Rinnai vs Bosch tankless water heater – which one is better choice?
We use water heaters for several activities throughout a typical day. These activities include bathing and doing laundry. The most effective way to receive hot water is by using tankless or on-demand water heaters.
For most houses, a tankless water heater can be between 24% and 34% more energy-efficient than conventional tank-based devices, according to the US Department of Energy [1].
This may result in substantial savings. There are also many smaller varieties of tankless water heaters available if you don’t need a whole-home solution. These are excellent for RVs, outdoor spaces, and additions.
It can be challenging to choose which brand of tankless water heater to install. This is because there aren’t many sources that offer brand recommendations. Similarly, it seems like there aren’t many reliable sources of unbiased reviews.
In this post, we are reviewing two of the most popular tankless heater brands; Rinnai and Bosch. We intend to offer a comprehensive analysis to help you decide which one is the best to meet your needs.
Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters
An industry leader in tankless water heaters, Rinnai provides high-performance systems that combine durability and efficiency [2]. Rinnai water heaters help to minimize energy usage and utility costs by focusing on energy efficiency.
Their systems include cutting-edge features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and digital temperature control. These features let customers adjust settings for the best possible comfort. Tankless water heaters from Rinnai are built to last thanks to the company’s dedication to quality and dependability. As a result, they are an affordable long-term investment.
Bosch Tankless Water Heaters
As one of the most trusted brands in the industry, Bosch offers an extensive selection of efficient and dependable tankless water heater models [3].
With a focus on innovation and state-of-the-art technology, Bosch tankless water heaters offer a consistent flow of hot water, while reducing your energy consumption. Bosch’s tankless water heater systems are highly efficient and help you save on your energy bills and reduce your environmental footprint.
Bosch tankless water heaters are famous for their diminutive size, making them an ideal choice for households with restricted space.
Furthermore, their intuitive controls and sophisticated safety features guarantee a stress-free and secure experience. For both residential and commercial customers, Bosch offers a solution that provides the most energy-efficient system at an affordable price.
Rinnai vs Bosch Tankless Water heater comparison
- Efficiency
Bosch Greentherm 9000 Series is energy efficient (0.95 UEF). Its high-efficiency burners and condensing technology optimize heat transfer and minimize standby heat loss. This results in considerable energy savings.
Bosch offers industry-leading energy efficiency ratings, which help to reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bills. Bosch Greentherm is an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient choice for your home [4].
The Rinnai RSC water heaters are among the most energy-efficient water heaters on the market. The RSC condensing model captures waste heat and preheats the incoming water to maximize efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
RSC tankless models have a superior energy efficiency rating of 0.91 UEF and an Energy Star rating. This makes them one of the most eco-friendly and cost-effective options on the market.
- Capacity
Rinnai provides a comprehensive selection of tankless water heaters. Their systems are available in capacities ranging from 120,000 to 199,000 BTUs [5].
According to Rinnai, their 199 000 BTUs high-efficiency model is capable of providing up to four showers at the same time.
The RU160iN is capable of supporting up to seven different appliances or fixtures at the same time, depending on the individual draw capacity. It is also capable of delivering a maximum of nine gallons of hot water per minute.
The recirculation technology within the tankless water heater provides even more rapid hot water delivery and can be adjusted to suit your daily usage patterns. This water heater is durable enough to meet the majority of at-home water requirements.
Tankless Bosch water heaters range from 75,000 to 225,000 BTUs in capacity. Large tankless units can provide 2 showers at the same time [6].
Bosch tankless water heaters are designed to generate 9 to 12 gallons per minute of hot water, depending on the model you choose. There is no restriction on how much continuous hot water you can get when you buy a tankless water heater from Bosch.
- Cost
Bosch offers a range of tankless heaters suitable for a wide range of budgets without sacrificing quality. These cost-effective units offer superior value for money, providing dependable hot water performance at an affordable price.
Homeowners can select the Bosch water heater that meets their requirements and budget, making it an economical and practical choice for hot water needs. Bosch tankless water heaters range in price from $140-$800 for electric models and from $1,050-$2,250 for gasoline models.
The RUCS Series of Rinnai offers a range of tankless water heaters designed to meet the highest standards of performance and quality. With a focus on cost-efficiency, this series guarantees dependable hot water supply and long-term cost savings without compromising quality, even in its more budget-friendly models.
Rinnai is one of the best water heaters out there, so it’s no surprise that most of their models are pricier than most other brands. But if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, there are a few budget options that might be worth considering.
Prices range from around $650 to around $20,000. The more expensive the unit, the more features it has, and the more energy-efficient it is.
- Warranty
The standard Rinnai labor warranty for all tankless units is one year. The warranty includes reasonable labor charges for any defects in Rinnai parts or components that need to be repaired or replaced.
However, customers or installers can extend the warranty of their tankless unit by registering it with the Rinnai Company within 30 days after installation [7].
The Warranty Booklet indicates a standard product warranty of 12 years for heat exchangers, 3 years for parts and labor, and a maximum warranty of 25 years for Infinity models.
Rinnai now offers the option to extend the warranty on heat exchangers by an additional 13 years, increasing the standard warranty to 25 years. Additionally, an extension of the standard warranty is available for the B-Series of the Rinnai Builders range. This increases the warranty to 15 years from the standard 10 years.
All Bosch water heaters are built to last a minimum of 20 years. Gas water heaters (Greentherm and Therm series) have a warranty of 15 years on the heating element.
This is a much longer warranty than the industry standard of 10 years. The Bosch electric water heater warranty is 5 years. All Bosch water heaters have a warranty of 2 years on other components.
- Durability
Bosch’s exclusive fully modulating water heater uses a unique burner design. The burner provides endless hot water and precise temperature control to ensure your comfort and safety.
You will never have to worry about a cold shower ever again! A conventional tank can last anywhere from six to 12 years. However, Bosch’s water heater is designed and manufactured to last 20 years.
Without a tank to hold water, there is no chance of harmful bacteria developing. This means that you and other home occupants will always receive clean, fresh water whenever the tap is turned on.
The Rinnai heaters are designed to stand the test of time, with continuous-flow heaters offering up to 20 years of service. Furthermore, Rinnai offers a warranty on all models of heaters, ensuring the safety of its customers.
The actual lifespan of the heater will depend on a variety of factors, such as water quality, usage, and maintenance. Regular upkeep can help to identify issues earlier and avoid costly repairs.
Read Also: Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Problems
Final Word
If you are seeking the most reliable option for tankless water heating and find it difficult to decide which water heater to purchase, we suggest that you purchase Rinnai. This water heater is an ideal choice for those seeking the highest level of protection for their natural gas water heater, as it is backed by an excellent warranty.
Additionally, it offers a high water flow rate (9.8 gallons of water per minute) and is small enough to be stored anywhere in the home. But if you need a more affordable option, then a Bosch heater is the way to go.
Read Also: Rinnai vs Navien Water Heaters Compared
Michael Davis is a heating & plumbing expert who currently works as independent contractor in SC. He also writes for Plumbertip.
For almost 10 years he worked on various plumbing tasks across South Carolina.
