5 Best 80-Gallon Electric Water Heaters: The Ultimate Buying Guide 2023

Electric water heaters are essential appliances for home water heating, especially during the winter months. For a household with 5 to 7 people, an 80-gallon electric water heater will be a suitable option.

If you’re thinking about purchasing an electric water heater for your large family then go no further. In this article, we’ll do an in-depth analysis of the 5 Best 80-gallon electric water heaters. Our buying guide will help you decide which is the best electric water heater for your home.

But first, let’s learn about how these heaters work.

How Do Electric Water Heaters Work?

An electric water heater is a household water heating appliance that instantly delivers hot water to be used for various domestic purposes. After gas heaters, electric water heaters became more popular when electricity became more common.

An electric water heater uses heating elements that are dipped in the water tank. These heating elements are controlled by thermostats. When the hot water heater is switched on, the upper heating element heats water in the upper portion of the water tank. Afterward, the lower heating element works to heat the water.

When we open the tap, the hot water is drawn from the upper portion of the water tank which is replaced by cold water. The cold water combines with the hot water and stimulates the thermostat to power the upper heating element again.

5 Best 80-Gallon Electric Water Heaters to Buy in 2022

Following are the best 80-gallon electric water heaters to buy in 2022:

1. Westinghouse 80 Gal Electric Water Heater

Key Features of this Product

• Electrical connection box
• Laser-welded 316-Liter stainless steel tank
• Heavy-duty insulation
• 98% thermal efficiency
• 4500 watts of heating elements
• Brass full port drain valve
• Color controller display
• Free limited lifetime warranty

Westinghouse 80 Gal is the perfect electric water heater that provides sufficient hot water for your large family. Because of its stainless steel construction, this product offers incredible 98% thermal efficiency and saves your energy bill.

The laser welded stainless steel tank is lighter in weight and has a strong build quality. One of the amazing features of this water heater is that it doesn’t require an anode rod. Anode rods tend to cause erosion in water heaters. Westinghouse’s water heater is designed to prevent the accumulation of scale build-up. This helps avoid high-cost repairs and increases the lifespan of your electric water heater.

This water heater provides ample amounts of hot water by avoiding the mixing of hot and cold water. This water heater also comes with a lifetime limited warranty which helps if something goes wrong with your appliance.

Pros

• Large 80-gallon tank
• No anode rods are needed
• Reduces scale build-up
• Lightweight
• Easy to install

Cons

• Costly
• Only one-year limited parts warranty

2. AO Smith 80 Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater

Key Features of this Product

• Washable Filter
• User-friendly electronic interface
• Tall and slim design
• 4500 watts copper heating elements
• Saves energy costs
• 4 operating modes
• 10-year limited residential warranty

AO Smith is one of the top-rated hot water heaters. It is highly energy efficient and saves a lot of energy costs annually. This water electric heater is perfect for large families of 5 people or more as it delivers sufficient amounts of hot water.

AO Smith electric water heater has two back-ups of 4500 watts copper heating elements that provide 82 gallons of hot water in the first hour. This water heater comes with a washable filter that is easy to maintain and clean. Cleaning the filter regularly ensures that your heating is free of any dirt and dust build-up thereby protecting it from any damage.

AO Smith is durable, tall, and slim. This design helps in the easy installation of the heating system. This appliance has a user-friendly electronic interface through which you can easily adjust the temperature.

AO Smith electric water heater has 4 working modes such as electric, hybrid, efficiency, and vacation. These modes allow optimal performance of the heating system. This heater also comes with a 10-year limited residential warranty.

Pros

• Highly energy efficient
• Washable filter
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Expensive

3. Rheem Ruud 80 Gal Commercial Electric Water Heater

Key Features of this Product

• 95{6defb347821c94f8dddf7579deaeae2d2a2964f3772e8578876ed8c6ebf945f2} thermal efficiency
• Lightweight
• Can heat water for up to 180° Fahrenheit
• Efficient design and technology that reduces corrosion
• User-friendly
• Reduces energy costs
• Heavy-duty anode rod
• Surface-mounted thermostat

Rheem manufacturing company has earned a solid reputation in the water heating system market. Rheem produces durable and high-quality commercial electric water heaters. This water heater saves a lot of energy costs and offers a 95% thermal efficiency rate.

Rheem Ruud commercial electric water heater has the capacity to heat water for up to 180° Fahrenheit. It also provides large amounts of hot water in the first hour. Therefore, it is ideal for supplying abundant amounts of water to a family of 4-5 people.

Rheem Ruud electric water heater comes with proprietary steel construction that has a coat of high-temperature porcelain enamel. This special design aids in minimizing the corrosion of the water tank.

This unit has patented resistor elements that include a double layer of magnesium oxide and copper. This feature also helps minimize corrosion.

Rheem Ruud water heater is also equipped with a thermostat that cycles on and off automatically. This unit is convenient and easy to use.

Pros

• Efficient heating system
• Durable tank design
• Long-lasting heating elements
• Easy to install

Cons

• Quite Expensive

4.  Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus Electric Water Heater

Key Features of this Product

• No venting needed
• Continuous water flow
• The sleek design saves space
• Easy to operate
• Digital temperature display
• Water temperature output of 68° to 140° F
• 3-year warranty
• Easy to install
• It’s a 24 kW electric water heater
• Eco-friendly

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus is an ideal tankless electric water heater for your whole family as it delivers an unlimited supply of hot water. It has a sleek and compact design which allows you to save a lot of space in your home, unlike the bulky hot water tanks.

Tempra has a unique Advanced Flow Control Technology that was invented by Stiebel Eltron. This technology regulates hot water temperature. It works by reducing the water flow instead of delivering cold water when hot water demands go beyond the heater’s capacity. Therefore, you will never face hot water interruption.

Stiebel Eltron is highly energy-efficient and saves you a lot of energy costs. This electric water heater features auto modulation and allows you to electronically adjust the hot water flow. This unit is easy to operate and has a user-friendly digital temperature display.

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus provides a continuous water temperature output of 68° to 140° F. This unit is easy to install due to its compact design. It also comes with a 7-Year Leakage and 3-Year Parts warranties.

Pros

• Compact design
• Saves space
• Energy efficient
• Unlimited supply of hot water
• Uninterrupted temperature output

Cons

• Expensive
• Additional electrical work would be required

5. AO Smith 80 Gallon Voltex Residential Electric Water Heater

Key Features of this Product

• Saves heating costs for up to 71%
• Heat Pump Technology
• Easy-to-use interface
• Two heating elements
• Advanced Diagnostics
• Vacation mode
• Heavy duty anode
• Easy to install

AO Smith Voltex electric water heater features heat pump technology. It utilizes two anode rods to heat water. This unit is energy-efficient due to its unique design and it saves energy and heating cost up to 71%.

AO Smith Voltex Hybrid has a user-friendly digital display that makes monitoring easier. It also has a vacation mode that allows you to save energy when you’re not home. This unit has a heavy-duty anode that increases your tank’s lifespan.

This appliance has an efficient design and offers amazing features such as an easy-to-read electronic display, user-friendly temperature display, and advanced diagnostics. AO Smith Voltex Hybrid is also easy to operate and install.

Pros

• Energy efficient
• Heat pump technology
• Energy efficient
• Long-life tank
• Easy to use

Cons

• A bit more expensive

80-Gallon Electric Water Heater Buying Guide

If you’re looking to buy an 80-gallon electric water heater, you should consider a few factors to ensure that you make an informed decision before purchasing the best electric water heater for your household needs.

1. Capacity

There are many hot water heaters available on the market that have the capacity to hold 40, 50, or 80 gallons. You should look for the right capacity considering the size of your family and your water usage needs. If you have a family of 5 members or more, an 80-gallon hot water heater will be sufficient to meet all your household requirements.

2. First Hour Rating

The first-hour rating means the amount of hot water that is supplied by the electric water heater within the first hour of usage. A large-sized hot water tank doesn’t always mean that the hot water heater has a higher FHR.

While buying an electric water heater, decide the amount of water you need and then select a water heater with a high first-hour rating that fits your requirements. To find the FHR, see the bright yellow Energy Guide label.

3. Space Availability

You should have a proper and dedicated free space available for your electric water heater installation. Also, if you’re buying an 80-gallon hot water heater, it is necessary to have a more spacious space.

4. Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is also a crucial aspect to consider while buying a water heater. It is evaluated that the energy used to power your hot water heater can account for 14% of your utility bills. It is recommended to choose a high-energy efficient electric water heater that will help you save a lot of energy costs.

5. Tank lining

Hot water heaters generally have some type of lining inside the steel tank wall to avoid corrosion. The corrosion can damage your unit and cause the steel tank to leak. This leakage is hard to fix and the only option left is to buy a new water heater.

Many models use glass lining in hot water heaters but one downside is that glass has a tendency to crack. Therefore, porcelain and polymer coatings are the best choices to help prevent the water tank from corrosion.

6. Budget

You should always check your electric water heater’s price before making a purchase. It is ideal to choose a budget-friendly hot water heater that has all the required features and specifications that you want for your household needs.

FAQs

Do water heaters lose efficiency over time?

Yes, hot water heaters lose efficiency as they age. The build-up of lime deposits at the bottom of the water tank or inside the lining of the tank reduces the water heater’s efficiency to a great extent. You should replace your water heater when you notice an increase in the water-heating costs.

Is an 80-gallon hot water heater enough?

Yes, for a family with five people or more, an 80-gallon hot water heater will be sufficient for your household water needs and requirements. You should also make sure that you have enough space in your home to install an 80-gallon water heater.

How long do water heaters last?

Most hot water heaters last between 8 and 10 years. It is recommended to replace your water heater after this time period. The answer to how long water heaters last also depends on how well you’ve maintained your water heater unit.

What are the signs of a water heater going bad?

You would know your water heater isn’t working properly if you notice the following things:

• You don’t get enough hot water
• You notice water leakage from the unit
• If there is reduced water flow
• The water is smelly or discolored
• There are fluctuations in the water temperature

Conclusion

All the above-mentioned electric water heaters are renowned heaters available on the market. However, we recommend choosing Westinghouse 80-gallon electric water heater as it offers many amazing features. This unit provides 98% thermal efficiency and saves energy costs. It reduces scale build-up and increases the lifespan of this water heater. Also, this appliance is durable, lightweight, and easy to install. Our buying guide will further help you in choosing the best electric water heater for your home.