Gas Heater Servicing Cost/Recommendations Please

John Kimble on 26/03/2019 - 23:50
Last edited 27/03/2019 - 10:53

Hi,

Sorry, no idea about this and my Googling powers seem to be on the fritz. Best I could find is a generic info sheet by AGL and a semi related post on whirlpool from 2007.

Place we bought 4 years ago has a gas heater and instant gas unit, wife wants to get them serviced (no idea where she got the idea from, but I suppose it makes sense).

Any ideas on average cost and/or recommend servicing company/person for an unflued Rinnai gas heater in Sydney? Would it just be plumber? Would it make sense for them to check out the instant hot water unit too whilst they're here or do they not really need servicing?

Prefer to ask you guys initially, rather than filling out online quote forms or calling random places.

Thanks in advance,
DJK

Home & Garden

Comments

  • whooah1979 on 27/03/2019 - 06:04
    +2

    wife wants to get them serviced (no idea where she got the idea from, but I suppose it makes sense).

    Perhaps she thinks you're making too much money. Ask if she wants to service the water, electricity and telco as well?

  • thatonethere on 27/03/2019 - 07:04

    About $150 to $200 each unit…

  • BertieBrown on 27/03/2019 - 07:52
    +1

    The indoor unit, as in a space heater, is usually just checked over every 2 years by a gas fitter to ensure that it’s not leaking carbon monoxide back into the house.

    But, if it seems to be working fine, and you can see a flue on the top of the roof, as in a pipe that penetrates the roof lining and lines up with the cavity where the heater is, then you could just buy a carbon monoxide detector from Bunnings or similar and use that when it’s running. IME gas fitters don’t do much when they’re servicing them, but I guess YMMV.

    I wouldn’t bother having the instant gas serviced, save your money until it needs to be replaced or serviced for an actual fault.

    • John Kimble on 27/03/2019 - 08:12

      Thanks, yes seems to work fine (at least in previous seasons…it's currently in storage). It's an unflued one.

      Do they actually come out, or do you take them to a service centre?

      • BertieBrown on 28/03/2019 - 20:40

        Sorry for late reply. Yep, normally if it’s a flued unit, and I’d assume the same for un-flued they’d come to your place and have a look at it. Usually it’s around $200-$300 for a check I think.

  • Densor on 27/03/2019 - 11:38
    +1

    Your post reminded me I should get my portable gas heater serviced. I wasn't sure if your Gas Heater is portable, but these places might give you an indication of pricing.
    "theheaterman" at Rozelle does a service starting at $150 if you drop it off. "Workshop services are performed at our service centre located at 112 Victoria Road. Same day service is available from $195 for drop offs before midday. After midday drop offs will be ready the next day. Standard 7-10 day service is $150. No bookings needed, just drop and go."
    There is CK Gas in the Sutherland area that does a portable gas service for $140 with a 3-5 day turnover.

    Just Google "rinnai gas heater service" + your local area

    • John Kimble on 27/03/2019 - 11:46

      Thanks, I know it's not exactly the same, but I was thinking along the lines of "recommend me a good mechanic". Didn't want to just t go with the cheapest/closest with any knowledge of them if possible.

      • Densor on 27/03/2019 - 12:08
        +1

        We are going to try the CK Gas at Jannali, so can give a review afterwards :) Both the places I found offer in home servicing for a price. I was shocked when I read the Rinnai service page and how much they charge for a home service and then 15 minute increments on top. Just lucky that mine is portable.

        • John Kimble on 27/03/2019 - 12:20

          Sutho is a tad too far for me, but thanks. Still interested in your review if you could be bothered, ta

  • brad1-8tsi on 27/03/2019 - 12:25
    +2

    I had an unflued Rinnai gas heater. I didn't have it serviced in 20 years. It's still going at the old place…

    I did the following during the 3 month heater season:

    Weekly: Brush clean the large and small gauze filters at the back.
    Monthly: Remove filters and wet clean. Replace when dry.
    Start/End of season - Blow dust out of internals with a can of air (same as computer techs use). Inspect power cord. Inspect gas hose and connection fitting.

    I figured if it started within 3 clicks of the sparker and didn't smell of gas and burnt cleanly there wasn't much to be done.

    At the end of the cold season I just packed it up, put it in a garbage bag and put it in the roof.

    Maybe I'm nuts…

  • kley78 on 09/05/2019 - 10:31
    +1

    OMG my wife said the same thing this morning!

  • kley78 on 09/05/2019 - 10:33

    whad did you end up doing mate?

    • John Kimble on 09/05/2019 - 11:10

      Ended up taking it to this place in Chatswood as it is closer to me. They just take it and offload to another mob; came up as Macarthur Gas Pty Ltd on my credit card.

      $150 down the drain for my wife's peace of mind…

      https://gasshowroom.com.au/service-and-installations/

      They did tell me it's 19 years old though! Wouldn't have known that! I suppose I could have googled maybe…

      They also said no need to service the instant hot water system if no issues.

  • jasperdmx on 15/05/2019 - 20:30

    I went to CK Gas as Densor suggested. Very good. 1 day only do the service, and the price is quite cheap. Highly recommended.

  • Densor on 16/05/2019 - 12:15

    We found CK Gas to be quite good. He had a queue of 10 heaters in the driveway before ours so it was a 3 day turnaround.
    Only had to use it once since and it worked fine with no gassy smell that we had before.

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