If you want a fair Rinnai tankless water heater review, look no further. Some websites and companies link you to reviews that tout the products and services they sell. This review is different. It provides an un-bias list of the various benefits and drawbacks of owning a Rinnai tankless water heater.
Water Heater Warranty
The Rinnai tankless heater has one of the best warranties in the business. The heat exchanging unit (the most important part) has a 12 year limited warranty. Other companies offer 10 years or less. Also, there is a 5 year warranty on other replacement parts and a 1 year labor warranty.
Another consideration when looking at a Rinnai tankless water heater review is the energy star rating. If it qualifies as an energy star unit, your state may have rebates or incentives for purchasing it. Sometimes the federal government provides a tax credit for these types of purchases as well.
Water Heating Costs
Dealers of the Rinnai system tell you that you can save money each month on energy costs because of the efficiency of the tankless heater. In most cases, monthly energy bills do decrease with a tankless water heater, but since they cost so much more money initially, you don't see any savings until at least 20 years down the road.
Another issue some people discuss with a tankless water heater is that they end up using more hot water because it is more readily available. This makes the cost savings even less per month.
Heating Water
Probably one of the most important things to look for in a Rinnai tankless water heater review is if the unit performs well and provides plenty of hot water. Overall, past customers seem happy with the performance of the Rinnai. They love the fact that they can use more than one hot water source at the same time and never run out of warmth.
Some people, however, notice brief temperature inconsistencies in the water. For example, during a shower, someone might feel a burst of cold water before turning warm once again. Other customers complain that it takes a while to get hot water. It stays continuous, however, once they get the warm water.
Anyone considering making the switch from a traditional tank heater to a tankless water heater should research previous customer opinions. The Rinnai tankless water heater tops many lists as the best brand. Unless, however, you are sold on the benefits or possible drawbacks of such a system, you should wait to make a purchase.
Sources:
Greener Building, "Rinnai Tankless Hot Water System", October 18, 2010.
Consumer Reports, "Tankless Water Heaters", October 18, 2010.
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