Brand selection between Rheem vs. Rennai

[HandyVick]

Looking to switch out my old water heater with a tankless from either Rheem or Rennai. The more I read and research between the two similar sized units the more confusing it gets. So I ask you the ones who have had either of these brand running for several years would kindly comment. Simply looking for long term piece of mind and don't mind paying more for it now.


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[wyliesdiesels]

I bet u will get a better response if this is in the heating section!

 

[Showkey]

I would rethink the tankless decision ........

High cost of unit
High cost of install and modification to power or gas line and venting.
High maintenance on unit.
Long wait for hot water to arrive at the faucet.

Might not save any money on operating cost depending on use and family size and make up ( teens) . Water use actually might go up.
Might never pay off on energy savings ?? In my case my water heating fuel cost ( Nat gas) is less than $20 per month. If ( a big if) I save 25% I save $5 per month. There are many posts where there is no savings.

 

[nh_yota]

Pay particular attention to the flow rate of the unit.

 

[justsam]

I have a 4500 sq ft home, built in 2006, and have a Rianni heater and Grundfos circulation pump. Plumbing is all Pex and copper, and heater has 1" gas line to it.

All works well and never run out of hot water even with laundry and three baths occupied.

As stated by others you will waste water unless you have some form of circulation pump which then uses more gas. We just use a manual remote but other schemes are available.

If you go this route make sure you have proper gas supply or lots of power! Also at install put in isolation valves as maintenance calls for a vinegar solution to be run through coils.

At the rime of my install Rianni was top of line. I don't know who holds that title now.

 

[HandyVick]

Thank you for everyone's responses.

One of the main reasons for tankless is to free up precious realestate space in my two car garage and less so as a cost savings.

I had originally ordered a 9.8gpm Rheem but after reading all reviews online switched it up for Rinnai. Cost few hundred more but I'll glad pay now than later. Longer term plan is to setup a greywater tank solution for those two + minutes of cold water being wasted. Instead it being recycled for gardening, etc..

Anyhow if any of the admins can move this topic to the right spot will be greatly appreciated. I didn't see a water heater sub form.




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[Dakota46]

Check into Navien.

They can run on 1/2" gas pipe from what I've heard. They also have integrated recirculation pump and I think are pre-plumbed for easy flush out maintenance.

This is all based on a discussion with my Hvac guy who previously was loyal to Rinnai brand.


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[wyliesdiesels]

Check into Navien.

They can run on 1/2" gas pipe from what I've heard. They also have integrated recirculation pump and I think are pre-plumbed for easy flush out maintenance.

This is all based on a discussion with my Hvac guy who previously was loyal to Rinnai brand.


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Almost every tankless Ive seen has been either 1/2" or 3/4" gas inlet. The problem is before the inlet. The size of gas pipe needed depends on its length from the gas meter and the BTu/h demad of the heater.

I helped install a tankless for a new rental unit and we had to run 1.5" gas line from the meter to just before the tankless because it was 120' from the meter.

 

[Adk Mike]

Rinai hands down. But if you have space like a basement I like the 40 gallon Bradford White TTW . Tanks today are so well insulated that I see little difference. But a Rinnai is a space saver. That might be what you need.

 

[HandyVick]

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[TTA89]

We've had a Rheem for a little over a year with no issues. The only downside is that it does take longer for the water to get hot out of the taps vs the tank heater. It's only my wife and I in the house and we use very little hot water and are away a lot. We had an 80 gallon electric tank which was crazy.... Our electric bill went down $70 bucks a month and we don't notice any difference in propane usage. It's a winner in our scenario....

 

[My Old Tools]

I have two 10 year old Rinnai tankless R85 units. I spent Saturday descaling them for the first time. One unit is having an issue of shutting off mid shower recently. I think its either the flow sensor or the flame sensor. Otherwise we're pretty happy with them. If you have a long run through a slab it doesn't matter whether you have a tank or a tankless, they both put out 140 degree water and you have to warm the pipe unless you recirculate.

 

[cwii]

I installed the Rheem in 2008. We already had the 3/4 gas line all the previous statements are fairly accurate. Ours is Located near our master suite and utility room so hot water is quick. It is a long way to the kitchen tap so we have to deal with that issue. We are on a well and have a water softener, scale has not been a problem yet. I am glad I went tankless I would do it again with the same brand.

 

[Warrenator]

I had a Rheem for 8 years, not one hiccup. I think you are supposed to descale every year, I never did get around to that.

Just sold the house. The inspector did not like the galvanized vent pipe I used. They are supposed to be this expensive double wall stainless stuff. I pulled it off and showed him the inside, clean as a whistle, and you can put your hand on the single wall pipe with the thing burning full blast, it barely gets warm. But the code wants the fancy double wall stainless smokestack because why now? Probably traditional water heater manufacturers being threatened by the tankless units. Sheesh.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

We've had a Rheem for a little over a year with no issues. The only downside is that it does take longer for the water to get hot out of the taps vs the tank heater. It's only my wife and I in the house and we use very little hot water and are away a lot. We had an 80 gallon electric tank which was crazy.... Our electric bill went down $70 bucks a month and we don't notice any difference in propane usage. It's a winner in our scenario....

How much did it cost to install? What is your ROI?

 

[TTA89]

How much did it cost to install? What is your ROI?

It was done as part of a much larger renovation project but I think it was $3000 installed. We are saving $70 a month on our electric bill with no noticeable change in propane usage.... So figure 42 months to make it back in electric usage alone. Our tank was 11 years old and due for replacement so we had to figure that in as well...

 

[plumbstupid]

I've installed and serviced both. I will not recommend a Rheem tank less again. They are ok, but they are nowhere near as reliable as the other players in the tank less market. Rinnai makes a good tankers unit. I personally like Noritz and Navien better, but I wouldn't be opposed to installing a Rinnai in my own home.

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[HandyVick]

Okay it finally arrives...now to the fun part of ripping out the old






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[justsam]

Please post your result!

I find you can not over plan this type of swap out. Something about other family members not understanding the lack of hot water!

Looks like the control panel is removable and can remote. We have that but have never been compelled to use it.

 

[Showkey]

How much did it cost to install? What is your ROI?

There is no ROI in many regions when NAT gas is used. Just got my NAT gas bill. The actual cost of the gas for hot water, dry clothes and cook top for the month was less than $12. The total bill was $30 but the fixed meter charge is $17 plus all the other charges taxes etc. The $12 did include the distribution fee.......

 

[bandaidmd]

I would rethink the tankless decision ........

High cost of unit
High cost of install and modification to power or gas line and venting.
High maintenance on unit.
Long wait for hot water to arrive at the faucet.

Might not save any money on operating cost depending on use and family size and make up ( teens) . Water use actually might go up.
Might never pay off on energy savings ?? In my case my water heating fuel cost ( Nat gas) is less than $20 per month. If ( a big if) I save 25% I save $5 per month. There are many posts where there is no savings.

lol when i had teens at home thats the main reason i would not put in "unlimited hot water" They would have stayed in the shower until they shrivelled up and went down the drain.

 

[HandyVick]

Long overdue.. Its finally out of the box and functional

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Pic didnt load

 

[tvtaurus]

My vote is for rheem

 

[HandyVick]

Okay lets hope this one works!
View media item 68011

 

[mike_s]

I know you've already chosen and installed, but I have a Rinnai 200,000 btu outside model. It freaking rocks.

Other people with "cheaper units" had issues with their keeping up or only putting out luke warm water when we had a cold spell drop into the 5-9f degree air temps for several days. Because their units weren't made for such cold weather as we usually don't have cold temps like that in the "old south".

Mine you couldn't tell a difference.


mine looks like this

 

[ctgoodman]

I know you've already chosen and installed, but I have a Rinnai 200,000 btu outside model. It freaking rocks.

Other people with "cheaper units" had issues with their keeping up or only putting out luke warm water when we had a cold spell drop into the 5-9f degree air temps for several days. Because their units weren't made for such cold weather as we usually don't have cold temps like that in the "old south".

Mine you couldn't tell a difference.


mine looks like this

+10 for me to. I have a GE branded version of this same Rinnai. 199K BTU any higher and it would be called a boiler and that's a whole different ball game there. I have two teenagers and my wife and I in the house. No problem running two showers, clothes washer and dishwasher at the same time. I do have the control pad mounted in a convenient location. I do agree that it can lead to over using energy. But I nipped the 30 minute showers when those started. I just gave them fair warning that if it happened again I would shut off the hot water. You can't change the temp while it has flow but you share can shut it off. I fire mine with propane and my yearly propane fill is probably around $150. That also fire gas logs on occasion in the winter and a cooktop too. For me it was convenience. I couldn't imagine going back to a conventional water heater.


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[Northislander]

Rinnai R53i installed September 2005 never serviced (we have very good water)and no breakdowns. I'm a plumbing contractor I'm intentionally not cleaning it to see how long it lasts. Unfortunately I'm going to be installing a Viessmann Vitodens boiler in my garage addition this summer and removing the Rinnai so the planned long term test will end. Anyone want a 12 year old nat gas rinnai to continue the test?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Rinnai R53i installed September 2005 never serviced (we have very good water)and no breakdowns. I'm a plumbing contractor I'm intentionally not cleaning it to see how long it lasts. Unfortunately I'm going to be installing a Viessmann Vitodens boiler in my garage addition this summer and removing the Rinnai so the planned long term test will end. Anyone want a 12 year old nat gas rinnai to continue the test?

Ill take it though Im sure the shipping would be horrendous...

 

[mike_s]

only negative about my Rinnai is that it does require electricity to manage.
So even though it's heated with Natural Gas, It uses electricity to fire the ignition and manage temp.

I plan on putting it on a computer "battery backup" for use in power outages and then hook up to generator bypass switch.

 

[acer66]

lol when i had teens at home thats the main reason i would not put in "unlimited hot water" They would have stayed in the shower until they shrivelled up and went down the drain.

I just saw an interview with good old Arnold in which he said the second he discovered that his teenage daughters were sitting on a chair in the shower to take full advantage of endless hot water he had a timer put in to shut the hot water off after a certain time.

 

[big_bake]

I've been running an Ecosmart 27 electric tankless water heater for almost two years now. My electric bill may have gone down slightly, but what really happens is people (wife) taking longer showers since the there is not a tank to run out. I have a small house (<1300 sq ft), so it always took 30-40 seconds for the cold water to clear the line before hot water gets to the fixture. No change from tank to tankless there. I will echo that the space savings was a huge plus. Freed up quite a bit of room in my laundry/mechanical room.

Here is a shot showing part of it, not quite the whole thing.

Recirculating pumps are gonna be our future so that you can save water and energy in the long run. Toss some solar in for good measure.

 

[Showkey]

Would be nice to see an actual ROI calculations with real life install costs and actual use....that include that lime and calcium clean outs that plague so many units. When your spending $10-$20 per month to heat water currently how much are you thinking your going save ???

Think there are many that are math challenged when it comes to makes informed decisions on BIG ticket "upgrades."