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Gas hot-water unit

Trouble caused by the deterioration of equipment

Indicators related to a remote controller and a switch

Indicators related to a remote controller and a switch

A remote controller stopped working properly.
An error sign is frequently indicated.
It takes longer for a burning sign to be indicated than before.
The temperature setting of a remote controller cannot be changed.

Actual case A remote controller stopped working properly.

Things that are observed while hot-water is supplied and bathwater is reheated

Things that are observed while hot-water is supplied and bathwater is reheated

The temperature of water suddenly goes up or down.
The temperature of water is generally lower than before.
It takes longer for hot-water to be supplied and bathwater to be heated up.
The temperature of bathwater remains the same although a user changes the temperature setting of the remote controller.

Actual case The temperature of water suddenly goes up or down.

Caution

The temperature of water suddenly goes up or down.

When taking a shower, please check the temperature of the water first with your hand.
During and immediately after use, the temperature of the equipment's main body, exhaust pipe and its immediate surroundings becomes high. Please do not touch these areas.

Indicators related to noise and smell

Indicators related to noise and smell

Equipment started making a loud noise.
When equipment is in use, a burnt or otherwise abnormal odor which irritates eyes is emitted.
Equipment vibrates.

Actual case Part of the internal components of the equipment got clogged and gave a negative impact on combustion condition, which resulted in incomplete combustion.
Actual case Dust was accumulated in the equipment’s earth leakage breaker. Then, the tracking phenomenon occurred, and the inside of equipment gave off smoke and burned.
Dust was accumulated in the equipment’s earth leakage breaker. Then, the tracking phenomenon occurred, and the inside of equipment gave off smoke and burned. Dust was accumulated in the equipment’s earth leakage breaker. Then, the tracking phenomenon occurred, and the inside of equipment gave off smoke and burned.

Caution

Do not cut or extend the power cord. Doing so may result in electric shock or fire.
Also, a dusty power plug may allow moisture to seep in, causing insulation failure and potential fire. Please check and clean the power plug regularly.

Inspection and repair
Actual case Due to the water heater being used normally on a daily basis for an extended period of five or ten years, the motor component such as a water controller inside the device degraded with time, causing a short that resulted in the inside of the device giving off smoke and burning.

Visual indicators

Visual indicators

The unit has areas of rust or discoloration.
Water leaks from equipment.
There is accumulated dust in the air supply and exhaust openings of the equipment.
The area under the equipment is constantly wet.
A hole has been made in the equipment

Actual case The unit becomes severely rusted, allowing rainwater to seep in or internal components to leak, causing the gas pathway to corrode. (Abnormal ignition caused by leaking gas could lead to discoloration or deformation of the unit.)
The unit becomes severely rusted, allowing rainwater to seep in or internal components to leak, causing the gas pathway to corrode. (Abnormal ignition caused by leaking gas could lead to discoloration or deformation of the unit.)

Severely rusted unit body

Opening appears in part of the unit

Severely rusted unit bodyOpening appears in part of the unit

* Corrosion is accelerated in areas susceptible to salt damage,
particularly places on the coast exposed to a sea breeze and in cold climates where snow-melting agents are used.

Inspection and repair
Exhaust pipes may be displaced or clogged with items like a bird's nest or soot.

Exhaust pipes may be displaced or clogged with items like a bird's nest or soot.

Actual case Exhaust pipes were displaced or clogged with a bird's nest or soot.As a result, exhaust gas from combustion leaked indoors, causing incomplete combustion.

Caution

Exhaust pipes were displaced or clogged with a bird's nest or soot.As a result, exhaust gas from combustion leaked indoors, causing incomplete combustion.

Exhaust pipes were displaced or clogged with a bird's nest or soot.As a result, exhaust gas from combustion leaked indoors, causing incomplete combustion.
Exhaust gas from combustion may leak indoors and it could cause incomplete combustion, which would result in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Inspection and repair

An exhaust pipe was displaced, or the power plug was not plugged in.

An exhaust pipe was displaced, or the power plug was not plugged in.

Actual case Since an exhaust pipe was displaced or a power plug was unplugged, a user could not use the equipment, or incomplete combustion occurred.
Please check the following three points before using equipment which is installed indoors and has a power plug.
Please check the following three points before using equipment which is installed indoors and has a power plug.
  • Check1. Is the power cable plugged in?
    To rotate an exhaust fan, power is needed. If the plug is switched off at the wall outlet or has been unplugged, please switch it on or plug in the cable.
  • Check2. Is the fan rotating?
    During the use of equipment, an exhaust fan rotates. When equipment is operating normally, it makes a rotating noise. Please confirm this is the case.
  • Check3. Is the exhaust pipe extended to the outdoors?
    Please check if the exhaust pipe is displaced or has a hole in it due to corrosion. In addition, confirm that a wire net is attached to the end of the exhaust pipe.

Problems that could be caused by incorrect usage

It is dangerous to improperly use a product. Please consult the user manual for proper usage.

It is dangerous to improperly use a product.
Please consult the user manual for proper usage.

It is dangerous to improperly use a product. Please consult the user manual for proper usage.
Actual case Equipment was used without removing a cover left on for the painting of an exterior wall. Abnormal ignition was caused and the equipment was deformed.

Caution

Equipment was used without removing a cover left on for the painting of an exterior wall. Abnormal ignition was caused and the equipment was deformed.

In some cases, the equipment or its air supply and exhaust opening parts are temporarily covered by users with material such as vinyl during the painting of exterior walls etc. Please do not use the equipment with these covers still on.
It could cause abnormal ignition or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Actual case A mattress, which was not in use, was left leaning on a hot-water unit. A user used the equipment without removing the mattress. The mattress caught on fire and a fire started.
A mattress, which was not in use, was left leaning on a hot-water unit. A user used the equipment without removing the mattress. The mattress caught on fire and a fire started.
Actual case After equipment was installed, it was enclosed with concrete block walls. Smooth ventilation was blocked, and it caused incomplete combustion.

Caution

After equipment was installed, it was enclosed with concrete block walls. Smooth ventilation was blocked, and it caused incomplete combustion.

Please keep equipment installed outdoors exposed to the air. Do not enclose it during the extension or reconstruction of a house.
(Do not enclose using a corrugated plate or a vinyl sheet.)
There is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire due to incomplete combustion.

Actual case Water was leaking from equipment, but a user kept using it. The leaked water covered a burner, and caused incomplete combustion.
Water was leaking from equipment, but a user kept using it. The leaked water covered a burner, and caused incomplete combustion.
Actual case A user repeatedly tried to turn the unit on, causing gas to fill the equipment. When it finally switched on, abnormal ignition occurred and deformed the equipment.
A user repeatedly tried to turn the unit on, causing gas to fill the equipment. When it finally switched on, abnormal ignition occurred and deformed the equipment.
Actual case A user set the water temperature too high. The water became too hot.

Caution

  • A user set the water temperature too high. The water became too hot.

    A user set the water temperature too high. The water became too hot.
  • When taking a shower, please check the water temperature first with your hand.

    When taking a shower, please check the water temperature first with your hand.

During and immediately after use, the temperature of the equipment's main body, exhaust pipe and its immediate surroundings becomes high. Please do not touch these areas.

During and immediately after use, the temperature of the equipment's main body, exhaust pipe and its immediate surroundings becomes high. Please do not touch these areas.

Do not touch the hot water coming out of the circulation port while bathwater is heating.

Actual case A hot-water unit was used while a window near the outdoor equipment was open, and exhaust flew in the house.

Caution

A hot-water unit was used while a window near the outdoor equipment was open, and exhaust flew in the house.

If exhaust flows indoors during the use of outdoor equipment or an air-tight system bath boiler (BF system), there may be an unpleasant smell or people may feel sick. Please close the window near the equipment while a gas appliance is used.
If the surroundings of an exhaust slot are covered with soot or people felt sick while a gas appliance is used, there is a possibility of incomplete combustion. Please immediately contact your retailer or Rinnai.

Actual case Equipment installed outdoors was used with its air supply and exhaust pipe covered or clogged. This affected burning conditions and caused incomplete combustion.

Caution

Equipment installed outdoors was used with its air supply and exhaust pipe covered or clogged. This affected burning conditions and caused incomplete combustion.

When a gas bath boiler or a gas hot-water heater is placed indoors, it is required to install an adequate air supply and exhaust facility according to laws and regulations.
When there is a problem with an air supply and exhaust facility, there is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
The installation has to be handled by someone who has national qualification.
After the installation, please check if a label to indicate the correct installation is attached. (Excluding a small hot-water heaters)

  • Please pay attention to air supply and exhaust vents. 1. Please clean an air supply vent of a building if it is clogged with waste. Please do not block an air supply vent of a building. There is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning due to incomplete combustion.

    Please pay attention to air supply and exhaust vents.
    1. Please clean an air supply vent of a building if it is clogged with waste. Please do not block an air supply vent of a building.
    There is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning due to incomplete combustion.

  • 2. Do not enclose the end of an exhaust pipe (the end of a chimney) during the extension or reconstruction of a house. Do not cover an exhaust vent with a corrugated plate, a vinyl sheet or a protection sheet used for painting. There is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire due to incomplete combustion.

    2. Do not enclose the end of an exhaust pipe (the end of a chimney) during the extension or reconstruction of a house.
    Do not cover an exhaust vent with a corrugated plate, a vinyl sheet or a protection sheet used for painting.
    There is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire due to incomplete combustion.

  • * Do not allow the top of an exhaust pipe to become covered with snow.Also take care that snow does not slide from the roof onto the top of the exhaust pipe. If snow is likely to cover the pipe, please remove it. During the operation, please pay careful attention to your safety. When the top of the pipe is covered with snow, the exhaust air flows backwards to the inside of the building, causing carbon monoxide poisoning. If there is a risk that snow may slide from the roof which could cover or damage the top of the air supply and exhaust pipe, please request a professional to install snow guard equipment.

    * Do not allow the top of an exhaust pipe to become covered with snow.Also take care that snow does not slide from the roof onto the top of the exhaust pipe.
    If snow is likely to cover the pipe, please remove it. During the operation, please pay careful attention to your safety. When the top of the pipe is covered with snow, the exhaust air flows backwards to the inside of the building, causing carbon monoxide poisoning.
    If there is a risk that snow may slide from the roof which could cover or damage the top of the air supply and exhaust pipe, please request a professional to install snow guard equipment.

Actual case After using a spray can near the equipment, the gas water heater ignited, causing explosion and damage to the surrounding area.

Caution

Do not use spray cans or gas depressurizers near the equipment. Doing so may cause the flammable gas propellant to ignite and catch fire.

Actual case An abnormal ignition occurred because equipment was not inspected after being submerged in floodwater.

Caution

If the equipment has been submerged in water due to flooding, etc., have it inspected before using it again. Failure to do so may cause malfunction resulting in an accident.