electric hot water + rinnai temperature control (or similar)

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nickreno

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#236042 14-May-2018 22:16

Hi - I really like the Rinnai temperature controller - where you can set the temperature digitally & have the shower/bath water come out at that exact temperature.

However it seems like it only works with gas infinity heaters. Is there a similar system available for use with electric hot water cylinders?

I have searched for 'electronic water temperature control valve' but all seem either foreign, or for large-scale systems (or both). The thermostatic ones seem to have both quite large fluctuations, and no way to change the temperature (eg. to lower for baby bath)

Is there something similar the the Rinnai Compact COntroller (which is only $164-ish..) that anyone has used / recommends / knows of??

Scott3

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#2016085 14-May-2018 23:06

Do you want to dial in an exact temperature? Or are you just looking to avoid surges in temperature, and risk of scalding when somebody else uses a tap in the house.

There are a large number of thermostatic mixers available. These are widespread in hospitals etc, and generally ensure that the outlet temperature cannot exceed 38 degrees. (some people can't feel temperature, so using a normal mixer can be very dangerous).

The one below retails at $1269

https://www.methven.com/nz/showering/shower-mixers/tahi-thermostatic-dual-flow-mixer

Bung

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#2016090 14-May-2018 23:54

The Rinnai controller is relatively cheap because all it has to do is control the temperature of the hot water coming out of the heater. With an electric hwc you've got water at a fixed temp that you're having to mix with cold.

Aredwood

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#2016098 15-May-2018 02:07

If it has to be an eletronic type temperature controller. Easiest just to replace your electric cylinder with Rinnai Gas hot water.

Otherwise get a Grohe or similar thermostatic shower mixer, and install it so it supplies hot water to the whole house, or just the bathroom. Then you can easily adjust the temperature. You have to have mains pressure hot water for a thermostatic mixer to work properly.

nickreno

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#2017134 16-May-2018 19:46

Great, thanks for the advice - looks like it will be a bit more money than I expected - will look at again at the Rinnai infinty system. Thanks for the help. Nick

kingjj

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#2017255 17-May-2018 00:20

nickreno:

Great, thanks for the advice - looks like it will be a bit more money than I expected - will look at again at the Rinnai infinty system. Thanks for the help. Nick

Would be money well spent going with a Rinnai IMHO. The temperature control and bath fill features are totally worth the extra investment and for us have taken the stress out of trying to get the bath temperature just right for the wee one. Nothing worse then a wriggly toddler while you're trying to chuck some extra cold water in the bath.