Tankless water heaters are God-sent, especially for people who are often bothered by the cold! Taking a shower with cold water pouring over your body is a struggle that you surely would not want. It is not going to make bath time relaxing. In fact, it can even give you a legit reason to just skip the shower.
With a water heater, on the other hand, your life will change. Showers will be more enjoyable and relaxing. However, this is only the case if you use the right product. Others can be frustrating and can be nothing but a waste of money!
If you are unsure of which one to buy, allow us to extend a helping hand. Read this Rinnai tankless water heater review and we’ll help you understand why this is a brand that is hard to match. We will also quickly review Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater and see if it is worth your money!
Notable Features of Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters
With a wide array of brands for tankless water heaters, why is Rinnai one of the best? To make it easier for you to understand, here are some of the outstanding features that you can find in most of their products.
ThermaCirc360: This is one of the exclusive technologies that the company developed to differentiate their products from the rest of the competition. It is a recirculation technology that allows the unit to generate hot water when it is demanded by the user. This is especially beneficial if you live in a place with a cold climate.
Their water heaters are equipped with a pump, which has the primary function of pushing warm water into the plumbing lines. This is done based on demand or at a scheduled interval, depending on what the user deems to be more convenient. It can be activated either with the motion sensors or a button that you have to push manually.
Digital Controller: In the case of most of the cheap models of water heaters, they are equipped with a dial control. You have to turn the dial to turn the unit on and off. You also have to turn it when selecting the desired temperature of water.
Meanwhile, with Rinnai water heaters, they have digital control. There is a small display that will show relevant information that you have to know, such as the temperature of the water that is produced by the heater. It also displays diagnostic codes that will help you determine the cause of a problem.
Indoor and Outdoor Installation: Before you purchase a water heater from Rinnai, it is important that you first know whether it is to be used indoors or outdoors. Those that are meant for outdoor installation are constructed in a different way, which allows the unit to be protected from external elements that can easily cause damage to the unit.
Fortunately, Rinnai makes models that are great for both indoors and outdoors. For their tankless water heaters, if there is an “e” in the model number, this is an indication that it is suitable for outdoor installation. On the other hand, if there is “i” in the model name, this goes to show that it is for indoor installation.
Propane and Natural Gas: With the Rinnai tankless water heaters, you will generally have two choices in terms of their source of power – propane and natural gas. Natural gas has a price that is at least 1/3 of the cost of propane, which is why most people tend to favor the former. However, it is important that you take a look at other factors as you determine which one is more suitable for your needs.
Multiple Heat Exchange Technology: This is an innovative feature that is common in the condensing water heaters from the company. They improve the transfer of energy from combustion all the way to the water that is being heated by the unit. Compared to non-condensing technologies, this is better in terms of energy efficiency, making it consume lesser gas.
Control-R Wi-Fi: If there is one trend that will continue to be popular in the coming years, it would be having a digitally-connected home. You do not need to be physically there to manage the household, such as your cooling systems, and of course, your heaters. With this, Rinnai has developed its Control-R Wi-Fi Technology.
With this technology, you need to attach a two-wire interface to a compatible model of the water heater from Rinnai. You will then have to download the free app. With this, you can now use your smartphone or tablet to control the different functions of the heater even when you are at a distance.
One of the things that you can do is to turn it on or off. You can also activate the recirculation pump or adjust the temperature. Plus, you can see diagnostic messages so that you can easily determine the root cause of the problem and determine the best approaches to having it solved as soon as possible.
Energy Efficient Performance: While each product may be different in terms of their energy consumption, they all do not use much energy, which translates to savings in the long-run. The initial costs can be high, especially if you choose high-end products. However, if you look at how efficient they are, it will be easy to realize that you will be able to save a lot.
Rinnai has High-Efficiency, High-Efficiency Plus, and Super High-Efficiency Series. All of the products under these groups have technologies that allow them to deliver energy-efficiency in the absence of compromising power.
Low NOx Water Heaters: If you are concerned about how your actions create an impact on the environment, Rinnai water heaters have got you covered. They have Low NOx and Ultra Low Nox models. This allows the heater to produce hot water without harming the environment.
In case you do not know, Low NOx refers to low nitrogen oxide, which is exactly why they are eco-friendly. Even if they use gas as the source of power, there is no need to worry about their emissions. They are also more efficient, making them offer financial benefits in the long run.
Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Review
While it is true that you will be spoilt for choice for a tankless water heater, the Rinnai RUC98iN is one of the products that should be on your list. This section will give you more insights on what you can expect from this product.
As a natural gas heater, it typically has more power compared to their electric counterparts. Based on the technical specs from the manufacturer, this model has a maximum BTU of 199,000. This means that you do not have to wait for a long time before the water reaches the desired temperature.
Still, with regards to its technical details, it has a flow rate that ranges from .26 to 9.8 GPM. With this flow rate, it will be able to power several faucets and showerheads without affecting the output. There is also no need to worry about the energy consumption of this model. It has Energy Star certification. More so, it has an energy factor of .96.
The style of the water heater has also captivated the hearts of many. It is sleek and modern, not the type that you have to hide out of sight. It has a silver finish that gives it a distinct appeal.
Users will also be able to enjoy flexibility when it comes to venting. It is designed in such a way that you can use either concentric or PVC venting. Regardless of which one you pick, you can be confident that it will be able to deliver impressive performance.
In terms of temperature range, in the case of the residential models, the heat can be set from 95 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, for those that are designed for commercial use, the maximum temperature that you can set is 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lastly, it should also be noted that it comes with an impressive warranty coverage that sets it apart from the competition. The heat exchanger is covered for 12 years. Meanwhile, the parts have a warranty for five years and you can enjoy free labor within one year of residential installation.
Conclusion
Now that you are done reading this short Rinnai tankless water review, we hope that you have been enlightened on why this brand is a top choice for many people. The model mentioned above, based on the features discussed, is also clearly one product that you will not regret choosing!
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