Best Electric Tankless Water Heater for Family of 5

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For a family of 5, you’ll need an electric tankless water heater with a high flow rate (around 5-8 GPM) and strong energy efficiency to supply multiple bathrooms, sinks, and appliances simultaneously. Here are some of the best electric tankless water heaters that can handle a larger household:

1. Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus

  • Flow Rate: Up to 7.5 GPM (depending on water temperature)
  • Power: 36 kW
  • Why It’s Great: The Tempra 36 Plus is known for its advanced flow control, ensuring that water temperatures stay consistent even if multiple fixtures are used at once. It’s highly efficient, converting 99% of electricity into heat, and can handle large families with multiple bathrooms.
  • Best For: Homes needing hot water for 3-4 bathrooms at once.
  • Key Features:
    • Self-modulating technology for energy efficiency.
    • Digital temperature control with high precision.
    • Quiet operation and reliable long-term performance.

2. EcoSmart ECO 36

  • Flow Rate: Up to 6.5 GPM (in warmer climates)
  • Power: 36 kW
  • Why It’s Great: The EcoSmart ECO 36 is designed for large households and provides reliable, endless hot water, even when multiple showers and appliances are running simultaneously. It features self-modulating technology, making it one of the most energy-efficient units available.
  • Best For: Homes in warm climates or regions with moderate hot water needs.
  • Key Features:
    • Compact and space-saving.
    • Digital temperature control with precise adjustments.
    • Lifetime warranty on parts (residential use).

3. Rheem RTEX-36

  • Flow Rate: 7.0 GPM
  • Power: 36 kW
  • Why It’s Great: The Rheem RTEX-36 offers external digital thermostats with an LED display for easy temperature adjustments. This unit is ideal for families that need multiple showers, washing machines, and dishwashers running at the same time without hot water shortages.
  • Best For: Large homes needing consistent hot water for multiple outlets.
  • Key Features:
    • Dual copper immersion heating elements for fast and efficient heating.
    • Self-modulating technology for greater energy savings.
    • Easy installation and durable design.

4. Eemax EEM24036

  • Flow Rate: Up to 6.5 GPM
  • Power: 36 kW
  • Why It’s Great: The Eemax EEM24036 is perfect for large families with multiple hot water demands. It offers self-modulating technology to ensure it only uses the necessary amount of power based on water flow, helping reduce energy consumption. It’s compact, but powerful enough to handle multiple bathrooms and appliances.
  • Best For: Homes needing reliable whole-home heating with high efficiency.
  • Key Features:
    • Digital control and self-modulation for energy savings.
    • Compact size, fitting into small spaces.
    • Ideal for large homes or families with high water demand.

5. Bosch Tronic 6000C WH36

  • Flow Rate: Up to 6.5 GPM
  • Power: 36 kW
  • Why It’s Great: Bosch’s Tronic 6000C WH36 is designed to deliver consistent hot water across multiple applications in a large home. It’s highly efficient and can provide hot water to multiple fixtures without a drop in temperature.
  • Best For: Multi-bathroom households and larger families.
  • Key Features:
    • Thermostatic control for constant water temperature.
    • Highly energy-efficient design.
    • Reliable and easy to install.

Key Considerations for a Family of 5:

  1. Flow Rate (GPM): A family of 5 will need around 6-8 GPM to support multiple showers, appliances, and faucets simultaneously. Higher GPM units are better suited for homes with several bathrooms.
  2. Power Output: An 18-36 kW unit is ideal to ensure you have enough heating power for a large household.
  3. Energy Efficiency: Look for self-modulating technology, which adjusts the heater’s power usage based on the water demand to save energy.
  4. Climate: If you live in a cold climate, the flow rate may decrease as the heater works harder to raise the water temperature. Opt for units with a higher kW rating in such cases.

Conclusion:

For a family of 5, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus and Rheem RTEX-36 are the top choices due to their high flow rates, energy efficiency, and ability to handle multiple fixtures at once. Both units ensure consistent and reliable hot water, even during peak usage times, making them ideal for larger households.

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