If you are looking for the best indirect water heater, then you are at the right place to get one! Nowadays, people are looking for long-term cost-saving options for their water heaters. In that case, nothing can compete with an indirect water heater, as it uses the home’s existing heating source instead of using its own.
Therefore, we have extensively researched and picked some of the fantastic indirect hot water heaters for everyone. In that case, just read our scrutinized reviews and choose one indirect water heater for yourself. We will also guide you here to select the right indirect hot water heater according to your purpose. To know more about Indirect Water Heater Vs Storage Tank go through the mentioned link.
Top 6 Best Indirect Water Heater Reviews
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1. Burnham AL35SL Indirect-Fired Water Heater
The 35-gallon Burnham AL35SL indirect water heater not only has a thoughtful sturdy construction but also is exclusively stone-lined. This tank is made to keep the water hot for the longest time possible with its heat-retaining triple-walled metal and gauge steel. Therefore, it will prevent the heat from escaping. The build is praiseworthy with cast iron, stainless steel, powder-finish exterior, and porcelain interior.
Maintenance is not so much of an effort with this indirect heater as the clean porcelain inside is already stain and dirt-resistant; so, a single wipe is enough. This water heater claims to consume less electricity compared to a similar 35 gallons tank. There is a heating coil inside which needs cleaning to prevent dirt buildup.
Now let’s talk about the unique feature of this heater. This Alliance SL water heater also comes with the concept of hydra stone-line, which is believed to prevent rust formation for years. The stone line is a one-half-inch layer to protect the steel from water corrosion. When water first enters the tank, the stone-lining absorbs it and makes an anti-corrosion layer on the steel surface against hot water.
The hydra stone-lines Burnham AL is highly suggested for people whose area water is acidic. As acidic water can distort glass-lined water heaters. To use the heater for the longest time, maintain it well. Moreover, it does come with 10 years tank replacement warranty.
Key Features:
- Has unique Hydrastone-lining
- 35-gallon water heater
- Made from stainless steel and cast iron
- Inside is made from porcelain
- Comes with a heating coil
2. Triangle Tube Phase III Indirect 70-Gallons Water Heater
If you ever visit an expert home improvement specialist regarding indirect water heater suggestions, then no doubt one of their references will be Triangle tube indirect water heater. This one is the Phase III version which is more updated than phase II. Though it is a 70-gallon heater, you can buy your preferred size with the same exact specifications in all Phase III models.
The heater is made of the unique tank-in-tank feature with durable corrosion-resistant steel. The external tank of the heater is nicely powder-finished which does not hold any stain and helps with easy cleaning. You will get the longest benefit from this indirect water heater without maintaining it every now and then, as there is a self-maintenance property here. The heat exchanger descales itself from grime time to time to provide the required hot water as quickly as possible.
Moreover, the heater is equipped with polyurethane foam insulation, which is safe and non-toxic yet works as an excellent insulator. Unlike wooden or metal-insulator, no mold or mildew will grow in the foam insulator as it controls humidity. A large household can highly rely on this 70-gallon water heater by Triangle Tube. The installation booklet is straightforward to follow, still, it can require professional hands. Plus, there is a 2-year of manufacturer’s warranty for this indirect water heater.
Key features:
- Designed with a tank inside of a tank
- Has self-cleaning heat exchanger
- Consists of 2-inches polyurethane foam insulation
- The top cover is removable
- 2 years of warranty and customer support
3. Stiebel Eltron Tempra 29 Plus Water Heater
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 29-plus is a boon to all homeowners because of all the extraordinary features it has with an unlimited water supply. It has all the possible features that would help to save energy, such as self-modulation, preset temperature buttons, and a savings monitor that shows cost-saving also. You can pre-set the required water temperature on its digital display, and after reaching that temperature, the heater shuts off with the self-modulation technology. In this way, water does not overheat and saves energy.
Moreover, the solid copper heating chambers help to quickly heat water and make it ready for immediate use. The copper chambers won’t corrode or rust, unlike other metal chambers. Also, the temperature is kept constant without changing at any time. You can keep your eyes on it with the digital display, also, you can monitor the energy consumption and cost-saving on the monitor. The compact and sleek design of this heater makes it mountable anywhere so that it can work noise-free at your hot water service.
There are twelve other models of Tempra Plus working with different capacities and water flow, but this 29 plus works with 29kw on 0.99 energy factor. This means Tempra 29 plus saves 99% energy on your utility bills.
If you wanna know the comparison between direct vs indirect water heaters, click here.
Key Features:
- Has digital temperature display
- Copper heating chambers
- Has a cost-saving showing monitor
- Auto-modulation is present
- Voltage: 240
- Waterflow: 0.77 GPM
See also: 10 Best Water Softener For Tankless Water Heater
4. Triangle Tube Phase III Indirect 36-Gallon Water Heater
If you want an indirect water heater for an average household within budget, then the 36 gallons water heater by triangle tube will be perfect. This one is the second triangle tube phase III indirect heater in our list with the same amazing features as the previous one. Having less water heating capacity, this indirect water heater is smaller in size which will fit it perfectly inside small houses.
The heater has in-built 2-inches polyurethane foam insulation, which works as an excellent insulator. Unlike wooden or metal-insulator, no mold or mildew will grow in the foam insulator as it controls internal and external humidity. A small to the average family household can highly rely on this 36-gallon water heater by Triangle Tube. The installation booklet is easy to follow, and still, takes professional help for installation.
This model too is made of a unique tank-in-tank feature with durable corrosion-resistant steel. The external tank of the heater is nicely powder-finished which does not hold any stain and helps with easy cleaning. You will get the longest benefit from this indirect water heater without maintenance, as there is a self-maintenance property here. The heat exchanger cleans itself from buildup to provide the required hot water quickly. Lastly, there is a 2-year of manufacturer’s warranty for triangle tube indirect water heater.
Key features:
- Designed with a tank inside of a tank
- Has self-cleaning and maintaining heat exchanger
- Consists of 2-inches polyurethane foam insulation
- Top cover is removable for easy inspection
- 2 years of warranty and customer support
5. Crown MS2-75 Indirect Water Heater
The fifth indirect water heater in our list is the Crown 75 mega Stor Vertical water heater with Honeywell Aquastat. This mega gallon of 75 can produce an ample amount of hot water within seconds for your large family. You can do multiple tasks at once in the peak hour too if you get this masterpiece. It is mainly made for residential use with an ultimate power-saving capacity to quickly heat up 75 gallons of water inside the stainless-steel tank.
There is stainless steel coil at the bottom that helps with even heat distribution in a large quantity of water. The coil also helps with different recovery rates, in fact, better than regular water heaters. Moreover, the 2-inches polystyrene foam insulation keeps the water hot at the given temperature for a long without letting the heat escape. The entire water heater is made from a rugged 444 stainless steel coat to prevent damage, corrosion, abrasion, or interior dents in the long run.
You can remove the polymer lid for a closer inspection or cleaning. Whereas, the bottom of the heater is made adjustable to stand on uneven surfaces without falling.
Key Features:
- Capacity is 75 gallons
- Made of 444 stainless steel
- 2-inch polystyrene foam insulated
- Working pressure is 150 psi
6. Westinghouse 80 Gal. Electric Water Heater
The last indirect water heater in the review is an 80-gallon electric water heater by Westinghouse. This indirect water heater is all praised for its full-form rugged construction with 316L stainless steel for longevity. The steel is corrosion, abrasion, and crack-proof, unlike other materials. Even though it looks huge being an 80-gallon heater, yet it is lightweight for the tensile strength of steel, thus easy to carry and install.
Westinghouse water heater is uniquely 98% thermally efficient, yet it provides so much hot water. Therefore, you are enjoying the luxury of unlimited hot water without having to cut your pocket on the electricity bill. You can also clean the surface and interior effortlessly to prevent dirt and grime buildup; to reach the interior heating coil, you can open the lid. Apparently, the temperature of the water can be controlled with the presence of a thermostat. And after the water reaches your desired temp, the heater will auto shut off and prevent the water from overheating.
This heater comes in two different sizes, which you can choose from according to your family’s daily hot water needs. The user will get lifetime technical support and customer support from Westinghouse with the purchase. So, get yourself one of these heaters and it won’t disappoint you!
Key features:
- Gallon size: 80
- Thermal efficiency is 98%
- Constructed from 316L stainless steel
- Volt required: 240
- Has thermostat temperature control
Pros & Cons of Indirect Water Heater:
As you have read enough reviews of indirect water heaters, so might have known each of their benefits and issues. Now we will know the general advantages and disadvantages of indirect water heaters. So, you will get an idea of whether you should invest in an indirect water heater or look for another alternative.
Pros:
Solid build: These heaters are constructed with solid stainless steel for longevity and ruggedness. This is why in the long run, indirect water heaters don’t corrode, rust or damage. In fact, the last is double the time than a regular tank-style or tanked water heater.
High efficiency: Not just do they have a high capacity to provide hot water, but they are very efficient in their work too. This is because they are using an integrated heating system of your house with the highest BTU rather than their own system. Hence, you get immediate hot water at point-of-use.
Less Standby: the insulated indirect water heaters are best at keeping the water heater as you want for a long time, and preventing it from escaping.
Low energy consumption: Residential indirect water heaters are to consume low energy. Their mechanism is made to retain the heat for a long and conserves more energy.
Less maintenance: You will find most of the water heaters do not require much maintenance because they have an in-built self-cleaning mechanism. They have no burners, or filters to deeply clean and maintain them. Rather, you might have to sometimes clean the heating coil to prevent dirt buildup. Whereas, the exterior of them is already made stain-proof to ease up cleaning.
Installation cost is low: Installing an indirect water heater does not take hours like gas or electricity-lined water heaters. They require no venting or fuel line pipes installation to work, for which the plumbers do not charge high.
High recovery rate: Compared to other types of water heaters, indirect water heaters have the quickest recovery rate with more availability of hot water.
Cons:
Not for small spaces: Since they are more likely a tank-style water heater, so the indirect water heaters are bulky in size. For this, these heaters take up more space and cannot fit in small homes.
The upfront cost is too high: Even though indirect water heaters have the high energy-saving capability which saves a chunk from your utility bill, but their upfront cost is too high. People often step back from buying due to indirect water heater’s cost.
Do the PROS outweigh the CONS?
As you have already seen, the PROS do outweigh the Cons for an indirect water heater overall. The cost might initially seem like cutting off your pocket, but in the long run, it is going to pay back. If you have a large family who continuously uses hot water, then an indirect heater won’t be a fail. It will heat and save the temperature of water for multiple uses throughout the day!
Buying Guide for Indirect Water Heater:
Now that you have decided to buy an indirect water heater, it is now time to look at its buying guide so that you don’t end up buying faulty junk. Not every indirect water is for you unless it matches your requirements!
Tank size: Ask any expert, and they will tell you to look at the tank’s water capacity first. Because people get to overwhelmed by their unique features that makes them ignore the basic fact of checking gallon size. If you buy a smaller capacity tank than your required size, then you won’t be provided with sufficient hot water at the time of need. Therefore, it is recommended to at least keep the mark at 50 gallons.
Construction: A durable stainless steel body construction of a heater will go long way. Generally, the parts of the heater come in contact with water for which they have a higher tendency of forming rust and corrosion. Thus, the entire heating system gets disrupted and damaged, which is quite tough or almost impossible to recover. Hence, buy a water heater where the construction is safe from water and other external factors.
Energy efficiency: If you don’t want to spike up your electricity bill in a day of hot water use, then must look for an energy-efficient indirect hot water system. Since, they produce hot water in large quantities and sometimes for the whole day, so undoubtedly, eat up too much power. Hence, before you purchase make sure your water heater has high BTU, and heat-retaining capabilities that will help to save some energy.
Maintenance: A simple maintenance indirect water heater will save a notable amount of time in your life. In this case, the build material plays a huge role. Also, you can buy a heater with self-cleaning properties if your life schedule is very busy. Even if you cannot find a self-cleaning one, then at least install the water heater in such a place where you can easily and quickly clean the heating coils or interior surface.
FAQs
Can I install a commercial indirect water heater in my home?
You can install a commercial indirect water heater in your house as there are no specific restrictions. However, get ready to pay a sky-high utility bill for that. Because commercial ones are not made to save energy and do not contain such features as the residential indirect water heaters.
How long will one of these heaters last?
The best part is, an indirect water heater is made to outlast your life too, only if you meticulously take care of it. But that is not always possible, therefore, these heaters will last you 20-30 years maximum, compared to direct water heaters which have a life expectancy of 10-15 years. Half the age of indirect heaters!
Can I clean my indirect water heater tank with vinegar?
It is a big NO! Vinegar is aggressively acidic to the heaters as they are made of steel. Even if the steel is stainless, but when vinegar and water are combined, they cause rust and make slowly damage it. Hence, holes are formed and leakage starts.
What size of the indirect water heater does an average family needs?
An average family in America consisting of 4 people needs 50-60 gallons of indirect hot water heater depending on the season. But average family member means different in other countries. Hence, either you can buy the heater with an estimate or take expert help for proper guidance.
Final Verdict
What is your opinion now about an indirect water heater? Water is an essential part of life, and an indirect water heater finds a cost-saving way to serve you hot water in those chilled seasons. Now that you have known both merits and demerits of this amazing type of water heater, then what are you waiting for to buy one? Indirect hot water heater problems are much below their benefits.
Just pick one from our list of best indirect water heaters and purchase that before next winter hits your windows!
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