These low flow 120-110 volt tankless water heater choices are great for a single hand washing sink. Also, I have provided one 110 volt tankless heated shower product that is suitable for use in the far southern U.S. Picking the best electric tankless water heater for your needs can be a bit tricky, but I’ll make it easy for you. Introduction To Picking The Best 120-110 Volt Tankless Water HeaterWith so many different models of tankless water heaters being available on the market, it becomes very tricky to select the one that will be most suitable for your specific requirements. To make matters even more complicated, the different models each have their own set of features which may or may not be required for what you want to use it for. It should be noted that the products discussed in this article are the best in the 110-120 volt category. To get anything better you must go to a 220 or 240 volt system (future article) or a natural gas/propane system (future article). Tankless Water Heater Selection CriteriaWhen selecting a tankless water heater, one of the first specifications you need to look at is the maximum flowrate measured in gallons per minute (GPM). The table below shows the average GPM used by different applications. Knowing the maximum flowrate required is in itself, however, not enough.The maximum flow rate can be misleading, because the flow rate is lowered by how cold the groundwater temperature is. Tankless water heaters heat the groundwater and should ideally raise it up to at least 105 degrees. Which is considered to be hot by most people. The problem is that the average groundwater temperature differs depending on where in the USA you are. The map shown below will give you a good indication of the ground water temperature in your area. Hawaii and Puerto Rico Have Groundwater Temperatures Of 75 Degrees.The products selected for this review will work in most of, or all of the USA, because they have enough power to raise the groundwater temperature. You may however only get .4 GPM instead of .5 GPM in the far north. The farther south you live, the warmer the groundwater. So, you can get higher temperatures than 105 degrees, or more water flow. This might make specific heaters useful for a kitchen sink instead of just a bathroom sink. Criteria Used for Including or Excluding Products in This ReviewMost 110-120 Volt tankless heaters are only useful for washing hands in a sink because they only provide a maximum .5 GPM hot water (105 degrees) flow. All models in this group can get more water flow if the incoming water temperature is higher. The first product listed can be used in warmer climates with a water saving showerhead, because it has a maximum 2 GPM. Generally, the products listed are only suited for one faucet. If you try running another faucet, the one farthest from the heater will get less hot water. Or if one faucet has a .5 GPM flow aerator and the other one has a standard 1.5 to 2.0 GPM aerator, the 1.5 to 2.0 GPM aerator faucet will have colder water, because of greater water flow. It should be noted that 110 volt devices can work with a 120 volt system and vice versa, because the devices are made to work within a plus or minus 10% voltage range. However, selecting a heater that works at 120 volts is generally better than one that is designed for 110 volts. There are tankless heaters available on the market that come with a plug-in cord and can operate on your current house wiring (120 volts). Although these devices are less expensive and lower powered, they have not been included in the list, because they are only useful when the incoming water is already warm, i.e. on the south coast of the USA. The devices in this list all need a dedicated circuit breaker and upgraded wire size to operate. Many of the products require (and include) a 0.5 GPM sink faucet aerator. It restricts the amount of water that can flow out of the faucet so that the device has enough time to fully heat the water. Modulated vs Unmodulated Water HeatingUnmodulated water temperature devices will heat until they hit their highest temperature or the temperature set point that was selected, and then turn off. Which means that you will now have cooler water until it turns back on again. With unmodulated devices, if the water is too hot, you can cool it down by turning on the cold water, or by turning up the hot water volume past the .5 GPM flow rate (if a flow restricting faucet aerator isn’t used). Which means that the water doesn’t spend enough time in the heater to reach its maximum temperature. Less expensive devices that do modulate to a certain extent, do so by turning on one or more heating units. The best (fully modulating) modulating units use a computer chip to modulate (60 times every second) the amount of heat the unit makes according to incoming water temperature, water pressure, and water flow. This is what many customers think they are getting when the device lets them set a temperature, but that isn’t always true. Many devices that let you set a temperature are just activating the number of heating modules used – which is a “rough” form of modulation. This rough form of modulation can be effective in very warm climates (warm groundwater temperatures) where the unit can produce more than the .5 GPM it is rated for. There are only 3 products in this list that actually fully modulates the heater in response to varying incoming water temperature, changing water pressure (someone using cold water somewhere else in the house), and the amount of water flow being used. These are the iHeat HS-4 Electric Tankless Water Heater, the Stiebel Eltron DHC 3-1 and the Chronomite SR-30L/120 HTR SR Series Flushing Air From The Water HeaterA big reason for heaters to never work right from the start, or just after installation, is that not all of the air was flushed out of the heater before turning the heater on. If there is any air in the heater, it will over heat and either trip the overheat safety feature (many heaters don’t have a safety system), or it will burn up some part of the system inside the heater. After tightening all fittings at the water heater, but before switching the power on, turn on several hot water faucets and let the water to run though the water heater. About 3-4 minutes should be enough time. This process purges all the air from the water lines and MUST be performed prior to turning on the power at the unit. Note: Failure to follow this step can cause permanent damage to the heating elements. When a water heater or the plumbing system in a home is maintained, this could result in air being introduced into the plumbing. Before powering the unit up after such maintenance, it’s important to first turn the water heater off and purge the lines from any air. Water Quality Is Important To Your 110 Volt Tankless Water HeaterPoor water quality can damage heaters from hard water scale deposits, sediment clogging aerator screens, and other factors. Water quality can have an impact on appliance longevity and may not be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. For water analysis data, call your local water department, or if on a well, have well water analyzed periodically. If water quality exceeds one or more of the values specified below, it is recommended that you consult a local water treatment professional for water softening/conditioning options. The first three factors to evaluate are the pH, the total dissolved solids (TDS) and the total hardness. The pH should be between 6.5 and 8.5, the TDS should be less than 500 mg/l, while the total hardness should be less than 6 grains, or 100 mg/l. The presence of various chemical elements should also be limited. These are as follows:
There are many water filters and water softening products available on the market for users of tankless water heaters. InstallationWhen installing a tankless water heater, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal results and to ensure that your water heater will not only operate as expected, but also to ensure that you don’t invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty. Some manufacturers specify that their product must be installed by a professional installer, and also specify which installation codes should be adhered to. We recommend that a manual shut-off valve (ball valve) is installed before and after the water heater so that there is an easy way to shut off the water system. That will make future maintenance or servicing much easier. Winterizing Your Tankless Water Heater To Prevent Freeze DamageIt should be noted that the installation manual of several models state that the water heater must not be installed in a location where it may be exposed to freezing temperatures. Also note that:
If the heater must be left in a space that is likely to experience freezing temperatures, all water must be drained from the heater. Due to the shape of the heat exchangers and connecting pipe, it is extremely difficult to get all of the water out of the heater. Follow the procedure below to best minimize the chance of freezing:
Remember, these suggestions are only made to help minimize the potential for freeze damage and are not to be construed as the guaranteed method for dealing with freeze possibilities. What to Watch Out For When Reading Other ReviewsWhile doing research for this article, we came across many crappy products that had bad reviews for numerous reasons, or cases where seller claims were invalid. Some things to watch out for include:
Compare The 9 Best 120-110 Volt Tankless Water Heater ChoicesThe table below shows the main technical specifications for the 9 tankless water heaters discussed in this review:
#1. Drakken iHeat Hotspot HS-4 Electric Tankless Water Heater – 110 VoltDescriptionThe HS-4 point of use electric tankless water heater by iHeat comes in a stainless steel enclosure. The temperature can be safely and easily controlled by making use of Drakken’s water proof interactive touch pad. This allows users to select any temperatures between 80°F and 140°F. The Department of Energy recommends that water heaters should be set at 120°F. The power drawn for the heater is calculated by using real time data based on behavioral use. This data is then applied to the unit’s closed loop modulation system. This water heater also features activation at a mere 0.25 GPM flow. Features
Technical SpecificationsNotes: This product has a number of features that are not available on other products including:
#2. Stiebel Eltron DHC 3-1 Single Sink Point-of-Use Tankless Electric Water Heater 120VDescriptionThe Stiebel Eltron DHC 3-1 is suitable for delivering hot or warm water to a single point, e.g. a utility sink or a hand wash basin. Many years of reliable service is made possible by the all copper, rugged design. The reliability and simplicity of these tankless water heaters make them ideal for use in various residential applications such as:
They are also ideal for use in kitchenettes and restrooms in several industrial, commercial, or office settings, including:
DHC-E Provides Electronic AccuracyDHC-E delivers hot water to a single or multiple sinks, or in specific conditions, to low-flow showerheads. Simply Set a Dial To The Desired TemperatureThe dial on the front cover can be used to set the temperature to between 86 and 140 °F (30 and 60 °C), and can be changed at any time. Even if the water flow varies, advanced microprocessor technology will ensure that the temperature of the water remains at the set point. Constant Temperature OutputDHC-E water heaters use Stiebel Eltron’s Electronic Temperature Control. This compensates for incoming water temperature variations and flow rate fluctuations to ensure that a constant output water temperature is maintained. The smart microprocessor technology saves power by continually monitoring information from two temperature sensors and the flow sensor. This data is then used to micro-adjust the heating elements. Features
Technical Specifications#3. Stiebel Eltron Mini 3-1 Mini Single Handwashing Sink Tankless Electric Water HeaterDescriptionThis model is this is a downgraded version from the Stiebel Eltron DHC 3-1 described above and is physically smaller. Features
Technical SpecificationsNotes:
#4. Rheem RTEX-04 3.5kW Electric Instantaneous Water Heater – 120VDescriptionThis instantaneous water heater by Rheem provides continuous hot water on demand. These units can either be used as single point-or-use, or for multiple applications simultaneously. This model of tankless water heater is more efficient than standard tank-based hot water heaters, and boasts an energy efficiency of 99.8%. Features
Technical SpecificationsNotes:
#5. Bosch Tronic 3000C US3 Pro Point-of-Use Electric Tankless Water Heater – 3.4Kw 120voltDescriptionThe Bosch Tronic 3000C 7736500685 is a tankless water heater designed to heat water for any point of use application. With its ability to instantly heat water and no bulky tanks to worry about, this water heater provides constant and infinite hot water to your home all within a small cabinet size. Thus, making the Bosch 3000C 7736500685 an ideal candidate in almost any sink application. Features
Technical SpecificationsNotes:
#6. Chronomite SR-30L/120 HTR SR Series Instant-Flow Low Flow Tankless Water HeaterDescriptionThe patented Chronomite microprocessor technology enables controlled or pre-set output temperatures to be delivered accurately within two seconds rather than the six seconds required by other tankless water heaters. These water heaters are installed at point of use and will only operate when hot water is required. This dramatically reduces inefficient use of electricity and hot water delivery times. Features
Technical SpecificationsNotes:
#7. Ecosmart POU 3.5 Point of Use Electric Tankless Water HeaterDescriptionThe Ecosmart POU 3.5 has been designed for single applications with a maximum flow rate of 0.5 GPM. It is installed under the sink and includes a 0.5 GPM sink aerator. The flow controlled heater enables the temperature to be adjusted based on the flowrate. This Ecosmart electric tankless model should only be used to run one sink at a time. It is also only suitable for areas where the inlet water temperature is 57°F or higher. The ECO POU 3.5 can heat inlet water at 57°F to 105°F at a flowrate of 0.5 gallons per minute. Under the sink installation is possible due to the unit’s compact size. The water heater is ideal for: strip malls, wet bars, boats, doctor’s office, bathroom sinks and recreational vehicles (RVs). This water heater will provide an endless supply of hot water provided it is sized properly. Before purchasing and installing consumers should verify that this model is sized correctly for the required demand and electrical requirements. The Ecosmart POU 3.5 should only be installed using #10 AWG wire with a 30 amp single pole breaker. 1/2″ NPT plumbing connections should also be used. Features
Technical SpecificationsNotes:
#8. Eemax EEM12004 4kW Electric Tankless Point of Use Water Heater, BlueDescriptionEemax electric tankless water heaters provide endless hot water where you need it and when you need it. This product can be used for any of your residential or commercial water heating needs. The EEM12004 is most often used for single lavatory sink applications. The unit operates from 120 volts, and delivers 4 Kw of power. It has been designed to operate in warmer climates and is suitable for point of use applications with a flowrate of 0. 5 GPM (gallons per minute. Features
Applications
Performance Features
Technical SpecificationsNotes:Not suitable for use in application with an inlet temperature of less than 57 °F. #9. Drakken iHeat Tankless Electric Shower Head With Heater AHSH 2500DescriptionThis 110 volt electric shower head with heater needs to be screwed onto the shower outlet. The temperature is controlled via two buttons that are labeled low and high. Features
Only for use in Florida, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico (or farther south). Click Here Technical SpecificationsNotes:
Conclusions: 120-110 Volt Tankless Water Heater ReviewsGenerally speaking, if you have 110 volt electrical service in your house, then use a 110 volt tankless water heater. However, if you have 120 volt service, then a 110 volt tankless water heater isn’t your best bet. That’s because you are asking the device to “work” harder than it was designed for. The result? It might not last as long as it could have. None of these 120-110 volt tankless water heater choices are going to perform like their 240 volt “big brothers” that can provide hot water to multiple sinks and showers. However, the tankless heaters in this article are the best choices available for most people in the U.S. for low flow hot water needs. This latecomer is not on the list. Unlike most tankless heaters, this one can be mounted in any position. If your water temperature is at least 57 degrees (southern half of USA), it will provide hot water for one sink. Click Here Related article: Point of Use Water Heater All Water Products Home Page Summary Article Name 9 Best Performing 120-110 Volt Tankless Water Heater Reviews Description Choosing the best point of use 120-110 volt tankless water heater for a bathroom sink at home, at work, cabin or workshop can be tricky - we make it easy. Author Publisher Name All Water Products Publisher Logo Are tankless water heaters good for showers?With a tankless water heater, you can take a shower, use the dishwasher, and do laundry all at the same time without losing hot water. On top of saving, you from the dreaded cold shower, it can also save you money and energy.
What size tankless water heater is needed for a shower?The best sizing factor for a tankless water heater is its flow per minute rate. A 3.2 gpm, tankless heater can heat 3.2 gallons of water per minute, which is roughly enough to provide hot water to a shower and a sink.
Are there 110 volt tankless water heaters?The 110V MAREY Power Pak Plus tankless electric water heater provides an affordable, easy-to-install option for hot water that does not require a hot water tank. It is simple to install as it attaches directly to pipes.
How big of a tankless hot water heater do I need for 1 shower?Example: If you're taking a shower (100% flow and 110˚F hot water) and simultaneously use two faucets (100% flow and 110˚F hot water), you will need at least 5 GPM tankless water heater. Tankless heaters can deliver anywhere from 2 GPM to 12 GPM of hot water.
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