Last updated on April 26th, 2024 at 01:11 pm
Longing for a hot water shower at your camp site? Or even to wash off at the beach without joining the long queues for the public showers?
Now there is a product that is suitable for you - the Eccotemp L5 tankless water heater, with its portability allows you the luxury of the access to hot water almost anywhere!
With a battery-operated ignition, the burners will come on automatically the minute you turn on the water, producing hot water in a matter of seconds.
In my below review, I will provide information and a summary of pros and cons of owning this Eccotemp tankless water heater.
Weighing at just 13.8lbs (6.25kg), the L5 tankless water heater can be transported easily to campsites, lonely cabins, and to almost any off-the-grid locations. Its compact design keeps it out of the way, allowing a temporary set-up that can be fitted conveniently at almost any outdoor locations.
The Eccotemp L5 portable tankless water heater can be deployed anywhere be it a campsite, at the beach or even at outdoor sinks to do your dishes! It has also been deployed even on boats and trailers highlighting its versatility. Its battery operated ignition giving you control over the flame.
When deciding a place for installing the Eccotemp L5, take note that it requires a 2" clearance from a wall, 1" side to side from anything flammable, 3" from a window as well from an overhang, and 18" from the ground.
For installation at elevated areas, the Eccotemp L5 has been tested for use at elevations up to 2000 feet. So installation above 2000 feet may affect overall product efficiency and performance, while installation above 5000 feet is not recommended.
When you buy the L5, the below items are provided,
Below is an installation video of Eccotemp L5 from Eccotemp. Take note of the ease in assembly and installation of the unit.
The L5 can be connected to a standard garden hose nozzle and propane tank (tank not included). With its automatic ignition, the burners will come on as soon as the water flows. So get hot water, simply turn on the tap and you will get a constant flow within seconds. Multiple spray settings are available for you to select a preferred water pressure.
The Eccotemp L5 runs on liquid propane; a standard 20 pounds (lbs) tank of liquid propane can last for approximately 18 hours of continuous usage. The battery-operated ignition, powered by 2 D-cell batteries (not included), makes this tankless water heater a handy backup water source when electricity is not available and ideal for use during emergency.
The water heater is programmed to shut off automatically after 20 minutes. This safety feature will prevent wastage of fuel during periods of non-usage making this Eccotemp portable tankless water heater a worthwhile model worth considering!
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height = 14.5 in. Width = 11.5 in. Depth = 4.5 in. Weight = 13.8 pounds |
| Installation Mode | Indoors and Outdoors (Temporary setup) |
| Production Capacity | Maximum of 1.5 GPM |
| Temperature Range | 80 to 150 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Power Source | Liquid propane and "2" D Batteries operated ignition |
| Ideal Operating Pressure | 20 to 80 PSI |
| Heating Power | 37500 BTU |
| Energy Efficiency | 85% |
Amazon
558 customers at Amazon
Home Depot
432 customers at Home Depot gave the Eccotemp L5 an average of 4.2/5.0. Out of 432 customers, 253 gave it a maximum rating of 5.0/5.0.
Overstock
118 customers at Overstock gave the Eccotemp L5 an average of 4.7/5.0. Out of 118 customers, 80 gave it a maximum rating 5.0/5.0.
Walmart
12 customers at Walmart gave the Eccotemp L5 an average of 3.8/5.0. Out of 12 customers, 6 gave it a maximum rating of 5.0/5.0.
Lowes
29 customers at Lowes gave the Eccotemp L5 an average of 4.2/5.0. Out of 29 customers, 17 gave it a maximum rating of 5.0/5.0.
I have read reviews for Eccotemp L5 from verified purchasers and summarised them below. For more information, there is also a helpful FAQ on the Eccotemp website that provides answers to commonly asked questions in terms of product installation and maintenance.
Installation and assembly
Clear instruction manual, ease of installation are some of the mentioned positives. The provided accessories, fittings etc. are readily available in most hardware stores if additional ones are required for modification to suit your installation.
Functionality
Complaints of defects on purchased products ranging from missing LED power indicator light; thin heating coils, defective shower heads were mentioned. The solenoid has been mentioned to be an inherent issue that might require tinkering by the customers with over the phone guidance by technical support based on available feedback from the customers. This is an issue for those customers who are not so handy with the tools and can be better solved by improving the make of the product.
A short heating time (in a matter of seconds) and low water flow is required to produce the hot water at the programmed temperature. This allows the conservation of water and propane. However, poor temperature regulation in production of hot water at a consistent temperature were mentioned by customers with one commenting that the fluctuations can take place within a space of 30 seconds.
Child protection function
The safety shut-off that will be activated when the unit runs longer than 20 minutes or when the unit is tilted more than 45 degrees in either direction reduces the chances of mis-handling by young children.
Not fully outdoor installation
Though rated for outdoor use, the Eccotemp L5 can not be left permanently outdoors and should be retrieved and taken indoors. Drain out the unit thoroughly before storage. This unit does not have any anti-freezing technology therefore it is important to drain out all the residual water in the unit before storage to prevent freezing damage. However, Eccotemp has other units like 45H/HI, EL22/EL22i, 20H/20HI that have in-built anti-freeze technology.
The unit is not suitable for deployment at windy sites. The battery-powered ignition pilot flame can be extinguished by wind giving you momentarily spurts of cold water until you switch on the flame again.
Another thing to consider, will be the inherent water conditions like temperature and mineral content, where the unit is to be installed. There was feedback that this unit has an issue with mineral scaling and rust. It is recommended that the unit be cleaned out thoroughly using cleaning agents like the EZ-Flush descaler kit every six months. This cleaning agent is also suitable for other water-based equipment.
In the event of transportation, customers have mentioned that it is safer to provide a protective cover like a heavy plastic bag when transporting it from point to point to avoid damages to the unit.
Customer Service
The reviews on the customer service/ technical support were mixed with both complaints and praises from customers. The technical support, when contactable, were able to provide good over-the-phone guidance to help customers to troubleshoot issues that arise while using the water heater. However, the complaints about the customer service were their unresponsiveness and unavailability by phone or email. Warranty not being honored was also a mentioned issue with one customer having to carry out repair work on the heater while the warranty was still valid.
The Eccotemp L5 portable tankless water heater is covered by a one-year limited warranty on parts while the unit remains at its original point of installation. This warranty takes effect on the date of installation, or 30 days after the date of purchase, whichever occurs first, for the heat exchanger (1 year), all other parts (1 year) and for the free accessories (shower head, hose, regulator, etc) (30 days).
Eccotemp will also provide 1 round of parts per incident (deemed by Eccotemp Support Team) under the warranty prior to requesting the shipment of any item to our warehouse for repair/inspection.
The coverage are void for the below criteria:
The Eccotemp after-sales customer service, is also on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 866-356-1992 toll-free. More information on the warranty is available here.
As I was doing my research, I found out that the best place to buy tankless water heater is online and a great site to choose from will be Amazon
So if you are interested, here is the link for you to check out this Eccotemp tankless water heater: Eccotemp L5 Best Deals.
(Download the Instruction Manual for Eccotemp L5 here)
