Our Rating
Summary:
4.3
If you have a large family, then your hot water demands can become quite high. You might have two showers operating at once, plus a dishwasher to run, and there always seems to be laundry that needs to be done. The EcoSmart ECO36 240V Electric Tankless Water Heater can provide you with the high levels of support you need without taking up a ton of space. Compared to other heating options, this specific model is up to 90% smaller.
In return, you may be able to save up to half of the costs of your home’s current utilities that are related to hot water. For large families, that’s often 20% of the total utility cost. That’s why this hot water heater is worth considering… along with the fact that you have an endless supply of hot water that everyone can use.
Why Choose the EcoSmart ECO36 Hot Water Heater?
EcoSmart offers self-modulating technologies within their tankless water heaters, allowing the unit to adjust temperature ratings based on the source input that is being received. This model is so strong that it can provide a 3.5 GPM flow rate at 105F even when the incoming water is just 37F. You have the ability to set your temperature controls with this water heater as well, in 1-degree increments, so you will receive the right water temperature whenever it is needed.
There are some challenges to the installation of this specific unit. For starters, it requires a dedicated 150 amps to operate. It is the largest tankless model of the type that is produced by EcoSmart, but it weighs about 18 pounds, so you can place the unit virtually anywhere. It’s the circuitry that can trip up some homes when trying to use this unit.
It comes with a limited lifetime warranty. We would also highly recommend having a filter installed before the unit to improve water quality and reduce the need for flushing. For those with high mineral content water, a water softener is also recommended before using this specific water heater.
What About Having Water That is Actually Hot?
Since most ratings are based on 105F, the water can feel lukewarm at best by the time it reaches its destination. You’ll need to set the temperature for 120F on this unit for a consistently hot shower. To maintain the 3.5 GPM, you’d need a corresponding 15-degree shift in source water, so it would need to be 52F.
We did notice that there are times when you will need to cycle through your breakers because this model tends to restart from time-to-time. There can be controller card issues with this unit as well that may require a periodic replacement. Both issues are relatively easy to fix, but can be frustrating for those who are making the switch from a tanked water heater.
If you have a large family and need hot water in large amounts, then the EcoSmart ECO36 240V Electric Tankless Water Heater could be the answer you need. It has earned our strongest recommendation.
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