Rinnai Gas Hot Water Systems: Are They Right for Your Home?

Rinnai gas hot water systems are a popular choice for Australian homes that want fast hot water recovery, compact outdoor units and a reliable alternative to large electric storage tanks. They can be especially suitable for homes with natural gas or LPG already available, but the right model depends on household size, number of bathrooms, gas type, water pressure and whether the existing pipework can support the system.

Installed Today offers Rinnai hot water systems for customers comparing replacement options online, including selected instant gas hot water systems and 16L, 20L and 26L models.

Quick Answer

A Rinnai gas hot water system can be a good option if your home already has natural gas or LPG, you want continuous hot water, and your property has suitable gas pipe sizing, water pressure and outdoor installation space.

For many households, a Rinnai Infinity B26 natural gas hot water system or Rinnai Infinity B26 LPG gas hot water system is considered when multiple bathrooms or higher hot water demand are involved. However, bigger is not automatically better. A licensed installer should confirm gas supply, water pressure and site suitability before you order.

Why Choose a Rinnai Gas Hot Water System?

Rinnai is one of the best-known hot water brands in Australia, particularly for continuous flow gas hot water. Instead of storing a full tank of hot water, instant gas systems heat water as it passes through the unit.

This can suit homes that want:

• Continuous hot water while the system is operating within its capacity

• A compact outdoor unit

• No large storage cylinder

• Natural gas or LPG hot water options

• A replacement for an older instant gas system

• A product from a widely recognised hot water brand

Rinnai gas hot water is often compared with gas hot water systems, electric hot water systems, heat pump hot water systems and instant electric hot water systems. The best choice depends on your home, energy source and installation requirements.

Rinnai Instant Gas Hot Water Options

Rinnai’s most popular hot water options are continuous flow gas systems. These are commonly selected by households replacing an existing external gas instantaneous unit.

16L Rinnai Gas Hot Water Systems

A 16L system can suit smaller homes, townhouses or lower-demand households where hot water use is moderate. It may be suitable for one bathroom homes or properties where multiple showers are not running at the same time.

Examples include the Rinnai Infinity B16 natural gas hot water system and the Rinnai Infinity B16 LPG gas hot water system.

20L Rinnai Gas Hot Water Systems

A 20L system can suit homes with slightly higher demand than a small single-bathroom property. It may be considered where the household wants a balance between size, flow capacity and gas demand.

The Rinnai Infinity B20 LPG gas hot water system is one option for homes with LPG supply, subject to site suitability.

26L Rinnai Gas Hot Water Systems

A 26L system is often considered for family homes, larger households or properties with higher hot water demand. However, a 26L unit is not automatically the right answer for every home.

Before choosing a 26L instant gas hot water system, the installer should confirm:

• Gas pipe sizing is suitable

• Water pressure is suitable

• The gas type is correct

• The unit location is compliant

• The home’s demand does not exceed the system’s practical capacity

Multiple outlets running at once can still exceed capacity, even with a larger unit.

Natural Gas vs LPG Rinnai Hot Water Systems

Natural gas and LPG are not the same, and they are not interchangeable. A natural gas model must be connected to natural gas, while an LPG model must be connected to LPG.

For example, the Rinnai Infinity B26 natural gas hot water system and the Rinnai Infinity B26 LPG gas hot water system are separate product options.

Gas work must be completed by a licensed gas fitter. If you are unsure which gas type your property uses, confirm this before ordering a supply-only system.

Rinnai Gas Hot Water vs Other Hot Water Types

Rinnai gas hot water may be a strong option for some homes, but it is not the only choice. Here is how it compares with other common hot water systems.

Rinnai Gas vs Electric Storage Hot Water

Electric storage systems are common in homes without gas. They store hot water in a tank and can suit straightforward replacements where the existing electric setup is already suitable.

A home comparing gas and electric may also look at 250L electric hot water systems, 315L electric hot water systems or 400L electric hot water systems.

Electric storage may suit homes without gas, while Rinnai gas hot water may suit homes already set up for natural gas or LPG. The existing energy source, electrical supply, hot water usage and installation location all matter.

Rinnai Gas vs Heat Pump Hot Water

Heat pump hot water systems are often considered by households looking for an electric alternative with lower running energy use than traditional electric storage. They need suitable outdoor space, airflow, condensate drainage, electrical suitability and sensible noise placement.

A heat pump is not automatically best for every home. Customers comparing options may look at heat pump hot water systems, including medium and large tank options, depending on household demand.

Rinnai gas may be simpler where a suitable gas instantaneous unit is already installed. Heat pump may be worth considering where the home wants to move away from gas or has solar electricity that suits timer-based operation.

Rinnai Gas vs Instant Electric Hot Water

Instant electric systems can be useful for point-of-use applications such as small sinks, kitchenettes, workshops or low-demand fixtures. They are not automatically suitable for whole-home hot water.

Instant electric units may require high electrical capacity, dedicated circuits or three-phase power depending on the model. For whole-home use, many households compare them carefully against gas, electric storage and heat pump systems.

Rinnai Gas vs Solar Hot Water

Solar hot water can suit some homes, but roof orientation, roof pitch, shading, roof structure, collector type, booster type and maintenance access all matter. Rebates, STCs and incentives can also change.

Where the roof is shaded, difficult to access or unsuitable, a heat pump or gas system may be more practical.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Rinnai Gas Hot Water System

The biggest mistake is choosing a model based only on litres per minute. A 26L system can look appealing, but it still needs suitable gas supply and water pressure.

Other common mistakes include:

• Ordering natural gas when the property uses LPG

• Ordering LPG when the property uses natural gas

• Assuming gas pipework is already large enough

• Assuming a bigger unit fixes all flow problems

• Ignoring water pressure issues

• Replacing an old system without checking household demand

• Assuming an external gas unit can be installed indoors

• Forgetting that controllers, valves or pipework upgrades may not be included

• Buying supply-only before confirming installer requirements

External gas hot water systems are generally outdoor units unless the specific model is approved for internal flued installation. Always check the product requirements and use a licensed gas fitter.

Supply-Only vs Supplied-and-Installed

Installed Today offers supply-only ordering across major Australian metro areas. This can suit customers who already have a licensed installer organised and want to order the product online.

Selected supplied-and-installed options are available on eligible products in Brisbane and Gold Coast service areas. Availability depends on the product, address and installation requirements.

For supply-only products, the listed product price generally covers the product only.

It does not usually include:

• Installation labour

• Plumbing alterations

• Electrical work

• Gas work

• New valves

• Pipework changes

• Gas pipe upgrades

• Drainage changes

• Tempering valve upgrades

• Pressure limiting valve upgrades

• Expansion control valves

• Old unit removal

• Disposal

• Compliance upgrades

• Concrete bases or slab work

• Flue kits unless listed

• Temperature controllers unless listed

• Relocation of the system

• Rebate administration

• Site assessment

Before ordering supply-only, confirm the model, gas type, installation location and site requirements with your licensed installer.

Brisbane and Gold Coast Rinnai Gas Hot Water Considerations

In Brisbane and Gold Coast homes, Rinnai gas hot water systems are often considered when replacing older external gas instantaneous units. Many homes already have outdoor hot water locations, but that does not mean every replacement is automatically like-for-like.

Local factors that may affect the right product include:

• Existing natural gas or LPG supply

• Outdoor wall space

• Distance from bathrooms and kitchen

• Gas pipe sizing

• Water pressure

• Access down the side of the home

• Drainage and overflow points

• Existing controller wiring

• Whether the old system struggled during peak use

A licensed installer can confirm whether the replacement is straightforward or whether additional work is needed.

Before Ordering Checklist

Before ordering a Rinnai gas hot water system, check:

• Is your home natural gas or LPG?

• Are you replacing an existing gas instantaneous unit?

• How many bathrooms does the home have?

• How many people use hot water daily?

• Do multiple showers run at once?

• Did the old system run out, fluctuate or struggle?

• Is water pressure suitable?

• Is gas pipe sizing suitable?

• Is the unit location outdoors and compliant?

• Do you need temperature controllers?

• Are you ordering supply-only or an eligible supplied-and-installed option?

• Has your licensed installer confirmed the product is suitable?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Rinnai gas hot water systems good?

Rinnai gas hot water systems are a popular choice for many Australian homes, especially for continuous flow gas hot water. They can be a good option where natural gas or LPG is available and the property has suitable gas supply, water pressure and outdoor installation space.

What size Rinnai gas hot water system do I need?

The right size depends on household demand, number of bathrooms, shower habits and whether multiple outlets run at the same time. A 16L system may suit lower-demand homes, while a 26L system may suit larger households, but gas pipe sizing and water pressure must be checked.

Is a 26L Rinnai gas hot water system always better?

No. A 26L system is not automatically better. It needs suitable gas pipe sizing and water pressure, and multiple outlets can still exceed capacity. Bigger can also be unnecessary for smaller homes.

Can I use an LPG Rinnai system on natural gas?

No. Natural gas and LPG are different. You need the correct model for your property’s gas type. Gas work must be handled by a licensed gas fitter.

Can a Rinnai external gas hot water system be installed indoors?

External gas units are generally designed for outdoor installation. Do not install an external gas hot water system indoors unless the specific model is approved for internal flued installation and installed compliantly by licensed trades.

Does supply-only pricing include installation?

No. Supply-only pricing generally covers the product only. It does not usually include installation labour, valves, pipework, gas work, electrical work, drainage, old unit removal, disposal or compliance upgrades unless specifically shown or selected.

Should I choose Rinnai gas or heat pump hot water?

Choose based on your energy source, household size, location, electrical supply, gas availability, outdoor space and running preferences. Rinnai gas may suit homes already set up for gas instantaneous hot water, while heat pump systems may suit homes wanting an electric option with suitable airflow and drainage.

Final Word

A Rinnai gas hot water system can be a practical, compact and reliable option for homes with suitable natural gas or LPG supply. The key is choosing the right model for your household demand and confirming the site requirements before ordering.

Browse Rinnai hot water systems, compare instant gas hot water systems, or review 26L instant gas hot water systems if your home has higher hot water demand.