If you’ve been looking for tankless water heaters, you’ve seen how many alternatives are available. While certain brands are regarded as top-tier, others may disappoint you. Rheem is a prominent brand on the market, but how good is the company? Let us investigate.
We’ve limited our partners to a handful after over 15 years of installing and repairing tankless water heaters. While Rheem isn’t one of our current partners, there’s no denying Rheem’s popularity and strengths. We’ll lay out the facts for you so you can create your own opinion.
In this article, we’ll go over the crucial factors to consider while deciding on a tankless water heater, such as:
- Brand History
- Cost
- Efficiency
- Warrant
- Availability
- Variety
- Additional features
History of the Brand
- Established in 1925
- The goal is to eliminate production waste by 2025.
- Provides a cutting-edge training facility for expert installers.
Rheem is an American firm formed in Emeryville, California, in 1925. The firm began manufacturing steel drums but rapidly expanded to include bathroom fittings, combat weapons, and other items. The firm began making water heaters and boilers in 1930.
Rheem eventually became a part of Paloma, a Nagoya, Japan-based firm. Rheem now manufactures heating, cooling, water heating, commercial refrigeration, and pool and spa heating equipment. This is a significantly broader reach than other tankless water heaters market leaders such as Noritz and Navien.
Like other industry leaders, Rheem offers on-site training for professional installers at its cutting-edge training center. These investments are crucial because they ensure customers’ tankless water heaters are installed appropriately.
In addition, the corporation is working hard to eradicate production waste by 2025. Rheem is concentrating its efforts on developing a range of tankless water heaters that cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and training installers and influencers on sustainability and recycling practices.
But how much does it cost to go with a Rheem tankless water heater?
How Much Do Rheem Tankless Water Heaters Cost?
- More expensive than other well-known brands, such as Takagi
- Several hundred dollars to $2,500 without installation
You might have figured by now that Rheem is a high-quality brand. That level of quality usually comes at a higher cost to the buyer. While some brands, like Noritz, max out at roughly $2,300 for the unit alone, Rheem is slightly pricier at around $2,500.
You should budget between $4,700 to $8,500 for installation. Your contractor of choice and installation choices will significantly influence this number. Some installers provide basic and premium installation packages, which might affect your overall investment.
The main drawback to this pricing level is the diversity of alternatives Rheem provides. Because Rheem produces electric point-of-use tankless water heaters designed for single fixtures such as a shower, the price floor is significantly lower than that of other companies. Some electric point-of-use devices are available for as little as $250 without installation.
The good news is that Rheem provides warranty coverage to protect your investment for the foreseeable future.
What a Rheem Tankless Water Heater Warranty Entails
- Warranty of up to 15 years
- Less than Noritz, but comparable to Navien
For gas tankless water heaters, the average warranty period is 12 years. On some models, Rheem provides 12-year and 15-year warranties. The company’s electric versions have five-year guarantees, smaller than the standard gas-based tankless water heater warranty.
While Rheem’s warranty coverage does not meet Noritz’s 25-year warranty, it does match Navien’s. Despite Noritz going above and above, a 12-year guarantee is still considered normal.
A 15-year warranty will protect your investment for a long time. Since tankless water heaters have a lifespan of roughly 20 years with good maintenance, this coverage would take you up to the replacement time. If you reside in a region with hard water, such as Los Angeles County, this is especially important because hard water is known to harm heat exchangers over time if not properly maintained.
If you keep up with maintenance on a tankless water heater with a heat exchanger made of stainless steel, this figure can rise to 30.
After the warranty issue is resolved, many homeowners are intrigued about how a tankless water heater might save them money. We’ll need to discuss tankless water heater efficiency to gain a handle on this.
The efficiency of Rheem Tankless Water Heaters
- 96% efficiency is possible.
- Models with high efficiency qualify for maximum California rebates and federal tax credits.
When most people think of tankless water heaters, they think of increased efficiency, and that’s precisely what you’ll get with some of Rheem’s top models. While other companies, such as Noritz, outperform Rheem in terms of efficiency, the business still offers high-efficiency versions.
Rheem’s most recent versions have a 96% efficiency rating. This degree of efficiency lags below competitors such as Noritz and Navien by 2%. It outperforms more affordable brands like Takagi by a mere 1%.
The most efficient models of the corporation qualify for the maximum $1,000 SoCal Gas rebate available to Southern California consumers. For people living in and outside California, a federal tax credit of up to $600 is available for 30% of the total cost, including installation. Going through the quick application procedure might save you up to $1,600.
But how simple or challenging is obtaining a Rheem tankless water heater?
Is it easy to find Rheem tankless water heaters?
- Easily accessible
- Rheem or a contractor can provide parts.
While Rheem is one of the most well-known companies on the market, owing to its partnership with Home Depot, its products are in plentiful supply. Buying a Rheem is highly different from buying another brand since you may get a Rheem straight from hardware stores.
Rheem allows homeowners to purchase components directly from the firm regarding parts. Even if your tankless water heater is no longer under warranty, you may still buy components from Rheem.
Other popular manufacturers, such as Navien, do not provide this level of communication between the homeowner and the firm. Simply put, there are more strings linked to the purchasing of parts.
One thing to keep in mind is that, in our experience, Rheem tankless water heaters are occasionally installed by unlicensed or non-specialized contractors owing to the nature of the product. Based on what we’ve observed and repaired in the field, this is something to consider.
So, Rheem is widely available, but what exactly does the firm provide? We’ve touched on the brand’s variety, but let’s go a little more specific to get a bird’s eye view.
| Rheem 18kW 240V Tankless Electric Water Heater |  |
What Kind of Rheem Variety Can You Expect?
- Heat exchangers made of copper or stainless steel
- There are both gas and electric variants available.
- Various types of homes of various sizes
- Indoor and outdoor versions
Few tankless water heater brands can compete with Rheem in terms of diversity. Rheem manufactures tankless electric and gas water heaters and copper and stainless steel heat exchangers. Options include single fixtures and more prominent residences with up to four bathrooms.
Rheem’s IKONIC series is its flagship model, with all the bells and whistles. Due to some ingenious venting solutions, Wi-Fi capabilities, intelligent controls, and a more straightforward method to convert from a tank-style water heater are all available.
Copper and stainless steel heat exchangers were indicated as having a place in the lineup. Copper heat exchangers have been the industry standard since its inception, but stainless steel heat exchangers now deliver greater efficiency and durability.
You may also get indoor and outdoor models to fit the demands of your house. Most manufacturers provide both types of tankless water heaters.
We mentioned “bells and whistles,” but each brand defines that phrase differently. Examine what Rheem has to offer in terms of extra features.
Additional Benefits
- Compatibility with Wi-Fi
- Design of a dual-heat exchanger
- Recirculation pumps built-in
Every company has its take on extra features, and while not every model has the finest bells and whistles, Rheem does provide a variety of extras. Rheem is right up there with the best of them in this category.
Rheem is particularly proud of its twin stainless steel heat exchanger design. This option is available on select models and promotes improved longevity and dependability. Rheem promotes this function as yet another approach to increasing efficiency. Despite this innovation, Rheem’s best models are still 2% less efficient than competitors.
Wi-Fi capability is also available on various devices with varied efficiency and aesthetics. Wi-Fi is essential for contemporary tankless water heaters, so having it accessible on several models is encouraging. This function is linked to EcoNet, Rheem’s smart device direct control platform.
In a nutshell, it is Rheem.
Pros
- Reputation
- High-efficiency
- Qualifies for maximum rebates and credits
- Available at Home Depot
- Maximum variety
- Strong warranty coverage on some models
- Additional features
Cons
- Slightly higher price
- The 12-year warranty doesn’t meet other brands’ warranty terms
| Rheem Prestige Tankless Outdoor Natural Gas Water Heater 9.5 GPM – RTGH-95XLN-2 |  |
Is Rheem the right choice for you?
While only you can decide whether a Rheem tankless water heater is best for you, we’ve provided enough information to get started. You can now go forth and do your research with a thorough understanding of how Rheem positions itself within the industry, allowing you to make the best selection for your house.
After installing and repairing tankless water heaters for over 15 years, we’ve learned where each major brand ranks. Every firm has its advantages, and while we are not directly affiliated with Rheem, we appreciate its strengths and understand its weaknesses.
To contact us about upgrading to a tankless water heater, please use our online scheduler or one of the icons below. We’d be delighted to point you on the correct route for you and your family.
For individuals interested in learning more about tankless water heaters, we recommend downloading our Ultimate Guide to Tankless Water Heaters. If you want to learn more about the brands we work with, see our Noritz, Takagi, and Navien reviews. In this detailed Rheem vs. Rinnai comparison, you can also see how Rheem compares to another top brand.
