Top 10 80-Gallon Water Heaters 2018 Reviews

Anyone who has ever had the hot water run out in the middle of a shower understands just how important a high capacity water heater truly is. When shopping for a replacement water heater or for a water heater for a new construction, an 80-gallon water heater is the way to go. We’ll show you some features to keep in mind as you shop and review the top 10 80-gallon water heaters in this post.

Considering that most soak tubs hold about 80 gallons, having enough hot water available to fill the tub makes the higher capacity heater essentially. Even if you don’t have a large soak tub, it is actually more cost effective to have a high capacity heater and increases the longevity of the unit as well.

Top Best Sellers in 80-Gallon Water Heaters

10. American Standard Heavy Duty Commercial Natural Gas Water Heater

The typical installation of these units are in commercial buildings including: hospitals, hotels, laundry-mats, restaurants, schools and multi-family dwellings with between 20 and 30 units. Features included in this unit are:

• Glass-lined tank.
• Non-cfc foam insulation.
• 4 anode rods to reduce corrosion effects.
• 125,000 BTU heating element.
• 150 working psi.
• 3 year tank warranty and 1 year parts and service warranty.

This heater is designed to heat and move a lot of water really fast in order to meet the demands of the installations listed above. It would work in your home, but it is probably a lot of over-kill for a residential installation.

Pros:

• Works well at eliminating corrosion.
• Provides ample amounts of hot water rapidly.
• More than enough capacity to handle demand.

Cons:

• Over-kill for residential installations.
• Pretty pricey.
• Not a very good warranty.

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9. 80 Gallon Hm-80L Hydromax Indirect-Fired Water Heater (Ener-G-Net)

The Hydromax unit is an indirect-fired water heater, which provides better energy efficiency without sacrificing demand. This is a modern method for heating water and utilizes state of the art technology. This unit features:

• Top connecting removable heat exchanger.
• Includes blow-down tube, heat trap and relief valve.
• Sediment buildup reduction using Turbulator™ Dip Tube.
• 40,000 BTU
• 7 year warranty on tank and heat exchanger only.

Efficiency and ease of operation might be solid in this unit, but you’ll notice that many of the features we discussed in our introduction are not discussed. It might be a fine unit, but there are a ton of unanswered questions.

Pros:

• Heating efficiency and control.
• 7 year warranty.

Cons:

• Vague on tank features.
• Pretty pricey.

8. AO Smith PHPT-80 Residential Electric Water Heater

This AO Smith unit is a hybrid heat pump. It allows you to select from hybrid or electric operating mode depending upon your needs. It provides high energy efficiency at lower operating costs. Higher storage capacity allows the heat pump to operate more frequently than the heating elements adding to its longevity. The AO Smith hybrid features:

• Permaglass tank coating.
• Incoloy heating elements operating at 240 volts and from 2000 to 4500 watt output.
• Allows you to select between efficiency, hybrid or electric operation.
• 10 year limited warranty.

This is an efficient unit which allows you to choose multiple operational functions and provides a high capacity of hot water. Element longevity is certainly an important feature of this unit, but some users complain of it being pretty noisy.

Pros:

• Fights against corrosion.
• Heat pump features saves on element life.
• Decent warranty.

Cons:

• The noise could be a concern.
• Still a little pricey for a home installation.

7. Rheem/Ruud 80 gal. Commercial Electric Water Heater, 4500W

Commercial electric water heaters are similar to their gas powered cousins in that they are designed to provide a lot of hot water at a high capacity very rapidly in hospitals, hotels, restaurants and other installations where there is a high demand for hot water in multiple locations at the same time. The Rheem/Ruud commercial electric water heater features:

• Glass-lined tank.
• Brass drain valves.
• Operates at 208 volts with 4500 watt upper end output.
• Non-cfc foam insulation
• 150 working psi
• 3 year warranty on tank and 1 year warranty on parts and service.

Though this unit might be a little more efficient, it is really a double for #10 listed above, but uses electricity as the energy source for heating water. It does have the features necessary to cover a commercial installation, but is over-kill for residential use.

Pros:

• Fights corrosion.
• Provides a lot of hot water really fast.

Cons:

• Too much for a residential installation.
• Not a very good warranty.

6. Westinghouse High Efficiency Electric Water Heater 80 Gallons, 5500 Watts

High recovery rates and low standby heat loss are two of the main features to draw your attention to the Westinghouse Commercial High Efficiency Electric Water Heater. It is also designed for commercial settings where a lot of hot water is in demand from various locations at the same time. Some of its features include:

• Stainless steel lined tank.
• 98% thermal efficiency
• 25 gallons per hour at 90 degrees
• 0.57% standby loss per hour
• 240 volts at 5500 watt output
• 10 year warranty

The list of features on this water heater is a little bit better than the other two commercial heaters discussed earlier. One of the ones that stands out the most is its warranty.

Pros:

• Heating efficiency and output volume.
• Low standby loss.
• Decent warranty.

Cons:

• Not glass lined.
• Over-kill for residential installation.

5. Westinghouse 95-Percent High-Efficiency Gas Water Heater

The Westinghouse 80 gal high-efficiency modulating/condensing natural gas water heater has a 95% thermal efficiency. This is a modern digital upgrade to the traditional gas water heater. Its features include:

• Stainless steel inner tank lining.
• 76,000 btu burner.
• Non-cfc foam insulation.
• Easy control digital LCD.
• Upgradable 10 year warranty

This isn’t a bad buy among gas water heaters given its brand name. Though it is under-powered for commercial installations, it has more than enough to handle your residential needs.

Pros:

• High capacity hot water supply.
• Brass drain valves.
• Great warranty.

Cons:

• Not great for commercial installations.
• A little bit pricey for home installations.

4. GMO Electric Water Heater – 80Gallons

The GMO Electric Water Heater is also an indirect electric water heater. It has an environment friendly insulation on the outside and drinking water code certified inner enamel coating. It also contains anode rods to help prevent corrosion. Features of the GMO include:

• Incoloy 840 heater element
• Emerson 59T66T thermostat
• Watts T/P Valve
• Enamel lining is rated up to 85 degree C (185 degrees F)
• 5 year warranty on tank and 1 year warranty on parts and service.

This is one of the best indirect fired water heaters available. Is works well for a residential installation, but is not recommended for heavy commercial use.

Pros:

• Uses quality parts in its construction.
• Enamel lining resists corrosion.
• Decent warranty.
• Decent price.

Cons:

• Commercial installation limitations.
• Indirect fired are a little more complicated than a traditional water heater.

3. AO Smith SUN-80 Residential Solar Water Heater

This is a very green water heater, because it is an AO Smith Residential Solar Water Heater. It is designed to be operated with the use of stored solar power in order to fire the low-watt-density heating element. The AO Smith Solar heater features:

• Recovery of 21 gallons per hour at 90 degrees.
• Dynaclean diffuser dip tube.
• PermaGlas inner tank lining.
• Long-lasting heating element
• Brass drain fittings.
• 10 year warranty.

Those who have decided to go solar will be impressed with this water heater. It gives you the full power of a standard water heater, but it goes green.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly.
• High capacity residential hot water supply.
• Fights corrosion.
• Economically priced.
• Decent warranty.

Cons:

• Is specialized for solar powered installations.

2. General Electric GEH80DFEJSR Hybrid Water Heater, 80-Gallon

If you are looking for maximum energy savings without sacrificing your hot water supply, the General Electric Hybrid Water Heater is designed for you. Advanced heat pump technology combined with a traditional, high quality heating element and a feature that draws heat from the ambient air surrounding the unit provide a 62% savings on your water heating energy bill. The GE Hybrid features:

• Advanced heat pump technology.
• Digital control.
• Bass drain fittings.
• Glass lined.
• 240 volts at 4500 watt max output.
• 10 year warranty.

This is a hi-tech water heater that combines the best of a traditional water heater, with advanced heat pump technology. The high energy savings balances out the upfront investment you will have to make.

Pros:

• Superior energy savings.
• Fights corrosion.
• Easy digital control.
• Decent warranty.

Cons:

• Requires a higher initial output to start taking advantage of the savings.

1. Westinghouse 80 Gal. 4500W Lifetime Warranty Electric Water Heater

Saving you money and lasting a lifetime is the stated goal of this Westinghouse Light Duty Electric Water Heater. With this unit you can draw a lot of hot water without paying through the nose for the energy consumption in either residential and commercial installations. Featured on this Westinghouse are:

• Stainless steel lined tank.
• 20 gallons per hour at 90 degrees recovery.
• 98% thermal efficiency.
• 240 volts at 4500 watts maximum output.
• Lifetime warranty.

The two words that should catch your attention immediately are “lifetime warranty.” Westinghouse has to be confident in the longevity of this product to make such an offer. If that isn’t enough to warm you to this unit, then the fact that it works for either residential or commercial installation should.

Pros:

• Lifetime warranty.
• Fights corrosion.
• High efficiency and recovery.
• Decent price.

Cons:

• It’s not glass-lined, but then again, there is that lifetime warranty, so it must be adequate.

Features to Consider When Choosing 80-Gallon Water Heater

There are a number of different types of water heaters to choose from. Those different types vary not only in initial price, but also in the energy cost to continue to meet the demand you place on the unit. Here are some features to consider:

Warranty: Those with a longer warranty tend to feature a longer or thicker element.

Anti-Scale Devices: The longer warranty models tend to overcome the wear of scaling issues with a better heating element.

Brass vs. Plastic Drain Valves: Brass drain valves have greater longevity than plastic ones.

Glass-Lined Tanks: These tanks better reduce corrosion.

Digital Displays: It is important to be able to monitor and customize the operation of your water heater, especially those that allow you to set the unit in vacation mode.

Conclusion

When it comes to installing a high capacity water heater in your residence or commercial building, your budget may control your initial investment, but considerations for how much you’ll gain or lose through efficiency and longevity have to be factored in as well. Make an informed decision on a replacement or new installment water heater today and be sure to ask questions or leave your comments in the section below.