FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| Direct Vent Systems | Toyotomi | Monitor | Rinnai |
How can I reduce my Carbon Footprint?
On-Demand Heating and Water-Heating Solutions Burn Less Fuel While Enhancing Your Family’s Comfort. Greenhouse gasses are emitted while fuel is being burned. So if you burn less fuel, you emit fewer greenhouse gasses—it’s just that simple.
Direct vent heaters allow you to selectively heat specific areas of your house for optimum comfort without needlessly heating unused areas. On-demand water heaters produce hot water only when you need it rather than heating water 24/7 the way old-school storage tank heaters do.
Consider lowering your thermostat and water temperature. Just a few degrees can save thousands of pounds of carbon emissions each year.
How does Direct Vent work?
Easy installation through any outside wall allows you the flexibility to put Direct Vent Heating Systems wherever you need them throughout the house.
The pipe-within-a-pipe flue system takes in outdoor air for combustion, while simultaneously exhausting all fumes to the outside. As a result, your warm indoor air is never used for combustion, and cold air infiltration is a thing of the past. That's why a direct vent system provides such efficient, comfortable and consistent heat output.
Where can I use Direct Vent heating?
Anywhere you want to save on fuel and make life more comfortable! Direct vent solutions are great for replacing or supplementing your current inefficient home heating system, or for heating additions, seasonal property, sun rooms, workshops and other applications – either on their own or in conjunction with other heating sources.
You can use multiple units to heat separate “zones” of your house – from a few hundred sq. ft. up to 2,000 sq. ft. each – and set their programmable thermostats for different times of the day to match your lifestyle.
And if you’re looking for a more efficient hot water solution, our revolutionary direct vent on-demand continuous flow water heating technology saves space and money -- you pay only for the hot water you use, and never run out!
Which fuel should I use?
It depends on which fuels are available in your area, how they're delivered and which you prefer.
If you’re already using natural gas or propane for heating and/or cooking, we offer a variety of efficient direct vent heating and on-demand continuous flow hot water systems that can be connected to your existing fuel source.
And if you’re looking for the most fuel savings for home heating, our range of K-1 kerosene and #2 heating oil systems can be a truly economical standalone or supplemental solution. We also offer on-demand continuous flow hot water systems that burn either of these popular and readily available fuels, whichever you prefer
Water Heaters
How many gallons of hot water per minute will it supply?
With an 80° rise in temperature (40° in, 120°F out), the water heater will supply 2.7 gallons per minute.
What are the lowest and highest temperature settings for the water heater?
The lowest setting is 69°F and the highest setting is 155°F
Can I install the water heater in a chimney?
Yes, our water heaters have been listed by U.L. for chimney installations. Please consult your local dealer for clearances and installation requirements.
Can I install this water heater in a mobile home?
Yes, our water heaters are approved for mobile home use.
Vented Heaters
What does it mean when the display shows "CL-- or "CL" and two numbers?
When the clock is set to the correct time, the heater will automatically go into a 10-minute cleaning mode at 2:00 a.m., after which time the heater will return to normal operation.
How far can I vent the heater?
The heater can be vented up to 10 ft. with 3 bends.
What kind of fuels can the heater burn?
1-K kerosene or #1 fuel oil. The OM-22 will burn #2 fuel oil in addition to 1-K kerosene and #1 fuel oil.
What happens to the unit after a power failure?
Laser 56 / Laser 73 / Laser 60AT:
When the electrical power is restored, the heater will automatically operate and maintain the temperature selected on the sliding bar. However, all clock settings will have to be reset.
Laser 30: / OM-22:
All settings will be maintained up to 20 minutes. After 20 minutes all settings will be lost. However, when power is restored, the heater will operate at a temperature of 56°F until settings are restored.
What are the requirements for use of an external fuel tank?
Installation height of tank's fuel outlet should be at least 16 inches above floor surface upon which heater rests. To avoid excess fuel pressure to heater, top of fuel tank should be no more than 8-1/2 ft. above floor surface upon which heater rests. For other options available to you, please consult your local dealer.
NOTE: External tank installation must comply with National Fire Protection Association Code NFPA31 and/or local applicable codes.
Portable Air Conditioners
What size room will the A/C cool?
For a house of standard construction;
TAD-32G 400 to 500 sq. ft.
The window kit is too small for my window or sliding glass door, what can I do?
We make many accessories for our portable air conditioners. The standard window kit fits windows from 26 1/2" to 36 1/2". We do have extensions to fit up to 82 1/2".
How long can I extend the exhaust hose?
The exhaust hose can be extended up to 10 ft. The hose is available through us or our distributors.
What kind of maintenance do I need to perform on my unit?
Clean the air filter on the unit about once every two weeks. This depends on the amount of dust in a room. If the unit is being used in a dusty environment you may want to clean the filter more often.
Vented Heaters
How far can I vent the heater?
The total length of the intake or exhaust pipe should not exceed 10 feet with # elbows, 13 feet with 2 elbows, or 16.5 feet with 1 elbow.
What kind of fuels can the heater burn?
Monitor has two product lines. One line is the monitor heaters that run on K1- Kerosene. The second line is the Monitor Gf heaters that run on Natural or LP gas.
What size hole is required for venting?
A small 2-5/8” hole is all that is required for the vent pipe.
What are the requirements for use of an external fuel tank?
Installation height of tank's fuel outlet should be at least 16 inches above floor surface upon which heater rests. To avoid excess fuel pressure to heater, top of fuel tank should be no more than 8-1/2 ft. above floor surface upon which heater rests. For other options available to you, please consult your local dealer.
NOTE: External tank installation must comply with National Fire Protection Association Code NFPA31 and/or local applicable codes.
How big of an area can the monitor heater heat?
A monitor heater heats up to about 2000 square feet of space, regardless of the style of home. It forces warm air into the room where it sits, and it makes use of vents in the ceiling, as well as door ways and staircases, where the heat rises to the next level of the home.
How often should the monitor heaters be serviced?
We recommend every 2-3 years with normal use.
Vented Heaters
Do Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces have a UL rating?
Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces are not UL certified, but are certified by CSA International to ANSI Z21.86 Standard Vented Gas-Fire Space Heating Appliances. However, the following internal electrical components are UL certified:
Transformer (UL QL66-532NA)
Limit Switches (E52529)
Wire & Conduit (UL 1430)
What types of fuel do Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces use?
Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces are natural gas or propane furnaces that have an electronic ignition.
What colors are Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces?
Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces are beige. However, model numbers ES38 and EX22C are also available in white.
Can Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces be used in a mobile home or RV?
Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces are approved for mobile homes and manufactured homes; however, they are not approved for RVs.
Can I install a Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnace myself?
Rinnai recommends that direct vent wall furnace installation should be performed by a licensed contractor who is trained to handle the plumbing, gas, electrical and venting aspects of a direct vent wall furnace and is aware of all local and national codes. Having a non-licensed professional perform the installation can cause operational and performance issues.
Do you manufacture an electric furnace?
No. Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces are natural gas or propane furnaces that have an electronic ignition.
What are the power supply requirements for Rinnai Direct Vent Wall Furnaces?
Rinnai Direct Vent Gas Wall Furnaces require 120 volts AC, 60 Hz and 121 watts.
Tankless Water Heaters
What is the "cold water sandwich" effect?
The term "cold water sandwich" effect is used to describe the introduction of cold water into the hot water supply line during frequent on/off operation of an instantaneous hot water heater. When present, this effect appears as a momentary drop in hot water temperature as it is discharged from a hot water supply outlet (i.e., shower, tub, or faucet). It’s a phenomenon that is present in the operation of all instantaneous and on-demand tankless water heaters, but is minimized with the high-tech design of Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters.
Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters are microprocessor–controlled, and when water flow ceases, they remain in a "ready-to-fire state" for approximately one minute. If water flow begins within the first minute following water flow stoppage, the water heater will fire back up within one to two seconds. This minimizes the "cold water sandwich" effect that would otherwise be experienced with a less innovative tankless water heater.
What type of regular maintenance does a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater require?
There are two types of periodic maintenance that your service technician can perform to keep your Rinnai Tankless Water Heater running smoothly:
The in-line screen filter should be checked periodically for debris (time between filter checks will be dependent on water quality).
The unit should be flushed periodically (time between flushes will be dependent on water quality) to keep the unit free of scale and lime. This process should be completed by a professional installer. Please contact an installer near you.
Why do I have to wait to get hot water after turning on the tap?
The wait time to get hot water is primarily determined by the distance between the water heater and the point of use. Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heaters produce hot water within a few seconds of first water flow from a cold start. However, you must purge all the cold water out of the pipe between the hot water heater and your point of use. For example, if your kitchen sink is 50 feet from the hot water heater and the water flow rate is one gallon per minute, it should take approximately 90 seconds for hot water to reach your sink.
Because of their small size, you can place Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters in locations that you could never place a tank. If you can place your hot water heater close to your primary points of use—such as your kitchen or master bath—you drastically reduce the wait time.
Why don’t I have any hot water when I open the tap?
Make sure the tankless water heater is connected to gas, water and electricity supplies, and that the power is turned on and the gas is turned on.
Why is white smoke coming out of the exhaust?
During cold weather, when the exhaust temperature is much hotter than the outside air, the exhaust fumes condense producing water vapor.
Why does the fan continue to run after I turn off the hot water tap?
The fan is designed to continue running for a short time after the flow of water stops. This is to ensure constant water temperatures during rapid starting and stopping, as well as exhausting any residual gas flue products from the unit.
Can a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater be installed in a mobile home?
We have specific tankless water heaters available that are certified for installation in Mobile and Modular Homes. These units include both our Luxury and Value Series units.
What size gas line does a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater require?
Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters typically require a ¾" gas line to provide a sufficient gas supply to the unit’s burner. However, if there is sufficient pressure and the gas line is short enough, there are some cases where a ½" gas line can be used, which is the most common size used in the United States and Canada. This can make switching from a tank-style water heater to a tankless water heater faster, easier and less expensive.
As with all tankless water heater applications, installers should check and abide by local gas-pipe size and licensing rules and codes.
Can a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater be converted to a different gas type?
Rinnai offers a limited Field Conversion Program. Kits for converting gas tankless water heaters from natural gas to propane or vice versa are available for most models. Please have your installer/service provider call 1-800-621-9419 to find out if your model qualifies and to obtain a detailed step-by-step conversion instruction kit.
These kits are available directly from Rinnai, and will be shipped only after the installer/service provider has contacted Rinnai’s technical support services and consulted one of our technical specialists, to ensure the installer/service provider performing the conversion is qualified to do so. The Field Conversion Program is available for products which have been installed and where gas type availability has changed. It will not be approved for use in conversion of non-sold inventory or mobile homes.
Does Rinnai offer a battery backup system?
We do not offer a battery backup system—also known as an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)—for our products. Please check with your local retail store for a UPS that may be suitable for your needs.
Does Rinnai manufacture an electric tankless water heater?
We do not make an electric model. There are several potential drawbacks to electric tankless water heater units: First, the power requirements of electric units large enough to provide hot water for a typical household can be prohibitive. For example, a unit that can provide three gallons per minute with an 80° F temperature rise would require about a 150 amp 230VAC circuit. This is about eight times the power required for a three-ton central air conditioning system.
Second, the relative operating cost of electric tankless water heaters is much higher than gas water heaters. Based on national averages, electricity costs almost twice as much per BTU as natural gas. Even with propane, gas tankless water heaters are considerably less expensive to operate than those that run on electricity.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Does a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater have a standing pilot?
No. Rinnai Tankless Gas Water Heaters have a direct-spark electronic ignition.