Fogatti 7.5 GPM
Amazon customer rating as of
Tankless Geek editorial score: 3.9/5
The Fogatti 7.5 GPM is the InstaGas Comfort 170 — a budget indoor propane tankless rated at 170,000 BTU/h and up to 7.5 GPM, non-condensing, with servo-driven temperature control holding ±1 °F. On paper it's a lot of hot water for the money: enough BTU to run two to three fixtures in a warm climate, in a compact wall-mount cabinet with 3-inch power venting.
The honest caveat is reliability. Across roughly 390 owner reviews it averages about 3.5 stars — noticeably below the mainstream propane brands. Recurring themes for budget propane tankless like this include a minimum activation flow that can drop small trickles, cold-water "sandwich" between draws, temperature swings, and occasional error codes or shorter service life. When it works it's a genuine bargain; the question every buyer should weigh is whether the lower price is worth the softer reliability record. As a non-condensing unit it also needs stainless venting and gives up efficiency to condensing models.
Key Features
Best Use Cases
Our Verdict
A high-output propane tankless at a bargain price, with a reliability record to match the price — about 3.5 stars across hundreds of owners. Reasonable for a warm-climate home, a workshop, or a budget-first buyer who accepts some risk; if you want set-and-forget dependability, spend up to a mainstream brand. Verify your propane supply can feed 170,000 BTU/h.
Technical Specifications
| Input | 170,000 BTU/h (propane) |
|---|---|
| Max flow | Up to 7.5 GPM |
| Efficiency | ≈0.81 UEF, non-condensing |
| Connections | 3/4" NPT gas & water, 3" power vent |
| Temp control | Servo-controlled, ±1 °F |
| Certification | CSA certified |
Specifications verified against the linked source documents. See Sources below.
How much hot water you'll actually get
Usable flow drops as incoming water gets colder. Figures are calculated from rated output (170,000 BTU × 0.81 UEF) and labeled as such — not bench-tested by us.
| Temperature rise | Typical scenario | Usable flow |
|---|---|---|
| 35 °F | Warm climate (75 °F in → 110 °F) — capped at max | 7.5 GPM |
| 45 °F | Mild climate (65 °F in → 110 °F) | 6.1 GPM |
| 60 °F | Cool climate (50 °F in → 110 °F) | 4.6 GPM |
| 70 °F | Cold climate (40 °F in → 110 °F) | 3.9 GPM |
Usable flow at a 110 °F target: BTU × UEF ÷ (ΔF × 500), capped at the 7.5 GPM maximum. Warm-inlet output is venting-limited; cold-inlet flow drops as shown.
Pros
Cons
Buy it if…
- Budget-first buyers who accept a mixed reliability record
- Warm/mild-climate homes wanting 2–3 fixtures of propane hot water
- Cabins, workshops, or secondary properties off natural gas
- Installs that can supply full 170,000 BTU/h propane demand
Skip it if…
- Buyers who prioritize proven long-term reliability
- Cold-climate homes needing steady multi-fixture flow
- Anyone wanting condensing efficiency and PVC venting
Installation Requirements
Professional vs DIY
Propane and power-venting make a licensed installer the safe choice for this whole-home unit.
Gas and electrical work should be done by a licensed professional, and most installs require a permit and must meet local building codes — DIY work can void the manufacturer warranty. Always confirm the unit's own manual for exact clearances, venting, and sizing.
What owners report
Themes summarized from retailer customer feedback (3.5/5 Amazon customer rating, 390 ratings, as of 2026-08-23). These are owner opinions, not our own bench testing.
Satisfied owners emphasize a lot of hot-water output for a low price, calling it a strong value for cabins and warm-climate homes.
The ~3.5-star average across ~390 reviews reflects a meaningful share of owners reporting faults, temperature swings, or shorter-than-hoped life.
As with most budget propane tankless, low trickle flows may not trigger the burner, and brief cold slugs can appear between draws.
Owners report uneven customer service — keep documentation and register for the warranty.
Fogatti 7.5 GPM FAQ
Why is the rating only about 3.5 stars?+
Budget propane tankless units like this trade some reliability for price. Across ~390 reviews owners split between happy value-buyers and those reporting faults, temperature swings, or early failures — go in with realistic expectations.
How much hot water does it really provide?+
Up to 7.5 GPM with warm inlet water — enough for 2–3 fixtures — but flow drops to about 4–5 GPM in cold weather. It's non-condensing, so efficiency is lower than a condensing unit.
What venting does it need?+
3-inch stainless power venting (it's non-condensing — PVC is not allowed), plus 3/4-inch gas and water connections and a propane supply sized for 170,000 BTU/h.
How is this different from the InstaGas 170 LP listing?+
They're closely related 170,000-BTU propane units; this Comfort listing is the value model with the larger review base, while the InstaGas Classic (FDG-CF170W-LP) is the CSA-certified 120 V AC indoor version.
Product sources
Specifications verified 2026-08-23. Manufacturer documents are treated as the primary source for model specifications. Retailer pages are used only for customer ratings and owner-feedback themes.
- Fogatti InstaGas Comfort 170 — Amazon listing (accessed 2026-08-23)
- Fogatti InstaGas 170 (propane) — Amazon reviews (accessed 2026-08-23)
Price range from leading retailers
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