FAQs about Rinnai Water Heaters – the Tankless Type

Posted: May 07, 2013
Author: Minyard Plumbing, Inc.

Tankless water heaters are also known as instantaneous or on-demand water heaters because they only provide hot water when required. Since they don’t incur standby energy losses like storage tank heaters, they can save you money. Below are some FAQs about Rinnai water heaters – more specifically the tankless type.

• What Is the Life Expectancy of a Tankless Water Heater? The life expectancy of Rinnai water heaters (tankless) is 20 years. Performance varies according to usage rates, water quality, regular maintenance and environmental conditions.

• What Is the Minimum Water Flow Required? A Rinnai gas tankless water heater needs a demand of more than 0.4 – 0.6 gallons a minute of flow through the hot side for ignition, and 0.26 gallons a minute to keep working. When the flow rate is below these levels, the unit turns itself off because it thinks hot water is no longer needed. If you have problems, speak to a plumber who installs Rinnai water heaters.

• Can Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters Be Used On RVs Or Houseboats? No, they cannot. However, specific units are available for modular and mobile homes. These include the Value and Luxury series.

• Can An External Tankless Water Heater Be Used In Cold Climates? Technically yes. Rinnai water heaters (tankless) offer freeze protection for outdoor temperatures as cold as 22 degrees F for indoor models, or as cold as minus 4 degrees F for outdoor models.  That said, we often advise against an outside unit as there is still a risk of freezing if the pipes feeding the unit aren’t properly insulated or if the unit is open to wind exposure.  In the end, our qualified installers will assess the situation to recommend the solution that is right for you and your family.