Continuous gas hot water system (Rinnai VT26): two questions

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SumBodi

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#110552 11-Oct-2012 13:13

Hi

Our hot water tank has blown, and we're on cold water. Plumber mate of our neighbour's has been around and has offered to install a Rinnai VT26 gas continuous hot water unit, for about $2200, most of which is labour cost of $1200. He's giving us the unit at cost.

The unit's specs:
http://www.rinnai.co.nz/product_103_rinnai_infinity_vt26_external.html

We've researched the option, and it seems reasonable for our two-person househould; and it will be installed close by to our kitchen/bathroom, but wanted to ask specifically:

1. Is that labour cost excessive? from what I can gather it is not, but it still seems a lot to pay for what has been declared to be about half a day's work.

2. How noisy are these things? the website says 50db; what does that translate to in practise? I have memories of staying in lodges/motels where similar things are installed and always hearing the unit start up whenever the shower is started.

Thanks for any insights :)

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#699660 11-Oct-2012 13:17

I've read that you shouldn't put them near bedrooms, yours or neighbours. I've never used one, I went with a regular mains pressure cylinder in my ceiling cavity.

Plumbers are expensive. The unit costs $1200 ish, don't forget all the pipes they'll supply, which could/should be copper, other fittings, gas fitting, etc. Someone else who's had it done will be able to share their costs.

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Jaxson

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#699668 11-Oct-2012 13:32

Some councils can technically come down a bit on noisy devices, should there ever be an issue. I know of one case where the coucil advised that a selected air con unit could/would be too noisy at certain max operating conditions when someone was going for a building consent/house design approval.

So it will probably be fine, but consider what you would do IF the neighbours did decide it was too noisy. My parents had one at their last house, but it wasn't by a bedroom. They can be noisy when they first fire up, but that depends on models I expect, and the noisy is not too much of an issue once it's up and running.

jamesrt

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#699672 11-Oct-2012 13:41

We had a Rinnai Infinity 24 fitted on our house in the early 2000s; and from memory that install cost in the 2K -3K range; by the time you include inflation, etc, then your price sounds reasonable. If you're not sure, you could always ring around for a 2nd opinion - ask a plumber supply company for example (i.e. plumbersworld or similar).

The work WILL require electrical work as well as gas & water work, so there will be a variety of sub-costs - just make sure you know what's going on there too. For example, at a minimum there will need to be a waterproof 240V isolating switch/pub next to the heater. Ideally, this would run to a separate RCD/breaker at the fuseboard.

You may also have wiring run to internal control panels - we had two, one in the kitchen and a master one in the bathroom.

Regarding noise: we could barely hear our unit from inside the house; I'd expect newer units to be quiter, too. I have seen them fitted into enclosures (vented, obviously!) on newer houses - presumably this helps bring noise down (but increases cost!)

Finally, I was looking at an open home recently, and their Rinnai had just been stolen off the wall of the house the previous couple of days. Apparently this is quite common, so you may wish to make sure that your unit isn't hot if you're really paranoid!

mattwnz

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#699673 11-Oct-2012 13:42

SumBodi: Hi

Our hot water tank has blown, and we're on cold water. Plumber mate of our neighbour's has been around and has offered to install a Rinnai VT26 gas continuous hot water unit, for about $2200, most of which is labour cost of $1200. He's giving us the unit at cost.

The unit's specs:
http://www.rinnai.co.nz/product_103_rinnai_infinity_vt26_external.html

We've researched the option, and it seems reasonable for our two-person househould; and it will be installed close by to our kitchen/bathroom, but wanted to ask specifically:

1. Is that labour cost excessive? from what I can gather it is not, but it still seems a lot to pay for what has been declared to be about half a day's work.

2. How noisy are these things? the website says 50db; what does that translate to in practise? I have memories of staying in lodges/motels where similar things are installed and always hearing the unit start up whenever the shower is started.

Thanks for any insights :)

Why not just replace the tank, which maybe cheaper?Tanks maybe cheaper to run too if you have a full house using it daily. Plus hot water tanks should last longer if you get a good one.

MattR

224 posts

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#699675 11-Oct-2012 13:47

We had a Rinnai continuous gas hot water in Sydney, and loved it. Now we're in Auckland with a tank under the stairs... would much rather the instant-gas system.

Ours was installed on the outside wall of the kitchen, no windows or doors nearby. Yes, it makes some noise - no, it isn't annoying at all. Couldn't hear it inside.

Was your old system gas or electric? I believe the instant-gas systems require a larger gas pipe than the tank-gas.

robjg63

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#699678 11-Oct-2012 13:52

We also have a Rinnai Infinity 24 on our house - 2 storied plaster/stucco finish.
The unit is on the outside wall just outside the laundry. Bedrooms are upstairs.
I can hear the unit come on if I am in the laundry when I turn on the hot tap - it is just a faint clunk and slight whirr. Thats about 1.5 meters away. Otherwise you cant hear it at all. I cant think how the neighbours would ever hear it. The other thing is it only makes noise when generating hot water - so you have to have the tap on.

And 50db - http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090629165420AADMohe

Pretty quiet.

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nickb800

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#699680 11-Oct-2012 13:56

jamesrt:

Finally, I was looking at an open home recently, and their Rinnai had just been stolen off the wall of the house the previous couple of days. Apparently this is quite common, so you may wish to make sure that your unit isn't hot if you're really paranoid!

Or make sure it is always hot so it cant be stolen from you

ajobbins

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#699682 11-Oct-2012 14:03

In terms of running costs I've found these to be very good. I used to flat in a house with 4 people and an electric cylinder system. I moved into another flat with 4 people and a gas infinity unit.

Overall our energy costs were much better. Fairly similar usage patterns too I would say.

In the places I have lived, the units have always been away from where you would commonly be, but I never noticed them making any noise.

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SumBodi

48 posts

Geek

#699697 11-Oct-2012 14:24

Thanks for all the replies.

That was quick!

We have piped gas, and the installer says it won't be a problem.

The installation cost does seem to be reasonable. Plumbers are expensive! Found an online offer for the same unit installed in Wellington for over $3150 (includes controller).

http://www.thegashub.co.nz/Current-Offers/Direct-Gas---Rinnai-VT26-$3150/

We're aware we'll need power for it, our installation cost wouldn't include an indoors controller. I might look into that.

I'll make more enquiries between today and tomorrow but looks like it's going to be the option.

Thanks for all the messages :)

davidcole

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#699702 11-Oct-2012 14:35

Also you may need a compliance certificate from the council since the hot water system is changing.

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Elpie

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#699994 12-Oct-2012 00:30

I've got the model before the VT and its installed outside the en suite attached to my bedroom. It is incredibly quiet and from the bedroom the sound of the tap running is louder than the heater. Outside, you can hear it fire up but its very quiet and can't be heard at the fence. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

antoniosk

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#700001 12-Oct-2012 04:11

Market prices seem to be about $3k for a typical install, unit+labour. There will be a lot of extra materials as well.

Sparky for external plug - about $250-300 depending on how much work it is to join into a circuit.

________

Antoniosk

Cbfd

307 posts

Ultimate Geek

#700010 12-Oct-2012 06:15

Just had one installed yesterday on the house - all up was about $3000 - that included unit, installation, sparky, removal of old hot water cyclinder , removal of over flow pipe on roof and fixing holes in walls + floors

SumBodi

48 posts

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#712114 5-Nov-2012 11:04

Thanks all for replies
Quick update, had the unit installed for 2380 incl GST all ups, but expect another $150-200 for wiring (currently just running of a plug in the basement).
Not a bad price, but it is mate's rates and another friend is taking the old cylinder away.
Unit is quiet, works well. About a 30 second delay to getting the hot water going each time but tolerable.
Cheers for your help :)

wellygary

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#712117 5-Nov-2012 11:16

SumBodi: another friend is taking the old cylinder away.

You are aware it is probably worth near $100 as scrap for the copper alone?

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