Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Heater

Review of Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Heater

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The days when you’d make a fire for warming up a bit, or you’d go to the river for a refreshing bath are gone for centuries. We all like the comfort of hot water in our home, and we’re willing to pay the price (and quite the amount) for having hot water at all times. But is it worth still have a water heating system with tanks in your home?

What’s the big fuss about the tankless water heaters?

The very first thing to notice about the tankless water heaters is that they don’t have tanks and give hot water on demand. They use less energy for heating the water and don’t need any for keeping it warm, as they don’t have a tank. Less fuel means lower spendings too, which is why tankless water heaters are highly energy efficient.

Since they don’t have a tank, the water isn’t collected anywhere, so it doesn’t have time to damage the pipes or the system. The calcium and magnesium in water don’t have time to destroy the system, rending the tankless water heaters to be a lot more durable. However, if you’re dealing with hard water in your area, it’s better that you also use a water softener.

No tank also means less maintenance, and most tankless water heaters only need flushing once a year or so, depending on the hardness of the water in your area.

Last, but not least, tankless water heaters take a lot less space than the traditional water heating systems with tanks. Some may even need a third of the area a conventional tank would require. Not only that, you win more space for storing something else. Besides, you don’t stress much about where can you install the tankless water heater.

Some models may empty your wallets, but it’s all for a good cause. Even if you pay the extra buck upfront, the system is going to worth it since it lowers the electricity bill from the first month.

What’s the best way to describe Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater in a nutshell?

Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Heater stands out with the almost entire operations and constant temperature, no matter the flow rate of the water. It impresses with .96 energy factor, but it’s loaded with several useful features.

We’re talking about a gas-powered indoor tankless water heater that is reliable for both commercial and residential use. It weighs a bit over 60pounds (61.7), and it’s quite small, which eases out the installation.

Are the technical specs particular?

Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater is designed for indoor installation, both commercial and domestic use. Its compact shape and lightweight solves the storage and installation problem. It features a control panel with a digital display so that you can control both water and gas a lot easier. The power button eases out the operation, whereas the lock function of the temperature ensures safe operation around children.

The unit is versatile, and you may use it with PVC venting or twin-pipe solutions. However, be aware that both the gas and the water inlets/outlets are more significant than most heaters within its category. When on standby mode, the water heater only needs 2 watts of power. While running, the unit consumes 64watts, but it may need as much as 146 watts during the winter. The water heater does come with an electric ignition system and not a pilot light, which again means less energy consumed.

The Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater comes with a wide minimum to maximum gas burnt rate varying from 15,200 to 199,000 BTUs. The hot water flow rate goes from 0.26 to 9.8gpm, whereas the unit only needs a flow rate of 0.4gpm for activating the system. Thanks to the features, Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater can sustain several faucets simultaneously in large households.

In the case of the residential model, the temperature ranges from 95 to 140F degrees, whereas the commercial unit has a maximum temperature of 185F degrees. You may use the group with both gas and propane, as long as you make the necessary adjustments.

Compact and robust, the Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater is one of the most energy-efficient in its category. It uses almost the entire energy for heating the water, whereas the waste is only 5%. And when you need less energy for running the heater, your energy bill is going to decrease as well.

The sleek profile is subtle and allows flexibility for installation. It doesn’t matter how much space you have; you’ll always find a proper place for installing the unit.

With 9.8gpm, the Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater is a model with a high level of output. It may sustain five showers or water outlets at the same time, without worrying about the flow rate or discontinuity for the temperature. Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater is a solid choice for large households or applications with high water demands.

One may think that an active unit like this one is loud, but you couldn’t be further than the truth. On the contrary, the water heater runs quietly, which only seals the deal for many.

What is it that we like the most about the unit?

Needless to say, there are many features that we like about the Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Heater. Here are the most important ones:

  • It’s a reliable and robust unit
  • You can use it for commercial and domestic applications
  • Operating it is easy thanks to the digital display and power button
  • It features electric ignition
  • It’s highly energy efficient
  • You can use it with natural gas and propane
  • It ensures constant and consistent operation
  • It’s small, compact, and easy to fit in
  • It runs quietly

Should you worry about the flaws?

We like many things about Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra heater, and none of its inherent flaws make it as deal breakers for us. Let’s list the downsides, nevertheless:

  • The temperature may drop all of a sudden at times, but it gets back to normal shortly after
  • Since it has a high GPM and heating temperature, it may need a couple of seconds to heat the water (mainly when not used for a while)
  • It may require maintenance and installation from Rinnai certified professionals.

What’s the final word on the unit?

Secure, reliable, and able to sustain a large household, the unit is a wise investment to make for your home. It may not be perfect, but it still ticks most boxes in terms of performance, reliability, strength, and durability.

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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