Which Hot Water System?

nimnomnimy on 13/07/2015 - 23:14
Last edited 13/07/2015 - 23:15

We have just purchased a new house that comes with a gas boosted solar hot water system with a 170lt tank.
Mostly it's okay but if someone is in the shower and someone uses the tap in the kitchen (happens a lot) then the water runs cold.
Having consistent water temperature is pretty high on my priorities list so hoping that some local experts will be able to give me some advise.
I was eyeing off one of those Rinnai infinity 26 with the temperature controls to replace the existing system.

Will this give me the unlimited stable hot water they claim?
Is there a better system?

Losing the tank would be an added bonus as it is an eyesore off the alfresco but consistent water temperature is most important

Help!
(Please excuse typos, this was written from a phone)

Poll Options

  • 4
    Stick with what you have
  • 8
    Get the Rinnai infinity
  • 2
    Get a bigger tank
  • 2
    Other
Home & Garden

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 13/07/2015 - 23:32

    I thought there was a delay in hot water with instant?

    We ran a 180L tank and never had an issue with running cold. maybe after 3 consecutive showers. Head pressure went down when the hot tap went on, but it never got cold

    • nimnomnimy on 13/07/2015 - 23:58

      Interesting, maybe it's faulty- might call chromagen tomorrow
      Also, I'm okay with a delay as long as when it gets to the temperature, it stays there

  • 2jzzzz on 14/07/2015 - 03:13
    +1

    I got a Rinnai infinity, best thing ever. I managed to get it and have it installed for under $1000.

    Waited for an ebay 20% off, actually bought the builders version which has 2 years less warranty (B26) and a plumber put it in with a certificate.

    My wife could empty a tank herself when having a shower, wasn't fun.

    • nimnomnimy on 14/07/2015 - 08:03

      I'm this || close to getting one.
      Thanks for the tip on the b26!

      • mskeggs on 14/07/2015 - 17:37

        I have one and want to move to solar because gas prices are going up so much.
        Do you have other gas appliances already?

        • nimnomnimy on 15/07/2015 - 00:53

          Yes heating and stove. I'd rather pay the money and have water that doesn't run cold while I'm having a shower though.

        • mskeggs on 15/07/2015 - 10:12
          +1

          @clickship:
          Just a quick thing to check.
          Most of the replies are assuming you are running out of hot water, so that the shower runs cool at the end, but I think you mean you have enough quantity of hot water, but not a high enough flow rate to allow hot from two taps at once.
          I don't think the Infinity will help. When someone is in the shower here, and a kitchen tap is turned on, the flow rate for both is meagre - making the person in the shower yell!

          I reckon you will need a plumber to come take a look at your particular setup before you go spending $1000 on a device that might not fix your issue.

        • nimnomnimy on 16/07/2015 - 23:22

          @mskeggs: a continuous flow should deliver 26lpm, shower probably uses are 9-12lpm so I am thinking that the tank is actually the bottleneck.

          Water pressure is fine at all faucets so I don't think it's flow, I think the tank maybe just can't keep up.

          Is that how it works?

        • mskeggs on 17/07/2015 - 08:10

          @clickship:
          I really think you need to get a plumber out. The Infinity will deliver 26l on a blazing hot summer day, when it is cold and has to heat the water more it can't maintain that output.
          It would be really surprising if the tank outlet was smaller than your other pipes. I don't believe that is permissible under the building codes. If you think about it, either a tank or an Infinity has one pipe coming out. If you open two faucets you must be sharing that flow between two places. The Infinity can't produce hot water as fast as a tank full of it, obviously as it has to heat it up instantly.

          I think it very likely you will have the same issue with an Infinity, but be $1000 poorer. But as I say, get a plumber out to look at your set up and advise.

  • nocure on 14/07/2015 - 09:16

    Solar purchased at time of building our house and the hot water switch in the powerbox remains in the OFF Position.upfront cost is high but pays for itself in no time.

  • Logical on 15/07/2015 - 20:45

    I have a heat exchanger heating up a 400L tank on a timer when my solar panels produce my own electricity. Result is free hot water which lasts all day and night.

  • nimnomnimy on 16/07/2015 - 23:12

    I'm not convinced that solar is saving me that much money especially with Melbourne sunshine (almost 0)

    I'm sticking with it for now but I'll probably get the Rinnai infinity when I can get a good deal on it

    • mskeggs on 17/07/2015 - 08:24

      Sorry, can't help you if you want to pay more for hot water, I only know how to get it cheaper ;-)
      Just be aware heating water is the largest energy cost in most homes. Even on cloudy days the IR radiation heats the water in solar tanks, although obviously not as much as in full sun.
      You can get hybrid solar/Infinity (Bosch also make one) which use solar to heat the tank, then boost the water as it flows to tap if necessary. This is the most economical way to heat water for homes that already have gas connected. I believe the Bosch device can be added to any tank, not sure about the Rinnai.

      • nimnomnimy on 18/07/2015 - 09:03

        I'll let you know how I go, I'm going to wait till I get my first gas bill so I can compare the difference. Worst case I'll be $1000 down but at least I'll know for sure what to do next time :)

  • D6C1 on 05/08/2015 - 15:27

    so it looks like my hot water system is dead. I think? its no longer heating water and am looking at 200+ as a minimum to have someone come out and look at it. its a Stiebel Eltron system. Approx 300L

    To replace it with an exact is going to cost almost 4k and with a Rheem $2k

    What's the opinion out there? why is one so much more expensive than the other? Whats recommended? Why solar?

    Thanks

    • mskeggs on 05/08/2015 - 16:00

      Both those prices seem high.
      We got a gas instantaneous one installed for $1200.
      The cheapest to operate is solar, followed by either off-peak electricity, if you can get it, or heat pump. Solar has the issues of needing clear skies and unshaded roof top, and may require boosting in winter.
      In your position I would certainly get somebody to come and fix the existing unit, or at least try to.
      If it is a fuse, or element it will be pretty cheap to fix.
      I'm not familiar with the Stiebel Eltron units, but if it is $4k, then it is likely a heat pump. Since this is a very efficient way to heat water I would try to get it fixed. These items are usually designed to be serviceable, so I wouldn't consider replacing it unless it is over 15yr old.

      • D6C1 on 07/08/2015 - 17:36

        It looks like it's had it. I had someone come out today and he claims I need a new one.

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