Rinnai Ultima II

Waste of money – We’ve had this heater just on 10 years works great when it’s going every year their is another issue had the fan replaced twice the flame sensor lost count of how many times it never ends and again yesterday another error code the combustion fan yet again not even going to bother replacing it it’s a money pit Rinnai knows their an issue with these heaters so why should we be paying for it .... not happy middle of winter and freezing yet again

Edited - as Rinnai have now fixed it – Fire when it works is great. When it works. We have the thing serviced every year but still have huge issues with it starting with error 12 shutting it down. Edited 10/12/2021 - After posting here, Rinnai have gotten in touch and have now fixed my heater. I applaud their customer service and have amended my review to reflect this welcomed development. Show details

Piece of crap – In approximately 5 /12 years have now had to replace combustion fan twice (gone again), circuit board and candles numerous times. seems like every 18 months-2 years something major/expensive goes. Sick off it. Cost enough to buy in first place then even with servicing every year, costing anywhere up to $600-$800 every time something goes wrong. Show details

No problems running it over 2 years – I have had no problems with this heater and love it. I keep it running pretty much all winter (I turn it down to 16c overnight) It pretty much heats up my 2 bedroom unit at a fraction of the cost that ducted would have cost me. Show details ·  3

Amazing heater – This heater replaced a Vulcan Heritage which had done quite a good job heating quite a large room but had come to the end of it's life. The Rinnai Ultima 2 was one of the only heaters which would fit in the same opening but after reading the mostly negative reviews we were not too sure. We read reviews on their other models and they were all… Read more ·  1

positive so we went ahead and purchased the Ultima 2. It was the best decision we made. It heats the room perfectly and is vastly more efficient than our old Vulcan. It is set at 20 degrees and the entire room is always at that temp. Our gas bills are also far less. I can only assume that the problem that resulted in so many negative reviews has been corrected by Rinnai.

Service 90 error codes – Service 90 error codes frequently displayed, just over two years old and now out of warrenty. Can't opperate above 21C or cuts out, even when functioning correctly did not heat effectively. 5 stars for safety though as it cuts off frequently. Show details

Total junk – Worst choice ever. I replaced an very old but very reliable Rinnai and have been driven crazy with '90' errors ever since. Call out costs are impossible on a pension so I carefully cleaned the dust out every few months only to gain a few more months of operation - a ridiculously tedious and unfriendly process. Now it's error code 14 and with the… Read more

current cost of gas I'm giving up. This overly sensitive technology might survive in squeaky clean parts of Japan but just doesn't cut it in Australia.

A lemon, unit never worked for longer than a month. Rinnai know this unit has major defects no customer service – The heater has major problem and constantly comes up with an error which the company fully knows about, and has failed to address. It has never functioned from the time of installment. Show details

Error code 12 – Had constant errors (usually code 12 or 13) since warranty period finished. When it works its great but this is getting less and less common. Difficult to start when needed therefore tend to leave on more than necessary. Many others have this same problem. This is a known defect. Difficult to recommend.  Show details

Waste of money – I purchased this heater approximately five years ago, and have had nothing but trouble with it. The first two times it stopped working were within the warranty period - not a good sign, but at least the repair costs were covered. The third time was a month after the warranty period ended, and it has subsequently conked out at least once a year… Read more

since then, and usually multiple times per year. The last time it stopped working was two months ago, and cost me a few hundred to have fixed - it has now stopped working again. I haven't totaled the repair costs, but believe they would equal close to what I initially paid for the heater in the first place, certainly over two thousand dollars. I'm not a gas plumber so I can't describe (or even remember) all the issues with the heater, but was told that some of them included moisture getting into the ignition, and also sensors needing replacement. The last two times required the replacement of quite significant, and costly, parts. I am seriously thinking of having the whole heater pulled out and replaced with a wood heater - I live in an area that is notoriously cold, and cannot be without a reliable, functioning heat source. And, I certainly can't afford to be forking out hundreds of dollars in repair costs every few months to keep a heater working to warm one small living area - I might as well set fire to my cash.

Terrible – So regret buying this piece of crap have had nothing but trouble have to keep pulling it apart to dust off sensor for getting to much dust and it won’t ignite. First time it happened was first year of warranty we got it fixed. Then it kept happening and every 3 weeks dust gets built up and it won’t ignite. I’m so annoyed it’s only three years old now. Don’t waste your money.  Show details

Very happy – Only had the heater 3 months. It heats our open plan house very well wich I didn't think a space heater could do.We had a gas log heater before this and it was useless. Very happy so far.Maybe some of the problems people are having is from poor installation. Thanks  Show details ·  1

This heater is money making for rinnai – I had to replace a piece of glass that I had accidentally broken as i was cleaning. Rinnai did not want to supply me with the glass because i do not have an account with them so they suggested me to go to plumbing supplies and it cost me $245 for a glass that is 555mm x 225mm  Show details

Good when it works, frustrating & cold when it doesn't – This heater is good when it works, it heats our entire lounge-room (very high ceiling, to an open plan hallway and other room). The feature set is nice as well (auto-off mode to save on gas). However, the heater failed within approximately 1-2 years after purchase. Perhaps this would have been fine if this was the budget model but this was sold… Read more

to us as more of a premium model. It failed intermittently during the year, leaving us freezing since this is the large source of heating for a large chunk of our house (given its open plan nature, small space heaters do not work).

In particular, we get error code 12 flashing up on the inbuilt display. Googling reveals that at least some other people have reported this and may be an issue with the flame rods/sensors. Now, from an engineering perspective i do understand that the fact it cuts out is a safety feature and i am very happy for that. I am not happy when it constantly stops the heater from starting when it is perfectly fine (flame is igniting correctly), leaving us cold.

I previously held Rinnai in high regard but the fact the heater failed so quickly and constantly (at this current moment we haven't been able to get it to start for a week) would make me strongly consider not buying or recommending a Rinnai next time. The service seems quite expensive as well for what appears to be a manufacturing problem or at least a problem a few other people have had.

All i offer above is my opinion and those reports of others i have seen searching for a fix for this issue. Your mileage may vary, your heater may function fine for years and in that case it is a great heater. However, if it fails and leaves you cold, you might not be so happy.

good heater – Had heater installed for a week. heats beautifully. I replaced a 30 year old rinnai that worked fine but lacked the capacity of heating my raked ceiling home. Not sure what people are complaining about with the temperature control mine starts up full blast as the room heats flame goes down ant it seems to keep a constant heat. Only issue is the… Read more ·  1

clock, too comlicated to set up the timer, finally managed to set the actual time and then gave up.

In summary heater is excellent and i would recommend it. Hopefully there are no gremlins lurking that have affected other referrs.

Also after readin the reviews against my better judgement i took out an extended warranty from the Good Guys at Hectorville who gave me an excellent price.

Piece of trash – Purchased this garbage from Harvey Norman at a hefty price believing it was top of the range. Worked great for 1 yr but failed continually with error 11 conveniently just out of warranty. Phoned unsympathetic rinnai call centre and was told it could potentially cost $300+ with a 2 week wait for tech to attend in Middle of winter. We called our own… Read more

gas plumber and apparently whole motherboard needs replacement. Unfortunately I got into debt buying this appliance and had no extra funds to have it repaired. Since this new heater stopped working we had no option to use split system. I would never recommend Rinnai appliances and they certainly weren’t helpful knowing this gas heater is nothing but a lemon. Still using split system with a newish heater non functioning. Very disappointed.

Just had the Ultima 11 installed on Friday 8th September 2017 – I am having trouble getting the current temperature to stop rising, I have the heater on Gas/Econ with the Set button at 16, however the current temp keeps going up and tonight I was so hot when it reached 23 I had to turn the heater off. Any clues as to what I am doing wrong. A bit worried also by the lack of good reviews, I do hope that everything goes well with my new investment.  Show details

toasty heater – This to date is very good no problems and lots of heat quiet too no problems the timer is a little difficult to wrap your head around but no too hard to use when the power cuts out th clock needs to be reset but the timers stay set. You have to stay on top of cleaning the filters or codes can pop up I am told it takes some getting used to having the fan run when it is switched off to cool itself off. Very Happy  Show details

Ultima – Purchased the Ultima approx 3 years ago, has an error code 70 which I found out it's got something to do with a faulty switch. (would you believe it's only 3 years old) Called the Rinnai service dept, a tech will contact me within 24 hours (great I've got a 76 year old mother at home with no heating mid winter) and got quoted a call out fee of… Read more

$190 that includes the first 45 minutes labour + parts, that's close to 10% of the purchase price just to come out. Dare I say this is a common problem. Buyer BEWARE.

rinnai what a piece of crap – this heater spends more time on error codes than working I had a Vulcan for 30 years before this that never skipped a beat I would not recommend this heater to anyone the most unreliable fault ridden piece of equipment I have ever bought rinnai should hang their heads in shame for selling this to consumers will buy nothing with the rinnai brand on it ever again  Show details

Don't waste your money – Ive had my heater repaired well over 20 times. And it's stopped working again tonight. Biggest lemon of a heater ever. Also been informed that there are many others with the same issue. There are many design faults with the heater, reality is its faulty. I can't be bothered calling about the issues anymore. It's to stressful. I would just hate for someone else to waste their hard earned money on this heater.  Show details

really over this piece of S$&÷T – every year something always seems to break down on my Ultima II. Have it serviced evey 12 months but doesnt seem to help at all. Latest issue was combustion fan, which was replaced may 2016, heater not used since november 2016, coming up error code 61, tech just left, may now be the wiring or the circuit board, has to order and try to see. just… Read more

with the fan last year and now this bill looking to be approx $700 plus, has cost me more to keep repairing than what l paid for it. was meant to be such a great heater and so energy efficient. yeah right.

I am freeziing at home – I am freezing at home with a code 12. I had it serviced this year but nothing seems to help. I did not expect to have to pay two lots of $195.00 plus parts in the same year. How can a pensioner keep warm. This situation is too much to take. I think one service per year should take care of things  Show details

RINNAI .. MODEL; REH-311 FTC – OMG..Every year code 12 and shuts off . costing a fortune since first purchased having to have it cleaned/serviced. I brought a Rinnai because they are suppose to be a reputable brand instead I think I have a lemon. At 12 months old it started now it is costing a min of $195 for call out to fix. Rinnai what is going on we are a family that just… Read more

cannot afford this just to maintain a heater. What has happened to one of the once respected brands in Australia.. So upset and would now never recommend them. We are now all freezing our butts off.. Thank's Rinnai for letting us down.

Regards Linda

Very disappointed in the Warranty and problem of attracting dust – Purchased my Rinnai Ultimate 11 end of August 2014. Come this winter and still within warranty it kept cutting off with 14 ( overheat) displayed. I phoned Rinnai who gave me a service no to phone explaining I was still within warranty. Service completed, it needed a clean apparently, then informed Warranty doesn't cover and this will be an ongoing… Read more

requirement . Very disappointed to have to pay for service when I haven't even had my heater for 12 months. Apparently there is no method for user to remove dust getting into heater , thus requiring payment to servicemen . Would have reconsidered buying this heater had I known! Disappointed! Apart from that heater is effective and cosmetically appealing.

costing $300/year in repairs – We bought this heater in 2012. As soon as 12 month warranty was over, it started to break down, costing us $300. It seems like it is programmed to breakdown after warranty. Usually displaying Error 12 or 70. Now we are stuck with this piece of crap. Not sure if we get it repaired again or find something better. Anybody thinking of this brand, Plz avoid it. It is an uncurable disease without any medicare.

This heater heats without a problem! – When trying to replace our old heater which you had to sit over to get warmth we searched for many pros and cons and decided on the Rinnai Ultima II. We have had the warmest winters yet since having it and love the ability to decide what temperature we want the house -our previous heater was from the 60's or 70's. We get it maintained yearly -… Read more

as your plumber should recommend and don't have any troubles. I highly recommend it if you can afford 1 it gives a lovely ambience to the room. Our gas consumption has gone down even with the heater being 3 times more effective. Visually its great it has the ability to choose temperature setting and a timer setting Bit expensive compared to other heaters on the market

Quality control is suspect – I had a Rinnai Ultima II heater installed, however, upon opening one of the boxes containing the ceramic candles during the installation, it was found that one candle was already broken in the box. The box was not damaged at all, and neither was any other part of the heater or the packaging it came in. I find it extremely disappointing that… Read more

quality control is so poor that a heater was shipped out of the factory containing broken parts. Not to mention the additional inconvenience I have to experience for a Rinnai technician to come out (after a few weeks' wait) and replace it.

Furthermore, I find their warranty policy rather unreasonable. Because they are supposedly unable to determine warranty issues over the phone, I may still be liable for call out charges and am completely at the mercy of the Rinnai technician's opinion. It is ridiculous that I might have to pay to replace a part that arrived broken through Rinnai's negligence and no fault of my own.

Bad warranty service, suspect quality

Rinnai response to code 90 – This is all related to the Code 90 (overheating flue error). After reading the reviews below, I contacted 2 different installers that listed Rinnai as one of their products. They both knew about this error and said it was corrected by Rinnai in the newer models. I rang Rinnai to find out the specific model which they gave me. They also said… Read more

that if I bought any Ultima model and got a 90 code error they would resolve the issue for free even if it was outside the warranty period. They provided me with an e-mail stating this. I rang the 1300 number and spoke to the !st care section of Rinnai which are their technical support. Am unsure who you people above contacted but I have got very good response on Rinnai relating to my enquires..

Worst mistake ever – I purchased the heater hoping that I am getting a quality product. I have found out that I was very wrong. the heater had a fan replaced within few weeks of purchasing. I had a string of problems with different codes flashing and heater swithing itself off. At a begining of every cold season i need to gert a repairman to sort out some issue to get… Read more

it working again. Headache after headache. If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't take it for free. If it works, it puts out good quantity of heat. Very unreliable

Nothing but problems! – Within 12 months of purchasing this heater, we started to get a code 90 error and the heater would turn itself off. This started as an intermittent problem until the heater became unusable because of the frequency in which it would shut itself down. We had it checked several times by the installer who could see no obvious blocked flue problem. In… Read more

April 2010 we paid $300 to replace the faulty part thought to be causing the 90 error code. Within a couple of months, the problem returned, again intermittently - meaning sometimes the heater would stay ignited, and other times it would switch itself off. Last month after our LPG gas bottles were filled and we went to start the heater, we received a 61 error code message. At this point, the heater failed to even ignite. Not a good track record for an expensive heater.

constant technical issues preventing it from working properly