Technology in these tankless units is so advanced from what was available 20 years ago. Impressive.
I am a DIY home owner. Was faced with a leaking tank style water heater and found that power-vent style tank heaters were becoming difficult and expensive to buy. Seems like the on-demand heaters was the way to go. This Rinnai unit is a very good value in my opinion. Priced at the lower end, while having impressive features when compared with other manufacturers.
My caution to others is to be prepared for expensive installation costs. Plumbing and exhaust changes in my home added up to over $200 in parts plus significant labor to do things right. This is not a fault of this particular unit. It is simply a general reality when converting from a tank style heater to one of these tankless units.
I highly recommend buying the recommended valve kit for about $50. I did not buy the kit and was out over $100 with brass hardware to perform the same level of isolation and service connections.
Review of the RUCS65iN model: Very pleased with its performance so far. (First week of operation) The Installation manual is organized well and has the info needed to guide a proper installation. It took me a bit to understand rules and restrictions for the exhaust / combustion piping, but the manual did help me get there. Make sure you have sufficient flow at your faucet to get past the minimum flow required before heat kicks in. Once heat is being applied, the unit will automatically adjust the heat input to match the water flow rate such that output temperature is precisely 120 degress F. (Can select higher temps with dip switches.) I was impressed with the amount of condensation that drained out during operation. This unit is so efficient with its heat transfer. PVC pipe works great for exhaust and barely warms up during long operation.
| Manufacturer | Rinnai |
|---|---|
| Part Number | RUCS65IN |
| Item Weight | 54.9 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 22 x 22 x 34 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | RUCS65IN |
| Size | 6.5 GPM |
| Color | White |
| Finish | White |
| Shape | Rectangle |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Flow Rate | 6.5 Gallons Per Minute |
| Certification | Energy Star |
| Included Components | Water Heater |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | See Manufacturer |
