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With decades of hands-on experience installing and testing water heaters, we’ve consistently found Rheem to be a standout manufacturer in the industry.
Through our extensive testing and real-world installations, we’ve discovered that Rheem’s reputation for excellence isn’t just marketing hype – their tankless water heaters truly deliver exceptional performance and reliability.
Our team has thoroughly evaluated their comprehensive lineup, which includes both gas and electric models designed for indoor and outdoor installation, giving us unique insight into what makes these units special.
What truly stands out in our analysis is the system’s remarkable ability to remove 99.9999% of 206 different contaminants – significantly outperforming many competing filters we’ve tested.
Our research into Rheem’s history reveals a fascinating story of American innovation and growth.
The company’s journey began in 1925 when brothers Donald and Richard Rheem, with support from their brother William, formed a partnership with Pacific Galvanizing Company.
What started as a steel drum galvanizing operation soon evolved into something much bigger.
Their acquisition of Republic Steel Package Company in 1930 marked a pivotal moment, leading to their entry into the boiler and tank manufacturing business.
Within just a year, they expanded into gas tank water heaters, setting the foundation for their future success.
The 1940s saw Rheem temporarily shift focus to support the war effort, demonstrating their commitment to national service.
After the war, they made a strategic move to embrace both consumer and commercial markets, expanding their manufacturing presence across the United States and internationally.
By the late 1960s, we found that Rheem had established an impressive global footprint with facilities in 19 different countries.
A significant organizational change came in the 1970s when Rheem created two specialized divisions: Water Heater and Air Conditioning (HVAC).
This strategic split allowed their water heater division to focus exclusively on innovation and quality improvement.
Today, we’re proud to report that Rheem stands as North America’s largest manufacturer of tankless water heaters, a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.
Through our industry connections and facility visits, we’ve confirmed that while Rheem’s headquarters are in Atlanta, their manufacturing operations span multiple countries.
Their water heater production facilities are strategically located in Alabama, Mexico, Australia, and China.
In our extensive product testing, we’ve worked with Rheem’s complete lineup of tankless water heaters.
The company offers five distinct series of gas-powered units (compatible with both propane and natural gas) and electric models.
We’ve also evaluated their innovative solar-powered heaters, which come with either electric or gas backup systems for reliable performance.
Our comprehensive analysis of customer feedback across major platforms like Amazon and specialized forums confirms what we’ve experienced firsthand: Rheem consistently ranks as a leading brand in the industry.
Below, we’ll share our detailed findings about key aspects of Rheem products based on both customer reviews and our own extensive testing.
Having tested dozens of water heaters in our plumbing lab, we can confidently say that Rheem stands out for its quality construction and reliable performance.
While their tankless models command premium prices compared to competitors, we've found the investment fully justified by their superior build quality and advanced features.
Our extensive testing revealed that whether you need an energy-efficient unit or one with comprehensive warranty coverage, Rheem offers compelling options across their lineup.
What particularly impressed us was how their tankless water heaters consistently outperform competitors in key performance metrics, though we noted their traditional tank models receive more mixed feedback from our professional network.
Through our hands-on experience installing countless water heaters, we’ve found Rheem’s electric models remarkably straightforward to set up.
For homeowners replacing an existing electric water heater, we’ve observed installation times averaging under 60 minutes.
The process is so streamlined that many of our clients successfully handle the installation themselves, thanks to Rheem’s user-friendly design.
Based on our professional experience, installing Rheem gas water heaters requires similar expertise to other gas units on the market.
We always emphasize the importance of hiring a qualified plumber for gas installations, as safety considerations are paramount.
However, we’ve found that Rheem’s clear documentation and logical design make the process smooth for experienced professionals.
In our testing facility, we’ve extensively worked with Rheem’s temperature control systems.
The default 120-degree Fahrenheit setting works well for most households, but we appreciate the flexibility to adjust when needed.
The temperature range spans from 90 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, though we strongly advise against exceeding 120 degrees due to scalding risks.
What we particularly value about Rheem’s design is their user-friendly external digital thermostats.
Even on basic models, we’ve found the precise one-degree increment adjustments and external controls eliminate any need to access internal components.
This thoughtful feature makes temperature management both safe and convenient for homeowners.
Through years of monitoring Rheem units in the field, we’ve documented impressive longevity across their product line.
We’ve been particularly impressed with their outdoor models, which feature robust rust-resistant construction and premium insulation that effectively shields against harsh weather conditions.
To help our clients maximize their investment, we recommend a proactive maintenance approach. This includes:
After reviewing countless water heater warranties, we’ve found Rheem’s coverage varies strategically across their product lines.
Here’s our breakdown of their warranty structure:
After spending countless hours testing and evaluating Rheem water heaters, we’ve found their customer support to be exceptionally reliable.
When warranty issues arise, their support team responds quickly through multiple channels.
You can either submit a request through their online form or call their dedicated service lines – they maintain separate numbers for warranty claims, technical assistance, and general sales inquiries.
For quick solutions, we particularly appreciate their live chat feature.
They offer two distinct chat options: one for general questions and another specifically for troubleshooting error codes on your display.
Additionally, if you’re using their EcoNet® system, there’s a dedicated technical support line just for those specific issues.
Through our extensive testing, we’ve discovered that Rheem’s pricing structure directly correlates with their different series offerings.
The Performance and Professional Classic series represents their entry-level options.
Despite being their most basic models, we were impressed to find they still maintain an impressive 99.8 percent energy efficiency rating.
This category includes both the Classic RTE and RTEX models.
We’ve noticed newer units come equipped with EcoNet® technology, which we find particularly useful for monitoring performance through mobile devices.
Moving up the line, the Performance Plus series offers both indoor and outdoor installations.
In our testing, these models showed slightly better efficiency than the standard versions, thanks to their all-copper heat exchangers that minimize heat loss.
At the premium end, we have the Performance Platinum and Professional Prestige series.
Our team found these high-efficiency units, especially the condensing models, deliver superior performance with advanced safety features and sophisticated electronic controls.
In our extensive testing of the Performance series, we measured energy factors ranging from 0.54 to 0.81 for gas models and 0.91 to 0.93 for electric units.
What really stood out to us was how both gas and electric models require significantly less maintenance compared to similarly-priced competitors.
We were particularly impressed with the gas models' whisper-quiet operation, making them perfect for indoor installations.
The RTEX-13 caught our attention with its 3.17 GPM and 13,000 wattage specifications.
Based on our real-world testing, this unit proves ideal for studio apartments or small families using one bathroom at a time, with an impressive hot water delivery time of just 15 seconds.
Through our evaluation of Rheem's budget-friendly options, we found the Professional Classic series offers exceptional value.
Despite their lower price point, these units surprised us with their high-quality components, built-in EcoNet® capability, and Low NOx ratings on all gas models.
In our professional assessment, this combination of affordability and energy efficiency makes these water heaters stand out not just within Rheem's lineup, but across all brands we've tested.
During our hands-on evaluation, we found the RTEX-13 to be an outstanding choice for budget-conscious point-of-use water heating.
We appreciate its straightforward design that eliminates unnecessary features while delivering reliable performance.
The multiple-stranded wire connection made our installation process remarkably simple, and its compact size fits perfectly in homes with limited indoor space.
Our testing confirmed its 3.17 GPM output and 13,000 wattage provides ample hot water for studio apartments or single-bathroom usage, with an impressive 15-second hot water delivery time.
When testing the RTEX-18, we discovered it offers enhanced functionality while maintaining point-of-use convenience.
Its increased 4.4 GPM capacity impressed us by efficiently handling simultaneous hot water demands from both a bathroom and kitchen faucet.
Like its smaller sibling, we found its compact design perfect for indoor installation in smaller homes, while its budget-friendly price point and straightforward installation process make it particularly cost-effective.
What really caught our attention during cold-weather testing was its advanced self-modulation technology.
This smart feature automatically adjusts power usage based on demand, ensuring consistent water temperature regardless of climate conditions.
Our extensive testing of the Professional Prestige series revealed these premium units build significantly on the Professional Classic foundation.
The gas models we evaluated achieved impressive energy factors ranging from 0.64 to 0.83, while the electric units consistently delivered an exceptional 0.93 efficiency rating.
We’ve found many models in this series qualify for Energy Star certification and potential tax credits.
Our team’s analysis of the RTG-84DVLN shows why it’s a standout Ultra-Low NOx natural gas water heater.
Its remarkable 0.82 energy factor and all-copper heat exchanger delivered impressive results in our performance tests.
We measured consistent output of 8.4 GPM with a 35-degree Fahrenheit rise, and 6.7 GPM with a 45-degree rise.
In our assessment of RTG models, several key features stood out:
Our testing revealed the RTG-84XLN as a standout natural gas heater for whole-house installation.
During our extensive evaluation, we were particularly impressed by its Energy Star certification and robust 120-volt system.
What really caught our attention was its exceptional flow rate of 8.4 gallons per minute.
For those living in colder climates, we can confirm the outdoor version includes built-in freeze protection, handling temperatures down to an impressive -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
When it comes to propane options, we’ve found the RTG-95XLP to be an exceptional choice.
Our field tests confirmed its impressive 9.5 GPM flow rate, making it perfect for large households.
While designed for outdoor installation, we appreciate its Low NOx certification, showing Rheem’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Through our experience testing and installing these units, we’ve found Amazon to be a reliable source for all the Rheem models discussed in our review.
They offer an extensive selection across all five series, making it easy to compare features and prices.
Before making your final decision, we recommend checking out our main review page to explore other tankless water heater brands.
Ready to invest in a premium water heater? Based on our testing, we highly recommend checking out Rheem’s top whole house model on Amazon here.