EcoSmart Eco 8 Tankless Water Heater, Electric, 8-kW - Quantity 1

This small heater is perfect for a shower. Make sure you’ve got a low flow head and in my case the diverter was leaking enough that the heater couldn’t keep up. Once the water flow was down to a comfortable 1-1/2 gallons a minute or less it was very comfortable and saves a ton on electricity!

BUYER BEWARE.

after 8 years this product started leaking from the inside (manufacture part), not installation point.I called for warranty but they said it's not covered. I asked how long should this product last, they said 20-25 years.I didn't even make 8 of that. The product works fine outside of that. I only noticed some light calcium build upafter removing the cover to their request to take photos of inside. They say you are supposed to remove the element 2x a year which I had no idea about.

Best improvement since sliced bread

For those into rv'ing, this heater system is prefect and saves you a bunch of money versus the ones at rv dealers. The down side is wiring, it takes some electric knowledge to install else wise it's pretty straight forward. Also, the absolute Greek speak on the flow rate is weird and slightly very unhelpful, but I'm taking hot showers in an area it says you can't take hot showers only able to use a faucet. So, don't let the flow rate discourage purchasing; instead, just think of what the activation flow rate is and it will get hot regardless. The activation flow rate for this system is .25 gpm. If you take a 6 gallon water heater go through it in 10 minutes... You have a minimum flow rate of .6 gpm. Therefore, the Greek is of no use and not needed. I'm satisfied I ... MoreFor those into rv'ing, this heater system is prefect and saves you a bunch of money versus the ones at rv dealers. The down side is wiring, it takes some electric knowledge to install else wise it's pretty straight forward. Also, the absolute Greek speak on the flow rate is weird and slightly very unhelpful, but I'm taking hot showers in an area it says you can't take hot showers only able to use a faucet. So, don't let the flow rate discourage purchasing; instead, just think of what the activation flow rate is and it will get hot regardless. The activation flow rate for this system is .25 gpm. If you take a 6 gallon water heater go through it in 10 minutes... You have a minimum flow rate of .6 gpm. Therefore, the Greek is of no use and not needed. I'm satisfied I got this product and so will you when you install it for your home or rv.

Excellent purchase but do your homework

This unit solved all my problems involving my water heater tank. I am changing over for electrical efficiency. I travel a lot and do not need to heat hot water while I am away or not using hot water. I purchased the Eco Smart 24 tank less water heater during a one day sale on Home Depot on line. Fantastic deal. My unit was professionally installed by an electrician and plumber. Stringing the 8 gauge wire took the most time. The tank less water heater went on the wall in the closet where the water heater set freeing up a lot of space. The total install and wiring took three hours.It only took a few days to realize a very serious problem with my new hot water heater. My home is a 3,160 square foot, 72 foot long ranch. The Eco Smart 24 is in the master bedroom at the ... MoreThis unit solved all my problems involving my water heater tank. I am changing over for electrical efficiency. I travel a lot and do not need to heat hot water while I am away or not using hot water. I purchased the Eco Smart 24 tank less water heater during a one day sale on Home Depot on line. Fantastic deal. My unit was professionally installed by an electrician and plumber. Stringing the 8 gauge wire took the most time. The tank less water heater went on the wall in the closet where the water heater set freeing up a lot of space. The total install and wiring took three hours.It only took a few days to realize a very serious problem with my new hot water heater. My home is a 3,160 square foot, 72 foot long ranch. The Eco Smart 24 is in the master bedroom at the farthest end of the house. The kitchen is located in the center of the house, in order for the hot water to get there it has to travel the entire line pushing cold water down the line. In my home it takes 3 minutes. After much reading I realized I needed another heating unit for the kitchen and two more bedroom.This is where the cost becomes an issue. Researching under cabinet water heaters presented a few concerns. Most were to large to fit under the kitchen counter and bathroom sink. Additionally, the smaller units that used 110 volt were not efficient, and what to do when the hot water from the Eco Smart 24 hit the smaller unit, I would be heating hot water. I called Eco Smart and got a representative immediately, the rep was very familiar with my problem and explained what needed to be done. I needed to install an Eco Smart 8 at each location I wanted immediate hot water, additionally, when the hot water finally reaches the sink from the Eco Smart 24 the Eco Smart 8 set at a lower temp than the Eco Smart 24 will shut down and will be pass through. The Eco Smart 8 is also a 240 volt unit so my initial cost was rising quickly. I decided to install 2 Eco Smart 8 units.Although the cost in the purchase has risen by $1,000.00 I have exactly what I wanted. I have lowered my electric bill by $57.00 a month as reported by my electric company and I can adjust the water temperature as necessary. I have found 240 volts is much more efficient than 110 volts. The ideal temperature of my water is 115 degrees and when I travel I am not keeping the hot water hot.

Installation

It is a very useful device. The installation instructions are lacking in that they do not tell you the type nor size of fittings (1/2" compression), nor if it can be hooked up to the incoming hot water (yes,it can), nor if it can lay in various orientations other than vertical (yes, it can). Connecting verbally with tech support will finally provide you with these answers. You may have to go to your local plumbing store to get the necessary fittings beyond what is offered in the package. All in all, small electrical tankless water heaters have been in use since at least post WW II; much simpler than natural gas tankless versions.

NOT RELIABLE

They work good- when they work. I have a water filter system and electrical bonding installed. Started with a ECO11 unit, sprang a leak in about a year, trash. Replaced with a ECO8, it quit heating properly at around 26 months. Troubleshooting guide is basic at best, tech person not much more help. Not confidence inspiring. Got a warrantied part sent, not sure if it's even the problem until part gets installed. Unit quit on a Saturday- No tech support on weekends! Then, taking 4 days for part to arrive. Viola! No hot water for a week, or longer if the guesstimated part doesn't fix it! My previous tank heaters have lasted decades, and without having to be "serviced" annually. I'll be going back to a relatively more reliable tank when this current Ecosmart unit fails ... MoreThey work good- when they work. I have a water filter system and electrical bonding installed. Started with a ECO11 unit, sprang a leak in about a year, trash. Replaced with a ECO8, it quit heating properly at around 26 months. Troubleshooting guide is basic at best, tech person not much more help. Not confidence inspiring. Got a warrantied part sent, not sure if it's even the problem until part gets installed. Unit quit on a Saturday- No tech support on weekends! Then, taking 4 days for part to arrive. Viola! No hot water for a week, or longer if the guesstimated part doesn't fix it! My previous tank heaters have lasted decades, and without having to be "serviced" annually. I'll be going back to a relatively more reliable tank when this current Ecosmart unit fails again, or sooner if part being sent doesn't fix it.

Perfect - for the Designed Purpose

I'll forego describing the advantages of tankless heaters, except to say that they generally work extremely well when fitted to your particular needs, i.e. the lowest temperature of your cold water supply and flow rate requirements. Finding the right unit involves two simple steps - measure the temperature of your cold water supply at the coldest time of the year; and, take a 6 second flow measurement from the faucet(s) in a graduated pitcher and multiply times ten. Then, refer to the manufacturer's recommended model - when in doubt go to the next more powerful one. The Ecosmart 8 is essentially capable of making hot water from moderate temperatures at one showerhead or perhaps two low-flow taps at once, say one to 1 1/2 gallons per minute . It does that nearly ... MoreI'll forego describing the advantages of tankless heaters, except to say that they generally work extremely well when fitted to your particular needs, i.e. the lowest temperature of your cold water supply and flow rate requirements. Finding the right unit involves two simple steps - measure the temperature of your cold water supply at the coldest time of the year; and, take a 6 second flow measurement from the faucet(s) in a graduated pitcher and multiply times ten. Then, refer to the manufacturer's recommended model - when in doubt go to the next more powerful one. The Ecosmart 8 is essentially capable of making hot water from moderate temperatures at one showerhead or perhaps two low-flow taps at once, say one to 1 1/2 gallons per minute . It does that nearly instantly at the device (within a couple of seconds) and delivers it onward at an interval that depends on how far it must travel to the tap. Obviously the closer, the better - less water wasted and less waiting. It is triggered by .25 gpm, so reducing the volume can add to the efficiency if necessary. Before selecting this unit, the positive things considered in my research were: stainless steel internals, digital thermostat temperature control, very compact size (it has a footprint about the size of a sheet of copy paper), mostly positive reviews, lifetime warranty (with professional installation) good customer support, and a very good price. The only negative reviews I found concerned installation leaks and inadequate heating performance. I discounted both for the following reasons. The unit is fitted with fixed stainless 1/2" male compression fittings for the inlet and outlet sides. It comes with a set of compression fittings for connecting to 1/2" copper pipe and a second set that convert to 1/2" male pipe thread. It comes with two copper compression rings. So, you can connect directly to 1/2" copper tubing or 1/2" standard pipe thread, such as a faucet supply line. I think what some have misunderstood, is that either fittings used require the compression rings. The pipe thread adapter also requires a short piece of copper tubing inserted to allow the compression rings to seal (about 1-1/8" will do). Unfortunately the installation instructions do not explain this. I attribute perceived inadequate heating reported by others to a probable greater flow rate than the unit is designed to handle. The wiring is simple and straightforward - two hot legs and a ground connected in a small junction box, onward to a double pole breaker in your panel box (40 amp specified, I have it on a 30 for added safety, works fine). I installed this model as a point of use heater in a kitchen on a 50 ft. run from the whole house gas-fired tankless, including an unheated garage. It cured the half-minute wait for hot water; now its immediate. I set the thermostat at 115 so that it stands down when the heated water from the main heater (set at 122) arrives to the inlet. I tested it with the main unit off, so that it was heating pure cold water, and it had no trouble maintaining very hot water entering at 55 deg., flowing at about 1.5 gpm. I have a full measured 240 volts, but these are reported to also work well at 208 - 220. The unit was also very easy to mount. It comes with a template for the placement of three panhead screws, which it then slips down over elongated slots. Conclusion: This thing works really very well as a point of use device and seems it would also do well as a central unit in low demand applications. I wouldn't recommend it for combined use of over 1.5 gallons per minute, less where it's really cold. It has a really nice digital thermostat that can be set for celsius or fahrenheit and is adjustable in 1 degree increments. Installation is not challenging at all. You'll need: Three screws (matched to the mounting surface), plumbing materials to make the connections (no teflon tape or pipe dope needed or permitted), small junction box, 3 large wire nuts, 2 romex connectors, a 7/8" open end wrench and a crescent wrench, a screwdriver, wire strippers, and (optional) someone to hold the light and bring a beverage.

The first one i purchased did not work in that the temperature would never go past 80F out of the...

The first one i purchased did not work in that the temperature would never go past 80F out of the box. So i returned and got a replacement which was easy enough with HD. The next one was fine no issues. Temp is set at 135F. Simple compact and easy to use. The product requires 40Amp, so you need to plug to a outlet with a double fuse. Water heats very quickly and as soon as the water is drained, hot water flows through.I would give it 5 stars, but i gave it 4 because you can never know if the product is working or not unless water flows. Effectively the temp dial swiches on only when water is running, versus a static indicator. Since my eco smart is in the basement, i have to go up a floor, turn the water on and then confirm the temp and the setting. A hassle. ... MoreThe first one i purchased did not work in that the temperature would never go past 80F out of the box. So i returned and got a replacement which was easy enough with HD. The next one was fine no issues. Temp is set at 135F. Simple compact and easy to use. The product requires 40Amp, so you need to plug to a outlet with a double fuse. Water heats very quickly and as soon as the water is drained, hot water flows through.I would give it 5 stars, but i gave it 4 because you can never know if the product is working or not unless water flows. Effectively the temp dial swiches on only when water is running, versus a static indicator. Since my eco smart is in the basement, i have to go up a floor, turn the water on and then confirm the temp and the setting. A hassle. Could have improved that feature, otherwise all is well.

The technology should be better

We replaced a two gallon tank water heater with this one for the kitchen sink because two gallons of hot water won't do a complete set of pots and pans without turning cold. This one takes up much less room under the sink, but this little fellow has a couple of problems. Unless one turns the hot water on full, the flow is insufficient to make the heater elements act right. The feedback loop is way too delayed. The thermostat is set at 120 F, but the actual water temperature swings back and forth from scalding hot to cold water pipe temperature several times before settling down. We were expecting something the just worked, like the electric showers they have been using in Great Britain for more than forty years now. The product does function once one gets used to ... MoreWe replaced a two gallon tank water heater with this one for the kitchen sink because two gallons of hot water won't do a complete set of pots and pans without turning cold. This one takes up much less room under the sink, but this little fellow has a couple of problems. Unless one turns the hot water on full, the flow is insufficient to make the heater elements act right. The feedback loop is way too delayed. The thermostat is set at 120 F, but the actual water temperature swings back and forth from scalding hot to cold water pipe temperature several times before settling down. We were expecting something the just worked, like the electric showers they have been using in Great Britain for more than forty years now. The product does function once one gets used to its quirks, and it has yet to offer any breakdowns.