HVAC For Beginners

Indirect Water Heater Ratings

A Repairman Reviews The Brands

With our indirect water heater ratings, you can compare units side by side using our Head To Head tool. You can compare the models from the major brands in eight categories such as warranty, capacity, where they are made, & cost. You can also read the individual reviews of each brand below. Our simple rating system gives each brand a color code and a star rating. If the card is green, then, that is one of the top picks from HvacRepairGuy. If the card is yellow, then, that would be a budget pick from HvacRepairgGuy. If the card is red, then, the brand is not recommended by HvacRepairGuy. With our indirect water heater reviews you can cut through the sales hype and find value. It truly is like you were taking a repairman shopping with you! These reviews are for domestic hot water storage systems that do not have a built in burner, element, or other device for heating the water. They are typically connected to a central heating boiler, geothermal heating system, or solar water heating system.

HvacRepairGuy's 2023 Top Pick

American

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is a part of AO Smith. The Solar Booster tanks are available with either a 76 or 108 gallon capacity and they have an automatic cleaning system to protect against sediment buildup. They use basic glass lined steel tank technology and they are designed for use with closed loop solar water heating systems but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands.

AMTROL

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is a part of Worthington Industries and the water heaters are made in the USA but they are only available through their limited dealer network. The Hydromax models are available in two sizes (41 or 80 gallon) and feature optional digital programmable controls. They have a built-in composite stand so that the units can be installed directly on any floor. The units have a built-in turbulator to reduce sediment buildup and a high efficiency finned heat exchanger. The standard warranty is not very good but can be extended.

AO SMITH

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is only sold through their limited dealer network. The ProLine Solar Booster tanks are available with either a 76 or 108 gallon capacity and they have an automatic cleaning system to protect against sediment buildup. They use basic glass lined steel tank technology and they are designed for use with closed loop solar water heating systems but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands.

BOCK

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These water heaters are made in the USA and they are backed by a lifetime warranty when they are registered but they are only available through their dealer network in the USA & Canada. The Sidekick models use basic steel tanks that are porcelain lined and have an inlet that is designed to minimize sediment buildup. They use basic mechanical controls and have two magnesium anode rods to minimize tank corrosion but they require periodic replacement. The EnviroStor water heaters are designed for use with solar or geothermal water heating systems and have an electric element for backup heating but their guarantee is not as good as the Sidekick models.

BRADFORD WHITE

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in the USA and is backed by a very good warranty but the water heaters are only available through their authorized dealer network. The PowerStor SW-2 models are available in six sizes from 30 to 120 gallons and they feature basic glass lined tank technology with three anode rods to protect from corrosion of the tank. The PowerStor SS models feature durable stainless steel tanks and heat exchangers which naturally resist corrosion and so they do not require anode rods which require periodic replacement.

BURNHAM

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in America and is a part of US Boiler Company. The Alliance LT water heaters feature a thermoplastic tank which eliminates corrosion and they are available in 30, 55, and 80 gallon sizes. The Alliance SL models feature steel tanks with their hydrastone lining to prevent corrosion but this lining makes them heavier and harder to install than the LT models. The standard warranty is pretty good and they offer an optional lifetime warranty but the units are only available through their limited dealer network.

DUNKIRK

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

This brand is a part of ECR International and the water heaters are backed by a pretty good guarantee but they are only available through a very limited dealer network. The H20 GL models are available in five sizes from 31 to 106 gallons and they feature basic enameled steel tanks while the H2O I models feature stainless steel tanks and heat exchangers and do not require anode rods for corrosion control. The water heaters are made in the USA.

ECO KING

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in Canada and is distributed throughout North America by King Heating Products Inc. The water heaters feature stainless steel tanks and coils for durability and they are backed by a very good warranty but they are only available through a very limited dealer network. They have a unique five inch inspection/cleaning hatch for maintenance and a dedicated recirculation tap for easier installation.

HEAT-FLO

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in the USA and features stainless steel construction for both the tanks and the heat exchangers. They are available in five sizes from 30 to 115 gallons and they are backed by a very good warranty but they are only sold through a very limited dealer network in the USA & Canada.

HTP

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in the USA and it is a part of Ariston Thermo. The SuperStor Ultra Max Multi-Source models feature stainless steel construction for durability. The heat exchanger is corrugated stainless steel which allows it to flex and also provides more surface area for transfer of the heat to the potable water. The units have a backup electric heating element that is made of titanium and the water heaters are backed by a lifetime guarantee when they are registered. They are available in either 80 or 115 gallon sizes but they are only available through a very limited dealer network.

IBC

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in Canada and is a part of Rheem Manufacturing which is a part of Paloma Group. The Interstor models feature durable stainless steel construction and they are backed by a good warranty but they are only available through a very limited dealer network. The water heaters are available in five sizes from 40 to 119 gallons and they have a removable inspection port for maintenance and repair.

LAARS

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Laars-Stor water heaters are available with standard glass lined steel tank technology or in stainless steel models. They are available in a variety of sizes and with either one or two heat exchangers to meet virtually any need. The water heaters are backed by a very good guarantee and the brand is a part of Bradford White Corporation but the units are only available through their limited dealer network.

LOCHINVAR

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The SQUIRE line of indirect water heaters offers six sizes of tanks from 30 to 119 gallons in capacity and they feature durable passivated stainless steel construction which resists corrosion in even the toughest water conditions. They offer both single and dual heat exchanger models which allow for the use of solar water heating with a backup source from a boiler. The water heaters are backed by a very good guarantee but they are only available through a limited dealer network.

NEW YORKER

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is a subsidiary of Burnham Holdings Inc. The Link SL units feature steel tanks with their hydrastone lining to prevent corrosion but this lining makes them heavier and harder to install than other brands. The standard warranty is pretty good and they offer an optional lifetime warranty but the units are only available through their limited dealer network. They are available in 35, 50, or 70 gallon capacities.

NTI

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

These water heaters are made in Canada and are backed by a lifetime guarantee but it is pro-rated after ten years and they are only sold through a very limited dealer network. The Trin & Stor S models use passivated stainless steel tanks which resist corrosion in even the toughest water conditions and they are available in six sizes from 20 to 119 gallons. The S20W model is wall mounted to save space but it has a very limited capacity at 20 gallons.

OSO

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Norway and is sold throughout Europe and Canada through a limited dealer network but their warranty is not very good when compared to other brands that are available. The tanks and heat exchange coils are made from durable stainless steel which resists corrosion. The Saga Coil SC models are designed for high temperature sources such as boilers while the Delta Geocoil DGC models are designed to be used with heat pump systems. The Delta Twincoil models feature two heat exchangers so that they can be used with two heat sources such as solar and a boiler or heat pump. All of the units feature a backup electrical element for use when central heating is not required in the home.

PEERLESS

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These water heaters are made in the USA by PB Heat LLC and they are backed by a very good warranty but they are only sold through a very limited dealer network. The Partner storage tanks are available in five sizes and feature durable stainless steel tanks. They have a cupronickel coil which is resistant to scaling and positioned in the tank to eliminate the need for chemical cleaning. The 30 gallon LO-BOY model is a compact unit that is designed to sit under their high efficiency boilers. The Partner PV tank is made of plastic which is lighter and easier to install but its guarantee is not as good as the models with stainless steel tanks.

PENNCO

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is a part of ECR International and the water heaters are backed by a pretty good guarantee but they are only available through a very limited dealer network. The H20 GL models are available in five sizes from 31 to 106 gallons and have magnesium anode rods for corrosion control which require periodic replacement. The water heaters are made in the USA but use basic enameled tank technology.

PUREPRO

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made exclusively for F.W. Webb Company, a plumbing distributor serving nine states in the northeast part of the USA. The Pro models are available in either 41 or 80 gallon sizes and are made with poly bottle construction for corrosion resistance. The standard warranty on the brand is not very good when compared to other brands but they offer an optional extended guarantee.

RHEEM

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and the Solaraide HE units are available with or without an electric element. They feature basic glass lined tank technology with an anode rod and are available in 80 or 120 gallon sizes. The warranty is not very good when compared to other brands.

STIEBEL ELTRON

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in Germany and is sold through a limited dealer network. The SBB series features porcelain lined tanks and a sacrificial anode with a wear indicator. They are available in 80 or 106 gallon sizes and with either single or dual heat exchangers. The units feature a large clean out port for maintenance and they are backed by a very good guarantee.

SUPER HOT

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is from Allied Engineering Company which is a division of E-Z-Rect Manufacturing Limited and is made in Canada. The EPJ series features passivated stainless steel tanks and coils for durability in even the harshest of water conditions. They are available in 40, 56, 79 and 119 gallon sizes but the guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands.

TECHTANIUM

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

These water heaters are made in the USA by Diversified Heat Transfer. The MP series units can be either wall or floor mounted and are available in four sizes with the water connections on the top but they use basic glass lined tank technology. The solar tanks are available with either electric backup or with an additional coil. The warranty on the units is not very good when compared to other brands.

TRIANGLE TUBE

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is a part of ACV Group and the water heaters are made in the USA but they are only sold through a limited dealer network in the USA & Canada. The Cardinal models feature pickled stainless steel construction which resists corrosion in even the toughest water environments. They are available in seven sizes from 30 to 120 gallons but they use a basic mechanical aquastat control. The warranty on the tanks is very good but they have a somewhat complicated warranty structure.

TURBOMAX

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in Canada by Thermo 2000 Inc and is sold through a very limited dealer network in the USA & Canada but they are backed by a very good guarantee. The units feature extra large copper heat exchangers which provide for quicker heating of the potable water and they are available in four sizes from 30 to 120 gallons.

UTICA

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is a part of ECR International and the water heaters are backed by a pretty good guarantee but they are only available through a very limited dealer network. The H20 GL models are available in five sizes from 31 to 106 gallons and they feature basic enameled steel tanks while the H2O I models feature stainless steel tanks and heat exchangers and do not require anode rods for corrosion control. The water heaters are made in the USA.

VAUGHN

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is a part of Nudyne Company and the water heaters are made in the USA. They are backed by a very good guarantee that includes an option for lifetime replacement of the tank but they are only sold through a limited dealer network. The TPP models feature a hydrastone lining for corrosion control and a copper heat exchanger to maximize heat transfer. The design of their cold water diffuser is such that it constantly washes the outside of the heat exchanger coil to reduce mineral buildup and maintain its heating efficiency. They have an electronic thermostat for accurate temperature control and they are available in five sizes from 10 to 70 gallons. The Featherweight models feature a thermoplastic tank which eliminates corrosion and is lighter for easier installation. They have a removable finned copper heat exchanger to maximize heating and they are available in sizes from 30 to 119 gallons.

VELOCITY BOILER WORKS

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in the USA and is backed by a very good warranty but the water heaters are only available through a limited dealer network. The Mega-Stor II water heaters feature passivated stainless steel construction for corrosion resistance in even the toughest of water conditions but they still use anode rods which does not make much sense. The units are available in five sizes from 30 to 119 gallons to match the needs of virtually any home.

VIESSMANN

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Vitocell 300 series features durable stainless steel tanks and heat exchangers that are backed by a lifetime guarantee but the water heaters are only available though a limited dealer network. They offer both horizontal and vertical models for flexibility in installation and they are available in sizes from 42 to 119 gallons. The B models feature dual coils for use with solar water heating systems and they are available in sizes from 70 to 119 gallons.

WEIL-MCLAIN

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

These water heaters are made in the USA by WM Technologies LLC and are sold through a very limited dealer network. The Aqua Plus models feature passivated stainless steel construction for durability even in the harshest of water conditions and they are available in five sizes from 30 to 111 gallons to meet the needs of any size home. The units feature digital controls but their "lifetime" guarantee is pro-rated after only five years. The Aqua Pro models feature a plastic tank which eliminates the corrosion problem and they are backed by a much better and less complicated warranty than the Aqua Plus models.

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