FAQs

Does a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater have a standing pilot?

No. Rinnai Tankless Gas Water Heaters have a direct-spark electronic ignition.

What are the power supply requirements for a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater?

Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters require 120 volts AC, 60 Hz and less than three amps.

Can I install a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater myself?

Rinnai recommends that tankless water heater installation should be performed by a licensed contractor who is trained to handle the plumbing, gas, electrical and venting aspects of a tankless water heater and is aware of all local and national codes. Having a non-licensed professional perform the installation can cause operational and performance issues.

Can Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters be used on houseboats or RVs?

Unfortunately, our tankless water heaters cannot be used in houseboats or RVs. However, we have specific units available that are certified to be installed in Mobile and Modular Homes. These units include both our Luxury and Value Series units.

Can a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater be used to heat a pool or spa?

Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heaters cannot be used for heating pools or spas. The chemicals used would damage the components of the water heater.

What is the life expectancy of a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater?

The life expectancy of a Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heater is up to 20 years. Actual performance will vary depending on water quality, usage rates, environmental conditions, and regular maintenance.

What is temperature rise?

The maximum flow rate that our tankless hot water heaters can produce depends on temperature rise — the difference between the set temperature of the unit and that of the incoming ground water. For instance, if you set the temperature of the unit to 120° F and the incoming groundwater temperature is 60° F, the temperature rise is 60°.

The lower the set temperature, and the higher the incoming groundwater temperature, the more hot water flow the unit can produce and vice versa. If sized correctly for your application, the unit(s) should not have a problem producing enough flow for your hot water needs.

What is the minimum water flow required to operate a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater?

Please keep in mind that Rinnai Tankless Gas Water Heaters need to see a demand of over 0.4 to 0.6 gallons per minute of water flow through the hot side in order to ignite and 0.26 gallons per minute to stay in operation. If the flow rate falls below this level, the unit will turn off because it senses that hot water is no longer needed.

There are several possible solutions to minimum flow rate issues: lowering the temperature on the unit to a more comfortable temperature to avoid cutting in too much cold water; cleaning the inlet water filter on the cold water inlet of the unit (sediment buildup in the filter can decrease flow into the unit); cleaning or removing the aerators from showerheads or fixtures; or replacing low-flow showerheads or fixtures.

If you believe that this is not the issue, contact your original installer or plumber to service the unit.

Can an external Rinnai Tankless Water Heater be used in cold climates?

Yes. Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters feature freeze protection for outside temperatures as cold as -22° F (-30° C) for indoor models or as cold as -4° F (-20° C) for outdoor models when protected from direct wind exposure, as long as there is both power and gas supply to the appliance. The pipes feeding the unit MUST be heat-traced and insulated to provide freeze protection.

Rinnai strongly recommends the installation of an optional drain-down system on units installed outside in cold climates. This system, if installed, will allow all water inside the unit to drain out if there’s a power and/or gas outage or a component failure in the product. See the owner’s manual for optional drain-down system piping.

What types of fuel do Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters use?

Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters operate using natural gas or propane and have an electronic ignition.

Do Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters have a UL Rating?

Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters are not UL certified, but are certified by CSA International to ANSI Z21.10.3 Standard Gas Water Heaters, Volume III, Storage Water Heaters with Input Ratings Above 75,000 Btu/h. However, the following internal electrical components are UL certified:

Transformer E (UL 1411)
Relay (UL 41515)
Wire & Conduit (UL 1430)

 

What are the terms to a rental?

Click Here for the Water Heater Rental Agreement

 

How do I return my rental?

Equipment Return Policy

Tell us you’re leaving

If you have an equipment rental and decide to cancel your agreement for any reason, you need to inform us by Contacting us at 1-705-476-WARM (9276) or in writing to :North Bay Hydro Services, 74 Commerce Crescent PO Box 3240, North Bay, ON P1B 8Y5 or by Email to [email protected]

Notice for Agents:

If you are providing this Notice of Termination on behalf of a North BayHydro Services customer account holder, please be aware that we will require a valid agency agreement to be provided to us within 7 days of the earlier of

(i) the date of the agency agreement or

(ii) the date of the customer’s new water heater agreement. North Bay Hydro Services is not required to act on any agent’s instructions, including accepting water heaters from agents, without receipt of a valid agency agreement.

A sample of the form of agency agreement that North Bay Hydro Services will accept can be found by clicking here.

You must submit the Agency Agreement to:

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 1-705-474-4634

Mail:
North Bay Hydro Services
74 Commerce Crescent
PO Box 3240
North Bay, ON P1B 8Y5

Inquiries: 1-705-476-WARM (9276)

Water Heater return location 74 Commerce Crescent, North Bay, ON
By Appointment Only:
9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday not including Statutory Holidays

 

Still have questions that our FAQs don’t answer? Call or email us today!