EcoSmart ECO 8 8kW Electric Tankless Water Heater

The EcoSmart ECO 8 is an 8 kW whole-house electric tankless sized for small single-bathroom homes or as a hot-water booster for specific high-demand fixtures. It sits between the POU units (which handle one fixture each) and the larger whole-house ECO 11. At 8 kW (single 40-amp double-pole breaker, 33 amps continuous), it produces about 1.5 GPM at a 40°F rise — adequate for handwash and basic shower flow in southern climates, marginal for cold-water source areas.

The honest fit is a narrower envelope than the marketing suggests. For a primary residence in any US climate, the ECO 8 will struggle if the household runs hot water continuously for more than 8–10 minutes (full shower at 1.5 GPM). For southern small homes with sequential single-bathroom use, it works. For RV applications and small cabins, it works. For a Northeast 1-bath home, step up to the ECO 11 or ECO 18.

The defining EcoSmart line features apply: stainless steel heat exchanger, patented self-modulating power control, lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger plus 5-year warranty on electronics. Wall-mount form factor about 8 × 13 inches. 1/2" NPT water connections, GFCI-protected 240V supply required.

Install: single 40-amp double-pole breaker takes two slots in the panel. About $230 unit, $700–$1,100 installed depending on whether the electrical run is new or replaces an existing tank's circuit. Reasonable DIY for any homeowner with breaker-panel experience; otherwise expect $300–$500 in electrician labor.