EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater, 13KW at 240 Volts with Patented Self Modulating Technology

I decided to put in a tankless hot water heater 15 years ago. I am an Engineer and Planner, so a process began. I learned that no local contractors would install a tankless heater. They all said I would not like it.So, I was my own contractor. Through my own research I learned that Ecosmart was a leading supplier and about 20% of tankless water heaters failed in the first year (remember this was over a decade ago and the 20% number is all brands). I looked closely at Ecosmart's charts, our incoming water temperature throughout the year, flow rates for showers, flow rates for sinks, flow rates for baths, my own electrical (I am an Electrical Engineer) and felt the ECO 11 would be marginal as a whole house solution. However, the previous owner's had installed two tank hot water heaters. I decided to try the ECO 11, but keep one tank heater in case it did not work out. I bought that first ECO 11 in March of 2011 and installed it in series following the tank heater (see the photo). Note that at that time, you could only buy Ecosmart product from the company. Here is my experience: The plumber used Teflon tubing to connect the heater, it burst and was replaced with the proper plumbing (yes a licensed plumber messed it up). I had to set the tank water heater to 70F to preheat the incoming water. The flow sensor failed around 16 months, I turned up the tank thermostat and switched to it during the repair, the Ecosmart customer service was great and when they realized I was an EE, they walked me through the repair, after the repair, I switched back to a tank preheat and the ECO 11. It worked flawlessly after that repair for over 12 more years. We saved approximately $15 to $25 per month in electrical utility costs. I love long hot showers.The tank hot water heater had to have a heating element replaced in 2022.Now, December of 2024, our ECO 11 stopped working. I could no longer buy it from Ecosmart and the closest dealer did not have them in stock, but Amazon did. I ordered it from Amazon. It was $100 cheaper than it was in 2011. It took my son and I about 1 hour to replace it and the new one is working.A few changes between the 2011 and 2024 versions: The 2011 version came with a cable. We used that cable in the new unit. Not having it would make installation more difficult. I encourage Ecosmart to include that cable with the new units. There was a communication port on the 2011 not on the 2024. We never used that feature it and it will not be missed. I took a photo of the two units without the cover and included it. With a cover the two units are identical.A few notables: A great value in the payback is less than a year. Pay attention to Ecosmart's charts, they are accurate. The first installation was a long and involved process, but worth it. The replacement installation was easy. Our ECO 11 works as a whole house unit because we preheat the water with a tank water heater. If you live in a warmer climate, an ECO 11 would probably work, but do your measurements and be aware of the drawbacks. We have a few limitations - only one person can shower at a time and if we want a hotter bath, we have to slow down the water flow (or turn up our tank to preheat the water more). I like having a back up to the tankless (I am not sure I would ever depend on a single whole house unit). I like never running out of hot waterMy plans: I am going to try to troubleshoot the old unit. If I get it working, I may replace the tank and use two ECO 11's in series.

Here's my story review.I live in a mobile community, one college guy who can't buy a real house. Lived here for 25 years, one day the bathroom looks all wet on the floor, walls stained. The old waterheater sprung a leak and had to go. No floor pan was installed back in the old days so it seems *slaps head*. I shopped around for waterheaters but there were $300< starting price range. I decided to shop around and my main influence is comments (yes like this one) and youtube reviews. Found out tankless ones might save me money. Plus the initial cost was amazing I paid less than $250 for my 11kw EcoSmart unit. I use a drip/drain pan just in case it leaks somehow on the floor. I waited for this review to actually use it for 3 weeks now.I learned how to solder pipe (easy, fun, use lots of flux!!) to make some small 1/2" thread to 3/4" thread copper shortie pipes to adapt to the unit. I upgraded my circuit breaker to 60 amps dual pole (240v) from 40 amps. I was supposed to upgrade the wires to 8g but I did an infrared heat test on the current wires with hot water running and no heat problems, But I will upgrade the circuit to 8g when it's warmer out in the spring it's cold out now (winter 2011). Over all I'm super happy I bought this unit. It's perfect for one guy like me. It saved me a bundle over a regular water heater and install work (this unit was so small and so easy to install) and I'm happy to be participating in environmental/energy savings just by using this unit too. I did void the warranty by installing it myself, I'm kind of a self taught handy man, but I figure the whole unit only cost $250> so I could just buy a new one if anything goes wrong vs some novice electrican ruining stuff and I ended up paying the same amount anyway. If this brand ends up bad, i'll just switch brands. It's the darwin theory for appliances.But every review I've seen on this unit is that it is top notch quality, and when I got it I believe it also the thing is made Awesome, it has a digital dial for the temperature and it simple to install and use. I am so happy I went this route and the 11kw unit is perfect for my simple (one guy) purpose. What that really means is, one sink/shower at a time. At 120 degrees on the dial my showers are Insanely Hot and last forever. I had 3 people in here before (girlfriend and kid) and we all just respected the "showering" person by not using the water. Had to do that with our water heater before anyways. I live in the Seattle area.And MyRubberneck is a good seller too. I got my unit from UPS in about 6 days, the weekend interrupted the (3-5) delivery by a day. That's fine i'm not upset about that though. He saved me about $30 over Sears and their promise was two week delivery for online purchases (ya go check Sears). He sent it in the raw unit box, I kind of wished it had a cardboard sleeve or even a grocery bag sleeve, or bigger box for it. but the box was intact.The Benefits: endless hot water, power bill savings, no more tank pressure/old leaks etc.The Cons: my only complaint is that the warranty is nullified if you install it without a licensed electrician. Oh well. And also the documentation does not say which wire is power, neutral, or ground. The colors were Red, blue, and yellow/green. Ya I figured it out (red+, blue-, and yellow/grn=ground), but dang shouldn't documentation HAVE THAT in there? Maybe it was designed for licensed electricians only. LOL.*Also, an important factor. The water heat temp consistency directly depends on the temperature of the "ground" water coming into the unit. sometimes my shower temperatures got hot or cold (only slightly) but I'm sure it was "cold water sandwiches" but from the ground water temps, especially in winter. The unit is probably taxed to adjust to your preffered temp. Think about that in a "thermal" way. I think if you had a buffer tank or something say (a turned off small water tank 20-30gallons) that had a constant temperature before the unit heated it up then showers would be no problem. My water heater room is totally empty now sans the EcoSmart unit in there, I could put in a buffer tank easy. Or a more powerful EcoSmart unit might make this a non issue. My work around though...just turn up or down the shower dial accordingly, not that big of a deal to me.I give this thing 5 stars!! I get the feeling the big water heater, or power companies don't want people to get their hands on these types of new technologies. It was SUPER hard to find any in the stores that weren't in the thousand dollar range, this was a 1/4 that price. And this had THE BEST reviews from the internet I researched for 10 hours straight, ya I'm a nerd. When I get a real house I will probably buy the EcoSmart 27kw model. I love this unit very much. Take care.~TZ

I originally ordered a tankless gas water heater for our full-time TV but it required far too much space and too many modifications. After much research, I purchased the Ecosmart 11 electric tankless water heater. I was worried that it wouldn't meet our needs, although the specifications indicated it should. It was easy to install and there was ample room in our 5th wheel RV. We have been very pleased with the performance. There are just two of us and we have a washing machine and, although we can't take a shower while the washing machine is running, its no problem to pause the washer when showering. It is so wonderful to never run out of hot water while showering! You could take a 30 minute shower and still not run out of hot water—its great! Since we've only had it for several weeks, I can't speak to the life expectancy, but from other reviews, I'm confident in our Ecosmart water heater. If you are not experienced it working with electricity, you'll probably have to hire an electrician to add the breakers needed and make the connections.

Heater worked as described. Was installed in an apartment that was being renovated with the water turned off over winter. When checked in the Spring, turned on water , was leaking. Upon inspection, found one of the heating tubes had ruptured where the bottom of the tube had been soldered. Ordered a second one because it was plumbed for this unit.