Rinnai Tankless Water heaters

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Reviews

If you're looking to fix or replace your Heating or A/C system, we can connect you with a reliable and cost-effective professional in your area.

If you’re interested in cutting down your energy bill, a tankless water heater may be the perfect solution. The market provides you numerous, and various choices, and one of the most representative names within the category is Rinnai tankless water heaters.

What’s to say about Rinnai in a couple of words?

In all fairness, Rinnai is one of the most popular manufacturers of both commercial and residential tankless water heaters in North America. Rinnai is also providing service and quality products locally, offering a fast response and dependable supply chain for commercial and residential applications.

What details should you know about Rinnai tankless water heaters?

Rinnai tankless water heaters need 120 volts, 60Hz, and less than three amps, and their installation should be performed by contractors that are Rinnai trained and certified. Qualified plumbers and contraction may also install your Rinnai tankless water heater, according to the local regulations.

Prices range between $900-$ 1,995, depending on the model you’re choosing, but keep in mind to put some money aside for the installation and venting.

One last suggestion before you go shopping

You cannot install Rinnai tankless water heater in RV or trailers, but there are so many applications where they can work successfully. Just take a look at the best models at the moment!

Top 5 Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters

   1. Best Rinnai V series tankless water heater- outdoor installation

One of the most affordable Rinnai water heaters for outdoor install is the Rinnai V Series HE Tankless Hot Water Heater: Outdoor Installation.

It’s a high-efficiency tankless water heater that goes up to 6.5GPM hot water flow rate. It’s very well made and comes with Control-R 2.0 mobile app with timers and schedules. You may quickly put the system into vacation mode from a distance.

Due to its power and design, the unit may handle one up to two and a half bathroom home. The install is effortless, whereas the very compact profiles save space no matter where you install. The water maintains the pre-set temperature, and the water heater reduces your energy bill. The pre-set temperature is 120F degrees, but you can get it as high as 140F degrees (by the installer).

The temperature ranges from 98 to 140F degrees, and the heater has a .82 energy factor. It comes with built-in error code indicator, and it’s compatible with Full Line of Rinnai Digital Controllers.

Modern, attractive, and with a small footprint, the tankless water heater is an excellent value for the price.

Let’s have a second look at the positive aspects:

  • It’s small, compact, and has a modern appearance
  • It delivers up to 6.6 GPM hot water
  • It’s easy to install and allows remote adjustments
  • It heats up fast, and it’s very well made

The downsides are nothing to worry about:

  • One didn’t receive the remote
  • Some needed technical support at first, but the customer service was happy to help

A penny saved is a penny served, and this model sure doesn’t disappoint in terms of performance, build, and overall value.

   2. Rinnai RL Series HE- Outdoor installation

Powerful enough to provide endless hot water for the whole house, the Rinnai RL Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater: Outdoor Installation is a high-efficiency model. It’s designed for outdoor installation and uses propane.

The hot water flow rater gets as high as 9.4GPM, and the unit can serve in commercial applications as well. It’s made with Circ-Logic technology so that you may set re-circulation patterns according to your habits. You can use it for five plumbing and appliance outlets at the same time.

Installing the unit isn’t difficult, and the model allows easy adjustments for the temperature. It doesn’t have a pilot light and has incredible build.

The heat exchanger has a 120months residential factory warranty, and the parts only have for 60months. It’s a non-condensing water heater that produces hot water on demand, endlessly, faster than you’d think.

Here’s our take on the pros:

  • It provides up to 9.4 GPM hot water flow rate
  • It’s designed for outdoor install
  • It features Circ-Logic technology
  • It’s reliable for commercial use too

The cons aren’t significant at all:

  • It’s a bit sensitive to pressure
  • Some would like the temperature to get even higher

Regardless of the minor issues, the model is always money well spent for both residential and commercial applications.

   3. Rinnai Ultra Series Gas Tankless water heater- Twin Pipe

The Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater is impressive with the consistency and flawless operation and doesn’t make an exception in terms of build or features either.

The .96 energy factor may seal the deal for many, but there’s a lot more to appreciate on this model. The water heater comes with a compact profile that saves storage space. Its versatility is excellent too, with the unit allowing PVC and concentric venting. We should also note the Ultra-Low NOx emissions, whereas the rate input goes from 15,200 to 199,000BTU.

Since it’s a condensing model, the RUC 98iN Ultra Heater is 95% thermally efficient, running on both gas and propane. When used in residential applications, the temperature ranges from 98 to 140F degrees, whereas in commercial install the maximum temperature is 185F degrees.

You can use the unit with Full Line of Rinnai Digital Controllers, whereas the electronic ignition eases out the operation. The model comes with a re-circulation function for the system, accurate control for the temperature, with two pressure relief valve and isolation valve increasing the safety.

The unit runs quietly, and the customer service will help, in case of anything.

Let’s have another look at the positive aspects:

  • It’s a condensing heater that works flawlessly
  • It has .96 energy factor and runs on both natural gas and propane
  • It works for both residential and commercial applications
  • It’s quiet, versatile, and safe

We’re not backing down over some minor nitpicks:

  • Not everyone finds the installation straightforward
  • Using it may have a learning curve for some

Stay focused on the goods as there are so many. Keep in mind that the model ticks most boxes in terms of performance, consistency, and reliability.

   4. Rinnai RLX Series HE- Indoor installation

Not only that Rinnai RLX Series HE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater produces hot water endlessly, but it works for both commercial and residential applications.

The tankless water heater uses natural gas, and it’s a high-efficiency model. You can only install it inside, but it comes with a dependable valve kit.

The hot water flor rate can get as high as 9.4GPM, whereas Circ-Logic technology allows recirculating patterns that match your habits.

The unit is part of the Rinnai Luxury Series and meets the SCAQMD strict NOx emission standards. It comes with a limited 12-year warranty on the heat exchanger for residential purposes. The warranty for commercial use is 5-year for the heat exchanger.

The installation isn’t complicated, and the unit comes with a controller for effortless temperature adjustments.

Here’s our take on the pros:

  • It’s reliable for commercial and residential use
  • It’s made for indoor install
  • It has a hot water flow rate of 9.4GPM
  • It comes with a controller and valve kit

Far from being deal breakers, the downsides should be mentioned as well:

  • The water pressure may get down at times
  • You cannot use it with propane unless you make some changes

Be that as it may, the model is a versatile and reliable choice for residential and commercial use, and you shouldn’t doubt about its performance or overall value.

   5. Rinnai Condensing Indoor Natural Gas tankless water heater

Honestly, the price of Rinnai RUR98iN Ultra Series Condensing Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater may scare off some. However, nobody looking for a commercial-grade tankless water heater should skip it.

The tankless water heater is made with condensing technology, as it comes with dual heat exchangers for better performance. The tankless water heater has a .96 energy factor, which is impressive.

Not only that the unit is Wi-Fi capable, but it also includes a built-in circulation pump and internal by-pass pipe for internal “re-circulation. The latter function means that you’re going to have hot water for a long time, no matter the amount.

The unit is safe to use since it comes with isolation valves and thermal by-pass valve. Operating it should also come easy since the water heater comes with MCT 195T remote controller.

Installation should be effortless as the unit is Rack system compatible and safe to connect to 1/2″ gas line. The tankless water heater ensures both PVC and Concentric venting, which makes it more versatile.

It’s a small water heater that doesn’t need much space, occupying 70% less than a regular 50-gallon tank. The heater works fast and silently, with a reasonable flow rate at 50F degrees.

Here’s what we like the most about the unit:

  • It’s designed for commercial applications
  • It has a thermal by-pass valve and isolation valves
  • It comes with remote control, and it’s rack system compatible
  • It’s small, reliable, and performant

The shortcomings shouldn’t make you change your mind:

  • It’s not the cheapest tankless water heater
  • It’s not very quiet when circulating the water

Bear in mind that the unit is a power horse designed for commercial use, so make sure it’s not too much for your situation.

FAQs on Rinnai Tankless Water heaters

Q: When was Rinnai founded?

A: The company was founded by Hidejiro Naito and Kanehichi Hayashi back in 1920. The company was focused on manufacturing and selling pressurized oil cooking stoves in Japan, but they quickly began to develop gas appliances (cooking stoves included) too. It was 1964 when the company started to create water heaters also.

Q: Are there many Rinnai tankless water heaters installed around the world?

A: More than 2 million Rinnai tankless water heaters have been installed in North America until now, and more than 30 million have been installed around the Globe. Currently, Rinnai is the essential Japanese manufacturer of gas kitchen appliances.

Q: Does Rinnai make electric tankless water heaters?

A: Rinnai doesn’t make electric models. The power requirements of electric units do matter. The operating costs of electric tankless water heaters are the main reasons for which Rinnai doesn’t create and make tankless electric models.

Q: Are Rinnai external tankless water options to use in cold areas?

A: Many Rinnai models come with freeze protection, and can work in temperatures as low as –30F degrees. You need to have gas and power for the unit, whereas the pipes feeding the tankless water heater have to be insulated and heat traced. You also have to install an optional drain down the system when installing the Rinnai unit in cold regions.

Q: What’s the lifespan of Rinnai tankless water heaters?

A: You may expect 20-years durability for a Rinnai tankless water heater. The hardness of water, environmental conditions, usage rates, and maintenance are going to impact the life span of the water heater too.

We can definitely connect you with a trusted provider in your area to repair, replace or maintain your heating and A/C systems. Why not let us find a professional for you?

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