronic ignition system that can prevent hazards. There’s also no pilot light needed, with the device activating only on demand.

When it comes to installation, it is convenient and easy to install, although the warranty features are more probable with hiring a certified professional to perform the installation.

Pros

Innovative design, environment-friendly, easy to install, electronic ignition preventing system

Cons

Low GPM, not suitable for colder areas.

8. Camplux CA528

• Price: $
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Dimensions:
  14 x 5.9 x 22.2 inches
• Warranty: 1 year

Camplux is a lesser-known brand when it comes to the best propane tankless water heaters, although it has a precise temperature scan and an LED screen that makes it stand high in the competition. It sports a sleek and glossy design and is compact enough to fit even into the smallest homes.

Aside from its panel, it’s also equipped with quick endless hot water on-demand for multiple showers and is equipped with easy installation hardware necessary for mounting. It sports PCB frequency conversion intelligent control, which helps the proper temperature adjustment with a single degree increment while saving energy. The ultimate goal of the company is to deliver a heater that will quickly provide endless resources of shower water while also saving time, money and energy.

The company provides a short but effective one-year money-back guarantee warranty and cool customer service that will help you with any issue that arises.

Pros

Effective energy savings, sleek design, nice performance, compact

Cons

Not suitable for colder areas.

9. Camplux 12L

• Price:$
• Weight:
  8 pounds
• Dimensions:4 x 4.7 x 25.4 inches
• Warranty: N/A

If you’re in an urgent need of a propane tankless water heater with standard NPT water fittings and horizontal venting pipe, Camplux 12L is the right installation for you, especially because of its quick and smooth installation. It’s also worth noting that it’s one of the most affordable options on the market.

It’s easy to use, although it’s good that it requires low water pressure to start heating, needing only 0.8GPM. Nevertheless, that’s still more than some options require. In colder areas, that starting pressure would be difficult to use.

It boasts a sleek and modern design, covered with a black glossy panel and LED touchscreen controls, which allow you to easily adjust the temperature to your liking. The maximum hot water capacity range goes to 4.8GPM, while the minimum-maximum gas rate goes between 28,700 to 82,000 BTU. There’s also a safe electronic ignition system for additional protection.

Pros

Incredibly easy to install, easy to use, large gas rate, compact

Cons

Too high starting GPM, no cold temperature support

10. RL94iP HE

• Price: $$$
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Dimensions:
  14 x 10 x 23 inches
• Warranty: 12 years

This is another durable Rinani product that promises high-end performance with 30+ years to go. This propane-powered tankless water heater can produce large amounts of hot water in no time, which makes it suitable for large homes and even workplaces.

It boasts a 9.4 GPM flow rate, which is just enough to support up to three bathrooms, multiple showers, and washing machine performances. In addition to that, it will be greatly useful in both colder and hotter areas. It provides on-demand performance with endless capability to provide hot water to its users.

It also provides direct-powered venting powered by a coaxial pipe, which prevents air from getting inside and cooling the exhaust gas. It is extremely eco-friendly, so there’s no energy*loss when on standby. It is equipped with smart technology to prevent that. Using it will eventually provide annual power savings in electrical bills and much more

Pros

Efficient, large maximum flow rate, durable, good for large households and colder climates

Cons

Expensive, chunky