Rheem XR90 Extreme Recovery Gas Water Heater Preview

[ptradmin]

We're big fans of instant, on-demand water heaters - but now there's yet another option for energy efficiency. Now, Rheem has unveiled a new type of water heater, the XR90 Extreme Recovery Gas Water Heater. What it does is cut the storage capacity roughly in half, but it also heats the water at a much faster rate than traditional gas water heaters. That also makes it more energy efficient. For example, the XR90 Gas Water Heater stores just 29 gallons of water and can output more hot water, faster, than a standard 50-gallon gas water heater. The XR90 has a first hour rating (FHR) of 90 gallons. The first hour rating (FHR) is the amount of hot water (in gallons) that the heater can supply in the first hour after starting up. That means that the XR90 will deliver 3x the tank capacity in hot water in just an hour.

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[jjkrogs]

My fiasco with the Rheem XR90 began back in November when I decided to go a bit greener (and pay a lot more) for it instead of going with a much cheaper alternative for a tank water heater.

The first XR90 was installed professionally and found to be defective. After several hours on the phone we were told that there were no parts available, and that the only way to fix it is to send an entirely new unit.

So no hot water while I waited for XR90 #2 to arrive, and then a complete uninstall/reinstall of the defective unit with the new one.

Unit 2 is intalled and, lo and behold, ALSO found to be defective (this time 2 parts were not functioning correctly!). They offered to take parts off the first one that worked to make the 2nd one work, and I said "hell no", so they offered a 3rd new one.

I was given a very slight discount for my troubles (half of which was taken by the installers because their time was wasted as well), and a 3rd unit was ordered (again, no hot water for multiple days).

The 3rd one had no immediate defects after installation, but it's a very inconsistent water heater, and frankly, I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it. Why I allowed a third attempt is beyond me...

Anyway, one has to question Rheem's quality control (if they even have it). To get not one, but two defective water heaters from the factory says something. I've attempted several times to get an official response from Rheem over this mess, but have been largely ignored.

Think twice about getting this unit, or a Rheem system at all.

[jjkrogs]

As an update to this...

Apparently my review on one of the sites got the attention of Rheem, and they (management, even) have since contacted me. Not only did they apologize, but they refunded the entire purchase price, which was completely unexpected.

They claimed that there was an issue with the very first models that came out but they have since addressed the issues. It makes sense as I was one of the first to receive one of these units. Since then, the XR90 has won a very prestigious innovation award at a recent expo, so they must be doing something right.

Anyway, my issues have been resolved, and my faith in Rheem restored. They do care about their products, and the feedback they receive from folks makes a difference.

I thought it fair to Rheem to post a follow up.

[Everett]

I like stories that have a happy ending... particularly when a manufacturer makes good on it.

[dbestor]

FYI, had this unit installed a month ago and never performed well. Had Rheem send out one of their tech's for warranty service.

They did a drop test and said the temperature drop was right on "for a 29 gallon tank."

With that I got pretty upset given all of the "outperforms 50 gallon tank" claims in their promotional literature and press releases (one press release falsely states that "Once the Rheem XR90 has been depleted of its available hot water, the unit can be ready with 90 gallons of available hot water in only 29 minutes."). I said the heater doesn't outperform my old 50 gallon (which gave me at least 30 minutes of hot water in the shower). The tech put me on the phone with a Rheem rep, who stated that the XR90 will only match a standard 29 gallon tank for a continuous draw of hot water.

He claimed the tank only outperforms the 50 gallon tanks on recovery rates (e.g., after you stop pulling hot water out of the tank).

He concluded that a 15-20 minute shower using a 2.2-2.5 gpm shower head should be about all you get out of this tank. (then you have to wait another 30 minutes for the tank to recover).

Now I'm stuck trying to decide whether to raise hell and get a lower efficiency tank, or stick this one out and crank up the temp on the tank...

Future purchasers should know not to be persuaded by Rheem's fantastic claims...