Rheem Gas Water Heaters Review and Buying Tips

Explore Rheem gas water heaters utilizing both storage water tank and tankless technology, and see how its advanced features can bring you some great benefits in home water heating. Discover popular gas models and find out what are the most efficient and best-performing models.

Highlights

• Bestsellers
• Top features
• Professional line
• Performance line
• Tankless
• Best models

Bestsellers

• Rheem Performance 50 Gal. Tall 6 Year - Atmospheric 
• Rheem Performance 50 Gal. Tall 6 Year - Power Vent
• Rheem Performance 50 Gal. 9 Year - Atmospheric
• Rheem RTGH-95DVLN tankless

(sold on Home Depot & Amazon)

Features

Rheem gas water heaters are found in many models and sizes; from conventional tank-type to tankless, including four venting options; atmospheric, power, direct, and power-direct venting, supplying hot water to homes for point-of-use and whole-house applications.

Gas water heating, utilizing either natural gas or propane, is the most used type offering efficient and reliable water heating. That is why Rheem offers a variety of types and sizes, where the best ones can be found in the condensing group.

Almost all Rheem gas models are equipped with advanced and exclusive features that provide reliable and efficient water heating, longer heater life, and hassle-free use. Here is an example of those found on tank-type models:

• EverKleen self-cleaning system fights the sediment and lime build-up on the tank and heater's elements. A specially designed dip tube is what creates a turbulent water flow to reduce the deposits and increase efficiency.
• Guardian system provides FVIR protection and maintenance-free use.
• Rheemglas porcelain enamel tank lining is utilized against corrosion resulting in longer tank life.
• Low NOx gas burner with low nitrous oxide emission.
• EcoNet technology allows Wi-Fi connection and remote control and monitoring.  

Types and models

Rheem gas water heaters utilizing natural and propane gas are divided into two groups: Professional series, sold exclusively through plumbers and distributors, while the Performance line is available through the big-box stores such as The Home Depot.

Professional line

The Professional line is further comprised of the Prestige, Classic Plus, and Classic series. The best gas models come from the Prestige series, offering Energy Star models that can reach a high energy factor of up to 0.83, some utilizing power direct or atmospheric venting, EcoNet system, advanced electronics, and commercial-grade components, and offer a lengthy 12-year warranty.

Prestige series

• HE Condensing Power Direct Vent
• Powered Damper Energy Star and Power Damper Ultra-Low NOx

Classic Plus series

• Induced Draft
• Powered Damper and Power Damper Ultra-Low NOx
• Atmospheric, Power Vent, Power Direct Vent
• Heavy Duty: Atmospheric, Power Direct Vent, Power Vent, and Ultra-Low NOx
• Ultra-Low NOx

Classic line

• Atmospheric, Power Vent, Power Direct Vent, and Direct Vent
• Atmospheric, Direct Vent and DV Co-Axial for Mobile homes
• Atmospheric and Power Vent Ultra-Lox NOx
• Powered Damper
• Heavy Duty

Performance line

The Performance line comes with the Platinum, Performance Plus, and Performance series. The best models are Energy Star compliant that come with the ultra-high-energy factor of 0.94, have a high first-hour delivery, utilize advanced electronics, and provide an extended warranty of up to 12 years.

Platinum line

• Powered Damper and Power Damper Ultra-Lox NOx
• Induced Draft
• Atmospheric Vent and AV Ultra-Low NOx
• High Demand

Performance Plus line

• Atmospheric Vent
• AV Ultra-Low NOx

Performance line

• High Demand; Atmospheric, Power Vent and AV Ultra Low NOx
• Power Vent High Demand
• Atmospheric and Direct Vent for Manufactured Housing
• Atmospheric, Direct, and Power Vent
• Atmospheric Vent Ultra-Low NOx

Tankless

Tankless water heaters are different from tank-type as they heat water on-demand and deliver in continuous supply. All the models are high efficient, while some have superior energy factors and ultra-Low NOx gas emission.

Best models

Tankless

One of the best models from the gas group is Rheem RTGH-RH11DVLN. This is a condensing and tankless water heater that operates with a high power of 199,000 BTU, delivering hot water only when needed and in endless supply.

Powerful and innovative, condensing can provide ultra-high energy efficiency of over 94% and a flow rate of 11 GPM, making it ideal for homes with up to 4 baths. High-efficient and ultra-low NOx operations are what ensure substantial savings to the homeowners while protecting the environment.

What makes it unique is the built-in recirculation system ensuring fast hot water delivery and more savings.

This is a powerful unit, but looking at the size, it is small and lightweight that installs on the wall, using direct venting. It utilizes two heat exchangers, advanced electronics, Wi-Fi technology, and an ultra-Low NOx burner for safe, efficient, and reliable operation.

The greatest features help minimize the temperature fluctuation, allow the combination of two and more units into one system for high demanding applications, self-diagnostic for simpler troubleshooting, and make the system remotely controlled with the implementation of the home management system.

Tank type - HE Condensing Power Direct Vent

Rheem high efficiency condensing tank-type water heater (sold on HomeDepot.com) comes from the Professional Prestige line. It has one of the highest energy factors of all tank-type models – 0.83, making it Energy Star compliant that qualifies for tax credits and utility rebates (where/when applicable).

It is equipped with a smaller tank with a capacity of 38 gallons but has a much higher first-hour rating of 87 gallons and a recovery rate of up to 48.5 GPH than larger models.

The main features include the submerged coil type heat exchanger for better heat transfer and an eco-friendly gas burner for lower emission. It also features the power direct venting system with the two-pipe system and lengths up to 60 feet, a self-diagnostic system, two anode rod protection, and reliable hot surface ignition.

Overall, this eco-friendly water heater with innovative technology, great flexibility, high efficiency, and performance, including the long life, is an excellent choice for many homeowners, mainly if there is a concern about air quality and pressure.

Summary

When looking at the above list of Rheem gas water heaters, it can be seen that there is a model for every house size and family needs, from small point-of-use to whole-house units. A standard atmospheric vent is a decent option for budget-oriented families, and if money is not a concern, then a condensing gas heater with low emission is the best buy.

For the residential homes with high hot water demand, you can go with the condensing tankless such as Rheem RTGH-RH11DVLN, condensing tank-type, also high-demand models, or Ultra-Low NOx models for the environmentally-conscious buyers.

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