If you are looking at upgrading your home’s water heater, one good option is a tankless water heater. But with many tankless water heater brands, how do you know which is perfect for your home? Rinnai is one of the top brands in the market and an ideal tankless water heater option for homeowners in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Since 2007, we’ve worked with the top brands of tankless water heaters and seen which of their products stand apart from the others. Homeowners we’ve helped install a Rinnai tankless water heater have shared how reliable their unit has been when providing hot water.
In this review, we’ll look at how Rinnai ranks in the following categories.
- Cost
- Efficiency
- Warranty
- Availability
- Variety
- Additional features
We’ll first dive into discussing Rinnai’s tankless water heater costs.
How Much Does a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Cost?
- Rinnai units by themselves range from as low as $700 to $2,900
- With installation, Rinnai tankless costs between $4,800 to $8,800
Rinnai’s prices tend to fall within the cost range for tankless water heaters. Depending on the unit, homeowners can pay around $1,000 for the tankless water heater by itself. The higher-end models, such as the RUCS or RSC model series, tend to lean more toward the higher price range.
Although Rinnai’s tankless water heaters have a standalone price, homeowners should calculate the additional costs associated with installation. These units aren’t simple do-it-yourself projects, so it’s recommended to invest in a reputable and certified technician to install the tankless water heater properly.
With installation, a Rinnai tankless water heater’s total cost can fall between $4,800 to $8,800. The pricing includes Rinnai’s least to most pricier tankless water heaters.
Besides pricing, another aspect homeowners should consider is efficiency.
Are Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters Efficient?
- Rinnai’s tankless water heaters have a UEF rating of .81 to .95
- Some Rinnai tankless water heaters qualify for California rebates and federal tax credits
Rinnai’s most efficient tankless water heater has a .95 UEF (Uniform Energy Factor). The brand’s RSC tankless water heater series all come with a .95 UEF rating and are Energy Star certified. Despite being 1% to 2% less efficient than other brands’ tankless water heaters, Rinnai can provide homeowners with hundreds of dollars in energy savings.
Some of Rinnai’s tankless water heaters have a .81 UEF rating but are still more energy efficient than conventional gas water heaters. Nonetheless, these lower UEF-rated water heaters (Rinnai RE series) don’t meet the qualifications for California rebates and federal credits available for tankless water heaters.
The more efficient options, like the RSC and RU tankless water heaters, qualify for rebates and tax credits. Regardless of which efficient Rinnai tankless water heater you choose, it’ll be backed by a standard warranty.
Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Warranty
Rinnai’s warranty coverage is similar to most tankless water heater manufacturers. Here’s a short breakdown of Rinnai’s warranty coverage.
- Heat exchanger: The heat exchanger is covered for 12 to 15 years, depending on the tankless water heater.
- All other parts and components: Rinnai’s warranty covers all other parts of their tankless water heaters for five years.
- Reasonable labor: For the first year of ownership, Rinnai will cover any labor required for a warranty repair for 12 months.
A 12-year warranty is standard for most tankless water heaters, and Rinnai provides some units with an extra three years of coverage. Tankless water heaters usually last 20 years with proper maintenance, so Rinnai offers coverage up to around the time it’s time for a new replacement.
The warranty coverage for Rinnai’s tankless water heaters begins on the day of purchase and onward. Rinnai also encourages homeowners to register their tankless water heaters through their website to make future warranty claims seamless.
Tankless water heaters aren’t hard to come by, so how readily available are Rinnai’s tankless water heaters?
Are Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters Readily Available?
- Available in hardware stores
- Can be purchased through 3rd-party technicians
- Parts are readily available but can take a week for arrival for repairs
Rinnai’s tankless water heaters can be purchased through stores such as Home Depot and Lowes in person and online. These tankless water heaters can be purchased through Amazon as well.
It’s essential to remember that this purchase only provides the tankless water heater but not the installation. Improper installation is one of the factors that can void Rinnai’s warranty. It’s recommended to have a certified technician install the unit.
Luckily, Rinnai has a network of certified installation companies that can sell homeowners Rinnai tankless water heaters and provide installation, maintenance, and repair services, too.
Whether you get your Rinnai tankless water heater from a store or a certified third-party technician, what options can you expect for a tankless water heater?
What Kind of Variety Can You Expect from Rinnai?
Rinnai offers a variety of tankless water heaters for homeowners to choose from. Their tankless water heaters can be broken down into two categories: condensing and non-condensing.
Condensing units offer higher efficiency and flow rates. Rinnai’s line of condensing tankless water heaters includes.
Non-condensing units do not require a drain and are generally priced lower than condensing tankless water heaters.
To help determine which tankless water heater is suitable for a house, homeowners must consider how many bathrooms and hot water fixtures they have and how much hot water they use during peak hours.
After narrowing down what variety of tankless water heaters are available, it’s important to learn about additional features offered by Rinnai.
Additional Features
Rinnai tankless water heaters have additional features that homeowners can take advantage of. These features include.
- Rinnai Central mobile app: Rinnai’s app allows homeowners to register their tankless water for warranty and other features. These features allow homeowners to schedule recirculation, set the water temperature, and locate nearby certified technicians.
- Smart-Circ Recirculation: This feature allows tankless water heaters with built-in pumps to learn a home’s hot water usage habits. By understanding these patterns, Rinnai’s tankless water heaters can schedule recirculation to ensure a home doesn’t run long downtimes without hot water.
These features are available with any of Rinnai’s tankless water heaters.
Is a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
Rinnai is just one of many tankless water heaters to choose from. The manufacturer has been actively providing tankless water heaters in homes nationwide. By knowing what Rinnai has to offer, you’re one step closer to deciding on a tankless water heater that is ideal for your home.
For over 15 years, we’ve built a knowledge base of everything to do with tankless water heaters, including which brands are the best in the industry. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we understand that not all homes have the exact hot water needs, so we’re dedicated to pairing homeowners with the perfect tankless water heater for their houses.
If you’re interested in a tankless water heater from Rinnai, contact us using one of the buttons below or schedule an appointment online.
Rinnai tankless water heaters may not be for every home. To help expand your search, check out this article on the best tankless water heater brands.
If you’re set on having a Rinnai tankless water heater installed in your home, learn more about how long it takes to install a tankless water heater so you’re best prepared for your appointment.
