Propane tankless water heater is an ideal solution to heat water if you don’t have a direct pipe connection to natural gas delivery. Propane as fuel is cheap and clean. But, the significant advantage of a propane water heater is that it doesn’t need lots of investment into the installation.
By choosing a tankless water heater, you are already saving lots of money annually on heating water. You spend money on heating water only when you need it. There is no standby cost, even if you leave your home for several days. Now since you choose propane as the fuel for tankless water heater, you are saving, even more, every year. Propane is a great heater, and thanks to its burning properties, it can heat water fast.
However, just like everything in life, it has its advantages and advantages. In this buying guide, I will try to explain which propane tankless water heater is good and give you several products to pick. Not all propane tankless water heaters are good for you. You need to decide on your own what you need and how much money you want to spend.
What is Propane Tankless Water Heater?
Propane tankless water heater is a device that you install in your home that will heat water. Powerful propane water heaters can heat water for a whole house, or you can buy less expensive propane water heater and install them on one pipe to heat water only on that pipe.
Since these water heaters are tankless, then you should know that they are small in size and don’t require a tank. They will take less space in a room and can be mounted on the wall. Since there is no tank, no money is burnt on heating water in a tank, just like is the case in traditional tank-based water heaters.
Propane is a fossil fuel that burns good. It requires less propane to heat water than, for example, natural gas. If we compare propane water heaters to electric heaters, then you see a clear advantage of propane as fuel. Propane as fuel can heat water at a much higher rate, and you will never get cold water in the shower even if you are living in a cold climate.
TOP 10 Best Propane Tankless Water Heaters
A good deal of propane tankless water heating manufacturers has more than one model. Because of that, in the following list, you will see several products from the same manufacturer. That only means that a specific manufacturer is an expert in propane water heaters production.
Camplux AY132 5L 1.32 GPM
First on the list is not really made primarily for the house. In fact, Camplux AY132 5L is portable, and most of the time is used on traveling in a camper. But this propane-fueled water heater can be used outdoors as well. Without a problem, you can enjoy a hot shower even if you are camping in high mountains without electricity and other modern world services. As long as you have propane in a tank, you will have a hot shower.
In the package, you will get a gas regulator as well as a showerhead. Since it comes with a showerhead, then you know that the primary purpose of this outdoor portable tankless water heater is showering in nature. This water heater can heat up to 1.32 gallons per minute. The maximum temperature is 46 °C, and the minimum is 8 °C. Don’t worry about overheating or freezing because this water heater has a built-in protection system. It also has a flame failure, high water pressure, low water flow, and dry combustion protection. With all these protections, you can be assured that nothing will go wrong. Even if you install it indoors, it has an oxygen depletion sensor, which will make sure there is no dangerous level of CO2 in the air.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Shower | Enjoying outdoor shower with endless hot water during camping trip. |
| Bathing Dogs | Providing a comfortable sunbath for your pet dog. |
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Camplux BW264 10L 2.64 GPM Digital Display
If your family needs more hot water, then to be safe, it is best to go with the BW264 model, which has 10l, which is twice as much as the AY132 version. Also, this more powerful Camplux model is giving 2.64 gallons per minute, which is also twice as much. But that power comes with a much larger size. This water heater is also portable and can be used outdoors. However, it is most of the time used as a fixed unit on a camper rather than a device that you carry with yourself on the mountain.
It has more weight and larger size than the previous model, and that makes it less portable and somehow harder to carry with yourself if you are going for a hike. But the larger size also has some other additions like digital display, which will tell you the exact water temperature. Just like AY32, BW264 also comes with a gas regulator, shower head, and all protection systems Camplux builds in their products.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Power Output | Maximum power output 68,000btu/hour, get instant endless hot water easily where you are. |
| Safe Device | Flame failure device, anti-freezing protection, over heating protection to ensure the safety. |
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Camplux BW422LP 16L Outdoor 4.22 GPM Digital Display
The most powerful Camplux portable water heater comes with 4.22 gallons of hot water per minute, which is more than enough for a whole family and a horse if you have it. In other words, this water heater can supply hot water even for a larger camper or a cabin in the woods. All you need is a large enough propane container, and you can stay camping with hot water for weeks, if not months.
All the previously mentioned benefits of Camplux propane water heaters apply to this model, as well. All protection systems are included as well as a digital temperature display. This is also the largest Camplux propane water heater, which means that it is not really that portable if you are traveling on foot. In a camper or a car, it can easily be transferred from one place to another. If you need maximum hot water, you can get while traveling; then, for sure, the strongest Camplux propane-fueled water heater is the best choice.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| CSA Certified | CSA certified gas regulator and quality rubber plastic water hose included. |
| Bathing Horses | Offering your horse with a relaxing shower in the afternoon. |
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Eccotemp L10 2.6 GPM
Eccotemp builds another great portable outdoor propane water heater that can also be used indoors. Eccotemp is competing with Camplux BW264 10L, and to tell you the truth, there is a difference in the price but also a difference in technology. Camplux comes with more protection, but it also has a much higher price than the Eccotemp. Eccotemp is slightly easier to carry because of the weight and size. It can easily be used for outdoor camping, even if you are traveling on foot.
With Eccotemp propane water heater, you will never run out of hot water. 2.6 GPM water flow is more than enough, even if you have friends with you. In the Eccotemp package, you will get shower head and hose, rain cap, and gas regulator. Nothing else you need in the package to have hot water while outdoor camping. Make sure the propane container is with you; you can use a 20lb grill propane tank.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Gas Type | Liquid propane, CSA regulator for use with standard 20 lb. grill propane tank. |
| Automatic Shutoff Timer | 20 minute automatic safety shutoff timer (resets when water stops, then starts again). |
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Eccotemp i12-LP
Eccotemp i12-LP is not a portable water heater, which means you can use it only in one place. You can still use it in a camper and travel with it, but once this water heater is installed, it is meant to stay in the same place for a longer time. It is not intended to be unmounted and transferred to another place and being used as portable. There are much better water heaters for that purpose than this one.
This modern, designed sleek water heater can fit into any room. Black tempered glass front panel is attractive, which allows this water heater to be an excellent addition even in the living room. It can be used as decor that, at the same time, heats water for a whole house.
This fixed propane tankless water heater can supply a whole house with hot water thanks to the excellent water flow of 4GPM. It offers fully automatic temperature control, which will, in the long run, save even more money. Low energy consumption of 2W on idle mode and pulling only 1.07 AMP when working, makes this water heater good choice for cabins, small homes, or cottages.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Automatic Temperature Controls | Features fully automatic temperature controls with an energy saving mode and child lock technology. |
| Modern Design | Sleek, modern design with black tempered glass front panel featuring an easy to use LED display controls. |
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Rinnai V65iP
Rinnai is one of the well-known North American water heating device suppliers. In fact, Rinnai is number one in selling gas tankless water heaters. They have many models that will fit any of your needs. They use quality material and modern technology when creating their products. Many of their products are SMART, which can be used over a mobile phone through WiFi.
V65IP is a water heater that is meant for indoor use. You will need to install it in a fixed place and probably never uninstall it. This water heater is intended to last. IP stands for a model that uses propane gas, so make sure you don’t buy the IN model, which is built for natural gas. There is quite a difference between the gases, so make sure you don’t make a mistake. VP65IP is a powerful propane tankless water heater that can supply the whole house with hot water. It has a good water flow of 6.5GPM. That kind of flow means endless water for an entire home.
You can connect to the water heater by using a smartphone. Control-R 2.0 application will allow you to set timers, schedules, or even remotely put whole water heating systems into vacation mode.
Rinnai believes in their products, and because of that, they give 120 months warranty on heat exchanger, 12 months on labor, and 60 months on parts. Investing in Rinnai tankless water heater is a good thing if you look at the offered warranty. However, the initial money you need to spend is a bit higher than the previously mentioned models so far.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Endless Hot Water | Put an end to scheduling your hot water need. |
| Hot Water On-Demand | Don’t waste while you wait. |
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Rinnai V75iP
V75IP is basically the same model as V65IP. Both of them run on propane and need to be installed indoors. However, V75IP, as the number in the title says, is capable of 7.5GPM water flow. That’s a good increase in water flow, and if you think that 6.5 is not enough for your home, don’t risk it, it is better to pay now and install a proper power water heater than to install a water heater that won’t have enough power. Once these water heaters are installed, they are meant to stay in the same place for a longer time.
This tankless water heater fueled by propane is also capable of WiFi connection. Use Control-R 2.0 mobile application to control the water heater. Installation of this advanced water heaters is not easy, and it is best to be left to professionals. Many homes have this water heater installed in the basement, and from there, a whole house is supplied with hot water.
Standard Rinnai’s warranty is applied to this model. You should not worry about malfunctions because everything is covered to make sure the hot water supply is steady and reliable.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Save Valuable Space | Your hot water heater doesn’t have to be a behemoth! |
| Affordable, Efficient Savings | Efficiency packaged in a compact design means cut CO2 emissions (as compared to tanks), use less energy and conserve water. |
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Rinnai V94iP
V94IP is the strongest Rinnai model in the V series. It has WiFi capability and can be installed only indoors. Thanks to a really powerful heating, this water heater has 9.4 GPM water flow. That is more than enough for a standard size home. In fact, this powerful tankless water heater can supply hot water even in a large house. If the previous water heaters are too weak for you, I am sure this one is strong enough unless you are living in the castle.
Warranty is included in this model as well, and since all the V series models are basically using the same technology and the only difference is in power, the same Warranty is in all of them. Even though this water heater is powerful, it is still compact and be installed even if you have very little space for it. It is best to install this propane tankless water heater in the basement, but some homes have installed it in the bathroom. Since folks are scared of CO2 emission basement is a better place for it. The average life of the Rinnai propane-based tankless water heater is around 20 years. That’s almost two times more than with traditional tank-based water heater.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| 100 years of Confidence | Get peace of mind with the unsurpassed quality and innovation of a Rinnai tankless water heater. |
| Sustainable Reliability | It’s a smart investment for now and the future when you intertwine sustainability and reliability. |
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Rinnai RL75iP
RL75iP is a powerful tankless water heater that delivers 7.5GPM of hot water. That’s enough for several bathrooms. Water is heated even faster because RL75IP uses advanced recirculation technology. Circ logic will help you get hot water even quicker because now you can set recirculation patterns that follow your habits of using hot water.
Everything else is almost the same as in the V series. The only difference is recirculation capability, which is very useful in a large house. Still, you can use a mobile phone to control the water heater and adjust it to your needs. Precious warranty that Rinnai offers is also applied, and even if something goes wrong after the warranty has expired, every part can be easily replaced without the need to demolish a whole water heater.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | Up to 7.5 GPM hot water flow rate (varies by groundwater temp). |
| Residential Factory Warranty | 120 months (heat exchanger), 12 months (labor), 60 months (parts). |
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Rinnai RL94iP
Rinnai RL94iP is the most powerful model on the list. It is meant for a very large house that has six bathrooms. Thanks to advanced technology Rinnai RL94iP is heating water very fast. No need to wait for hot water to come, it will come in a second. If someone else is taking a shower, that is not a problem for this water heater because 9.4 GPM of hot water will make sure everyone gets hot water even if all of them are using it at the same time.
Warranty, WiFi, Circl Logic technology is also available in this model. The best thing is that the price for Rinnai RL94iP is almost the same as the price for Rinnai RL75iP. That only means that if the RL94iP is available, you should buy it because there is no reason to buy a less powerful water heater. The only thing that pops in my mind why you should buy a less powerful water heater for the same price is if you have energy consumption concerns. However, in my humble opinion, you will save more money in the long run if you decide to buy a more powerful model.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| 100 years of Confidence | Trust the #1 selling gas tankless water heating brand in North America for all of your water heating needs. |
| Hot Water On-Demand | Rinnai tankless water heaters with ThermaCirc360 technology recirculates hot water through your pipes to get you hot water fast. |
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How Does a Propane Water Heater Work?
Just like all other water heaters work, cold water is pulled into the system. In the middle of the system is a fire which uses propane to burn. That fire is used to heat water. Hot water is then released back into the pipe and used as you like.
Propane tankless water heaters don’t need to store water, but they need a chimney. When any type of fossil fuel is burned, there will be more or less smoke. That smoke needs to leave a room. Also, extra ventilation is required to release any unwanted gases and CO2. When burning propane, oxygen is burnt, and the product is CO2. High levels of CO2 can be dangerous.
Propane fueled water heaters are best for off-grid places. They are best for places like cabin, camper, or even a house that is not connected to a natural gas pipe. Propane refueling is done via propane truck, which will deliver propane at your door. Be careful when refueling because pressure needs to be monitored all the time. It is best to leave propane refueling to professionals.
How Much Propane Does A Tankless Water Heater Use?
We know that tankless water heaters will save you money on working only when there is a demand for hot water. But how much propane will be used is hard to tell because it depends on the usage and needs of hot water. Some calculations are fluctuating over the internet, which say that families with two members will spend 15 gallons of propane per month. For five members, the usage raises to 40 gallons per month.
In other words, if we say that propane is around $2, then for two people, that is $30 for one month, which is not much. For the five-member family, that amount grows to $80, which is still not a lot.
Does A Propane Water Heater Need Electricity?
If you thought that gas-based water heaters don’t need electricity and will work even when there is a power outage, you were wrong. Modern tankless water heaters that run on fossil fuel still need electricity because all technology in them needs electric power. Many of them have a monitoring system, protections, and LEDs. All these features require electrical power.
Many propane tankless water heaters use electric ignition. Without ignition, there is no heating. However, some water heaters use gas as a fuel as well as solar power. These hybrid water heaters can work even if there is no electricity in the house.
Benefits of Using Propane Tankless Water Heater
Propane tankless water heaters have many benefits. They are the ultimate off-grid solutions.
Save Money
Propane is a gas that gives lots of heat, and on the market, the price of this gas is low. Being a tankless water heater also means money is spent only when there is a demand for hot water
Installation
Installation is not expensive, and all you need to do is install a water heater and connect it to a propane container. On the other hand, natural gas needs to be connected to the city gas line, and that can be complicated as well as an expensive investment.
Eco-Friendly
Propane, when burned, is not releasing any dangerous gases. It is natural and friendly to the environment.
Long Lifetime
Tankless water heaters will serve you for many years. The average tankless water heater lifetime expectancy is around 20 years.
Tips For Buying A Propane Water Heater
There are many brands on the market; however, on this list, you will find only three of them. I think these three brands are leaders in propane tankless water heater field.
Temperature
Make sure the water heater is capable to heat water. When groundwater is cold more heating power is needed.
Size
Some tankless water heaters are huge, and you will hardly get space for them in your small home. Always make sure the water heater will fit in your room.
Water Flow
Water flow is essential if there are more members in your home. Never use more hot water than a water heater can deliver. You won’t have hot water, and the water heater will work at full capacity.
Protection
Some water heaters have built-in safety measures that will help propane water heater work correctly in all circumstances. Also, some of them have sensors to detect gases. You should carefully consider these options when buying propane tankless water heater.
Summary
Thanks to this excellent buying guide on how to buy the best propane tankless water heater for your home. I hope you won’t make a mistake. If you read the whole guide, I am sure you are more than qualified to make the right decision. Good Luck.
