TANKLESS WATER HEATER WITHOUT TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER PHOTOS

[Gene South]

I have inspected many homes with tankless water heaters. Most were Rinnai or Rheem brand. Some were located in the attic, some wall mounted inside a garage, and some inside an exterior wall panel. In every case but one, the Rinnai water heaters had a temperature controller ( a "thermostat"). However in one new development neighborhood where i have inspected several homes, every Rinnai water heater in the neighborhood has no apparent thermostat. I contacted the manufacture and was told each water heater was provided with a temperature controller, however for some reason this one neighborhood does not have the temperature controllers installed. There is nothing apparent to indicate there is a wireless model thermostat or 34226wired model on any of them. When I flagged one during a recent inspection, the builder reluctantly installed it, but I never got a clear answer on what it was not installed in the first place. Each water heater in the neighborhood is this way. I can understand one or two, but not the entire neighborhood. (I have included a stock photo of a temperature controller).

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[Jerry Peck]

It may has a thermostat - just a factory preset one and not an adjustable one?

The photo you show is an exterior model, they have different controls as their controls are not designed to be exposed to the weather.

Your first photo (with the cover off) cuts off the top half of the unit.

[Gene South]

It may has a thermostat - just a factory preset one and not an adjustable one?

The photo you show is an exterior model, they have different controls as their controls are not designed to be exposed to the weather.

Your first photo (with the cover off) cuts off the top half of the unit.

Hi Jerry, It appears the water heater defaults to a 120 degree setting and stays there. I have never seen a residential water heater where the homeowner had no way to adjust the temperature. Like an oven or AC unit that was preset to one temperature. The manufacture specified a specific model thermostat that was not apparent, and saw nothing to suggest it was installed.

[Jerry Peck]

The manufacture specified a specific model thermostat that was not apparent, and saw nothing to suggest it was installed.

Gene,

When you called the manufacturer, did you have the serial number and did they check their manufacturing records to verify that the unit was or was not manufactured with the specified thermostat?

The manufacturer may have a preset thermostat version for contractor pricing, like many other "contractor models" of appliances and stuff where something is deemed "not necessary" and saves the contractor $1.00 per unit. While $1.00 isn't anything to a home buyer, to a national builder who builds 10,000 homes ... that's $10,000 into the bottom line for investors in the company

[Gene South]

Hi Jerry, I did not provide the serial number to the manufacture, nor did they inquire about it. I only had the model number and they told me it cam with a specific controller. It didn't occur to me they might need the serial number. The serial number wasn't apparent. I would have had to remove the cover to find it i think.

[Jim Luttrall]

Reading the manual, it seems it reverts to preset temp much like an electric tank style heater and can be changed to 120 or 140 unless the temperature controller is installed. I personally got used to finding the controller in odd locations and never paid much attention. Seems like the manufacturer is not too concerned.
I did notice there is a minimum water pressure of 50 psi, never noticed that.

[Jerry Peck]

... unless the temperature controller is installed. I personally got used to finding the controller in odd locations and never paid much attention.

From Jim's reply, the thermostats could be in strange locations, or ... the contractor simply did not install the thermostats.

However, being as the installation instructions says that the temperature controller is included and page 22 shows how to mount and wire the controller ... and the installation instructions state (under "MUST DO" on page 4, continues on page 5 with this: "You must follow the installation instructions and those in Care and Maintenance for adequate combustion air intake and exhaust." ( https://www.rinnai-lms.com/resources/288/U307-1120(03)%20V75%20V65%20Manual.pdf )

[Phil brody]

If it was a new neighborhood Wi-Fi installlation happened after the House was completed. He would have to go back to complete the installation, hence not installed.

[Phil brody]

And since the unit defaults to 120 it was an extra step?he,the plumber ? deemed unnecessary and adequate for its intended purpose.

[Matthew Steger]

I have inspected many homes with tankless water heaters. Most were Rinnai or Rheem brand. Some were located in the attic, some wall mounted inside a garage, and some inside an exterior wall panel. In every case but one, the Rinnai water heaters had a temperature controller ( a "thermostat"). However in one new development neighborhood where i have inspected several homes, every Rinnai water heater in the neighborhood has no apparent thermostat. I contacted the manufacture and was told each water heater was provided with a temperature controller, however for some reason this one neighborhood does not have the temperature controllers installed. There is nothing apparent to indicate there is a wireless model thermostat or 34226wired model on any of them. When I flagged one during a recent inspection, the builder reluctantly installed it, but I never got a clear answer on what it was not installed in the first place. Each water heater in the neighborhood is this way. I can understand one or two, but not the entire neighborhood. (I have included a stock photo of a temperature controller).

34223 342223422434225

I would guess that the thermostat (since this is an exterior model) is likely located inside the basement, for example, since an exterior thermostat control would not be very user friendly, especially in winter.

[Elizabeth Chambers]

I would explain to the builder why the temp controllers were necessary and the importance of following the manufactures installation instructions, and the consequences that may occur if they are not followed.