 Hot, Hot, Hot! |
| Review Date: February 14, 2010 |
| Reviewer: hot water lover, Dallas |
While doing a major remodeling which involved relocating our water heater, we decided to go tankless. Since we were upgrading our shower and installing a garden whirlpool tub, we knew hot water demand would soar. Also, we knew both showers would be running at the same time and the old water heater just would not be able to keep up. Our plumber/HVAC contractor is a specialist in energy efficiency, having previously been an executive with a large national energy efficiency company prior to the bust. His recommendation: the Rinnai NG Tankless Water Heater.
It takes longer to get one installed properly, with the extra venting and the materials required. Don't be part of the learning curve for your installer. Make SURE your installer has experience with tankless installations and ASK FOR REFERENCES. It is a different technology and the installation techniques are different from a traditional water heater.
It is a space saving unit, and extremely quiet. And it can flat crank out the hot water! No lags, no lukewarm spaces, no waiting, just all the hot water you want when you want it! Our gas bill dropped about 15% in a much colder winter - no more water heater constantly running to keep hot water hot, no more shortened showers, and a very happy family. |
Excellent tankless water heater
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| Review Date: May 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jane S, Glen Burnie, MD United States |
I did a lot of research before buying this and having my licensed plumber install it to replace a very old 40 gallon gas water heater. I am very pleased with it, and its price here was better than anything we could find locally. So particularly with the tax credit available this year, I know that I will have paid for this (including installation) within 7 years based on our usage and current gas prices in our area. My plumber liked it too.
If you're thinking about a tankless water heater, however, you must realize that by definition it will take slightly longer to get hot water at your faucets. Right now hot water starts flowing from your big tank as soon as you open that faucet. With a tankless, the computer kicks in when you open the faucet, the gas flows to the burners, the electronic ignition creates flame, and the water is heated as it passes through the heater.
This heater seems to come on instantaneously when a faucet is opened (with a satisfying whoosh) and hot water reaches our faucets almost as fast as it used to. It may be fractionally slower to get there, but it's endless hot water, at a precise temperature, and those are the two things we didn't have before.
My other suggestion is to make sure you size your tankless properly for your use - this one is perfect for our 2.5 bathroom home. There is a larger one available if you need the extra capacity. |
4 years of hot water, so far.
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| Review Date: June 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Joe Crogan, Ohio |
I LOVE this product!
I know, I'm selling it on my web site and I may have a conflict of interest.
Having said that, I stand behind this water heater 110%
I would suggest you take the time and compare this unit with it's competitors. Look for qualified and trained Rinnai installers. Get feedback from others. It will be time well spent.
(1) Unlimited hot water
(2) Energy savings
(3) $300 to $1,500 tax credit
(4) Space savings
(5) 12 year warranty with a 20 year life expectancy |
Tankless is the way to go!
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| Review Date: December 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: C. Gramze, SE Michigan, USA |
| While I have not used this specific hot water heater, I used this type of water heater while living outside the US. Tankless hot water heaters are fabulous. They deliver a more precise temperature of water, they deliver it instantly, and they continue delivering it until you stop using it. No more running out of hot water when everybody takes a shower! |
Not So Instant Hot Water
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| Review Date: April 30, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Ace-Reviewer"Tom", Hillsborough, NJ |
This unit competently heats and maintains hot water very well as advertised. However, since the water is heated on demand, it can take much more time water to get hot than a conventional hot water unit. The result is you end up wasting a lot of water waiting for the water to get hot. The added cost of water adds to utility costs.
Also, if you are looking to save on your gas bill with this unit...you won't. I have used this unit for 8 months (same household conditions before and after) and have seen no significant decline in my gas usage. When you consider the cost of installing this unit against a good quality conventional tank water heater, your payback on a tankless unit is quite long...C.R. says 22 years is the average, but I think that is generous. Also consider that tankless units cost far more to install, as special intake and exhaust venting is required. Rinnai uses an innovative 2 in 1 vent system that works very well, but is very expensive and can add significantly to your overall cost, depending on your particular application.
BOTTOM LINE: I bought this unit since I needed to replace my old tank unit and I needed a hot water heater with a small foot print (due to space limitations)The federal energy credit benefit was a huge incentive...without it,I would likely not have purchased the unit. Unless you have space limitations and can benefit from the energy credit, look for a good brand conventional hot water heater - the newer units of today are very energy efficient and probably a better choice until the technology improves.
Review Postscript
I purchased this item through the fulfilling vendor listed on the Amazon web-site - I am not listed as a "verified purchaser", since I dealt directly with the plumbing supply house, as I needed several additional parts. They were a pleasure to work with and provided excellent customer service.
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