Every so often even the best appliances can malfunction. If you find that your Rinnai Infinity 26 stops producing hot water, what can you do?

First of all, Rinnai as a brand has one of the longest warranties in the industry, so most issues will be covered under your purchase warranty. The Rinnai warranty covers parts and labour. If you find that your unit is not producing hot water like it should do, then there are options for you to try at home before having to call in a licensed gasfitter to troubleshoot your unit.

It is important to note that usually, tank less water heaters like the Rinnai Infinity 26, do not provide hot water straight away, unless it has been installed with a recirculation pump or a buffer tank. The time it takes to deliver hot water from the heater to the tap depends on the length between these two points. Often, it is for this reason, that some users will experience a shorter or longer wait for hot water. Although this can be frustrating for some users, it is not an actual problem with the unit but just a quirk that will require some patience for some users.

Often the issue of no hot water can be put down to other mitigating factors and no actual problem with your tank less hot water unit. For example: Your hot water can get cold during a shower because you have reduced the flow from the tap below the minimum flow rate required. By keeping the flow rate above the minimum required, you should have constant hot water.

If you are receiving warm water through your unit but it is just not hot enough then there are some reasons as to why this may be.

Your water temperature should be set between is set too low. Increase the temperature to approximately 50C. It may be that your water temperature setting has been bumped to a lower temperature.

Occasionally, you will experience a reduced water flow when the water filter or fixture aerator are clogged. This can also happen if there is a plumbing crossover, when you have cold water mixing with the hot water. One of the reasons for a plumbing crossover to occur is if you have a single-lever mixing valve installed, and it has failed.

Even when we think we have clean water flowing to our house, sediment and lime scale can build up inside the heat exchanger. The scale deposits act as an insulator and prevents the heat exchanger from transferring heat to your water.

If you have moved into a house with an already installed Rinnai Infinity 26 there could be issues with the gas valves. Sometimes the gas pressure needs to be reset or the valve has not been opened fully.

Along with lime scale build up, the venting system can also be subject to a build up of debris. It is vitally important that you keep an eye on the venting system and ensure that it is clean of debris at all times. The venting system must be able to provide enough fresh air for proper combustion.

Rinnai tank less hot water heaters like the Infinity 26 will have a self-diagnosis program for when issues arise. Any issue that is recognised will flash with a fault code. These fault codes will show on your digital, or status, monitor of the hot water temperature controller.

Rinnai error codes easily allow you to know exactly where the fault lies that is causing you to experience no hot water, or for your hot water heater to not operate at all.

Before calling a technician to come and source your fault and fix it, there are some steps that you can take as the owner of an Infinity 26 to troubleshoot the fault first.

First – check the power supply. Find a portable electric appliance – say hair straighteners or a toaster and plug this appliance into the same socket your Infinity 26 usually uses.

Second – If your Infinity 26 has a fitted controller, check that this hasn’t tripped and is still on.

Third – Check your gas supply. If you have gas to another appliance, like your stove – turn the stove top on and then turn a hot water tap on. If you lose the flame on the stove top whilst running the hot water – you probably have a gas supply issue.

Fourth – Check your water flow. Someone may have bumped the tap to the Infinity 26. Try opening your tap more.

Fifth – Isolate your water and then clean the filters and water restrictor.

Lastly – Are there any error codes showing on the controllers? If so, you will need to refer to the installation manual for further trouble shooting of the specific code/s.

If, after all of these steps you still find that your unit is not working, you can find an explanation of the Rinnai error codes in your operation manual under “Troubleshooting”. You will find a list of common error codes, a fault description relating to each code and a possible solution.

It is important to note that faults that are caused by an insufficient gas supply, an insufficient water supply, poor gas quality or water quality and installation or operation errors will not be covered by any Rinnai warranty that you hold.

All Rinnai products are designed and manufactured according to strict quality standards. However, should you have any problems with your hot water system you will need to contact a licenced gas fitting technician.

In New Zealand, gas fitting relates to any work that involves installing, altering or repairing gas appliances. Any work that is completed on your Rinnai Infinity 26 needs to be done by a licensed gas fitter. This is to comply with New Zealand law and to keep you and your family safe.

You can ensure that the person you call to fix your Infinity 26 is a licenced gas fitter by asking to look at their authorisation card which is issued by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers’ Board.