The 7 Best Propane Tankless Water Heaters for Your Home

Propane gas outdoor tankless water heaters are a great option for homeowners who are looking to save on the cost of installation by not needing additional ventilation. It’s also a fantastic way to free up space inside your home, which can be difficult if you have limited living space. 

What are the best outdoor propane tankless water heaters on the market? Read this article to find out.

Propane water heaters can supply multiple faucets or locations with a steady supply of hot water without compromising on the temperature or pressure. So long as you choose a unit that is suited to your home.

Propane water heaters are more efficient than natural gas outdoor water heaters because LPG has a heat content of 93.2MJ/m³ which is double Natural gas at 38.7MJ/m³ twice the energy density than natural gas. LPG heat content is 93.2MJ/m³ compared to natural gas which only has 38.7MJ/m³ of energy. In simple terms it means you burn half as much propane to create the same amount of heat compared to natural gas.

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It’s not a race to the finish. If you’re in a hurry and can’t decide which one is best for your home, we recommend our top pick from an experts.

Benefits of Best Outdoor Propane Tankless Water Heater

Here the amazing benefits of the outdoor propane tankless water heater, which are discussed here.

Energy Cost Efficiency

Gas water heaters are more efficient at heating water than electric ones. They use less fuel and have a lower annual operating cost due to the fact that gas is a much cheaper source of energy. Gas tankless water heaters can be rated at 99% efficiency, but not 100% as some energy is always lost.

Save Money on Install Cost

Gas outdoor tankless water heaters have their ventilation system built-in, which means there is no need for an external ventilation pipe. This can be a huge cost saving to the homeowner.

Buying guide for Propane Tankless Water Heater for High Altitude

When buying an outdoor water heater, check the maximum GPM Capacity of the unit to determine if it will work with your home’s size and needs.

Water heaters are rated using their maximum Gallons Per Minute (GPM) but if you are in an area with a cold groundwater supply you may want to go for a unit that is slightly larger than you think you need because the maximum GPM rate is based on the average household water supply temperature. Low water input temperatures do greatly affect the efficiency of a unit.

Durability

When choosing a tankless water heater, consider the weather as well as other factors. In particular, those living in cold climates should choose a unit that has been tested for freezing protection. Freeze protection can help protect the heater from expanding ice causing damage to the pipes, welds, and heat exchanger.

Because the heater will be exposed to the elements the materials used to build it are very important, look for a unit made from only top-quality stainless steel and copper parts.

Warranty periods are an important factor, these a water heater is a large investment, A good minimum warranty to look for is 10 years warranty on the heat exchanger, this is the most expensive component of a tankless water heater. Look for 5 years warranty on all other parts and at least a 1-year labor warranty.

In the long term, buying an outdoor tankless water heater is a smart choice. They are no more expensive than their indoor counterparts but provide benefits such as peace of mind knowing they will never leak gas or water inside your home.

Waiting Time and Energy Efficiency

If you want to buy a tankless water heater, you will need to consider the waiting time from when you turn the faucet, to when the unit has fired up and started heating the passing water. For a traditional storage unit, you will be to check how long it takes to bring the entire tank full up to temperature, and how well insulated it is so it can stay hot.

Recommended Propane Water Heaters 2022

These 6 Best Propane Tankless Water Heaters are the top-rated products reviewed by our experts. They were evaluated across essential factors, including size, capacity, fuel efficiency, and warranty.

This model has a rated maximum flow rate of 11 gallons per minute (GPM). Rinnai R series are at the top of their range, they offer almost identical performance and durability as the C series of commercial heaters. The main difference is that being a residential model the R series come with a much longer warranty.

If you are looking for a tankless propane water heater that is capable of supplying even the largest of homes, then the Rinnai RUR199eP is the choice for you.

It has up to 11 gallons per minute flow rate providing optimal water pressure.

The Rinnai RUR199eP has the ThermaCirc360 technology that provides faster hot water with a built-in recirculation pump, timer, and thermal bypass valve. The timer is a real standout feature of this unit, it means that you can set the unit to run the recirculating pump during peak usage times of the day. And have the heater turned off when there isn’t likely to be much hot water demand. This will save you a considerable amount of gas.

With the 15-year warranty, on the heat exchanger, 5 years on parts, and a 1 year labor warranty, so you can rest assured that this water heater will serve your family well and last a very long time.

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The Rinnai V94eP also features enhanced scale detection, which helps to keep your unit functioning optimally for many years to come. Rinnai V series water heaters are a mid-range product that are the right balance of performance and value. Designed to suit small- to medium-sized homes or remodels the Rinnai V94eP’s compact design will not take up much space on a wall.

The Rinnai V94eP Propane Tankless Hot Water Heater is a high-performance unit able to supply up to 9.8 Gallons Per Minute hot water heater. It features an integrated tank and flow control valve for accurate temperature control.

A key feature of this unit is the scale detection system which decreases the chance of long-term serious damage.

The Rinnai V94eP is the best value for mid-size families. It has a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger, 5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty on parts and a 1 year labor warranty.

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This unit produces up to 5.3 gallons of hot water per minute and is designed to be energy efficient and space saving. The Rinnai V53DeP Propane Tankless Hot Water Heater is the mid sized in the Rinnai family. But don’t be put off–the 5.3gpm is MORE than enough hot water for most normal families, and many people have replaced a larger unit without a difference in their hot water supply.

A shower shouldn’t use more than 2.5gpm so if you only have two showers, a 5GPM should be able to handle it

Although much cheaper than larger units, this is by no means cheap in quality! It still features many of the high tech design features found in much more expensive water heaters.

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The Fogatti outdoor water heater is perfect for whole-house use. It offers a capacity of 4.5 gallons per minute, which means it can easily accommodate the needs of 3-4 people in your home. It has built-in protection features that provide peace of mind, including overheat protection, flame failure protection, low flow protection and high pressure protection. The compact design makes it easy to install outside with only 3/4 inch NPT fittings required for installation!

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The Camplux Pro 6.86 GPM Outdoor Propane Tankless Water Heater is perfect for an individual home with a lot of hot water needs, and a low budget. Although this is a cheaper option it does still have a few advanced features, such as auto antifreeze protection high wind resistance, and a durable construction.

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Noritz has been a leader in the water heater industry for more than 60 years. They were the first to make, electronically controlled , tankless water heaters.

The Noritz NR50ODLP outdoor tankless water heater is a great example of an efficient and affordable gas water heater that has all the bells and whistles. The unit comes with a flow rate up to 5 gallons per minute, backed by 12 years warranty on heat exchanger, 5 years on parts, and 1 year on labor. It also features multiple safety measures including safe design for outdoor installations.

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FAQ’s About Buying A Tankless Propane Water Heater

How To Determine Which Is The Best Propane Water Heater For You?

If you are looking for a new water heater, there are many factors to consider. You will need to make sure that you choose one with the features and price point that works best for your needs. The three key things to consider are.

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need?

What is the groundwater temperature where you live? We have a chart showing all the average groundwater temperatures in the United State, just go to What size tankless water heater do I need?

Ground water temperature really affects the total GPM a water heater can output, the colder the water, the less efficient the heater. Each water heater brand will have a table showing how groundwater affects performance. 

How often will multiple outlets be in use at the same time, one shower for example uses around 2.5 gallons of water per minute? Knowing the total water flow rate you need to achieve will determine the minimum GPM capability of the water heater you require.

Finally, how extreme are the weather conditions in your area, if you live in extreme cold, you will need to have a heater with inbuilt antifreeze.

Take these into account, and find a unit that is within your budget.

 Reasons To Buy A Propane Tankless Water Heater?

A propane tankless water heater is usually a cheaper alternative to electric water heaters because they are more efficient than using electricity to heat your water. If you are looking for an efficient way to heat your water, buy a propane tankless water heater.

What Size Propane Tank Do I Need For A Water Heater?

The answer to this is, it depends. If you are running a larger 9GPM unit then a small 20lb propane tank will not last too long at all, but if you are a family of one, and shower quickly once a day it could last you months.

The practicality is though you are going to need a large tank. The most common tanks targeted for residential use are the 500-gallon tanks, it ideal for homes that rely on home heating with propane. These tanks are perfect for a home that uses propane to cook, and heat water.