The Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5-Gallon 120v is the right choice for you if you love the cutting-edge technology of tankless water heaters but do not wish to ignore the advantages conventional heaters have over tankless ones. The Ecosmart group has created another compact invention with a light and compact tank. The amount of water needed for 2.5 gallons of water is very small compared to a shower, where 2.5 gallons per minute is the standard pressure. However, the presence of a hot water tank allows for instant hot water, saving water due to a nonexistent waiting period. Let's explore how this is possible.
Choose an Ecosmart Mini Tank Model that’s just right for your home or office
What Is Interesting About the mini-tank water heater?
No more cold-water sandwiching
Ecosmart has a long list of tankless water heaters, yet they opted for some mini-tank water heaters for some glaring problems that cannot be avoided in tankless water heaters. If you consider the cold water as sandwiching issue, that usually occurs when cold water stored in the line comes from hot water. A push back and forth pressure causes cold water to get in between hot water and go through an outlet, making the user surprised and disappointed. With a tank water heater, such a problem never occurs.
No need for a recirculation pump
A 2.5 gallon will give you hot water from the first second. You do not need a recirculation pump to expedite the process, as hot water is already waiting for you. This will save the 10-12 second wait for hot water and a lot of water that would have been wasted during the wait.
Easy installation
This point is significant. How installation cost of tank fewer water heaters makes, the damage behind a water heater double is always a matter of discussion. This cost is easily bypassed if the installation is easy and doable without professional help. Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5-Gallon 120V Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater is easy to install. You need to merely valve it into the water line and install it directly at the sink. You can also install the heater in line with a more substantial hot water source, like another storage tank heater or a tankless heater.
Enough for a small home
It is a 2.5 GPM capacity water heater, with a central water heater you can choose this as additional support. If you have a low need, you can use it as a primary heater. If you have a 1.5 GPM water-saving showerhead, this unit can support a showerhead and a faucet/washing machine/dishwasher. If you have a standard showerhead with 2 GPM, you can still use a washbasin of 0.5 GPM. So yes, it is perfect for a small home of 1-2.
The pressure valve and Recirculation pump replaced
With a tank system Ecosmart, ECO MINI 2.5 makes the recirculation pump redundant. A built-in pressure valve makes its function smoother and leaks free. Thus it avoids the installation of two expensive accessories of water heaters.
Pros
- Analog temperature control
- Compact size 16.2 x 11 x 11 inches
- Lightweight- 19.5 pounds
- Good design
- Pressure valve included
Cons
Lack of instruction on installation
It does not give out a manual on doing the plant, making it a vigorous exercise for users. Also, it has 1/2" connectors which are unusual and rare to find lines for.
Solution
Both are serious issues. Ecosmart group probably assumes a professional will do the work, so they do not waste money on instruction guide, but that isn’t going to be accepted by the buyers who are not interested in spending money on installation.
So visit a hardware store like- Lowe's Hardware, and you can get a 1/2" female to 1/2" female Brass Pipe Coupling with and a 1/2" Male (both ends) Brass Pipe Hex Nipple. Then use Teflon tape seven wrapping to make the other end as thick as possible for the bigger standard hose size. You also need Teflon tape wrapping in the hose for a perfect leak-free connection. Now screw down the coupling tightly to the unit. Screw through the Nipple until tight on the Coupling. Attach the faucet connection; use a wrench after fighting with a bare hand; voila, no leak, no loose connection. Still, you can use a PVC pipe to collect the leakage water and run it into an aluminum roasting pan to keep another place dry. If you do not have a plug where you want to install it, you need an electrician to do the job—otherwise, plug and play.
Additional parts needed
Tough the package says it can be plugged into a 120V outlet, no plug is provided. A lot of other components are required to be bought to install it.
Solution
Yes, you need a visit to home depot and spend a few more bucks to buy the plug, Teflon tapes, 1/2" female Brass Pipe Coupling, and a 1/2" Male (both ends) Brass Pipe Hex Nipples for the installation. However, a built-in pressure valve, a point-of-use system of Ecosmart ECO MINI, saves much of the expenses you had to make for a tankless heater without these features. Once it is installed, the trouble is worth taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How, many amps circuits do Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 need?
Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 is rated at 12 amps. Also, you can use a 30 amp breaker. A dedicated circuit is not necessary but recommended.
What is the recovery time, aka the time to reheat the whole tank?
15 minutes recovery time at 60ºF temperature rise.
Do this unit also offers a lifetime warranty like tankless units?
It offers five years of limited leaks/2 year parts
VIDEO: EcoSmart MiniTank
Conclusion
Buying a water heater involves voltage and amperage requirements, size and weight, the energy-saving factor, GPM, etc. Before making the decision, you can also look into other products of the same type. Ecosmart has many different sizes like 6 gallon RV water heaters 6-gallon electric water heaters, apart from Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5-Gallon 120V Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater. This unit takes only 120 volts. If your configuration supports it and you need a dedicated water heater for an application like kitchen sinks.