Bosch Electric Mini Tank Water Heater Review: 3 Hot Choices

(Last Updated On: December 12, 2023)

Frustrated by ice-cold water pouring from the tap when all you really want is enough hot water to wash your hands – or the dishes – right now? Then this point-of-use device, the Bosch electric mini tank water heater might be the perfect solution for you.

Although there are three different sizes available, all are compact enough to be able to fit and use just about anywhere.

Hot, Ready Water When You Need It, With A Bosch Electric Mini Tank Water Heater

What’s different about these water heaters is that they’re quite compact and designed to be used in close range to any faucet where you require immediate hot-water. Although significantly smaller in capacity to most hot water heaters on the market, these are simple plug-in units that connect to any household outlet and continuous cold water feed to provide near-instant hot water.

Due to their compact size, these mini water heaters can be installed just about anywhere – on a wall, shelf, or floor – even, inside a cabinet. The latter is our install location of preference because – well, let’s face it – no matter how slick or stylish the design, who really wants a water heater of any kind to be on display for visitors?

Choose From 3 Different Sizes

All you have to do is tap into the pre-existing cold water line and install the Bosch mini water heater directly, just before the line reaches the faucet.

Once connected, you’ll have hot water on demand – from a couple of gallons to as many as 7 gallons – depending on the model selected.

Incidentally, those three different versions of the 3000T mini water heater offered by Bosch are as follows:

  • 2.5 gallon (known as ES2.5)
  • 4 gallon (ES4)
  • 7 gallon (ES7) the biggest size

According to the manufacturer, a single one of these compact hot water heaters is capable of supplying two different taps. But that really depends on the frequency of use, as well as the overall daily demand for hot water at any particular location.

Overall sales of these mini units have taken off, thanks to the increased number of tankless water heaters installed in homes these days. Tankless water heaters are all the rage these days. No doubt it’s due to the floor space they save by no longer requiring a huge storage tank to house pre-heated water.

But the most common complaint about tankless water heaters in general is that there’s a significant delay in getting hot water from one side of house where the hot water heater is often located, to the opposite.

Where Is A Bosch Electric Mini Tank Water Heater Commonly Used?

These mini tank water heaters by Bosch are ideal for use in kitchenettes, covered patio sinks, basement bathrooms and kitchens, garages, pool houses, apartments, RVs, and boats.

If you’re planning to use this in an RV or trailer setting, understand that most RVs and trailers are built with hot water systems that are powered by propane. But this miniature water heater is 100% electric.

So you’ll want to make sure you switch to electric – and have the capacity to handle it – if you’re currently heating water by using a propane tank. It runs on a 120 Volt circuit with up to 1440 Watts of power.

Many people also install them in their homes to have more immediate hot water in specific places, typically those that are quite distant from the main hot water source.

The Bosch MINI water heater features a glass lined tank and is loaded with insulation to maximize energy efficiency and keep that water hot.

Use the Bosch Electric Mini Tank Water Heater Several Ways

You can use it to provide adequate hot water for a single sink. You can also use it to supplement an existing water heater located some distance from where you need hot water flow. This gives you hot water without the wait.

And the third way is to install it in-line alongside a tankless water heater that typically experiences periodic “cold water sandwiching”. In this case, instead of waiting a minute or two for hot water to run through your tap, you get hot water almost instantly – thanks to the mini water heater.

A larger capacity mini tank will naturally supply more hot water before the main supply of hot water kicks in and pours from the faucet or shower head.

On larger houses, where hot water may need to travel even further, there could be a slight lag where the water is warm. But chances are, you won’t have to deal with anything too cool in between – thanks to the Bosch mini tank hot water heater.

Mini in Size – Mighty in Delivery

With the fast recovery rate of the Bosch electric mini tank water heater Tronic 3000 series means you won’t have to wait for hot water the next time you turn the tap on.

It’s easy to adjust too with an external dial, so you can set the temperature to the range you want. There’s also a pressure and temperature relief valve for added safety.

As far as actual sizes go, the 2.5 gallon (ES2.5) measures 13.74 inches wide by 13.75 inches high by 10.75 inches deep. It weighs in at 15.5 pounds.

The mid-range, 4-gallon version (ES4) comes in at 13.75 inches wide by 13.75 inches high by 13.5 inches deep. It weighs 17.4 pounds.

Bosch ES4 Point-of-Use Mini-Tank Water Heater

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As for the 7 gallon model (ES7), it’s a little larger at 17.5 inches wide by 17.5 inches high by 14.5 inches deep. This 7 gallon Bosch mini tank hot water heater tips the scale at 29.5 pounds, notably heavier than the other two.

Since they’re relatively lightweight, it’s easy to take these devices out of the box and install wherever you want.

As you should with any electrical appliance, always inspect the product when you take it out of the box. Should you see any damage to the cord or if the unit looks like it is been dropped or damaged in any other way – do not install. Instead, call the contact customer service department you purchased from to report it.

Two Big Benefits Of The Bosch Electric Mini Tank Water Heater

Essentially there are two big advantages the Bosch electric mini tank water heater system provides.

Number one, you don’t have to sit and wait for hot water at your point-of-use. Number two, you won’t be wasting two or three gallons of water every time you turn the tap on, waiting for it to get to that ideal hot water temperature.

What about the Warranty?

Bosch provides a six year limited warranty on the device itself and two years warranty on parts. Note that these water heaters must be in the upright position, in order to be installed properly. As a quick reference, the water in and out feeds are located on top of the unit. Also, the warranty states that your purchase must be professionally installed. Here is an easy way to contact a local plumber to install the water heater.

What’s It Best For?

These work best where you need hot water periodically – on demand – without waiting and wasting gallons of cold water. Kitchens and bathroom sinks are the most common installations. This type of compact water heater is not capable of providing constant running water for showers. But it can (at least the 7 gallon model) provide enough water for a quick shower after a day at the beach, or working in the garden.

These units are also an excellent option for dishwashers. Most dishwashers have a heating element that boosts the water temperature as required. But with the Bosch mini, you’ll have plenty of hot water for a load or two of dishes.

Recovery time for the 7 gallon tank is about 45 minutes. So that’s something to keep in mind if you’re going to require more water and you haven’t tapped into a main water cold water supply line.

Generally speaking, a mini water tank will not provide enough hot water for a washing machine – not even on the hottest setting. On average, top loading washing machines tend to use anywhere from 20 to 40 gallons of water per load.

These units are not weatherproof, so you need to install them indoors where they are protected from the elements. They don’t require an additional pump and are typically used where there is a ready supply of cold water only. It’s an effective way to get hot water quickly – while you wait for water from your main hot water tank to flow through the tap.

You won’t have to wait for hot water anymore. If you’re used to waiting a minute or two to get hot water from one side of the house to the other this Bosch mini tank hot water heater conveniently changes all that so you get hot water as you need it. It’s surprisingly efficient and loses very little heat thanks to the thick insulation surrounding the tank.

Use It For One Tap… Or Maybe Two

In most cases, it’s best to have one Bosch electric mini tank water heater for each tap. But you can connect one device to two different outlets. 

If you’re using it for a couple of different applications – such as your kitchen faucet, as well as a dishwasher – you’ll need to make sure that you have the right hoses and adapters, so that everything fits snugly and there are no leaks.

What Size Is Best?

You want to choose the model that best meets your needs. Four gallons at the kitchen sink may be ideal for some, but not for others.

A 4 gallon tank will provide maybe two to three minutes of continuous running hot water – with the water running on full. Some people will find that they can easily wash a sink full of dishes and not have the unit power back on. This means they’re getting the hot water they need and have chosen the correct size of tank.

If you require more water, you should opt for the 7 gallon model.

What Buyers Like Most

  • Easy to install (though you may want to hire a professional plumber for the job)
  • Nice-looking unit (if you care about that sort of thing)
  • Almost-instant hot water (default setting will give you 125°F hot water)
  • Once the water reaches the set temperature it does not lose much heat overnight when not in use
  • Minimal cost to run approximately $15-$30 a month (depending on your electricity supplier)
  • You can set the temperature to exactly what you want for your comfort
  • Enjoy hot water upstairs and/or around the house directly to the tap without delay
  • It’s well insulated to maintain the temperature
  • Well-built and solid unit
  • It’s not very heavy and therefore easy to change locations, even when full of water
  • Helps eliminate cold water sandwiching common with tankless water heaters
  • It’s a compact unit so you can fit it anywhere
  • You can set your main water tank to a lower temperature and still have very hot water at the kitchen sink (and save money in the process)
  • Solid brass connections and threads make it a more durable product
  • Economical solution to the long time problem of delayed hot water

What Some Buyers Don’t Like

  • There’s no easy way for a plumber to winterize the Bosch MINI tank hot water heater
  • Sometimes there’s a lag before you get hot water from the main supply (though increasing the temperature setting slightly on the mini tank means you’ll get hotter water at the tap, which helps maintain a similar water temperature of the remaining water in the tank)

What’s The Verdict On The Bosch Electric Mini Tank Water Heater?

The Bosch mini water heater is an affordable and effective way to enjoy hot water at any faucet in your home. Essentially, what you get is hot water in a second, rather than waiting a minute or more.

Operating costs are minimal. In fact, you’ll barely notice an increase on your electric bill.

And if you’re concerned about the environment and wasting water, the Bosch MINI electric tank water heater is an excellent solution. Instead of wasting a gallon or two of water – every time you turn on the tap – you’ll get the hot water you need straight away.

Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 7-Gallon (ES8)

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Last update on 2024-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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