A 10-Step, Easy Troubleshooting Guide For Rinnai Hot Water

You bought a Rinnai because it’s a well-regarded brand in the Australian hot water system market, right? It’s a brand that is well known for many decades of innovative, reliable, and energy-efficient solutions. But even the best and most dependable systems can experience issues. Is your Rinnai hot water not working?

You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll offer specific, easy-to-follow troubleshooting steps you can do at home – all specifically tailored to Rinnai’s technology:

Overview of Rinnai hot water technology

Rinnai offers several types of premium hot water systems to cater to every type of need all across Brisbane and far beyond:

• Gas systems, including storage and continuous flow, providing efficient and on-demand hot water
• Electric units, available in a huge range of sizes and capacities
• Solar systems, with a gas or electric booster for cloudy days or high demand
• Heat pump systems, providing an energy-efficient solution for warm climates like Brisbane.

No matter the type of Rinnai system you have at your place, our exclusive Rinnai hot water system troubleshooting guide is designed to help you pinpoint and resolve common problems – at home!

Rinnai troubleshooting guide: Step-by-step

Follow our guide, from step 1 to step 10, and hopefully you’re showers and baths will be as steaming hot as you’ve always expected they would be:

1. What’s the problem?

Look out for the symptoms of a Rinnai hot water system not working correctly, like:

• No water
• Inconsistent water temperatures
• Unusual noises from the unit
• Error codes.

For that last one, bear in mind that modern Rinnai systems usually display error codes on their digital panels. These codes provide clues about what might be wrong. Refer to your user manual for a comprehensive list of error codes and their meanings.

But here’s a couple of really common ones:

• Error Code 11: Indicates Rinnai gas hot water ignition not working, usually due to an issue with the gas supply or ignition sequence.
• Error Code 12: Indicates flame failure, which could mean the flame has gone out during operation, possibly due to a gas supply issue or a problem with the gas valve.

2. Check the power & gas supply

If you discover your Rinnai electric water heater not working, it might only be due to a power failure.

So, is your system still properly connected?:

• Check your home’s circuit breaker or fuse box
• For gas systems, ensure the gas supply is on
• If you have a Rinnai gas hot water not working correctly, check the gas meter or gas bottles to confirm there is a sufficient gas supply.

3. Reset the system

If you’re a lucky person, a simple reset can resolve minor issues or glitches that could be the cause of your Rinnai hot water system not working.

• Find the reset button on your unit (usually near the display panel)
• Hold it for a few seconds until the system resets
• Minor faults or glitches in the system may have now been cleared.

4. Inspect the water flow

Low water flow, in particular, often leads to Rinnai instant hot water not working. These continuous-flow systems need a minimum water flow rate to operate correctly.

• Check that your water flow meets the system’s minimum requirements (refer to the manual)
• Ensure all taps are fully open and check for any blockages or kinks in the water line.

5. Clean the inlet filter (Gas)

A blocked inlet filter could be why you have Rinnai gas hot water not working – or performing very badly!

• Turn off the water supply and clean the inlet filter to remove any debris
• All you need to do is unscrew the filter and rinse it under clean water.

6. Check the solar collectors (Solar)

Do you have solar hot water? Well, dirty or shaded solar collectors can most certainly lead to Rinnai solar hot water problems.

• Ensure your solar panels are clean and unobstructed
• Remove any debris, leaves, or other obstructions that might be blocking the sunlight.

7. Examine the thermostat settings

Although thermostat settings are fairly well fixed across Australia, if yours are set incorrectly, that can lead to Rinnai hot water not working as you’d expect.

• Check your thermostat settings and adjust them to the manufacturer’s recommended levels
• Ensure the temperature is set correctly and that the thermostat is functioning properly.

8. Inspect for airlocks

When facing a Rinnai no hot water situation, airlocks in the system could be the culprit – even if the heating is only uneven.

• Bleed the system to remove any trapped air
• This involves turning off the water supply, opening all hot water taps, and allowing air to escape.

9. Check for leaks

Leaks in the water heater or associated piping can lead to a Rinnai hot water system not getting hot.

• Inspect the unit and surrounding pipes for any visible leaks
• If you spot a leak, turn off the water supply immediately and consult a professional.

10. Check for external temperature variations

Extreme external temperatures can affect the heat pump hot water system, when you have Rinnai hot water not heating up properly with this exciting and efficient new technology.

• If external temperatures are too cold, consider installing insulation around your pipes
• You could also enquire about a booster for those chillier months.

Issues best left to professionals

Sometimes, major or complex problems are not suitable for DIY fixes, and regulations can even insist that these sorts of issues must be handled by a licensed professional, like:

• Gas leaks
• Faulty heat exchangers
• Persistent and recurring error codes
• Electrical faults.

Rinnai hot water still not working?

While this troubleshooting guide can help resolve many common issues with your Rinnai hot water system, some problems really do call for professional, experienced, and fully-licensed expertise. If you have a Rinnai hot water system not working as it should, and you feel unsure about tackling these issues by yourself, never hesitate to reach out to S&J Hot Water Brisbane. We’re always right here, and more than willing to help with affordable hot water repairs, much-needed maintenance, and easy replacements and installations for every type of hot water system and brand. Give us a call today for a free quote.