Installation Guide

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Installation and Operation Manual 19
*Source: Part 143 National Secondary Drinking Water Regulation
Table 5. Water Quality Guidelines
This section provides information on the
importance of water quality to the Rinnai
Tankless Water Heater. The information is
intended to serve as a general guide only
and is not a complete list of water quality
guidelines. Consideration of care for your
water heater should include evaluation of
water quality. The water must be potable,
free of corrosive chemicals, sand, dirt, or
other contaminants. It is up to the trained
and qualified professional to ensure the
water does not contain corrosive chemicals
or elements that can affect or damage the
Rinnai Tankless Water Heater. Water that
contains chemicals exceeding the levels
listed below can damage the Rinnai
Tankless Water Heater. Replacement of
components due to water quality damage is
not covered by the warranty.
If you install this water heater in an area that
is known to have hard water or that causes
scale build-up, the water must be treated
and may require a more frequent flushing
schedule. This water heater includes a
service indicator: Service Soon, SS (see
section “4.13 Configure Parameter Settings”
for instructions on adjusting parameter
settings). When selected in the parameter
settings, an SS code will display on the
controller indicating that it is time to flush
and service the water heater. Scale build-up
is caused by hard water and can be
accelerated if the water heater is set at a
high temperature. Rinnai offers
Southeastern Filtration’s “ScaleCutter Water
Conditioning System” that offers superior
lime scale prevention and corrosion control.
Refer to section “3.6 Accessories” for more
information.
When selecting an installation location, you
must ensure that all water heater and venting
clearances will be met and that the vent length
will be within required limits. Consider the
installation environment, water quality, and the
need for freeze protection. Requirements for
the gas line, water lines, electrical connection,
and condensate disposal can be found in their
respective installation sections in this manual.
• Air surrounding the water heater, venting, and vent
termination(s) is used for combustion and must be
free of any compounds that cause corrosion of
internal components.
• These include corrosive compounds that are found
in aerosol sprays, detergents, bleaches, cleaning
solvents, oil-based paints/varnishes, and
refrigerants. The air in hair/nail salons, spas, dry
cleaning stores, photo processing labs, and storage
areas for pool supplies often contains these
compounds. Therefore, it is recommended that
external (outdoor) installations be used for these
locations where possible. In applications utilizing
room air where there are high levels of particulates,
Rinnai offers a room air screen.
• The water heater, venting, and vent termination(s)
should not be installed in any areas where the air
may contain these corrosive compounds.
• Install the water heater as far away as possible from
any air inlet vents. Corrosive fumes, sometimes
found in hair/nail salons, spas, or other industries
exposed to toxic fumes, may be released through
these vents when not in operation. Chemicals that
are corrosive in nature should not be stored or used
near the water heater or vent termination. This
requirement applies to indoor and outdoor
installations.
• In coastal regions, the water heater should be
installed so that it is sheltered/protected from
exposure to sea breeze. Exposure to salty spray or
breeze can cause corrosion of the water heater.
• DO NOT install the water heater in areas where
intake air might be contaminated with chemicals.
• DO NOT use room air in applications where the
indoor air is corrosive. Install the water heater as
direct vent in a sealed closet so that it is protected
from the potential of contaminated indoor air.
• Install the water heater and/or vent termination as
far away as possible from exhaust vent hoods and
dryer vents.
• Damage and repair due to corrosive compounds in
the air is not covered by warranty.
Contaminant Maximum Level
Total Hardness Up to 200 mg/L
Aluminum * Up to 0.2 mg/L
Chlorides * Up to 250 mg/L
Copper * Up to 1.0 mg/L
Dissolved Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Up to 15.0 mg/L
Iron * Up to 0.3 mg/L
Manganese * Up to 0.05 mg/L
pH * 6.5 to 8.5
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) * Up to 500 mg/L
Zinc * Up to 5 mg/L