A non-condensing tankless water heater is considered more efficient compared to the conventional tank-equipped type, but a condensing model is the most efficient of all, such as the Rinnai RU98EN. It is one of the most powerful water heaters from Rinnai categorized under Ultra series, featuring 0.95 energy factor, 9.8 GPM, and an easy-to-use temperature controller.
Main Features and Benefits
1. Condensing Water Heater – As mentioned earlier, the Rinnai RU98EN is a condensing tankless water heater, which is considered the most efficient model compared to others currently available. In a combustion process, fuel is burned thus it produces hot gases. In this case, hot gases are used for heating the water. With a non-condensing model, some of the hot gases are simply pushed through the vents to the outside, therefore wasted.
A condensing tankless water heater, such as the RU98EN, transfers the exhaust gases to heat the incoming water. In other words, energy optimization is much better.
2. Two Heat Exchangers – In order to operate as a condensing water heater, the Rinnai RU98EN uses two heat exchangers; one is made of steel, while another is made of copper. The stainless heat exchanger is used for recapturing the heat produced by the combustion process. The copper-made one uses pre-heated water to deliver optimum heating process above the gas burner. Cold water is already pre-heated before it flows through the primary burner, allowing for optimum heating process. According to the manufacturer, the RU98EN reaches energy factor of 0.95 for either natural or propane gas. [Read more...]