Want reliable hot water? Go with the flow
Home » Good Guide » Renovation » Renovation » Go with the flowRinnai is now taking its advanced heating technology to your roof
Rinnai’s systems can be upgraded to include solar panels. The super-efficient hot water range builds on Rinnai’s 90-year heritage
Hot water running out on you is a problem so many households face, and it can be so frustrating! From teenagers who demand lengthy showers through to washing all those football socks for budding All Blacks, the laundry and bathroom require what can sometimes seem to be an impossible amount of hot water. And when the hot water does run out, doesn’t it seem to be just before you finally get to have a long shower or relaxing bath?
But rethinking your hot water system can seem like a daunting task, so it helps to deal with a company with a proven track record. Rinnai has been at the cutting edge of the heating industry since its creation in 1920, with numerous breakthrough products and heating systems. Now that research and development prowess has been channelled into the development of its super-efficient hot water heating range.
About one-third of your power bill goes on heating hot water, so anyone planning a sustainable renovation should consider revamping their system. The best time to do this is when you are refitting your kitchen or bathroom. This will allow easy access to pipe work and enable you to install your new equipment close to where you need it most.
These systems are also solar-enabled, offering a flexible solution for those wanting to upgrade to solar in the future
This is particularly true if you are making the transition to solar hot water heating. Rinnai’s cutting edge solar systems are a testament to the way in which the company stays ahead of the curve. The company has simplified the rigmarole of choosing separate solar panels, tanks and piping, by creating several comprehensive systems. Each system comes in three sizes with components that are carefully designed to work well together. You can easily work out which one you need using the company’s online solar calculator at www.rinnai.co.nz.
Obviously not all of us are ready to make the leap to solar, and even those who are will almost certainly need some back up, especially through the winter months. So Rinnai offers gas and electric systems that work brilliantly on their own, with options that are ready to plug straight into a solar system if and when the time comes.
Here’s where Rinnai’s experience in fine-tuning gas heating systems really comes into its own. Their Continuous Flow systems ignite electronically and heat cold water as it passes through the unit to your desired temperature. And they can heat as much water as you need, continuously.
The Continuous Flow systems are designed to flick on automatically when hot water is desired, meaning you get hassle free continuous supply, but stay off when it’s not, to keep things efficient. The latest incarnation, the Rinnai Efficiency, also captures heat from the gas exhaust to preheat the cold water flowing into it, so reducing fuel use even further.
These systems are ideal in situations where you don’t want any disruptions in supply.
Capture the heat: The Rinnai Efficiency unit preheats cold water using heat from the exhaust
And Rinnai’s electric tank hot water systems provide traditional hot water cylinders with a range of features and options that many New Zealand homes are not used to. For a start, Rinnai’s electric tanks are solar-enabled, offering a flexible solution for those wanting to upgrade to solar in the future. You can start by installing the tank, then it is a simple process to add solar panels and controllers at a later date. In an era where everyone is trying to save precious resources, and in an economic environment as uncertain as the current one, it is reassuring to know your hot water system is as efficient and flexible as it can be.
They’re also made with good looking Colour Bond exteriors. This means they look good enough to be installed out in the open, without having to worry about hiding them away in a cupboard, a real bonus for those short on space. Alternatively, they can also be installed inside for those homes where an inside tank is preferred.
Rinnai has been creating efficient heating systems for almost 90 years. Now, when resources are increasingly scarce and the economics of heating under scrutiny, it’s a good time to benefit from Rinnai’s experience in home heating.
