Ecosmart Tankless Water Heater:
Review & Buying Tips
EcoSmart tankless water heaters are among the world’s best-selling electric water heaters. Small, compact, and efficient, the ECO range is designed to save both energy and water, through the use of self-modulating electrical power. EcoSmart is one of a number of heater manufacturers with a large online presence who retail primarily through online retailers such as Amazon.
Read our list of the Best Electric Tankless Water Heaters here.
Ecosmart ECO 18 Electric Tankless Water Heater
The ECO 18 is a proven tankless heater from Ecosmart that helps you save money on your electric bill without sacrificing your daily water habits. When correctly fitted, this heater is able to provide unlimited hot water for every shower, sink, and appliance in your home.
We put together this review to provide an informative and easy guide to the ECO 18 and other heaters in Ecosmart’s ECO range. We’ve looked at product specifications and key features such as water flow, heat output, previous customer reviews, and the opinions of expert reviewers.
The Ecosmart ECO 18 is available from Amazon with Prime shipping in the United States. Check out the product detail page for more information.
Ecosmart ECO 18: Overview
Ecosmart ECO Electric Tankless Water Heater is a medium-sized tankless water heater with a standard build. It uses copper coils and a flow sensor to detect when hot water is needed and supply the correct amount. When the temperature of incoming water is 60 degrees or higher (which is most mild climates), the ECO 18 provides between 2.5 and 4.4 gallons of water per minute, with an output temperature range of 80 – 140 degrees.
Housed in a robust casing, the ECO 18 has a clear LED digital display and a single-degree-increment temperature knob, allowing you to simply raise and lower the water temperature. The Ecosmart ECO 18 is our Best Buy pick for most homes with up to 2 bathrooms and average water usage habits.
Heater features:
- Easy, yearly maintenance.
- No water tank, lag time, or water waste.
- Copper heating coils and stainless steel build
- The ECO 18 heats up to 140 Fahrenheit
- Up to 4.4 GPM in mild climates
- Self-modulating (auto-regulates water temperature and flow)
- 0.25 GPM sensor activation
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Digital LED display
- Saves up to 12 cubic feet of space
Energy efficiency ratings/certifications:
As their name suggests, Ecosmart produces some of the most energy-efficient water heaters out there. Rated at 99.8% efficiency, the ECO 18 is practically a zero-waster unit, deploying all of its electrical draw towards heating your water.
The ECO 18 is ETL Listed to UL-499 and CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 64. This includes a lead-free assurance supplied by the Water Quality Alliance.
Flow rate/water pressure:
The ECO should provide a minimum of 2.5 gallons per minute for the majority of users (this allows one shower head and one sink with a low inlet water temperature to run at the same time.
In ideal conditions, this heater will provide up to 4.4 GPM. The GPM you can actually achieve depends on your incoming water flow and temperature. Ecosmart offers customers a neat map for finding your average inlet water temperature:
Heating capacity:
The Ecosmart 18 uses 18 kW of power to reach temperature ranges of between 80° F to 140° F. This is a typical temperature range for tankless electric heaters and should be more than enough heat for the majority of homes.
Fuel type:
This is an 18 kW heater that requires 240 volts. To run it safely, you’ll need a 150-amp panel (75 amp max draw) and enough room in your service panel to fit two 40-amp double pole circuit breakers. Unlike gas tankless water heaters, the ECO 18 doesn’t need any ventilation, which reduces the cost of installation.
Heater applications:
Ecosmart recommends their ECO heaters for homes of any size, business environments such as offices or restaurants, recreational vehicles, and in a point-of-use installation for on-demand heating in any premises with sufficient wiring.
Display type:
- Easy-to-use digital thermostat.
- Reviewers report an intuitive and user-friendly design interface
Material Composition:
The model utilizes corrosion-free copper and stainless steel components abundantly throughout its interior and exterior construction. Durable.
★★★★★
Customer reviews for Ecosmart ECO 18: Highlights
- A large number of positive reviews highlight the accuracy of Ecosmart’s Temperature Control, providing fast water at the desired temperature.
- Reviewers noted that it can supply several showers running simultaneously (when the right size Ecosmart heater is installed).
- Several reviews mention positive experiences when reaching out to Ecosmart’s tech support team.
- Some reviewers felt that the Ecosmart heater represented good value for money in comparison to similar, more expensive heaters.
Reading customer reviews: Any downsides?
- The Ecosmart lifetime warranty is limited, meaning it has certain conditions to remain valid. Some reviewers claim that their warranty wasn’t honored due to them not meeting the terms and conditions. These include yearly maintenance, softening very hard incoming water using a softener, and booking a professional install.
- Some reviewers who have been using the Ecosmart heater for some time noted an increase in hot water activation time—up to around 30 seconds. (This is common with electric heaters and usually indicates a corroded heating element).
- One reviewer said that the ECO 18 is “Ok when you put it on the dishwasher while you hop in the tub, but it doesn’t hold three students using three bathrooms simultaneously.”
Read all reviews for the Ecosmart ECO 18 on the Amazon product page >
Brand reputation: Are Ecosmart tankless water heaters any good?
From the brand: “Ecosmart US® is a privately owned manufacturer of green energy technology based out of Waterbury, Connecticut. Ecosmart’s mission is to produce and distribute quality green energy products that are practically efficient and economical to consumers in the area of water heating.”
Online sources suggest that Ecosmart is a reputable and trustworthy brand with a reputation for reliability. They offer a limited lifetime warranty on their heater products, and consumers can use their toll-free number to talk to a consumer advice team comprised of technical and heater experts.
Installation: Product manuals and guides
Where is EcoSmart made?
Ecosmart is a US-based company, founded and operating out of Connecticut as well as Florida. However, online sources suggest that their heaters are made in China before being shipped and/or assembled in the US.
What does E5 mean on Ecosmart tankless water heater?
A common question about Ecosmart heaters is from people receiving the E5 error code on the digital screen. The E5 error code refers to an issue with the pressure switch, where the volume of water is too high and the flow rate needs to be slowed for the heater to function properly.
To slow down the volume of water passing through the system, Ecosmart recommends using a flow restrictor, or manually adjusting the relevant water valves. Flow restrictors are available at most hardware stores and online retailers.
Common error readings on the Ecosmart ECO 18 include:
- E1 – Inlet Thermistor error
- E2 – Outlet Thermistor error
- E3 – Thermistors error
- E4 – High Temp error
- E5 – High Flow Rate error
- S103 – Low Voltage error
How to reset an Ecosmart tankless water heater
To reset an Ecosmart heater, ensure all water outlets in your home are switched off, then turn off the heater. by pressing the temperature control knob. Open the service panel and flip the circuit breakers that feed the heater. Wait 5 minutes, then turn the heater on again.
Here’s the Ecosmart troubleshooting guide for ECO heaters 18-36 kW.
How to install an Ecosmart tankless water heater
Like most tankless heaters, Install the Ecosmart unit itself is relitavely simple, and can be done without the help of a professional. However, connecting the heater to your home’s electricity can be a tricky task if the current wiring doesn’t meet heater requirements.
Always consult a professional if you’re not absolutely confident handling home wiring and plumbing.
Here’s the basic Installation Manual (PDF) and the User Manual from Ecosmart.
Other Ecosmart ECO tankless electric water heaters
EcoSmart tankless water heaters are available in several sizes, from the smallest 3 kW POU Model all the way up to a whole-house 36 kW heater.
Here’s product documentation from Ecosmart on the specs of the different heaters in the ECO range.
The ECO 11 and the ECO 18 are the two most popular models in the series, thanks to their versatility in both point-of-use and whole-home applications. No matter the heater you select, however, you should notice an improvement in usability. Even the biggest ECO models weigh in at under 15 pounds and can be mounted virtually anywhere.
What size Ecosmart electric tankless water heater do I need?
Select the smallest Ecosmart unit that’s able to provide adequate GPM for your needs. When choosing, be sure to factor in the average winter temperature of your incoming water, and add a little room between maximum water needs and maximum heater capacity.
ECO units up to 11 kW are considered point-of-use heaters, while those above 11 kW are normally used in whole-house applications:
Bottom line – Should I buy this specific tankless water heater?
The Ecosmart ECO 18 is our Best Buy pick thanks to its competitive price, awesome energy efficiency, and positive customer reviews. Its patented self-modulating technology makes running out of hot water highly unlikely, even in high-demand periods. The ECO’s copper and stainless steel components help increase durability and push its average lifespan towards the 20-year point—far outlasting traditional tank heaters. Consider the ECO 18 the best tankless electric water heater under $500.
Read more details about Ecosmart Tankless Heaters on the Brand’s Amazon page >
