Top 8 Best 30-Gallon Short Electric Water Heaters (December 2024)🥇
Last Updated: 21 December 2024
In this article, we’re going to be talking about the best 30-gallon short electric water heaters that are available on the market.
✅Why use a short electric water heater?
According to this study carried out by Consumer Reports, electric water heaters are an energy-efficient way of getting hot water.
Electric hot water heaters are generally more easier to use when comparing against an equivalent gas unit.
Due to them being shorter in size than other units, the installation and maintenance costs of these units are often lower in comparison to larger units and gas-powered ones.
Additionally, short electric water heaters can be used in any home that simply has electricity, whereas not every home has gas, with apartment buildings often only having electricity available for safety reasons.
💧Top Considerations Before Purchasing
- Technical Specs – We’ve done our very best to outline each heater’s technical specs, including UEF (Energy Efficiency), FHR (First Hour Rate) and Recovery Rate, so you have all of this information available when making any comparisons between models.
- General Specs – We’ve also included information regarding the units physical dimensions and weight
- Price – Price information has also been specified, with $ representing the lowest price and $$$$$ representing the highest. We realize that everyone has a unique budget, so this is an important consideration
- Warranty – We’ve displayed warranty information where possible.
- Customer Reviews/Ratings – We’ve gone about researching only the highest quality 30 gallon electric hot water heaters to include within this article, therefore you can be confident in knowing that any of these units are a great choice.
We’ve listed the following 30-gallon electric water units in order of cost, from the lowest price at the top ($) to the largest price ($$$$$) at the bottom:
Best 30 Gallon Short Electric Water Heaters Review – Top 8
Reliance 6-30-EOLBS 100 Lowboy Electric Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.89
- First Hour Delivery: 46 gallons
- Continuous Recovery Rate (90° F): 21 gallons
General Specs
- Price: $
- Dimensions: 30H x 20W x 20D inches
- Weight: 89.8 lbs
- Warranty: 6-year tank, 6-year parts, 1-year labor
Features
The 6-30-EOLBS 100 lowboy electric water heater by Reliance is one of the least expensive units featured on the list.
It has copper sheathed heating elements as well as a glass-lined tank with anode rods, which help protect against corrosion.
The unit also has environmentally-friendly, non-CFC foam insulation, to maintain heat retention.
It also has some rather impressive technical specs, having high energy efficiency, first-hour rating and continuous recovery rate, especially when considering the price.
The heater comes with a 6-year tank and parts warranty, amongst a 1-year labor warranty. Here is a link to the warranty information.
Pros
- Reputable Brand
- Affordable price
- Impressive technical specs
- Energy-efficient design
- Small in size
- Great warranty
Cons
- You get what you pay for, and this is a budget-priced unit
- There are other similarly priced units which we prefer, shown below
Rheem 2488199 Short Electric Residential Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.92
- First Hour Delivery: 46 gallons
- Continuous Recovery Rate (90° F): 21 gallons
General Specs
- Price: $
- Dimensions: 30H x 20W x 20D inches
- Weight: 89.8 lbs
- Warranty: 6-year limited warranty*
Features
The Rheem Performance 30 Gal. Electric short water heater provides an ample supply of hot water for households with 1 to 2 people.
This unit comes with two 4500-Watt elements and an automatic thermostat which keeps the water at the desired temperature. A 240-Volt electrical connection is required for installation.
A premium grade anode rod provides long-lasting tank protection. Factory-installed temperature and pressure relief valve and 3/4 in. water connections are included with the water heater for easy installation.
This model has a 6-year limited tank and parts warranty plus a 1-year in-home labor warranty.
Additionally, a 2.5-inch insulation blanket is included with this model for added efficiency and heat retention.
Pros
- Reputable Brand
- Affordable price
- Great customer reviews – externally from Amazon
- Impressive technical specs
- High UEF (energy efficiency)
- Small in size
- Great warranty
Cons
- For households with 1-2 people, not much more
- What’s not to like?
A.O. Smith ENS-30 ProMax Short Electric Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $$
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.95 EF
- FHR (First Hour Rating): 47GPH
- Recovery Rate: 21GPH
General Specs
- Price: $$
- Dimensions: 39.75H x 22W x 22D inches
- Weight: 94 lbs
- Warranty: 10-year limited tank warranty (6-year on parts)
Features
The AO Smith ENS-30 ProMax Short is another affordable option on the list, suitable for both residential and commercial usage.
It’s designed to take up as little room as possible and is the ideal choice for when installation space is limited to tight spaces such as under counters and in crawl spaces.
It has a permaglas coating within the interior of the tank, to prevent water from corroding the metal from the inside, helping to expand its lifespan. Additionally, it’s Coregard™ sacrificial anode helps protect the tank from the corrosive effects of water, hence why it comes with a 6-year warranty.
Finally, the unit has eco-friendly, non-CFC foam insulation, heat traps, and a uniquely designed combustion chamber combine, to produce a high Uniform Energy Factor for maximum savings on operating costs.
Pros
- Incredibly reputable brand
- Great warranty
- Eco-friendly
- High UEF
- 10-year limited warranty (6-year on parts)
Cons
- A little larger in height than other short models
Marathon Electric Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $$$
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.88 EF
- FHR (First Hour Rating): 38GPH
- Recovery Rate: 21GPH
General Specs
- Price: $$$
- Dimensions: 49.5H x 21.63W x 21.63D inches
- Weight: 75 lbs
- Warranty:
- Residential: Lifetime tank warranty, 6-year on parts
- Commercial: 5-year limited warranty, 1-year on parts
Features
The Rheem Marathon MR30245 30-gal electric-powered water heater is another very popular mid-priced unit.
It’s suitable for both residential and commercial usage.
It features a seamless, blow-molded plastic tank which is impervious to rust and corrosion.
It’s multiple layers of filament wound fiberglass give the tank unmatched strength and increased insulation and reduce energy consumption, meaning you’ll be saving money in the long-term.
The unit has a self-cleaning action of the bowl-shaped tank bottom and inlet tube helps fight sediment buildup.
It comes with a lifetime tank warranty, with 6-years on parts when used in a residential property. If used for commercial purposes, it has a 5-year limited warranty, with 1-year on parts.
Pros
- Incredibly reputable brand
- Great warranty
- Eco-friendly design (plastic tank)
- High UEF
- Residential: Lifetime tank warranty, 6-year on parts
- Commercial: 5-year tank warranty, 1-year on parts
Cons
- A little larger in height than other short models
Bradford White Short Electric Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $$$
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.95 EF
- FHR (First Hour Rating): 47GPH
- Recovery Rate: 21GPH
General Specs
- Price: $$$
- Dimensions: 47.75H x 20W x 20D inches
- Weight: 110 lbs
- Warranty: 6-year limited warranty on tank and parts
Features
The Bradford White short 30-gal electric water heater is one of the mid-priced units.
It’s designed for both residential and commercial usage.
The unit features fully automatic controls, with fast-acting surface-mount thermostats for automatic temperature control.
It also has a factory-installed sensitive manual reset energy cutoff for safety purposes, to help prevent overheating.
The tank is lined with an exclusively engineered formula that provides superior protection from the highly corrosive effects of hot water. This formula (Vitraglas) is fused to the steel surface by firing at a temperature of over 1600º F.
Finally, it has non-CFC foam insulation, which covers the sides and top of the tank, to help with heat retention.
It comes with a 6-year tank & parts warranty.
Pros
- Incredibly reputable brand
- Fantastic 6-year warranty
- Nice safety features as standard
- High UEF
- Residential: Lifetime tank warranty, 6-year on parts
- Commercial: 5-year tank warranty, 1-year on parts
Cons
- Quite heavy and high
Rheem Ruud 6000W Commercial/Residential Electric Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $$$$
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.92 EF
- FHR (First Hour Rating): 48GPH
- Recovery Rate: 24GPH
General Specs
- Price: $$$$
- Dimensions: 45.5H x 17.75W x 17.75D inches
- Weight: 90 lbs
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty, 1-year parts
Features
The Rheem Ruud 6000W is a light-duty commercial electric unit designed specifically for any application needing moderate amounts of hot water. This could in-turn be a large residential home, through to a salon, restaurant, or office setting.
It boasts proprietary steel formulation with a unique coat of high-temperature porcelain enamel, which helps to maximize corrosion resistance within the tank. Ultimately, this prolongs the effective life of the anode rod and in turn, the life of the tank.
It comes with a surface-mounted thermostat, which automatically cycles on and off to maintain the water temperature at a desired preset level.
The patented resistor elements are designed with a specially treated, double layer of magnesium oxide and copper to resist corrosion. Replacement elements screw in easily.
Regarding wiring options, simultaneous and non-simultaneous wiring, single-phase and three-phase are available.
Finally, it comes with a 3-year limited tank warranty.
Pros
- Well known and respected brand
- 3-year warranty
- High UEF
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not as long a warranty as some other units.
Rheem Ruud 4500W Commercial/Residential Electric Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $$$$
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.92 EF
- FHR (First Hour Rating): 48GPH
- Recovery Rate: 18GPH
General Specs
- Price: $$$$
- Dimensions: 45.5H x 17.75W x 17.75D inches
- Weight: 90 lbs
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty, 1-year parts
Features
The Rheem Ruud 4500W is a light-duty commercial electric water heater designed specifically for any application needing moderate amounts of hot water. This could in-turn be a large residential home, through to a salon, restaurant, or office setting.
It boasts proprietary steel formulation with a unique coat of high-temperature porcelain enamel, which helps to maximize corrosion resistance within the tank. Ultimately, this prolongs the effective life of the anode rod and in turn, the life of the tank.
It comes with a surface-mounted thermostat, which automatically cycles on and off to maintain the water temperature at a desired preset level.
The patented resistor elements are designed with a specially treated, double layer of magnesium oxide and copper to resist corrosion. Replacement elements screw in easily.
Regarding wiring options, simultaneous and non-simultaneous wiring, single-phase and three-phase are available.
Finally, it comes with a 3-year limited tank warranty.
Pros
- Well known and respected brand
- 3-year warranty
- High UEF
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not as long a warranty as some other units.
Rheem Ruud 6000W Lowboy Electric Water Heater – 30 Gallon – $$$$$
Technical Specs
- UEF (Energy Efficiency): 0.92 EF
- FHR (First Hour Rating): 48GPH
- Recovery Rate (90° F): 27GPH
General Specs
- Price: $$$$$
- Dimensions: 32H x 22.25W x 22.25D inches
- Weight: 95 lbs
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty, 1-year parts
Features
The Rheem Ruud 6000W is a lowboy, commercially-designed electric-powered water storage tank, designed specifically for any application needing moderate amounts of hot water. This too could be used within a large residential home, through to a salon, restaurant, or office setting.
The advantage of this unit over the previous two Rheem Ruud ones, is that this is much smaller in height, being over 12.5 inches less to be specific. This is a huge amount and considering it has similar technical specs and physical attributes, it could be the deciding factor.
This unit also boasts proprietary steel formulation with a unique coat of high-temperature porcelain enamel, which helps to maximize corrosion resistance within the tank. Ultimately, this prolongs the effective life of the anode rod and in turn, the life of the tank.
It comes with a surface-mounted thermostat, which automatically cycles on and off to maintain the water temperature at a desired preset level. It also safely cuts off the power if the water temperature exceeds 190°F.
The patented resistor elements are designed with a specially treated, double layer of magnesium oxide and copper to resist corrosion. Replacement elements screw in easily.
Regarding wiring options, simultaneous and non-simultaneous wiring, single-phase and three-phase are available.
Finally, it comes with a 3-year limited tank warranty.
Pros
- Well known and respected brand
- 3-year warranty
- Small in height (Lowboy design) could be the deciding factor for some
- High UEF
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not as long a warranty as some other units.
FAQ
🚰Is a 30-gallon capacity short electric water tank enough?
The “draw efficiency” of both gas or electric heaters is generally calculated at approximately 70% of the overall tank storage size.
This is because as a tank is being emptied of hot water, it is also being filled with cold water, so approximately 70% of it is usable hot water.
This means that a 30-gallon unit has a draw efficiency of around 21 gallons.
This is enough to simultaneously maintain one or two bath residence.
💧How long does it take a 30-gallon short electric water tank to heat up?
There are a few different factors that come into play when talking about this, including the type of heating element inside the tank and the temperature of the water that is entering the unit.
However, hot water heaters will have two ratings that will help you determine the answer to this question, and these are:
First Hour Rating: The total amount of water in gallons that the heater can supply per hour, starting with a full tank of hot water.
Recovery Rate: The total amount of water in gallons that the heater can supply per hour, starting with an empty tank.
🚰30-gallon short electric water heater cost
These units vary in price, ranging from around $500 to $2500.
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, we have listed the water heaters in order of cost, from the lowest price at the top ($) to the largest price ($$$$$) at the bottom.
