Rinnai's NZ range
Cylinders. Rinnai lists mains pressure, coiled mains pressure and low pressure cylinders, in materials from enamel to stainless steel. The coiled tanks take heat from solar and other closed-loop sources, such as pumped wetbacks and boilers.
Low pressure copper. These are made in New Zealand, as they have been since the 1930s, and are rated to 76 kPa. Rinnai notes that many wood, pellet or burner systems can be fitted with a wetback to heat one.
EasySwap. This enamel cylinder was designed as a direct swap for existing 180 L top-port cylinders, on mains or low pressure. Your plumber still has to confirm it suits your pipework and cupboard.
Gas continuous flow. For homes, the INFINITY range is Graphite, the A-Series (internal and external) and the external EF26.
Heat pumps. HydraHeat Integrated, HydraHeat Split and the Enviroflo GR Series. Rinnai's install guide says a hot water heat pump needs a licensed plumber, an electrician and a suitable site.
What Rinnai's warranties ask for
- Authorised hands at every stage. Installing, commissioning, servicing, repairing and removing must be done by people authorised by local regulations, to Rinnai's instructions and building codes.
- Proof of when it went in. INFINITY cover starts at first installation, and a claim needs proof of purchase and the install date. On mains pressure cylinders, an install date that can't be proven means cover is counted from manufacture.
- Gas details for INFINITY units. Rinnai says the installer must issue a certificate of compliance by law, and a claim may be invalid without the gasfitter's registration number and the gas certification number.
- No unauthorised work. Failures from incorrect or unauthorised installation, or from repairs by unauthorised people, are excluded.
- Servicing is separate. Rinnai states that servicing is not part of the warranty.
The gas certificates, plainly
Under the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations, a gas certificate of compliance is required for general and high-risk gasfitting and is optional for low-risk work, such as swapping a gas appliance for an equivalent one. Every gasfitting job needs a Gas Safety Certificate once it's connected.
Because an INFINITY claim can hinge on the gasfitter's registration number and certificate number, ask for both in writing on the day. Our guide to certificates of compliance explains each document.
Rinnai also runs an online product registration page that asks for the product code, serial number and installation date. It's a handy place to record when the unit went in.
Ask the installer
- Which Rinnai model is this, and is it built for our low or mains pressure supply?
- Will you give me the gas certificate details and your registration number in writing?
- Do you work under a certifying supervisor, and who are they?
- What date will the invoice show as the installation date?
- Is there an anode in this cylinder, and how often should someone look at it?
- What servicing does the manual recommend, since the warranty doesn't cover it?
What we would do
Treat the paperwork as part of the product. With Rinnai, a claim can turn on proving the install date and, for INFINITY, on the gasfitter's details, so keep the invoice, the gas certificate and the model and serial numbers together from day one. Choose an authorised gasfitter or plumber who specialises in hot water, and check their name on the PGDB register before they start.