Tankless Water Heater Comparison of Four Major Water Heating Brands

Tankless heaters are becoming more and more popular thanks to their long term saving effect on electricity and water. There are many brands in the water heater market but the following tankless water heater comparison focuses only on four major brands that have provided top quality models according to the industry magazines and consumer reviews.

Rheem

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Rheem company has a variety of different options to offer, which run on gas, are innovated, and that will provide you with plenty of hot water when you need it.

Rheem is a company that is private and has been in operation since 1927. Today there are the leading producer in North America of water heaters and have won multiple awards in the water heating category.

For smaller homes, Rheem provides their RTG-53 series, which is perfect for providing hot water to 1-2 different bathrooms within a home. For those with 3 bathrooms, the RTG-74 series is perfect. The GT-199 heavy duty option is an excellent option for those homes that have over three bathrooms in use.

The main advantage of Rheem tankless water hears is that they can operate multiple appliances, even over a period of time. The controls on the heaters are electric as well so that the thermostat can be easily controlled to keep water from becoming too hot, which is especially important for families that have children.

Stiebel Eltron

Stiebel Eltron is a company that was founded in Germany back in 1924. Through the years, the have been known for their water heaters and the company is now the top manufacturer in Germany.

The products that they offer vary from mini tankless water heaters, which are extremely compact, to larger options that are made to support larger household hot water needs. They provide special scald guards on their heaters.

They also offer thermal cut off safety sensors as well as special temperature controls that are all digital. Prices vary depending on the option purchased, but the average price on these heaters is about 0.

Noritz

The vision of Noritz company is to change the way that hot water is used to help eliminate detrimental effects that occur to our environment. They are an up and coming company in the industry, and although thy have not been around as long as some of the other companies, they have the largest plant for manufacturing tankless water heaters.

Noritz is a company that was originally based in Japan. They offer products that are compact and offer installation that is easy whether you are installing indoors or outdoors. The supply of water provided by their heaters is impressive, at 13.2 gallons each minute. One big advantage is the 10 year warranty that is on the heat exchanger, and they provide a three year warranty on the other parts of the system.

Electronic controls allow users to prevent scalding issues, and some of the newer models even come with alarms that go off when so much water has been used. For heavy demands, the N-084M-DV, the N-132M, and the n-084M are good options. For simpler household needs, the N-69M-OD, N-063-OD, and the N-063S are all good options.

Bosch

Bosch is a company well known for their innovative products and it is one of the top selling tankless heaters manufacturers out there. The 12 year warranty is one of the big pros this company has to offer, since this is a longer warranty than any of the other companies offer on their brands.

Their water heaters are made to save space and they provide plenty of hot water, even for homes that are using several appliances at once. More than 7 gallons of water are delivered for each minute, making sure consumers do not run out of hot water.

These products are light weight, there is freeze protection built in, and it has a 120 volt electronic ignition that can be used. Although a few consumers have reported malfunctions, as you compare tankless water heaters, you will find that what Bosch has to offer is definitely top of the line.

Tankless Water Heater Comparison of Four Major Water Heating Brands

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Common Water Filter Systems - A Comparison

A lot of different companies associated with water claim to offer or produce the purest and cleanest water. But how do we find out whether their claims are true, or just marketing and advertising? This article compares the most popular water filter systems and water treatment methods, and provides an overview how effective these water purification systems work.

Activated Carbon Filters

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Granular Activated Carbon Filters are efficient and cost-effective water treatment devices, but the consumer has to consider its limitations. Activated carbon filters are able to remove concentrated chemicals (chlorine, trihalomethanes, fluoride), organic material (humus, algae), and microscopic contaminants (herbicides, pesticides, fungicides). Yet when used too long, activated carbon water filters can easily breed bacteria, so one has to ensure to change the filter cartridge regularly.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse Osmosis is able to remove fluoride from the water, as well as most mineral constituents, such as salts, lead, calcium and iron. This water treatment process is ineffective in taking out a variety of contaminants found in municipal water, such as chlorine and volatile organic chemicals. Water treated with reverse osmosis produces unhealthy drinking water as most healthy trace minerals and salts are also removed during the purification process.

KDF Filters

KDF Filters (i.e. KDF process media) are characterized through a "Redox" reaction (Oxidation-Reduction). During this oxidation reduction reaction, harmful contaminants are changed into harmless components. Zinc and copper are the preferred metals used in the KDF alloy since both are relatively good reducing agents regarding common inorganic contaminants.

KDF process media change, for instance, free chlorine into benign, water-soluble chloride, which is harmless and carried through the water supply. Moreover, there is no need for electricity, no water waste, and the filter is not likely to breed any bacteria. The downside is, however, that KDF filters do not remove fluoride (fluorosis damages bones and teethes) and organic contaminants. A good alternative is to use KDF filter in conjunction with other water filter media.

Water Softeners (Deionizers)

Water Softeners or Deionizers are able to remove the hardness of the water, i.e. calcium and magnesium. Benefits are less pipe scaling, softer feeling clothes, and a longer life of household appliances such as dish washers and washing machines. However, as deionized or softened water contains high amounts of sodium, it isn't good for people's health. That is why softened water or deionized water shouldn't be used for drinking and cooking (the watering of plants and lawns isn't recommended as well).

Distillation

The process of Distillation is relatively slow and must be repeated several times to ensure significantly pure water. It is a good way to produce pure water removed of salt, nitrate, and pathogens. However, synthetic chemicals common in municipal water such as herbicides, pesticides, and chlorine solutions can't be removed through distillation, because their boiling point is lower than the one of water. In addition, distillation removes natural trace elements, thus turning it acidic (hydrogen composition becomes greater in proportion). Long-term consumption of water that is demineralized in that way, can be harmful to the body system and may result in mineral deficiencies inside the body.

Point of Entry Systems

A Point-of-Use System only affects the water at exactly that faucet where the unit is installed. A Point-of-Entry System, installed at the main in-line water feed to your home, is the better choice, as it provides pure and safe water throughout the entire home, including every faucet and shower head inside and outside the house.

Activated Carbon Combined With KDF Process Media

A Point-of-Entry Water Purification System that combines activated carbon with kdf filters is a product that purifies all the water coming into your home or business and removes up to 99% of all contamination, including biologicals, chemicals, and metals, but leaves the trace minerals which are important for health. It provides an unlimited supply of clean, pure, and pH neutral water for the whole family at every faucet in the house.

So it is by far the best choice when considering purchasing an effective and reliable Whole House Water Filter to combine the filtration technologies of Activated Carbon and KDF process media. In this way heavy metals, chlorine, volatile organic chemicals, and other toxins are effectively removed at the highest levels of any home water filter system on the market today. All components should be NSF certified.

Common Water Filter Systems - A Comparison

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