Rinnai RC98HPi Indoor Natural Gas Condensing Tankless Water Heater, 9.8 GPM Review

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(More customer reviews)After much discussion, research, and general concern about the higher cost of tankless water heaters(at least initially) I purchased this unit. It has to be installed by a plumber that has been certified by Rinnai- or the warranty is voided. But after seeing how it was installed-I would leave it up to the professionals. There is a lot of various discussion about the pro's and con's of tankless systems on the internet-but I for one am very happy with this unit. I think you are only as good as your installer- because improper installation is the root cause of customer issues(according to the master plumber that installed mine). But this is what I am most happy about, 1) the sticker on the unit states that the annual operating expenses are $196, 2) I can actually fill my large corner tub-for the first time. Also Rinnai has a very good warranty, the plumber also pointed out the since these units are compartmentalized, if something does fail, years down the road- you are dealing with replacing a single component-not the whole system. Please do you homework- I not only qualified for the 30% energy credit on the unit, but also am getting a rebate from my state and utility company. Common sense still prevails-since you have unlimited hot water-taking longer showers than you used too, will diminish your savings. Also the plumber installed 2 shut off valves, where once a year, using 2 gallons on vinegar, 2 hoses(like on your washing machine), a bucket, and a inexpensive pump, you will want to cycle the vinegar through the system for approx. 45 minutes to take off the lime scale(hard water deposits). Not really a lot of maintenance required. Also for those with small children there is an optional remote where you can set the temperature for their baths, then easily readjust it for yours. I am not affiliated with Rinnai in anyway ,but really do think this unit is a good long-term investment. Also, get several estimates, because there was quite a large price discrepancy on the bids I received. I ended up going with a Silver rated Dealer(by Rinnai)that had the best estimate-and he did a really professional job(Rinnai has dealer locator on their website).

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Rinnai's condensing tankless water heaters deliver more efficiency than ever before. Available in four models, suitable for mid- to large-sized home, Rinnai's condensing tankless water heaters offer all the same benefits builders and homeowners have come to expect from Rinnai.Natural Gas and Propane Models AvailableMeets California and Texas NOx Emissions StandardsEnergy Factor of 0.94 for Both Gas TypesCompatible with Full Line of Rinnai Digital ControllersTemperature Range with Controllers: Residential (98°F - 140°F) Commercial (98°F - 185°F )12-Year Warranty on Heat Exchanger, 5 Year Parts, 1 Year Labor for Residential InstallationsDimensionsWidth: 18.5 InchesHeight: 26.4 InchesDepth: 10.1 InchesWeight71 PoundsInstallationIndoor, Residential and CommercialHot Water Capacity0.4 to 7.6 GPM (50° F rise) and 0.4 to 9.8 GPM (35° F rise)Approved Gas TypesNatural Gas or PropaneMinimum/Maximum Gas Rate (Input BTUs)Natural Gas: 9,500 - 199,000 BTUPropane: 10,300 - 199,000 BTUEnergy FactorNatural Gas: 0.94Propane: 0.94Thermal EfficiencyNatural Gas: 96%Propane: 96%ElectricalAC 120 Volts, 60 HzElectrical ConsumptionNormal: 80 WattsStandby: 2 WattsAnti-Frost Protection: 220 WattsGas ConnectionGas Supply: ¾ Inch MNPTCold Water Inlet: ¾ Inch MNPTHot Water Outlet: ¾ Inch MNPTTemperature SettingsResidential: 98°F - 140°FCommercial: 98°F - 185°F (commercial controller must be purchased separately)

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Rinnai RC80HPi Indoor Natural Gas Condensing Tankless Water Heater, 8.1 GPM Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the second tankless unit I've installed (the first was a Rheem unit bought at HD) and by far the easier of the two to install. The main differences between this and the Rheem - with a condensing unit you need to plumb in a condensing pump. The Rheem unit has an external keypad that has to be wired while the Rinnai's control unit is built into the face. And the most significant is the plastic duct in the Rinnai rather than the stainless steel for the Rheem. This unit conveniently comes with a full-size paper diagram to determine placement of the unit which is a plus. Everything is fairly straight forward - however the installation manual really isn't written for a consumer while the Rheem unit is written with step-by-step instructions that are easier to understand. The Rinnai manual boils down to safety verbiage and a schematic-like diagram. If I hadn't already installed one I think it would have been more difficult to do so, but I already understood the context from the previous install - this pushed my rating downward. This unit is normally installed by Rinnai crews via their system of certified installers - so I'm assuming the manual is written with them in mind rather than a casual consumer - something to keep in mind.
The default thermostat setting will probably be too low for most US residents - I upped it to 120 degrees. Due to some extra piping the hot water takes longer to get to the spigot - the only thing my wife complains about. Otherwise it's hot and continuous, just as advertised. There are only two of us in a 2400 sq ft home with 2 full baths. In the summer my gas bill is around $33 and fairly consistent (most of the bill is made up of the regular monthly minimum charges). After installation my bills went to $27 so having the unit has decreased by gas usage. My previous water heater was a 50 gallon tanked unit that was installed in the mid 90s (so about 15 years old). I replaced it due to leaking. The hardest part of the install was getting through the block wall and really, it wasn't that bad.
One thing to consider is your exhaust pipe run - the units that require stainless steel can make this part of the install quite expensive. Due to the plastic piping that can be used with condensing units, you can save quite a lot of the costs by going this route (more expensive unit but cheaper ducting). If you have a long run from the unit placement to an outside wall,this can be significant.

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* Qualifies For Federal Tax Credit * ENERGY STAR qualified * Up to 95% thermal efficiency * Condensing technology for greater efficiency and significant energy savings * Capacity to supply continuous hot water simultaneously to multiple plumbing demands * Significant space savings over tank-style water heaters * More sanitary hot water * Long-lasting design and reduced risk of flooding * Available in Natural Gas or Propane(email for LP availability * Flexible indoor installation options * Meets California and Texas NOx Emission Rules * 12-year heat exchanger limited warranty for residential installations (5 years on parts, 1 year on labor) * Pair up with an air handler for efficient home heating

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InSinkErator W152 Electric Undercounter Water Heater, 2-1/2-Gallon Review

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(More customer reviews)The company shipped the heater quickly, well packaged via UPS. Easy to intall, my wife did it!. We had another one from a different maker that developed a leak after about three years. We have very acid water and I am hopeing the bronze tank in the in-sink-erator heater will last longer. Won't know for at least three years. Unit does the job, lots of hot water at our kitchen sink and dishwasher.

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W152 The electric storage water heater fits almost anywhere -- under a sink or in a cabinet. If you only need hot water at one location, a conventional water heating installation can be quite costly. You need space for a bulky water heater and its required plumbing -- including two long pipe runs for hot and cold water. And you waste money every time you have to run the water until it reaches the desired temperature. An InSinkErator compact water heater is a much better solution. It efficiently heats water at the point-of-use, so there's no wait and no waste. And it can be installed anywhere you have a standard electrical outlet. You'll find that for restrooms, wet bars, food serving areas, offices and service stations -- virtually anywhere hot water is called for -- an InSinkErator compact water heater quickly becomes indispensable. Features: -2-1/2 gallon storage tank -Bronze, long-life storage tank. Nothing to corrode or wear out -Screw-in copper heating element can be easily replaced -Tank is insulated with expanded polystyrene, then jacketed in steel for maximum heat retention, minimum standby heat loss -Super fast recovery rate for better service -Drain provided for easy maintenance -Easy to install. Fits almost anywhere -- under sinks,in cabinets, etc -Adjustable temperature range of 110to 170F -Operates on ordinary house current (110-120 volts) -Comes with 3 1/2 foot cord and grounded plug -Tank Construction: Bronze -Tank Volume: W-152: 2 1/2 U.S. gallons; W-154: 4 U.S. gallons -Voltage: 120 v -Heating Capacity: 1500 watts -Element Type: Replaceable cartridge type -Temperature Range: 110-170F -Operating Pressure: 150 psi (max) -Thermostat Type: Resetable -First Hour Rating (80 F RISE): W-152: 8.6 gal.; W-154: 10.4 gal -Water Connections: 1/2'' NPT female -Pressure Relief Connection: 3/4'' NPT female -Overall Dimensions:: 13.5'' H x 10.4'' D x 10.7'' WProduct Specs Manual

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TEKTON by MIT 1828 Drive by 1-1/2-Inch Water Heater Socket, 1/2-Inch Review

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(More customer reviews)For years I have been borrowing my Dad's old fashion thin metal socket that is used with a screw driver to turn it. I usually ended up cutting my hand when it slipped and took 30 minutes to get the thing removed since there was no way to get torque.
I never saw one of these REAL sockets made just for this project in the store but saw them on here and decided to give it a try. I turned off the water heater breaker, drained the unit and then attached this heavy duty socket to my socket wrench. Well the old saying " The right tool for the right job" not only held true, but now my Dad wants to borrow this from me. I had the water heater element removed in less than 30 seconds, not 30 minutes like the old one. ( came out like butter out of tub, in other words with ease )
1000% recommend this item, it truly paid for itself the first use and it is very sturdy. I can't see it ever breaking, it is heavy duty and expect it to last forever.

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MIT 1/2"-DRIVE X 1-1/2"-WATER HEATER SOCKET features: Drop Forged Chrome Vanadium Steel, Heat-Treated and Chrome Plated, Notches in Socket Lock onto Ratchets or Extensions, Special Size Needed to Replace Heating Elements in Most Electric Water Heaters, Do-It-Yourself and Save on Costly Professional Repairs

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Factory-Reconditioned AquaStar 1600H-NG-RE (Hydro) Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Review

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(More customer reviews)I selected the Bosch Aquastar 1600H for several reasons. It was the correct size for my 3 bed 1 bath ranch home where all of the plumbing is centrally located. I liked the fact that there was no standing pilot light OR plug for an igniter on the system. But the biggest selling point was that it used standard 4" Class B vent pipe for the flue. Most of the tankless water heaters that cost $900 to $2000 stab you in the pocket book again by using 3" stainless steel flue pipe that costs a fortune. In fact, a lot of them have optional kits that start around $300 for the basic pieces with you needing to buy additional pieces just to install you heater.
Now, the negative. First off, understand that I am a contractor by profession and that while installing this water heater was pretty straight forward; diagnosing issues with it is a whole different ball of wax. This was the first time that I had ever installed a tankless water heater and I was putting it in my own home. After changing my plumbing lines around, switching out the black pipe to ¾" for the gas line, running a new flue and hooking everything up, I was having problems getting it to function correctly. More specifically, the heater would not heat the water to a desired temperature and if the furnace or the stove/oven was running, the temperature would drop even more. After checking the manual and getting online to find out how to make a manometer ([...]), I found that the natural gas pressure was set incorrectly for my house. It was measuring around 5 WC (inches water column) and while it didn't really come out and say it, I found that this heater works best on at least 6 ½ WC. While the pressure was fine for my stove, the furnace and my old water heater, it just wasn't enough for this new water heater. The manual says to have the gas company come out to test and adjust the pressure, however, I just did it myself and set it to 7 ¼ WC. I will say that while this heater saves natural gas by not constantly heating the water in a tank, it does use A LOT more to heat your water when it is in demand. Another thing I found out, if installing this water heater in a climate where the temperature can drop below freezing, MAKE SURE that you install it in an area where there is good air flow with a decent ambient temperature. The reason being is that tankless water heaters like this Bosch Aquastar work on a capillary system to heat the water. If cold air comes down the flue, it can freeze the water in the heat exchanger and bust the pipes within it or just not function as your water line for your hot water will not flow.
However, after that, I will say that I have continuously enjoyed an endless supply of hot water. With two teenagers in the house, I can tell you that it used to be frustrating to have to wait an hour to take a shower if they had used the shower beforehand. This is the reason that I went with a tankless water heater to begin with. I also am happy to report that my gas bill was and has continued to be cut in HALF. I have been using this system for 7 months now and I can't wait to see my bills for the winter.


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This is a factory reconditioned water heater. Reconditioned generally means that the water heater has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the water heater back to like new condition. Some water heaters may contain cosmetic blemishes. Includes 1600H (Hydro) Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater - 1600H-NG-RE

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Thermwell Products Wtr Heater Blanket Sp57-11C Water Heater Accessories Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this product through Amazon because my local Home Depots don't sell them here in Austin. The product is just as described, it's basically fiberglass insulation with vinyl on either side. It is NOT sealed together, the way a down blanket is, it's more of a loose sandwich. It's easy to cut with sharp scissors, and you'll need to cut no matter what size water heater you have. Couple of things to note:
- I chose this model because it had the highest R-value (R10) in the description of any blanket/jacket I'd seen. The R-value was mysteriously missing from the product packaging, so now I doubt it was that high. You'd think they would capitalize on being 30% more efficient than the next model..
- I thought, since there is no warning to the contrary, that this was the kind of fiberglass you can handle with your bare hands without getting itchy. It's not, so wear gloves
For the money, I say get one, it can't hurt. Even though my water heater was cool to the touch while on, I can tell it's getting toasty under the blanket.


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Frost King, 3' x 48' x 75' Vinyl Faced Fiberglass Water Heater Insulation Blanket, R Value 10.0, Fits Up To 60 Gallon Tank, Plastic Tape, For Gas, Oil Or Electric Water Heaters.

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Watts 500800 Premier Hot Water Recirculation Pump, Blue Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't know why few stores carry this and few people are aware of this great product, including those sales persons in home improvement stores. It gives instant warm water to all the rooms in your house, it saves 10,000 gallons water a year (really, I measured and calculated) and it is so easy to install.
Doubt about if it really works? Try this: go to the farthest faucet in your house and open the hot water. Once the water becomes hot, close it, but not fully, leaving a very small stream. Now go to other faucets and open hot water, you bet, instant hot water! It'll keep this way as long as you keep that small stream flowing.
The problem is that small stream goes wasted. How about recycle it into the hot water heater? Sure, but how? The hot and cold water lines have the same pressure, therefore water cannot go from the hot line into the cold line. What if I add a pump into the hot line? Exactly, that's what this Watts product does. Problem solved.
For a practical and fine product, Watts also add a temperature sensor, so the recirculation only happens when the hot line becomes not so warm. This, plus the stream is really small, adds very small extra energy cost to the heater.
The pump is very small, only 25 watts, using less electricity than a lighting bulb. There is also a 24-hr timer (in 15-minutes increments), allowing you to shut the entire system off during the periods when you do not use warm water, such as sleep and work times. This reduces even further the already very small added energy cost. BTW, the pump is thoroughly quiet, no audible noise at all.
An alternative product is the Laing Autocirc. It is a single piece can all be installed under a sink, could be a better choice for some people. The downside is you need (to add) a AC socket there to power the pump. The upside is the pump does not operate continuously like the Watts; it is controlled by the temperature sensor and thus turns on only when water becomes not so warm. Might save some more Watts than the Watts. Both are available in Home Depot stores.
I cannot think of a single reason not to install such a system into any house. Instant hot water without any side effect or significantly added extra energy cost and saving tons of water each and every year. I wish I have done this long ago and this product will be more widely spread.
PS, a tip: before you start the installation, go to Rite Aid or alike store and buy a pack of Hose Washers for $0.99 (e.g. Plumb Craft by Waxman, 74-114, 6 pieces). After you unplugged the hose from the heater and before you plug it to the pump, you should remove the old washer and use 1 or, if the old one is very thick, 2 of the new washers (I had to use 2). The old washer was usually hardened by the high temperature; if you don't replace it, it will leak water. The menu does not mention this, so I learned this the hard way. BTW, hey Watts: for a $200 product, such washers should have been included.

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Whole House Hot Water Recirculating Pump, Recirculating Pump Mounts To The Hot Water Outlet On The Water Heater & The Sensor Valve Mounts Under The Furthest Lavatory In The House Run, Turns Plumbing Into A Re-Circulating Loop, Every Faucet Will Have Hot Water Instantly, On/Off Timer On Pump Activates The Pump When You Need Hot Water, Saves Over 10,000 Gallons A Year In Wasted Water, 120V Pump Motor With 10' Grounded Plug, Easy To Install.

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