Paloma Water Heaters: Review and Buying Guide

A review and buying guide of Paloma water heaters with the tankless and condensing technology for residential and light commercial use. Explore the best Paloma models, check the specs, features, benefits, and some of the useful troubleshooting tips. Compare the models.

Paloma water heaters - Buying guide

Paloma water heaters are available as indoor and outdoor tankless models, utilizing condensing and non-condensing technology, powered by natural gas and propane (LP). In addition, a series of combi boilers are used for residential space and potable water heating.

In this article:

1. Features and advantages
2. Overview of tankless models
3. Best advanced models to buy
4. Benefits and safety
5. About

Paloma features and advantages

Carbon monoxide protection

Every Paloma water heater for an indoor installation is equipped with the following safety systems; ICAD safety system or Incomplete Combustion Avoidance Device and Overheat Limiter Film Wrap.

An ICAD is a sophisticated system, designed in 1977, with a purpose to monitor and optimize gas combustion and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide production by shutting the water heater down, followed by the error code display on the controller. This was the world's first device used to prevent imperfect gas combustion.

Overheat Limiter Wrap

An Overheat limiter Wrap or fire protection sensor was developed in 1997. Its main role is to provide protection - reduce fire risk by surrounding the combustion chamber with a plastic film and detecting overheating around the heat exchanger.

Flame Failure Protection

A Flame Failure Protection is the safety system where the thermocouple is used to check the proper firing, and it reacts in the case of the flame-outs.

Anti-boil Protector

An Anti-boil Protector is another safety element using a thermistor-type temperature sensor that acts when the high temperature of hot water is reached, preventing further problems by shutting off the water heater.

DUOnex system

A DUOnex system allows two tankless water heaters, to connect, resulting in more power and hot water supply, making it great for high-demanding homes.

Venting

For venting, non-condensing water heaters with the direct vent use category III stainless steel pipes in the concentric or two-pipe system. At the same time, for the outdoor installation, there is no requirement regarding the venting pipes. The condensing models use plastic pipes, usually with a diameter of 2" or 3".

Controllers

Controller

Paloma gas water heaters from the Digital series use a digital controller to protect the users, especially kids and older, from the scalding hot water. This is done by turning the Bath Controller mode to ON with a maximum temperature setting of 112 F or 44 C. The moment you turn it ON, it takes priority over the Main Controller.

The Main Controller is known as the Kitchen Controller as it is used for the kitchen and laundry, and it allows higher water temperatures. This is why it should be installed in the kitchen, for dishwashing, for example.

One remote controller is provided with the Paloma water heater, with an option to use a maximum of up to three different Paloma controllers.

To get the maximum temperature of 185 F or 85 C, you have to purchase a commercial conversion kit.

Like other big and well-known manufacturers, Paloma is building high-quality, green and high-efficient units, and with the most innovative technology available.

The presence of these advanced features brings the following benefits to the household:

• Water heaters provide an instant, on-demand, and endless hot water supply, with 33% higher efficiency when comparing to tank-type heaters.
• Energy Star is recognized for its high-efficiency performance.
• All models are capable of meeting strict emission rules and safety.
• Provide a longer life.
• Less waste on the landfills.
• Less space for installation.
• Option to use different venting systems.
• Indoor and outdoor installation.

Paloma tankless models review

Paloma tankless

Paloma water heaters are grouped into two categories: Legacy and Digital.

Choose a tankless water heater from the Legacy group if:

• Your plumbing and heater get low water pressure, less than 40 psi.
• There is no electric power, or it is not reliable.
• Atmospheric venting is the only viable option.

Choose a model from the Digital series if:

• You need an outdoor model.
• Looking for a variety of capacities and models.
• Your water heating system is extra large.
• Looking for accurate digital temperature settings.
• Want to have top-of-the-line anti-scald protection.

Model selection

• Paloma 5.3 series / PH-20
• 6.4 series / PH2-20
• 6.6 series / PH-25
• 7.4 series / PH-28
• 8.4 series / PH2-25
• 9.5 series / PH2-28
• High Efficiency / PHH-32
• Legacy

Best advanced models to buy

If you are looking for the best models to buy from Paloma, check out the largest non-condensing models from the 9.5 series - PH2-28 and PHH-32 from condensing group of tankless water heaters.

Paloma PH2-28

Paloma 9.5 water heaters (PH2-28) come with a small but energy-saving design, providing the maximum power of 199,900 BTU and water flow of 9.5 GPM, making them ideal for larger homes, delivering hot water to up to 4 applications simultaneously.

Some of the greatest features to mention are the DUOnex System, self-diagnostic program, remote controller, ICAD safety system, flexible venting options, and others.

Paloma PHH-32

PHH-32RDVN (P-propane) and PHH-32ROFN (P) models are the only condensing tankless water heaters from Paloma, also designed with a high water flow of 9.5 GPM, which is sufficient for the whole-house water heating and up to four fixtures.

As the above PH2-28 models, these units can produce hot water with a high temperature of up to 185 F for use in commercial applications. In addition, the powerful and low NOX gas burner, with the maximum gas input of 199,900 BTU, ensures high energy efficiency, which is even higher than found on the above non-condensing unit; it is 0.94 vs. 0.82, making it ultra-efficient and Energy Star compliant.

Another great feature that allows the above models to be among the top units is the ability to connect up to 20 units into one system, therefore providing more power and hot water.

The condensing design and lower flue gases allow cheap PVC pipes, but only on direct vent models PHH-32RDVN (P), while the outdoor models are ventless. Unfortunately, these are also the heaviest units - 20 pounds heavier than 9.5 models.

Benefits and safety

Paloma water heaters have a nice and sleek look, that is, thanks to the small and space-saving design, constructed for wall installation; and mounted in the kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and basements.

These wall-mounted gas units are built from high-class materials, including stainless steel burners on Legacy, corrosion-resistant copper heat exchanger, and combustion chamber. In addition, most of the parts are very easy to replace, making the unit easy to maintain and keep the performance high.

These tankless or on-demand units use intelligent technology with the self-diagnostic system and error display, which helps in troubleshooting.

Paloma water heaters are considered Eco-friendly, as they use innovative technology to reduce NOx and greenhouse gases significantly.

All digital models are equipped with the DUOnex Systems that allow heaters to provide even more power, enhance the performance and provide more hot water for your shower. You can run two Paloma water heaters by connecting them with the cable and switching to DUO mode.

Paloma tankless water heaters are equipped with freeze protection, ideal for users living in severe (cold) weather conditions.

Paloma 5.3 models are protected to the temperature of -20 F (-29 C); while 6.6 and 7.4 series have electrical heating elements that will protect the unit to minus 30 F (-34 C), as long as the electric power is provided. In addition, the Legacy line PH-24 can use an accessory kit and add -4 F (-20 C) to the freezing protection.

Warranty

Paloma provides a 12-year residential limited warranty on the heat exchanger and 5 years on most parts for Digital tankless, and 5/3 years for Legacy. For more info about the models, manuals, and technical support, visit Paloma official website.

About Paloma

The Paloma manufacturer is one of the gas water heating industry leaders and a pioneer in Japanese gas residential appliances production.

The company has been designing, developing, and producing gas appliances since 1911 for both residential and commercial use, bringing the highest level of global and local safety standards.

Paloma opened the branch in the US in 1973 and in 1988 acquired Rheem as the largest manufacturer of water heaters in the US and Canada.

Paloma group headquarters is in Nagoya, Japan, with production and sales offices in the US, Canada, Australia, China and several others.