Hard water can be quite a nuisance, shortening the life of your water heater ever so often. Not only does it leave deposits that make the maintenance of the water heater more frequent but it also has the tendency to jam the heater, thereby, reduce its heating efficiency.
In addition to destroying the taps and pipes in your bathroom and kitchen, it can have a harmful effect on your appliances. Therefore, waters heaters are now specifically made to withstand hard water.
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How Does Hard Water Affect Water Heaters?
Hard water is full of minerals, primarily including magnesium and calcium. These minerals stick to the sides of the water heater, scaling it. They are small white particles, visible to the naked eye. Once they start building up on the wall of the heater, they reduce the life of the water heater.
It doesn’t matter whether your heater comes with a tank or is tankless, either type is vulnerable to scaling as a result of hard water. However, the tankless options are lesser prone to it and here is a list of the best tankless water heaters. There are many ways you can help keep your water heater from scaling though. Flushing is one of the most effective ways to maintain your heater and removing all particles before they start building up on the insides of the container.
Here is a professional tutorial that will help you do that:
Other methods include maintaining the temperature without taking it too high, using vinegar and adding a water softener.
6 Best Water Heaters for Hard Water 2021
Below is a list of water heaters that will not only provide you with hot water during the winters, but fight back clogging caused by hard water.
1 – Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM
This tankless Rheem water heater is very simple to use. It can be set using a remote-controlled panel that also shows fault codes, if any. It is also relatively quieter than most other water heaters that make a lot of noise while heating the water. It is 94% energy efficient, promising lower bills and continuous hot water. Even better, the temperature of the water remains constant because of the electronic controls that ensure an even heating. The size of the water is small enough to fit into a cupboard. Since it is tankless, it is better suited to be installed in areas with hard water.
With simple maintenance and great performance, the Rheem RTGH-95DVLN is one of the best water heaters for hard water.
2 – Sio Green IR30 POU
Another tankless water heater option, the Sio Green IR30 is one of the best options for heating hard water. Since the mechanism of the heater does not involve heating with a metal, there is no worry for corrosion or limescale and calcium buildup, thereby reducing the amount of maintenance required. The design of the heater is compact, allowing it to be installed anywhere. It may not be big enough to cater to the whole house, but it is definitely a good addition or supplement to your existing water heating needs.
Heating only the required water and coming with simple to install instructions, Sio Green IR30 is a great water heating option. There are certain pros and cons of tankless heaters but this one beats all the cons.
3 – Bosch Tronic 3000 T
The Bosch Tronic 3000 T has a mini-tank of 2.5, 4 or 7 gallons, whichever fulfills your need best. It is sleek looking and very convenient to be installed anywhere; it can be set on a shelf, on the floor or even mounted on the wall. Moreover, it is very convenient to install without any professional help as the model is portable, light and durable. It is also known to heat up the water at lightning speed. In addition to that, it is able to maintain the temperature of the water for a considerably long time once the set indicates that it has reached the “ideal” temperature.
The mini tank is energy efficient and does not add much to the gas bill. Moreover, if maintained regularly, it is perfect for hard water.
4 – Stiebel Eltron 224199
Being a pioneer in tankless water heating technology, Stiebel Eltron is one of the most reliable brands in the market. The model 224199 comes in a compact and solid design, which does not require additional venting or space. The best part about it is that it has amazing energy saving potential and can really help you in save on those energy bills. Without any reduction in the flow, the heater is able to give consistent hot water for as long as you want. It is available in different sizes to suit individual needs according to the size of a household.
Stiebel Eltron 224199 240V, with digital temperature control options and easy installation, is definitely one of the best water heaters for hard water.
5 – EcoSmart ECO 27
This electric water heater comes in a compact design that can be easily installed anywhere. With great insulation and advanced technological process, the model saves up on energy cost by up to 50%. It has an adjustable flow rate and a user-friendly temperature button. It is especially suitable for colder areas where the temperature can go below 45 F. This easy to use product comes with a lifetime warranty and boasts of an energy efficiency of 99.8%.
For all those who are looking for a water heater brands that not only solves the hard water problem, but can also help in saving energy, the ECO 27 is a great option.
6 – Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG
Being a Japanese manufacturer, there is nothing short of perfection that you can expect from this Tagaki water heating model. It is small in size but can easily heat water and maintain it even at higher temperatures. The remote panel helps control the water temperature, the flow rate, etc. easily. The Takagi heater has an appealing design so it can be installed anywhere, whether hidden or over the counter. With maintenance required once every year to clean out any kind of buildup, it is good for hard water usage.
Takagi T-KJr2-IN-NG has a thermistor at the input as well as output points to help maintain the temperature of the water efficiently. It also comes with a 10 year warranty for residential use and 5 years for commercial use.