Best Tankless Water Heaters in Canada

Next on the best tankless water heaters in Canada list is this sleek-looking model by Rheem. However, you should not underestimate this compact water heater. However, you should not underestimate this compact water heater. The Rheem is rather powerful and can offer reliable performance even if you plan to use it with many faucets. That is possible thanks to the flow rate of up to 4.4 GMP.

You might also appreciate the handy LED display and external control knob. The Rheem tankless water heater allows users to adjust the water temperature in small increments for precise controls. And thanks to the durable copper heating elements, the Rheem heats the water fast. Therefore, you will have almost instant access to hot water.

Based on Our Tests 

During the testing period, I was fascinated at how this tankless water heater could work so efficiently to provide the hot water I needed while using little energy. I also love how straightforward it was to operate, making it an ideal option for people who want a simple water heater that uses even less power.

Best Electric Tankless Heater — EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater

The Most Versatile Option — Onsen 10L Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater

Why You Should Trust Me

I’ve reviewed many water heaters by testing them over the course of 2 weeks, taking note of their strong and weak points. While testing, I paid special attention to flow rate, power input, and temperature rise to narrow down the products with the highest qualities. Each of these factors determine the heater’s efficiency in heating up water and raising the temperature. I also take into consideration factors like price and cost of installation, because these two are quite high when it comes to tankless water heaters. Making the right choice is of utmost importance before the installation happens because replacing it would be difficult.

Based on the above factors, the 5 products on this list ranked higher among all the water heaters. To verify and finalize these choices, I’ve conducted extensive research on installation and standards for buying a water heater. Having all the pieces of the puzzle put together with the help of instructions, my testing methodologies, and first-hand experience, I put together a list of the choices along with their most important features to help you make better decisions when buying a water heater.

Types of Tankless Water Heaters and Their Features

On-demand water heaters are typically classified by the type of fuel they use. Today, you can find three possible options:

• electric heaters;
• propane heaters;
• natural gas heaters.

All of them have their strong and weak points, so let’s briefly get familiar with them right below.

Electric Heaters

This is the most common option on the market. Electric heaters can operate on both direct and alternate currents and only heat the water when you turn the hot water tap. They have a snake-like pipeline that goes through the heating element and warms the water until the set temperature is reached. 

Electric tankless water heaters are considered a powerful appliance, so they require a separate 220V circuit, a circuit breaker, and a circuit cable with ground for installation (1); otherwise, you may not be able to use other electrical appliances — such as a fridge or TV — while the heater is working.

Propane Heaters

Propane on-demand heaters, as the name implies, require a propane tank to operate. They typically run on lithium batteries that you need to replace every six months on average, depending on how actively you will use your heater.

Propane heaters have the following advantages:

• They’re even more cost-efficient than tank water heaters and electric tankless ones. Because you don’t need to use electricity for these heaters, they can save you up to 30% on energy bills compared with tank water heaters (2).
• They’re cheaper and easier to install. With a propane heater, you only need something to mount it to your water line and attach it to the wall, as well as a durable pipe for your propane tank. That’s basically it!
• They work more quickly. An electric water heater may have delays if you decide to use all the faucets at once, while a propane one warms the water more quickly and easily recalibrates without major loss in temperature if the water demand has changed.
• They’re suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This makes them a good pick for summer showers, kids’ pools, and RVs.

Now, note that propane heaters require mandatory ventilation because they tend to heat too much and because propane produces carbon dioxide when burning. So, if you do not have proper ventilation in your house, you may end up spending a lot of money creating it.

Gas Heaters

These are very similar to propane heaters except that they use natural gas — the one you use in your stove — as fuel, so they can be mounted to your gas line at home.

Natural gas heaters have roughly the same advantages and drawbacks as propane heaters:

• they also run on batteries and are more energy-efficient than electric models;
• they can work both indoors and outdoors but require good ventilation;
• they work faster.

Also note that the installation of natural gas heaters can be more difficult, as they may require replacement of the gas line in your house, especially if you have a lot of faucets and water-based appliances.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Quality Tankless Water Heater in Canada

The type of water heater is what you should choose first, but this isn’t the only thing that matters. 

Here are a few more important details to consider before buying.

Flow Rate

Flow rate shows how much water the heater can warm up efficiently and hence, how many sinks you can use at the same time. Flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM), and you can find units with literally any capacity to suit your water needs.

But how do you define your water needs?

Here’s the deal:

Showers typically have the highest flow rate. A low-flow showerhead has a flow rate of around 1.5 GPM, and for a high-flow showerhead, you can easily double that.

An average tankless water heater, on the other hand, produces 2 to 5 gallons per minute (3).

Thus, if you purchase a 3.1 GPM water heater, you can use only one high-flow shower at a time or two low-flow sinks without any water-based appliances like a dishwasher; otherwise, the water temperature may change.

So, to define the flow rate you need to supply your home with hot water, you need to literally count all your sinks and water appliances. 

Temperature in Your Home Region

Canada’s climate is colder than that in the US, which may affect the power and flow rate you need to efficiently use your heater.

How?

See, in colder climates, the inlet water temperature is lower than in warm regions. This means you will need a lower flow rate so that the water would pass more slowly through the heater and warm up better.

Note, though, that for larger households, you will likely need both a higher GPM rate and more power so that the heater would more efficiently heat water for every appliance.

Power Input

To put it simply, the higher the power input of a tankless water heater, the more effectively it's going to increase water temperature (and to a higher temperature too). 

Power input is measured in BTU. To figure out how much you will need, you should consider the size of your household. For instance, smaller apartments with one shower may require as little as 10,000 - 15,000 BTU. For larger households, there are models with the power input of 100,000 - 190,000 BTU (and up).

Temperature Rise

When shopping for a tankless water heater, pay attention to the temperature rise number. It should determine the temperature rise of the tap water before it comes out of the faucet. In other words, it would show how hot the water could get.

Now, most tankless water heaters can offer a 70-degree temperature rise, which should be enough for the majority of households. However, in gas heaters, the 70-degree temperature rise typically goes with a 5 GPM flow rate (and up). In electric heaters, the standard temperature rise number is usually the same, but it occurs when the maximum 1.5 - 2 GPM flow rate is used.