Eccotemp EM-7.0 7 GPM Outdoor LP Tankless Water Heater
Eccotemp EM-7.0 7 GPM Outdoor LP Tankless Water Heater Review
The Eccotemp EM-7.0 is a 7 GPM outdoor LP-fired tankless water heater, the largest unit in Eccotemp's outdoor portable line. 180,000 BTU propane burner produces 7.0 GPM at a 35°F rise or 4.2 GPM at a 75°F rise. Battery-fired ignition runs on two D-cells — no AC power required.
The EM-7.0 sits at the top of Eccotemp's outdoor range, designed for higher-demand applications where the smaller L5 or L10 models would be undersized. Use cases: large outdoor showers, pool houses with multi-fixture demand, cabin installs where exterior mounting is preferred over indoor units, food trucks and mobile commercial setups needing higher-flow hot water.
Limitations: outdoor mounting only (combustion gases vent directly out the front — indoor use is unsafe). The unit must be drained before below-freezing exposure (freeze damage is a real risk). Service life shorter than indoor premium tankless — 8-12 years typical with regular use, less if left exposed year-round in harsh climates.
Right buyer: cabin or hunting camp with multiple users running simultaneous outdoor showers, pool houses with high outdoor demand, mobile commercial applications. Wrong buyer: indoor installation (always wrong), residential primary use (Rinnai or Navien indoor tankless are dramatically better for primary residence service). About $600 unit.