Rheem RTG-95 Tankless Water Heaters

Q. "What is the difference between the indoor and outdoor models?"
A. Outdoor units require no venting whereas the indoor units must properly be vented to the outside using Category III approved stainless steel venting. Failure to install and properly vent the water heater to the outdoors can result in unsafe operation.

Q. "What is 3"/5" concentric venting?"
A. 3"/5" concentric venting is a vent pipe that consists of two different sizes of venting pipes inside one another. Fresh air is delivered to the appliance for combustion in the outer tube and the exhaust gases after combustion are channeled to the outdoors by the inner tube.

Q. "How does a Rheem tankless water heater work?"
A. A conventional tank-style water heater stores hot water, and heats the water 24/7, whether you use it or not. The new generation Tankless Technology Water Heater from Rheem only heats water on demand. When the faucet is opened, the water flows through the Rheem Tankless Water Heater, which heats it to the temperature you've digitally set. When the faucet is closed, the Rheem Tankless Water Heater senses the command, and goes to standby mode.

Q. "Can it be installed in the same place my old hot water heater was installed?"
A. As long as enough combustion air is provided, Rheem tankless water heaters can be installed in a utility room, garage, basement, attic, or placed on an outside wall. Plus, they can be installed in locations where a storage water heater may not fit. The Digital Temperature Controller can be mounted in any room. Please keep in mind that tankless water heaters often require different gas line sizing than tank-style water heaters. We recommend confirming the reqirements of your desired installation with a licensed plumber or other appropriate authority.

Q. "What safety device is used to prevent overheat failure of the heat exchanger?"
A. An Over Heat Limiting Film wrap is wrapped around the entire heat exchanger. This monitors the temperature of the heat exchanger and will shut the unit down if it exceeds a safe temperature. This is an exclusive feature of the Rheem tankless water heaters.

Q. "Can I convert the water heater from LP to natural gas or natural gas to LP?"
A. No, these units can not be converted from one fuel source to another.

Q. "Can I use PVC to vent this tankless water heater?"
A. No. The temperature of the exhaust is too high to safely use PVC as venting material. We never recommend PVC as venting even where the ideal exhaust temperatures would technically allow it due to a much higher incident of dangerous issues associated with PVC venting on poorly-maintained gas tankless water heaters.

Q. "How much hot water must be flowing before the tankless water heater turns on?"
A. The minimum flow to operate these tankless water heaters is 0.40gpm.

Q. "What is the minimum amount of water pressure needed for these to operate?"
A. These units require a consistent 14psi or better water pressure to operate.

Q. "Will an instantaneous water heater save me money on my utility bills?"
A.In many applications you can see a savings. There are some variables that could reduce the amount you save. One example is you will not run out of hot water, so longer showers could cut into your savings. Also, the cost of electricity, propane and natural gas in your area will affect the amount of money saved. The higher the cost for the energy type used to heat your water, the quicker you can recover the higher initial cost of installing a tankless versus tank style water heater.

Positives:

You will never run out of hot water. "You want an hour long shower? No problem!"
Electric units can be installed at the point of use.
You're not paying energy costs to heat water 24 hours a day.
They're easy to install.
Our electric units don't require a T&P valve (no tank!) - if code allows
Installing a tankless water heater can indeed be a bonus to the environment (why should we choose wastefulness when we're talking about finite natural resources?)

Negatives:

They all need a minimum flow rate & pressure to turn on.
The faster water flows through them, the lower the temperature rise. So, if you expect to take a shower while the clothes washer is running, you will need to select a unit sized to your maximum hot water flow requirements. (Gas units generally handle this a little better than electric models)
Electric units need heavy gauge wire. Example: the 9.5kw must have 8ga wire and a 50amp breaker.
Gas units need a much larger, special flue pipe and larger gas supply than a conventional water heater.
At times they can produce very hot water. It's easier to get scalded.
Gas units are more complicated than a conventional water heater.
With some brands, parts are hard to find (not a negative if you originally purchase from us, as we like to carry parts for the units that we sell).

Summary:
Tankless water heaters have their place. They're not "the answer" to every hot water need, but if they're used correctly they can be the solution to many of them.

Q. "What water pressure is needed for supplying hot water to upper floors?"
A. To supply water to upper floors, you'll need an additional 0.44psi/ft of water pressure. Basically, for every one vertical foot, you'll need an additional 0.44psi of water pressure.

Q. "What water pressure is recommended for well water?"
A. Most well water systems are set at a range of 30-50psi or 40-60psi. DO NOT change your settings without consulting with a professional.

Q. "What does it mean to have ANSI Certification for lead free plumbing products?"
A. Laws requiring plumbing products that come in to contact with drinking water to be essentially lead-free (0.25% weighted average) have been passed in California, Louisiana, Maryland, and Vermont. In order for companies to ship these plumbing products to locations in CA, LA, MD and VT, they must be ANSI certified lead free.

Q. "What is CA AB 1953, LA Act No. 362, MD HB 372, and VT S.152 and how is this different from previous low-lead legislation?"
A. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the amount of lead in drinking water under guidelines established in the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (passed in 1974; amended in 1988 and 1996). This Act defines "lead-free" as not more than 8% lead in pipes and fixture fittings. PLEASE NOTE: Use of the term "lead-free" varies between the new legislation in CA (AB 1953), LA ( Act No. 362), MD (HB 372), and VT (S.152), and in the current Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. In the new legislation for CA, LA, MD and VT only (as of Jan 2013), it will mean 0.25% or less (weighted average). Similar national legislation is scheduled to go into effect Jan 2014.

Q. "What is siliphos?"
A. Siliphos is a water treatment compound; a glass-like Polyphosphate containing Sodium, Calcium Magnesium and Silicate, formulated specifically for the treatment of water problems and to prevent the build-up of scale in plumbing. It is made from a blend of food grade organic phosphates, and has been approved by the USDA for drinking water and all food applications. It is safe for ingestion by humans, animals, and plants, and does not build up in waste water.

Q. "What are the best reasons to install a Scale Inhibitor System?"
A. The system prevents and protects the piping from excessive scale build-up, which helps maintain efficiency and extends the life of the system. It also inhibits rust and corrosion by creating a thin protective layer on the inside walls of the piping.

Q. "Can I install this scale inhibitor upside down?"
A.This scale inhibitor can be installed in any direction with the filter pointing in any direction as long as the water flow direction is correct and the system has suitable pressure to function properly. Please note, the manufacturer recommends that the filter be supported if the Venturi tee is not installed horizontally with the filter outlet pointing downward. Also, if the Venturi tee is not installed horizontally with the filter outlet pointing downward, it may be more difficult to catch the remaining water in the line when replacing the cartridge. As always, please consult with a trusted local professional if you are at all unsure about correctly installing this scale inhibitor.