Rinnai Water heater vent

[dspencer]

fixxed

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by dspencer

fixxed

Thanks

[Jeff Merritt]

Besides the vent being wrong, you need to check the gas meter to see if it can handle the the volume, IE> gas cloths dryer 35,000 BTU Furnace 100,000 BTU, Tankless water heater 165,000- 200,000, toal volume if all on at same time, 300,000 BTU (low side figure) most gas metere are 250,000- 275,000 BTU .

[kelliott]

I followed Shawns link above, and downloaded the manual. It clearly states no other vent system can be used on these heaters. According to what the homeowner is telling me, Shawn's right, it's very expensive. They were told $900 for the thru-wall kit. Mfgr states that the vent cannot be shared with any other appliance, or free-flow vent system. (like furnace) So it's power vented, but in this case makes it pricey, rather than simple and cheap, because it's pvc exterior and alum interior. It's going to be my problem however, when I have to 'fess up that I didn't know that, and didn't write it up during inspection.

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by dspencer

It is not okay.


Link
http://www.OhioInspectionsGroup.com/Rinnai.pdf

vent pipe is very expensive to this system $90.00 for 3' and is a PVC exterior with a heavy gauge aluminum center pipe....no other venting material can be used.

Does it need to be power vented and why are these units different than a regular hot water heater or a furnace. Do they produce exhust hotter than a furnace?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by prussell

Does it need to be power vented and why are these units different than a regular hot water heater or a furnace. Do they produce exhust hotter than a furnace?

Yes smaller then a furnace and about three times the BTUs very much more heat in a small area. They start just under 200,000 BTUs and go up.
Some thing else to look for is they smaller ones require a 3/4 pipe and up for the larger ones . Most furnaces need only 1/2 inch
Roy Cooke

[Peter C. Russell]

Thanks Roy, good info!

[whandley]

OEM is not going to like the down size reduction against the flow of exhaust and the back pressure issues as previously mentioned.

http://www.rinnai.us/aboutus/worldwide.asp

Good Luck!

[Leonard E. Ungar]

Hi! Kieth;
I don't know what type of report you do,but that is one reason that I do not give a report to my client at the inspection. That way if I want to check on something that I am not familiar with I can do it before the client gets the report.
I just converted to natural gas in my home and also put in a Tankless water heater. The vent kit was only $300.00 all stainless. When I started up the unit I checked the temp at the flue connection and it was 195, 95 on the horizontal run and out side was 75 by the exhaust elbow. The manufacture of the kit said that you have to use a very high temp sealent on the one connection like 700 degree rating. I beleive in following directions to the letter, it's called CYA !!!!
Hope everything works out OK for you?

[dspencer]

Originally Posted by prussell

Does it need to be power vented and why are these units different than a regular hot water heater or a furnace. Do they produce exhust hotter than a furnace?

No additional power venting is needed other than what the units supply, just the use of PVC/Aluminum venting is needed. This stuff is thick! I have installed three of these and if it wasn't for the pricy venting I could put these in all non stop.