BOSCHElectric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 4-Gallon (ES4) - Eliminate Time for Hot Water - Shelf, Wall or Floor Mounted

This 4 gallon mini-tank heater is perfect for my kitchen. The total cost for the tank and the installation was about $325.00—higher in my case because the tank did not quite fit under the sink and I had to move it to a cabinet 6 feet away, on the other side of the dishwasher. This added the cost of two 6 foot hoses, two brass connectors, and a 12 guage extension cord. The normal cost would be under $300.I opted to abandon the hot water at the sink and run only cold water into the mini-tank. This way, running hot water in the sink never impacts my gas water heater. The downside is that I can run out of hot water at the sink, if I use too much at once, but the upside is that it saves a lot more energy and water. By turning up the temperature on the Bosch to ¾, I have eliminated the chance of running out for my own needs.My sink is located about 30 feet from my water heater, which is actually more like 40’ of piping. It was taking a good 30 seconds to get hot water every time, and I started collecting the 2 gallons of wasted cold water for my outdoor garden.Now the hot is basically instant. Because of the unusual 6’ distance, it takes one second to get hot water. If it were under the sink it would be quicker. Installation was quite easy. Even with this less desirable location, the hoses and extension cord passed easily behind the dishwasher. I did it myself, no plumber or electrician required.Why not get a demand water heater for the kitchen sink? Money. Any demand water heater you buy will require a new, dedicated electrical line with a dedicated breaker. This will easily cost you $1500 or more for the electrician to install it.A demand water heater retrofit really only makes sense if you are replacing your main water heater, and in my case, I would STILL want my mini-tank, because the distance problem would not be solved.It would make some sense to have a demand water heater installed at the sink for NEW HOME construction, but the retrofit is far too expensive to justify.Now that I have converted my sink hot water usage from gas to electric, I can start working on converting to solar. Get this mini-tank. It will save you water and energy, even if you connect it to the hot water line. What you will need for a standard, under-the-sink installation:2 ½”npt to 3/8” compression hoses, 2’ long1 3/8” compression tee1 3/8” female to female connector (male on both ends)Aluminum water heater panYou will use the connector to connect the 2’long 3/8” hose to the hot water hose for the sink tap.For my installation, I used the following:2 ½” npt to 3/8” compression hoses, 1’ long2 3/8” dishwasher supply hoses, 6’ long3 3/8” female to female connectors, two to connect the 1’ hoses to the 6’ hoses,1 3/8” compression tee1 12 gauge extension cord, 8’ longAluminum water heater panDepending on your kitchen and location, you may want to plumb a PVC pipe into the over-pressure valve and either to a floor drain or to the outside. My kitchen has waterproof tile floors, so I can take a chance on an overflow filling the drain pan and spilling out onto the kitchen floor. I can just mop it up.I connected the 6’ DW supply hoses to the 1’ hoses. It was the easiest way to get the long 3/8” compression hoses to connect to the ½” npt connections at the water heater. Oh also, you need a good flashlight or headlamp, and a couple of pairs of adjustable spanners (small crescent wrenches).Note: Technically, you will need an electrician to install the 7 gallon version, but it does not require a new or dedicated circuit, as it still only pulls 12 amps. If you are comfortable connecting the electrical line into your existing box, you will be OK. Add a little cost for connectors or possibly a larger electrical box. In some municipalities, you may need a permit and inspection because this may qualify as adding an electrical circuit. The 7 gallon would be nice, but it also takes longer for the tank to heat and takes up more room. All good products though.I updated this on 3/19/2022 to correct some typos.

Hot water on demand! We used to run water for about 1-2 minutes before it was even warm. Now, this is HOT after 1 second. We have it set to about maybe slightly over the middle temp setting and it’s intolerable to touch so this could get really hot. I like the brand. It’s quality craftsmanship as there seems to be economic and very well insulated.

We just installed this the other day to provide hot water for our laundry which recently relocated to our detached garage. The first time I ordered it, it never arrived. I tracked it halfway here and for some unknown reason returned to the sender. We ordered it again and it came quickly. Our plumber installed it easily. He and I trust the Bosch brand name. Obviously, we only need it when we do a wash which is perhaps once a week. For that reason we put a switch on the outlet and turn it on about 15 or 20 minutes before we run a laundry that needs hot water.

I've been using this in a small cargo trailer camper for the last 4 years and it has performed very well. However, a few things to note. The anode rod only last between 12-18 months and if you fail to replace it timely the tank will likely soon fail. This seems to be the case even with good, non-aggressive water quality. The unit does not have any captive air space and this requires an open system or expansion tank. I should have known this by looking at it, but learned the hard way when a water line blew apart. Also, I wish the WH had a drain to allow for easier anode change out or for winterizing. Finally replacement parts are expensive. Aftermarket anode rods work well and are inexpensive, but dont come with gaskets. A new electric element, anode rod and gasket is about 1/2 the price of a new heater. With that all said, I located my WH with ease of access in mind and am happy with the product overall.

BUYERS PLEASE BEWARE....NOTE there are several 1 star ratings please read all of them! I would give 'no stars' if that was available.THIS UNIT IS NOT VIABLE FOR LONG TERM USE AND UNSAFE REGARDING POTENTIAL WATER DAMAGE. SHAME SHAME SHAME ON AMAZON FOR RATING THIS AS ONE OF THEIR TOP CHOICES.Yours may last a long time....my first one failed in about 12 months and the replacement I paid for failed about 18 months later. I don't consider 12 months to maybe 2 years a quality product for something as simple as a hot water heater. Both units failed for the same issue, water leaked through the 6 year warrantied external tank. The tank gives NO warning of possible leaking/failure. This is not a safe unit in terms potential very high $$ water damage. Preventable if you install a separate overflow line draining into a separate drain or an automatic water shutoff with a leak detector installed.....all expensive and not mentioned or required by the manufacture . The unit should at least come with a drain pan under the unit and a built in drain line so you don't have to remove the entire unit from under a sink etc. I failed to catch those issues when I purchased my units.Next, consider the Warranty....or lack of warranty ....here's the catch...the fine print (literally fine print) for the BOSCH warranty DEMANDS that the user inspect and/or replace the sacrificial anode (if you don't know what that is DO NOT waste your time on this unit) every 12 months. If corroded, the anode must be ordered separately and then replaced.....NOT a simple task even for DIY folks. Replacement requires completely disconnecting all the water and electrical supply and then physically removing the unit, draining the unit (holding the 30+ lb unit upside down)in a shower, sink, bathtub etc because there is no drain line or plug built into the unit.....yet maintenance inspection is required every 12 months!! You CANNOT drain it in place from under a sink etc. Once drained next is opening the entire access ports to expose all of the electrical connections and finding the anode (You Tube time) then replacing the anode if corroded ....most likely it will be corroded. The 6 year warranty on the tank is VOID if the anode was not replaced, BOSCH requires pictures showing maintenance was done. The tank eventually leaks because the small anode is 'used up' and the tank begins to act as an external anode and starts to leak. This problem will be unknown until you have water all over your floor, water dripping through the ceiling below your floor etc.NO WARRANTY EXCEPTIONS from BOSCH who customer service was both extremely curt and uncaring.AGAIN I SAY TO POTENTIAL BUYERS....LOOK ELSEWHERE AND SAFE YOURSELF POTENTIAL LONG TERM TROUBLE.I also remain very disappointed in AMAZON for giving this such a high recommendation.