Takagi Water Heaters: Review and Buying Tips

Tankless water heaters are a game-changer in providing hot water while saving space and energy. Takagi, as the first tankless unit in North America, offers a great selection of heaters with advanced condensing design and cutting-edge technology.

Discover how Takagi tankless water heaters can save you money and provide reliable hot water for your home, including the top-selling T-H3 model. Explore the best features and models for your home use with Takagi tankless water heaters.

Takagi Water Heater
photo: amazon.com

Takagi Water Heaters: Buying Tips

Takagi, a water heater manufacturer, offers a range of gas-fired tankless models for residential and commercial use. They cater to small offices, apartments, condos, and large homes with multiple baths. There are two main groups: non-condensing models with lower efficiency (energy factor around 0.82) and cost, and condensing models with superior energy efficiency (energy factor over 0.90) but higher prices.

All Takagi tankless models provide hot water at a precise temperature and steady flow as long as there is demand. The tankless and condensing technology ensures the most energy-efficient water heating, saving money and conserving energy. Choosing a model with the highest energy factor, such as the T-H3-DV, is the best choice.

Another advantage of tankless heaters is their compact size and wall-mounted design, occupying much less space than conventional tank types.

Top Takagi Models Sold Online

Looking for the most popular Takagi water heaters?

Check out this list of the best-selling models available online, featuring state-of-the-art features, impressive specs, and positive reviews:

  • Takagi T-H3-DV-NG
  • Takagi T-H3M-DV-NG
  • Takagi T-H3J-DV-P

Takagi water heaters range in price from $600 for basic models to over $2000 for those with the most innovative technology. Installation costs may vary.

 Advantages and Benefits

Takagi water heaters are ideal for homeowners looking to buy an efficient, reliable, and versatile unit, from potable water and space heating to recirculation systems.

From the smallest model T-KJr to the largest T-M50, you will find models with high energy efficiency, are environment-friendly or “green,” use less energy, meet or exceed the Low NOx standards SCAQMD, and preserve natural resources by using 95% recyclable materials.

Like other tankless appliances, Takagi water heaters provide on-demand and an endless supply of hot water, and with the sophisticated features allow the steady hot water flow with less fluctuation. All units use different features to protect the unit, like flame sensor, air control, hi-limit switch, thermistors, overheat sensor, and multiple ceramic heaters to prevent freezing when the surrounding temperature drops too low.

Takagi uses a small computer for the proper unit operation, maximized efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This computer monitors and adjusts the air/fuel ratio and, therefore, the quality of the gas combustion. The LED error code is used for troubleshooting.

Takagi manufacturer is the only manufacturer that offers direct vent convertible units.

Best Advanced Models to Buy

One of the best Takagi water heaters is the T-H3-DV model.

The Takagi T-H3-DV model is an ultra-efficient and Energy Star unit that utilizes tankless and condensing technology, with strong and reliable elements such as high-quality heat exchangers made of durable stainless steel and commercial-grade copper alloy.

Its innovative design makes it ideal for home recirculation and high-volume applications, as well as commercial sites due to its NSF Certified Food Equipment certification and ability to achieve a high temperature of 185 F.

The Takagi T-H3-DV unit is a popular model among homeowners, as it comes with the highest power output of 199,000 BTU, an extra-high energy factor of 0.95, and a water flow of 10 GPM. These features make T-H3 ideal for large homes with 4-5 baths or even more demanding applications when using the Easy-Link and Multi-Link features.

Another great model is the TK-199X3P, the latest development in tankless water heating from Takagi, which is offered as both natural gas and propane. What makes it unique is that it combines tankless, condensing, recirculation, and scale prevention technology to deliver the highest performance, cost less to operate, and last three times longer than other brands.

This condensing model is a fully modulating gas-fired heater that can modulate the power from as low as 9,000 BTU to as high as 199,000 BTU and deliver up to 10 GPM of hot water. When using the recirculation system, it can deliver hot water faster and with the least energy losses.

It is equipped with two stainless steel heat exchangers and a temperature controller to make it convenient for users to change and control the temperature, as well as check the history of problems or status.

Top Affordable Models to Buy

Models T-K-110 and T-H3M are the smallest tankless water heaters from Takagi. These are designed for light residential applications such as small homes, apartments, or condos and can be used for 1-2 applications.

Takagi T-H3M models are designed for indoor and outdoor use and can operate as a single Energy Star unit that meets ultra-low NOx gas emission standards, making it great for environmentally conscious users. It can be used as a single unit or combined with conventional tank-type heaters, as well as recirculation, radiant floor, and hydronic heating systems.

The Takagi TK-110 series is another group of standard tankless water heaters, available only as indoor non-condensing units. They can also be used with storage tanks and other systems for combined domestic and heating applications.

Model Review

The smallest Takagi water heaters, recommended for 1-2-bath homes (or 1-2 showers), can provide a maximum power between 120,000 and 160,000 BTU and a flow rate of up to 8 GPM. These are:

  • TK-160X3P
  • TK-110C and TK-110U
  • T-H3J-DV and T-H3J-OS
  • T-H3M-DV and T-H3M-OS

For 2-3-bath homes (or 2-3 showers), Takagi water heaters can provide a maximum power between 180,000 and 190,000 BTU and deliver hot water with a flow rate of up to 8 GPM. The recommended models for this category are:

  • TK-180X3P
  • TK-310C and TK-310U
  • T-H3S-DV and T-H3S-OS

The largest Takagi water heaters, suitable for 4-bath homes (or 4 showers), can provide a maximum power of around 199,000 BTU and a flow rate of up to 10 GPM. The recommended models for this category include:

  • TK-199X3P
  • TK-510 C and TK-510U
  • TK-540P
  • T-H3-DV and T-H3-OS
Series/Features110C/110U310C/310U510C/510U540
UEF0.810.820.810.93-0.95
CondensingNoNoNoYes
Energy StarNoNoNoYes
Water flow
(gallons)
6.681010
RecirculationNoNoNoYes
Easy-LinkNoNoYesYes
Ultra-Low NoxYesYesYesYes
Warranty
(years)
15151515
Series/FeaturesT-H3JT-H3T-H3ST-H3M
UEF0.94-0.950.93-0.950.94-0.950.9-0.91
CondensingYesYesYesYes
Energy StarYesYesYesYes
Water flow
(gallons)
6.61086.6
RecirculationNoNoNoNo
Easy-LinkNoYesNoNo
Ultra-Low NoxYesYesYesYes
Warranty
(years)
15151515

About Takagi

Takagi Industrial Co. is a reputable Japanese manufacturer that has been designing and producing tankless water heaters since 1952.

Over the years, Takagi has constantly introduced new features and models, including the automatic gas control valve system, computer modulating gas valve, and safety system, as well as the “direct vent convertible” heater, a unique safety device that utilizes the air-fuel ratio rod, excellent 95% thermal efficiency rating (T-H1 model), T-M1 as the first multi-gas water heater system for industrial applications, and much more.

Today, Takagi has offices in Japan, the US, and Canada. To purchase one of their models, you can contact an exclusive dealer or buy online.

Every Takagi water heater used in residential applications comes with a 15-year warranty on the heat exchanger and a five-year warranty on all other parts. The warranty for commercial use is 10 years.

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