The Lowdown
While this exact AMZCHEF Tankless Water Heater isn’t sold new anymore, the experience has made me a tankless convert. The compact size, quiet operation, and steady hot water are clear upgrades. But you’ll need to budget for professional installation and be realistic about your household’s water demands.
Overall
Pros
- Compact, space-saving design
- Reliable, quiet hot water once it reaches the fixture
- Precise temperature control in 1°F increments
- CSA certified with multiple safety features
- Efficient and potentially lowers electric bills
Cons
- Requires professional installation
- 4.3 GPM may not be enough for larger households or very cold climates
- This model is no longer available new
If you’ve ever stepped into the shower only to be greeted by icy water because your old tank heater ran dry, you know the misery of being last in line. Traditional water heaters can only store so much, and once it’s gone, you’re shivering. Tankless water heaters promise a better experience: endless hot water on demand, lower energy use, and a fraction of the space. This review is a little unusual because the AMZCHEF Tankless Water Heater I tested is no longer available. However, an upgraded version will be available soon, and similar models from other brands are available now.
The AMZCHEF Tankless Water Heater – Model UL-Q2218-WT
After installing the AMZCHEF Tankless Water Heater during a bathroom remodel, I finally had my first real experience living with a tankless system, and it’s been eye-opening. Here’s how it performed and what you should know before going tankless.
What’s a Tankless Water Heater?
Unlike a traditional tank heater that keeps a full tank hot all day, a tankless system heats water only as it flows through the unit. That means you shouldn’t run out of hot water mid-shower, and you’re not paying to heat water you’re not using.
The AMZCHEF is an 18kW, 240-volt electric model rated to deliver up to 4.3 gallons per minute (GPM). That’s enough for two or three fixtures running at once, like a shower and a sink, or a sink and a dishwasher, though it’s not intended for heavy-duty use in a big household.
What’s in the Box?
The package is as no-nonsense as the product; it includes the heater, a wall bracket, screws, and a manual.
Measuring just 17.1″ x 13.1″ x 3.5″, the AMZCHEF Tankless Water Heater is compact enough to hide in a cabinet or in a utility closet.
Compared to the space even the smallest tank heater eats up, the difference is pretty dramatic. The unit feels solid, with no cheap plastic or flimsy panels.
Installation Requires a Pro
Tankless water heaters may look simple, but installing one is not a casual DIY project. This model requires a dedicated 240-volt line and two 40-amp double-pole breakers. We’re in the middle of a multi-year renovation on our downtown building, so we’ve had a contractor on site regularly; he was able to get an electrician and plumber in to handle the work for us, but all three agreed that it wasn’t a job for a novice.
We’d also recently had a whole-house water filter & salt-free softener system installed in our building because the water here is so hard and frankly questionable, which turned out to be a good thing, as hard water can shorten a tankless heater’s life. A filtration system is definitely worth considering if your water is mineral-heavy. Once installed, the AMZCHEF has been completely hands-off.
Performance: Does It Really Give You Hot Water in Three Seconds?
AMZCHEF claims “endless hot water in 3 seconds,” which is true if the fixture is close to the unit. In our main bathroom, which is about 10 feet away from the tankless water heater, hot water arrives in just a few seconds. Our secondary bathroom takes slightly less time, and once the water is hot, it stays hot. Back-to-back showers are no problem, and we’ve experienced zero temperature swings, even if a sink is running at the same time.
The 4.3 GPM rating has been enough for our setup, which includes two bathrooms and will eventually include one kitchen sink. If you plan to fill large bathtubs, run multiple appliances like a dishwasher or washing machine, or live where the incoming water is frigid, a higher GPM unit might be better.
The front LED display shows inlet and output temperatures, and the dial adjusts the set temperature from 86°F to 131°F in 1°F increments. The unit is whisper-quiet, with none of the random igniting or rumbling of a tank heater, which is a nice upgrade on its own.
The AMZCHEF includes overheating and dry-combustion protection, CSA certification, and an IPX4 water-resistance rating. Its claimed 99% thermal efficiency is tough to verify at home, but you’re only heating water when you need it, which should translate to some savings on your electric bill.
Should You Go Tankless?
While this exact AMZCHEF Tankless Water Heater isn’t sold new anymore, the experience has made me a tankless convert. The compact size, quiet operation, and steady hot water are clear upgrades. But you’ll need to budget for professional installation and be realistic about your household’s water demands.
For now, this system meets our needs perfectly and has given us closet space we never thought we’d have. Based on this experience, I’d happily go tankless again if we add another bathroom in a different section of our building.
The AMZCHEF Tankless Water Heater retailed new for $299.99; it is available in used, like-new condition on Amazon for $269.99.
Source: Manufacturer-supplied review sample
What I Like: Compact, space-saving design; Reliable, quiet hot water once it reaches the fixture; Precise temperature control in 1°F increments; CSA certified with multiple safety features; Efficient and potentially lowers electric bills
What Needs Improvement: Requires professional installation; 4.3 GPM may not be enough for larger households or very cold climates; This model is no longer available new