Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Model 2532

When we built our new home we opted for the Rinnai option that the builder offered. It was about a $2,000 option and we didn't install it ourselves, so that's why I left off the price since it can probably be had for less if you contract straight to the vendor.

The system has been great with no complaints. Our gas bill is about $8 in the summer when we are only using the Rinnai (no gas heat in use) and I think that's pretty good. We are a family of 4 running the washing machine at least twice a week as well as dishwasher 2 or 3 times a week. We bathe too.

If I had to find something to complain about (aside from the cost) it would be that it takes a solid 40 - 50 seconds to get hot water coming out of the tap (assuming it had not been in use for a while, like in the morning). I have been told this could be solved with a circulator pump, but that dissolves the efficiency of the Rinnai. I have also been told that it could just be the plumbing layout of our home. Regardless, it still seems a bit longer than is should take.

The system does seem to work as intended, providing endless hot water, there have been several instances of the washing machine running as well as a shower and a bath tub with no flux in hot water (water pressure is a different story, but no fault of the Rinnai).

Our unit is mounted in our garage next to our furnace. It's facing dimension is about that of a microwave door, and only sticks off the wall about 5 inches, so it is tiny, especially compared to a traditional hot water heater.

All in all, it's a great system, works as intended and if you can live with the cost as well as waiting a few seconds for hot water, this is for you.

I purchased my system about 5 and 1/2 years ago when I had my house built. The water heater failed yesterday. No power comes to the unit that controls the temperature setting.

Called the plumber who installed it and he will be coming to fix it tomorrow. He told me that his other customers also have a similar failure and it was due to the controller board going bad.

Not sure how much it cost but I assume it is going to be pricey. The blower part has a 12 years warranty. Not sure if the controller board is under warranty.

Will update this review once I get it fixed.

Dave

We are a family of four with a lot of laundry, showers and guests. I have never had an issue with our Rinnai. I felt like I was on the cutting edge when we built our home 7 years ago and installed this "water heater with no tank". I feel like the little extra it cost at the time, was well worth it. I used to have to fill my garden tub only at night so that everyone could take showers at our old house. I never worry about it anymore. I personally can't imagine going back to a conventional water heater. You are paying to heat water that "you might use" today, but then again, maybe tomorrow!

It is well worth the investment!!!

My home is over 20 years old. I researched alternative solutions to the tank water heaters when I planned to replace the failing unit in my 2200 sqft home.  After receiving bids, and interviewing, several local approved Rennai installers I chose a plumbing company I'd used before (with good results).  They informed me that I needed to coordinate with an electrician, the local gas company, city inspectors to pull permits, and their workers to get everything coordinated, or they could act as the general contractor and do that for me for a couple hundred bucks more. 

I decided to do the coordination work myself.  I called the city to let them know I was changing out my water heater and answered all their questions about timing and completion dates.  I called an electrician to wire up a box for power (based on specs from the plumber), and I called the local gas company to run a larger gas line to support the higher gas demands needed for the Rennai unit. I also emailed Rennai to get a list of certified Rennai installers in my area.( VERY IMPORTANT!!!)

I also had a choice to install the Rennai inside in the closet where the tank water heater was removed (more $$ to vent through the attic), or on the outside of the house. (I live in NC, winters can be below freezing for a few weeks.)

I decided to have the unit installed on the outside of the house between my daughter's bathroom, the utility room and the kitchen.  I also had to install a freeze protection kit that dumps out any water in the Rennai if the power goes out.  It is also required for outside installations to keep your warranty valid with Rennai.

Our Rennai was installed mid-December 2009, in time for the tax credits. (NOTE:  if you do not have a large enough tax liability (Let's say you owe Uncle Sam 0 dollars in the tax yerar) the credit cannot be taken. It's NOT a rebate.

Anyway, we love our endless water.  My gas bill every month is half of what it was last year. The master bathroom is on the opposite side of the house, so it does take a few minutes to clear the pipes of the unheated water sitting in them, but I can shower as long as I want even if the dishwasher or waching machine are also running.  $2850 I paid was for the Rennai 2532, installation, local permits, and freeze protection system.  I paid the electrician and the gas company separately.

The return on investment (ROI) is a little less than 5 years, at that point, the unit will have paid for itself.(I plan to stay here for the rest of my life!)

Hope that helps!

PS - Piedmont Natural Gas is offering a $250 rebate for residential customers for installing energy efficient natural gas tankless water heaters, for more information on this go to www.piedmontng.com

JP