Bosch Optiflow - gas hot water

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Bosch Optiflow - gas hot water

dusty42

117 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#215540 1-Jul-2017 16:32

We're getting rid of a 50 year old cylinder and getting a gas infinity system.

We think we're going to get the Bosch Optiflow. https://www.bosch-climate.co.nz/products-bosch-hot-water/hot-water-systems/domestic/boschoptiflow/boschoptiflow-26l.html

They had a troubled launch last year.

Just because I never can resist investigating the lure of technology being attached to such a prosaic product (and, to be honest, it's damn fine looking for a water heater!), I gave the local Bosch distributor a call. He said, yep he could give me a price but he'd recommend avoiding them, as there's a QC issue at the moment: of the 10 they've sold, most (I think he said 90%, so I assume 9) have been returned as faulty. His advice was to stick with the Rinnai as it's a well-proven product with few problems

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=204543&page_no=2#1646716

They've been unavailable for ages, apparently now fixed and back on the market.

We love the look - only machine on the market that isn't fugly.

We're not getting controllers, just going to use the bluetooth. Will consider adding wired controllers as kitchen/bathroooms are renovated.

Anyone heard how this machine is turning out this time?

smalltrader

174 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 62

#1810137 1-Jul-2017 16:59

Can't comment about the Bosch. In my house, a Rinnai instant gas water heater lasted 20 years and was replaced by another Rinnai. The old Rinnai was still working but loud due to old age.

You have said it yourself, the Rinnai is a well proven product. I guess I am struggling to understand the look issue as the the Rinnai is not a bad look plus they are mounted outdoor which may not even see daily.

Mattyyo

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1810246 1-Jul-2017 20:18

We've got the Optiflow.
Had it since January. In that time it's been replaced twice, on the third now.

Service has been great though (through the plumber who installed, they also have had no problems with Bosch) and I think this unit may be good for the long haul (touch wood).
Bluetooth distance is poor- you have to be pretty much outside it in front of it to use it, forget about going through brick and being at the other end of the house controlling it.

So handy on the app, can track the servicing problems etc and adjust temp, see usage.

In one case the only way I knew my unit was buggered was opening the app and seeing the service problems. It showed a lead up over days, essentially part of the electrical board burnt out I think.

Stu1

1892 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 489

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1810428 2-Jul-2017 15:54

Rheem are really good as well , the local plumbers recommend them over Rinnai as they have frost protection If you are in a cold area then worth looking at

robjg63

4160 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1425

Subscriber

#1810445 2-Jul-2017 16:36

Why would you risk getting an already proven troublesome product?
The looks are that important to you? Are you going to put chairs around it so you can admire it?

We have had a rinnai for around 15 years. Fingers x'd - but so far so good.
Will replace with another rinnai when the time comes, unless I hear reasons not to.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

dusty42

117 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#1810573 2-Jul-2017 18:50

smalltrader: Can't comment about the Bosch. In my house, a Rinnai instant gas water heater lasted 20 years and was replaced by another Rinnai. The old Rinnai was still working but loud due to old age.

You have said it yourself, the Rinnai is a well proven product. I guess I am struggling to understand the look issue as the the Rinnai is not a bad look plus they are mounted outdoor which may not even see daily.

Yeah, the Rinnai vt26 is to be the go to model recommended by the plumbers I've spoken to.

It sure does it's best to look like a domestic hot water unit - we'd like something a little more subdued. The location outside is what is - not ideal in terms of presentation of the house, but other advantages as close to gas and kitchen.

My sister stuck the vt26 outside her 1930s bungalow on an invisible spot, but long pipe run means terrible delay when running hot water. Is what it is.

Mattyyo: We've got the Optiflow.
Had it since January. In that time it's been replaced twice, on the third now.

Service has been great though (through the plumber who installed, they also have had no problems with Bosch) and I think this unit may be good for the long haul (touch wood).
Bluetooth distance is poor- you have to be pretty much outside it in front of it to use it, forget about going through brick and being at the other end of the house controlling it.

So handy on the app, can track the servicing problems etc and adjust temp, see usage.

In one case the only way I knew my unit was buggered was opening the app and seeing the service problems. It showed a lead up over days, essentially part of the electrical board burnt out I think.

Thanks for sharing experience. Glad to hear you think you've got working one. Was it the same fault both times?

If we have wooden construction - you think bluetooth would work from inside the house next to the unit? Otherwise we'll need to get a couple of controllers at least, sigh.

I like the idea of getting data from the unit, especially with how much energy they'll consume over their lifetime

Mattyyo

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1810626 2-Jul-2017 22:04

Dusty- yep I think it will work fine. Just tried mine through brick and it worked ok, but I was on the inner wall in the bedroom for it.

We never change the temp on it, it's always burning at 55. I only use the app to check for service problems and if I'm interested in water usage.

Very good on gas, about one big bottle every 3-4 months. Only used to heat water though, and only 2 of us. But we have super long showers and have also had 10 people living with us for 2 weeks in that time.

PM me if you have any other questions, happy to share my experience.

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1749

#1810645 3-Jul-2017 01:50

If you are worried about looks, why not just get an indoor Rinnai?

Stan

929 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 183
Inactive user

#1812526 4-Jul-2017 13:24

New opti flows come out of China where as the Rheem/Palomas and Rinnai are made in Japan.

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#1812593 4-Jul-2017 14:21

That quote in your original post was from me, back when I was investigating a replacement to our then gas HWC; based on that advice received from a seller of the Bosch we decided to stay well away from the brand, and went with the conventional solution - the Rinnai Infinity system.

It's been perfect, and we wish we'd done it ages ago. (It also showed us how dodgy the water coming out of our cylinder was!) I guess it's evidence of why this brand/model is so popular - it just works, and it seemingly lasts a good long time.

Given the respective reputations of the Bosch and Rinnai systems (or other alternatives), I think people would be kinda crazy to go with the Bosch, good looks or not.

smalltrader

174 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 62

#1812607 4-Jul-2017 14:30

Stan: New opti flows come out of China where as the Rheem/Palomas and Rinnai are made in Japan.

Personally, I would not take "Made in China" or "Made in Japan" as the clear indication of quality. Apple products are designed in the US but Made in China and I have had very good experience with Apple products.

I think the issue here is the Rinnai is a well proven design with over 20 years of reliability history whereas the Bosch is probably still in beta perhaps. The old saying, never buy V1.0 if you value reliability.

Paul1977

5171 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2192

#1813582 6-Jul-2017 09:50

We put in a Bosch Highflow 26e about a year ago and are very happy with it and have had no problems, so I don't know that I'd steer clear of Bosch entirely. However I agree with most advice on here that is suggesting going with something that has a proven track record, and it sounds like the OptiFlow isn't there yet.

Using bluetooth instead of wifi seems like a stupid choice on Bosch's part.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

cshwone

1091 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 844

#1813675 6-Jul-2017 10:53

Mattyyo:

We never change the temp on it, it's always burning at 55.

For my education why do you have it set to 55? We have had a Rinnai system for 12 years and have always had it set to 42 as that way you can go max hot on the shower and the temp is perfect every time, no need to ever think about it or worry about the kids scalding themselves.

Paul1977

5171 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2192

#1813701 6-Jul-2017 11:17

cshwone:

Mattyyo:

We never change the temp on it, it's always burning at 55.

For my education why do you have it set to 55? We have had a Rinnai system for 12 years and have always had it set to 42 as that way you can go max hot on the shower and the temp is perfect every time, no need to ever think about it or worry about the kids scalding themselves.

Kitchen use may want hotter than 55 sometimes, occasional full heat hot laundry wash. Lots of reason to what to go over 42.

We didn't bother with controllers, so ours is always 55.

dusty42

117 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#1827800 23-Jul-2017 18:58

We'll see how it turns out. I was heartened when I learned my sister's new Rinnai has had a few sporadic faults recently - can really happen to any machine, so not too worried about the Bosch.

Installed a few days ago, and so far working very well.

We can bluetooth in from our laundry no problem, but the range is indeed pretty rubbish.

Asked partner to take extra long luxurious shower to get this data. Price does not include 10% prompt payment discount.

Set to 42 degrees, she's been showering with it at around half max flow. Install involved plumbers reducing our mains water pressure, it must have been way over the recommended limit. Even with new reduced water pressure, at max flow the shower is painful - this thing is amazing.

Quieter than we expected.

Way better looking than the white ones. I think the visual footprint is smaller - no garish text, no bright white panels. Plumbers did a lovely tidy install, but silly electrician ran an awful line to it that will need to be changed.

A shame the genesis flat rate gas plan is no longer available.