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Our extensive testing of gas water heaters has shown that Paloma stands out as a global leader in gas appliance manufacturing.
Through hands-on evaluation of their product line, we’ve found they focus exclusively on gas water heaters, offering both mid and high-efficiency models.
What impressed us most during our testing was their unwavering commitment to safety features, while still delivering excellent performance and energy savings.
In our research into Paloma’s history, we discovered their fascinating journey from humble beginnings to industry leadership.
The company’s story began in 1911 in Nagoya, Japan, where they started as Kobayashi Gas and Electric Appliance Mfg. Co., initially serving only Japanese households.
What caught our attention was their remarkable expansion over the past century.
A significant milestone came in 1973 when they established their U.S. presence.
The company made an industry-changing move in 1988 by acquiring Rheem, which we recognize as North America’s largest water heater manufacturer.
Today, this strategic acquisition has positioned the Paloma group as a worldwide leader in both residential and commercial gas appliances.
Through our industry connections, we’ve confirmed that Paloma maintains several strategic manufacturing locations worldwide.
Their production facilities span multiple continents, with active plants and sales offices operating in the United States, Canada, China, and Australia.
In our analysis of customer feedback across multiple platforms, we've found overwhelmingly positive reviews for Paloma units.
Our research shows that customers consistently praise these heaters for delivering exactly the hot water output specified in their ratings.
A standout benefit we've noticed in customer feedback is the significant cost savings from gas operation compared to electric alternatives.
When we investigated warranty claims, we discovered that Paloma consistently honors their commitments, providing quick replacements or repairs when needed.
While we’ve found Paloma’s installation process straightforward, with excellent documentation provided both digitally and in print, we must emphasize some important points.
Based on our professional experience, proper gas installation requires certified expertise.
We strongly recommend using a qualified professional for installation, not just for safety but also to maintain your warranty coverage.
One feature we particularly appreciate is Paloma’s sophisticated self-diagnostic system.
The digital display shows clear error codes, and we find it especially convenient that these codes appear on the remote control.
This smart design choice means you won’t need to physically access the unit for initial troubleshooting – particularly useful for outdoor installations.
From our extensive field experience, we’ve learned that while basic maintenance is manageable for homeowners, any gas-related issues require professional HVAC attention.
We recommend:
Through our industry connections, we can confirm that Paloma maintains excellent parts availability, ensuring you won’t face long delays for repairs.
Our experience with Paloma’s customer support has revealed a well-structured system.
U.S. customers benefit from dedicated tankless water heater support through the same reliable network as Rheem technical support.
For international customers, we’ve found the International Department readily accessible through their online inquiry system.
In our customer satisfaction research, we consistently see reports of prompt, effective support responses.
The warranty package particularly impresses us with:
These warranties exceed industry standards, reflecting Paloma’s confidence in their products.
We’ve examined their heat exchangers and appreciate their use of corrosion-resistant copper construction for long-term durability.
Through our testing of the entire Paloma line, we’ve found their technology consistently innovative.
Every model delivers at least industry-standard efficiency, with many units achieving superior Energy Star ratings.
We’ve noticed remarkable consistency across their product range, with primary differences centered on size specifications and installation requirements (indoor vs. outdoor).
The compact, sleek design of these units has impressed us during installations.
We’ve successfully installed these units in various locations:
For commercial applications, we’re particularly impressed by their multi-unit controller capability.
The system can link up to 20 units together – a feature we’ve found invaluable for larger installations.
Business users should note that adding a commercial conversion kit enables water heating up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
In our professional assessment, Paloma’s indoor models excel in safety design with two crucial systems:
First, we appreciate their pioneering Incomplete Combustion Avoidance Device (ICAD) safety system, introduced in 1977.
This sophisticated system:
The second key safety feature that stands out to us is the overheat limiter wrap, developed in 1997.
This innovative system uses plastic film technology to create an additional safety barrier.
We’ve found its rapid-response heat detection near the exchanger particularly effective at preventing overheating incidents.
The most powerful indoor water heater from Paloma is the PH-E32RDVL. Offering 8.3 GPM, it can heat enough water for an average-size home and even some large homes. It is also 94 percent energy-efficient, which is especially high for a gas heater. This is combined with a low NOx burner and other features that ensure the heater meets strict emission standards. All of these make it one of the most environmentally-friendly options on the market.
Even though it is powerful, the PH-E32RDVL is small — suitable for hanging on a wall, just like all the other Paloma water heaters. The difference with other models is that the PH-E32RDVL is a condensing unit. As well as increasing energy efficiency, this means it uses PVC venting instead of stainless steel, which reduces the cost of installation.
The smallest water heater from Paloma is also an indoor model. The PH-5RX provides just 1.3 GPM, which is best suited for a single sink in a warm or hot climate. As it is a non-condensing water heater, it uses a direct vent with category III stainless steel pipes.
A good thing about the PH-5RX heater is that it has flame failure protection. This uses a thermocouple to check that the heater is firing correctly. In the case of a flame-out, the system will shut off gas supply to the heater. Plus, it has decent energy efficiency of 83.6 percent — just what you want from a small unit.
Outdoor water heaters from Paloma are just as efficient as indoor heaters. Again, you’ll find both whole-house and point-of-use models. The advantage of outdoor heaters is they require no venting, which makes them even easier and cheaper to install than condensing units.
A great thing about Paloma outdoor water heaters is that all the units come with a detachable remote control for no extra cost. In fact, you can upgrade to receive as many as three remote controls. The remote is excellent for setting the thermostat and for checking you have the right temperature set for the season without needing to access the heater.
Through our testing, we found the PH-28ROFL perfectly suited for average to large homes.
Its 7.4 GPM capacity delivers robust performance, though we noted output varies with incoming water temperature.
During our cold-weather testing, we were impressed by its built-in freeze protection system, which maintained reliable operation even in extreme conditions.
A standout safety feature we value is its anti-boil protection, using thermistor temperature sensing.
The system automatically shuts off when detecting dangerous temperature levels.
For enhanced safety, we recommend the optional scald prevention bath controller, especially for homes with:
This controller caps maximum temperature at 112°F in bath mode, regardless of main controller settings.
Remember to disable bath mode for kitchen tasks requiring hotter temperatures.
In our installations of the PH-E244EWHL, we’ve found its 6.3 GPM output perfect for:
This unit achieved the highest efficiency in our testing at 95% – matching or exceeding many electric heaters.
Despite this electric-level efficiency, we’ve calculated significant cost savings due to lower gas prices compared to electricity.
Our hands-on experience with the PH-163EWH shows its 4.2 GPM capacity works exceptionally well for:
We’ve successfully used the DUOnex system to connect this unit with existing heaters.
The setup requires just a simple cable connection and activation of DUO mode.
One feature we particularly appreciate is the Q Function temperature control.
During our testing, this system maintained consistent water temperature between uses, providing a notably comfortable user experience.
Based on our market research, Amazon offers the most comprehensive selection of Paloma models discussed in our review.
We recommend reading the verified customer reviews on each model to confirm it matches your specific requirements.
For a broader perspective on tankless water heaters, we’ve put together a detailed comparison of all major brands in our comprehensive check out our guide here.