If you’re preparing your home for off-grid situations, consider installing an off-grid hot water heater.
With an off-grid water heater, you no longer have to worry about monthly utility bills associated with on-grid heaters. Stick around to learn about some of the best water heaters on the market as well as available DIY options.
Contents
3 Best Off Grid Hot Water Heaters on the Market
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If you’re searching for an easy solution to an off-grid water heater, simply purchasing a propane gas water heater might be your best bet.
If you’re not a fan of using a gas source, getting a wood-burning water heater is also an option. Here are a few of the best options for off-grid hot water in the market:
1. Rinnai RL75EP Propane Gas Water Heater
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The Rinnai model is recognized as one of the most efficient off-grid water heaters in the market, which makes it ideal for families.
This water heater offers a convenient, compact design as well, weighing only 44 lbs. You can fit it just about anywhere you want, though it’s mainly manufactured for outdoor installations.
The RL75EP is powered by propane, making it a more practical option than wood-burning water heaters, seeing as propane can be found almost anywhere. It’s also more sustainable than most other gas options.
The Rinnai will provide some serious heat, offering a minimum of 10,300 BTU to a maximum of 180,000 BTU.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Easy to install
- Compact and portable
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not designed for indoor use
2. Noritz NRC66 DV NG Indoor Water Heater
- Endless hot water
- Can be vented with Schedule 40 PVC Pipe and Fitting
- High Efficiency
The Noritz model, unlike the Rinnai mentioned above, is an indoor off-grid water heater. This product is battery-powered.
Like most other off-grid water heaters, the Noritz is easily portable, weighing only 40 lbs. Since it’s an indoor water heater, it costs a bit more than its outdoor counterparts.
The product includes a remote thermostat as well as a 6-inch power cord. It has an impressive gas range of 15,000 to 120,000 BTU.
The indoor version is equipped with a direct vent model. It has plastic flue adapters that can connect to a 3-inch Schedule 40 and 80 PVC/CPVC pipe.
Pros
- Has a flame sensor
- Effective temperature control
- Easy installation
Cons
- Slightly expensive
3. Lehman’s Wood-Burning Water Heater
Burning wood is one of the oldest energy sources to date. This method of getting off-grid hot water requires more effort and isn’t exactly as convenient as gas-based heat.
Nonetheless, there are products like the Lehman model that will offer you a fairly convenient wood-burning water heating experience.
This water heater sports a massive cylindrical shape. It can hold up to 15 gallons of water. It’s over 26 inches in length and 0.1875 inches in thickness. It has a 6-inch flue along with 1-inch NPT pipe connections
The Lehman is composed of strong-welded steel that’s built to last. Suffice to say, you might not run out of hot water using this product.
Pros
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Provides a large supply of water
- Fast heating process
Cons
- Requires effort from the user
- A bit pricey
DIY Off Grid Hot Water Heater Solutions
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you’re in luck; there are numerous DIY methods you can employ to build an off-grid water heater.
Here are a few of those nifty techniques:
1. Solar Water Heater
Before hopping onto this project, here are a few supplies you’ll need to get you started:
- Wood
- Used water heater (you can find them in landfills, local appliances, or building stores)
- Polystyrene insulator
- Used aluminum store windows
- Glass panels
- Nails
- Connecting pipes
- Safety valves
- A plastic tube (black)
Step 1: Plan of Action
You need to make a clear plan of action before you start your project. One of the factors you should consider is the build of your home.
The solar energy market is expanding with numerous types of designs available. The panels you choose will depend on the size of your home and how much water you need to be heated.
Step 2: Take Considerations
Chances are, you’re probably going to have to place your solar panels on your roof. That’s where sunshine accumulates the most.
We recommend keeping them tucked in the back of your home to make them less visible on the outside. It’ll help keep your home’s property value high. Be sure that your solar panels aren’t too heavy for your roof as well.
Afterward, you need to disconnect your main pipe going to your house. Clear off all your home’s taps. Make sure your electricity is disconnected from your water heating circulation.
Step 3: Make a Hot Box
Make a box out of wood and enclose it in the glass. That’ll be sure to insulate the heat. Connect your makeshift box with the aluminum hose.
Step 4: Connect Your Box
Position your old tank inside the box and fuse it with your water pipes. Fill the tank with your water supply. Your cool water will go in the collector tank to be freshly heated.
2. Wood-Burning Water Heater
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To DIY a wood-burning water heater, you’re going to need a few supplies:
- Wood-burning stove
- Range boiler tank
- Copper tubing
Step 1
Connect your copper tubes to your wood-burning stove’s firebox.
Step 2:
Fasten the range boiler tank to your copper tubings.
Step 3:
Start circulating your cold water to the boiler tank.
What to Consider Before Using Off Grid Hot Water
There are a couple of components that you should think about before using an off-grid heater to ensure efficiency and convenience: water supply production and brand popularity.
Water Supply Production
This factor mainly focuses on the amount of water you’ll need. For instance, if you’re using the off-grid water heater for camping trips, you wouldn’t need as much hot water as you would if you were to install it in your home.
To check your hot water production rate, you can look at your product’s flow rate. It’ll identify the number of gallons of hot water it can give you per minute.
The temperature of the water is dependent on the size of your tank. The larger the unit, the higher the flow rate.
Brand Popularity
When it comes to appliances, it’s usually best to stick to what’s more well-known in the market. Luckily for off-grid water heaters, several names spring up.
You can look into brands like Rheem, Noritz, Rinnai, Camplux, and EcoSmart.
Off Grid Hot Water – Conclusion
Opting for an off-grid water-heating method will not only save you money, but it’ll also provide sustainability in the long run.
That being said, you need to always take proper considerations before using an off-grid water heater. Some appliances/techniques can be dangerous to use due to their combustible nature, whereas others can be a bit too costly. So, be sure to choose wisely.
Hopefully, the information provided in this post has helped you pinpoint the ideal appliance or DIY technique for you to get off-grid hot water. Good luck!