Best Overall
Rheem Performance Platinum Gas Water Heater
Best Bang For The Buck
Rheem Performance Atmospheric Gas Water Heater
Best Low NOx
A.O. Smith Signature 100 50-Gallon Gas Water Heater
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A 50 - gal piss heater is usually the recommended size for houses with one to three bathrooms and families of three to six multitude . Millions of home fall into this family , so the 50 - gallon water system smoke is one of the most democratic mannikin on the market .
Given that there are a limited identification number of reputable manufacturers making these devices , choosing the correct model would seem passably promiscuous . However , each marque produces a whole innkeeper of different example , and the determination is n’t as straightforward as it may first appear .
In this clause , we examine the key performance issue that will involve your decision . utilize this information and a choice of material - world case to avail identify the estimable 50 - gallon petrol H2O heaters for your home .
How We Chose the Best 50-Gallon Gas Water Heaters
In our experience , flatulence body of water heaters have change little over the years . However , to check that we had all the relevant information , the Bob Vila team researched all the leading manufacturers and the modish products .
There are relatively few makers of high - character 50 - gal gun piss heaters , but each produces a variety of theoretical account . The master feature we looked for were energy efficiency , reliability , ease of use , and low sustainment .
Budget is always important , but buying a gas water heater based on Mary Leontyne Price alone can be a false economy . We depend for a well - establish report for durability first , then tried to incur models across as wide-eyed a image of prices as potential .
Our Top Picks
The comply picks offer an splendid balance between execution and price , and as a result , each is what we trust to be the best 50 - congius water heater in its special class .
The Rheem Performance Platinum 50 - gallon gasoline water system heater is scab as worthy for households of three to five citizenry . The 40,000 - British thermal unit burners give first - time of day product of 78 gallon and a convalescence rate of 40.4 GPH . While these figures are not exceptional , few challenger raise this amount of hot water while exert a UEF of 0.68 . This is potential thanks to a apt flue muffler that trap inflame within the army tank . Rheem lay claim that over 12 month , this model can save about $ 200 in energy costs compared to received 50 - congius water heaters .
The Rheem Performance Platinum requires a standard 110 - V electrical feed , but the welfare is that this provide true electronic ignition and means no pilot burner light is necessary , which increases refuge . This model also has electronic diagnostics and can have Wi - Fi fitted for distant monitoring and control . The required connectivity mental faculty does cost extra .
Get the Rheem Performance Platinum 50 - Imperial gallon accelerator water heater atThe Home Depot .
Standard 50 - congius gas water fastball like this Rheem Performance Atmospheric model offer a canonic yet well - evidence design . The 38,000 - BTU burner may not be as knock-down statistically as the more in advance Performance Platinum , yet this building block is as equal to of providing raging water for three- to five - person homes . At 85 gallons , the first - hour charge per unit is actually higher than some other model , and a 38.4 GPH convalescence is competitive .
Economy suffers a little with a UEF of 0.63 . Nevertheless , this gas water heater compares favourably with like competition . There is n’t any electronic ignition or dominance , but the button - clitoris start is authentic and does n’t require an electric connection , which simplifies facility . The combustion system needs no filter , so there is zero alimony beyond checking the anode every few years .
Photo: homedepot.com
Get the Rheem Performance Atmospheric 50 - Imperial gallon gas piss heater atThe Home Depot .
The A.O. Smith Signature 100 50 - gallon throttle water heater underlines many of the reasons throttle models are pop . The 0.62 UEF is fair ordinary , but the 40,000 - BTU fastball deliver an telling first - hour rate of 81 gallons and recovery of 41 GPH . It heats water quickly and continues to refill the armoured combat vehicle rapidly as it is used . Although there ’s no digital display , electronic control appropriate precise water temperature preferences .
The A.O. Smith trade name has a tremendous repute for reliability and durability . The tank car is shabu - coated with a self - clean use to limit sediment buildup . The heater is also give away low Night , which produces less emission . The A.O. Smith Signature 100 is also very competitively priced .
Photo: depositphotos.com
Get the A.O. Smith 50 - gallon natural gas water heater atLowe ’s .
Best Ultra-Low NOx
A.O. Smith Signature 100 Ultra-Low NOx Water Heater
ULN stands for “ ultra - low-down Night . ” This feature contribute even less noxious emissions than low NOx water heater , so it should run into the regulations in states that have set standards . It would be well-fixed to take that a ULN water system heater would bring forth low-down performance than a standard manakin . However , at 84 congius , the A.O. Smith Signature 100 ULN really ranks among the good first - hr figures seen from this type of gas H2O heater . recuperation of 42 GPH is equally telling .
Otherwise , this 50 - gallon piddle bullet is much like A.O. Smith ’s stock modelling . It is glass - fulfil for durability , features self - cleaning , has base hit feature that monitor excess vapor , and includes a temperature and force per unit area - easement valve .
Get the A.O. Smith ULN 50 - gallon gas body of water heater atLowe ’s .
Photo: homedepot.com
Best Short
Rheem Performance Atmospheric Short Gas Water Heater
Fitting a 50 - gallon flatulency urine warmer into new builds is usually square , but in older buildings it can be more problematic , especially in cellar where low-toned beam can get in the way . With a superlative of just 51 inches , the Rheem Performance Atmospheric Short offers an effective solvent . Diameter does increase , of class , so it will be important to check the useable space . Still , the unit of measurement is only 3 inches wider than stock water heater .
In terms of hot water supply , the figures are once again sufficient for a household of up to five citizenry . It has an 86 - gal first - hour heating and 40.4 GPH recovery . Its UEF , at 0.64 , is better than that of many challenger . The push - button ignition leads to relatively aboveboard instalment .
Although some owners have reported leaks , this does n’t seem to be a common trouble . Without precise details of the installation and who performed it , it ’s impossible to screw where the fault originate .
Photo: homedepot.com
Get the Rheem poor 50 - gallon gas water bullet atThe Home Depot .
Best Propane
Rheem Performance Platinum Propane Water Heater
Although instinctive gas supplies extend to much of the United States , there are rural areas where it is n’t useable . Electric piddle heaters are one option , but many models do n’t offer the same levels of saving . Another result is to apply a propane H2O heater . This pick is based on our top choice for natural petrol , the Rheem Performance Platinum , and it divvy up many of its feature film .
With a UEF of 0.68 , it is equally efficient . The propane variation has a slightly in high spirits first - hour rate of 85 Imperial gallon , though recovery drop to 36.4 GPH . Like the natural gas variant , this water heater requires a 110 - volt supply , and as a result , it benefits from the same electronic ignition and ascendancy . There ’s also the power to sum up Wi - Fi connectivity .
While it for certain is n’t an cheap 50 - congius water supply bullet , maintenance costs can be reasonable . Using propane often result in savings over the life of the unit of measurement when compared to many electric alternatives .
Photo: Iowes.com
Get the Rheem propane 50 - gal gas water system fastball atThe Home Depot .
Also Consider
Reliance 50-Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater
Although Rheem and A.O. Smith nearly overtop the 50 - gal gas water heater market , this model from Reliance is well worth see . Piezo electric ignition means it does n’t require outside power and thus is comparatively easy to install . Unlike some fashion model that have only canonic heat adjustment , the Reliance features a accurate control valve , give up an accurate mise en scene of red-hot water turnout .
The 40,000 - B.Th.U. burners provide an impressive first - time of day performance of 81 gallons . A UEF of 0.62 is mutual for 50 - Imperial gallon water bullet of this type . However , we were ineffective to locate a recovery rate from retailers or via the Reliance web site . We have no reason to retrieve it would n’t be alike to competitor models , as the price is comparable .
Get the Reliance 50 - gallon gas water heater atAce Hardware .
Photo: Iowes.com
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing the Best 50-Gallon Gas Water Heater
Choosing thebest water heatercan be a complex mental process , but for the purpose of this article , we have take size out of the equation . However , the fact that all of our choice are 50 - congius natural gas weewee heater is only part of the equation , and the following aspects still need to be deal .
First-Hour Rating and Recovery Rate
The first - hour rating is the intensity of red-hot water that can be supplied per time of day , assuming that the armoured combat vehicle is already full to a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit . This is the standard arrange by the U.S. Department of Energy ( DOE ) .
Gas modelsare commonly more generative than their electrical counterparts . The first - hour rate for an galvanising modeling might be somewhere around 60 to 70 gal , while for gas it could be 80 to 100 gallons .
The recovery rate is how chop-chop the water reheats if the tank is altogether emptied . Some manufacturers give the length of clip to fill the tank , while most give GPH ( gallons per 60 minutes ) . However , these frame can sometimes be difficult to find .
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Tank vs. Tankless
For those who are deliberate whether to choose a tankless hot water , there arepros and yardbird of tank vs. tankless water heaters .
To sum speedily , tank car like the 50 - gallon gasolene pee heaters number in this usher generally be less to buy , install , and wield . Tankless role model heat up water on requirement . They are typically more economical to escape but initially more expensive . They may also struggle to issue sufficient hot weewee if , for object lesson , two masses lavish at the same time .
Materials
Fifty - congius water heaters are made of two brand tanks — one inside the other — with a high - density froth injected between them to cater insulation . The outer tank is usually painted . The inner tank is either stainless brand or carbon brand with a ceramic software at bottom ( often anticipate “ glass - lined ” ) . Both border on fighting corrosion . Stainless blade is more durable but also more high-priced .
A sacrificial anode ( a metal metal pipe ) positioned inside act like a magnet to corroding , draw it forth from the more sensible parts of the hummer . An important maintenance task is to check this every few year and replace it if it ’s in poor condition . Fitting a novel one extends the life of the master unit .
Some water heaters have anti - scale devices , and these are worth considering for those who live in areas with hard water . However , this feature film is not common . Connectors and the drain valve can be plastic or brass . Brass is considered a sign of quality and is arguably more durable , though modernistic polymer are plenty problematic .
Photo: homedepot.com
Energy Efficiency
How fast the H2O heats up depends on a telephone number of factors , but the peeled public presentation figure are utile for comparison . With gas piss heaters , the figure to appear for is BTUs ( British thermal units ) . high numbers are better , though this can have an shock on the economic system .
Energy efficiency is a fundamental broker in reducing utility bills , which for most citizenry are the 2d highest price after household heating . Since 2015 , the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act ( NAECA ) has set the minimal standard . More recently , the DOE has established a undifferentiated energy factor ( UEF ) , and every water heater should leave this figure . Most gas weewee fastball can have a UEF between 0.60 and 0.70 .
Safety
While 50 - gal gas water heaters are n’t inherently dangerous , they do contain a bouncy fire , so sure precautions are reasonable . All gasolene piss heaters should have venting to prevent gas buildup , and some of the full models have sensor that will turn off the ignition circuit if this find . It ’s also important to insure good airflow around the unit to forestall carbon monoxide ( CO2 ) concentration . instal a CO2 monitor in the vicinity of the water heater is deserving considering .
Flammable materials ( anything from thriftlessness paper to paint dilutant ) should always be maintain well aside from the water fastball , even if they are in sealed container .
In gain , the heaters can create low atomic number 7 oxides ( NOx ) , which are responsible for for adding to aura pollution and can cause severe breathing difficulties . Some states regulate this feature to reduce harmful emissions into the atm , requiring low or ultralow NOx paygrade on appliances like accelerator pedal urine fastball .
Photo: acehardware.com
Digital Display
Many low - cost 50 - Imperial gallon gas piddle heater are “ silent ” units in that they are connected , sic to temperature , and then result to self - regulate . More modern mannikin have electronic control and a few have digital presentation . These allow exact water system temperature configurations . They may also display water flow charge per unit , and some have break diagnostics .
The very latest 50 - congius gas piddle heaters are bright good example that can proffer Wi - Fi connectivity ( usually as an special ) . This can permit monitoring and ascendency from anywhere through a smartphone as long as the water heater is within reach of a Wi - Fi signal . It is authoritative to check the features offered since they vary considerably .
FAQs
There is a mess of useful information in the clause above , and we ’ve answer many interrogative sentence you might have had about features and performance . However , while we were research the good 50 - congius gas water fastball , we came across a number of related queries that merit more focus , so we have reply to those here .
Q. How many showers can you get out of a 50-gallon water heater?
It depends on how long you pass in the shower and the menstruation charge per unit of the showerhead . On medium , you would expect to get two or three 8 - minute showers from a 50 - Imperial gallon water heater before it survive inhuman .
Q. How long does it take for a 50-gallon gas water heater to heat up?
The performance will have an shock as will the water temperature required . Assuming a distinctive water provision of 45 to 55 degree Fahrenheit and an turnout requisite of 140 degrees , it should take between 45 minute and an hour to heat a 50 - Imperial gallon natural gas water warmer .
Q. Is a 50-gallon water heater worth it?
A 50 - gallon water heater is recommended for household of three to six people . statistic also show that a 50 - gallon throttle H2O heater costs no more to run than a 40 - gallon role model .
Q. Can I install a water heater myself?
If you have the necessary understanding of gas fittings , you likely can install a urine fastball yourself . Be mindful that there may be building codes that cut back where you locate the heater . However , if you ’re not 100 pct confident , we advocate consulting a professional . They have the skills and noesis to set up your throttle water warmer safely .
Q. What are the signs of a water heater going bad?
There are several coarse mansion that a piss heater is lead bad :
A quick scrutiny by an expert should indicate whether the fault can be vivify or if a unexampled water smoke is necessary .
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