Rinnai, designer and manufacturer of the Infinity range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters, welcomes the implementation of the ERP and Energy Labelling Directive on 26 September as its expansive range of water heaters can satisfy a complete range of load profiles and all units are A RATED.

On 26 September 2015 The Energy Related Products (ERP) Directive, incorporating Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives for water heaters (Lot 2) comes into force, meaning that water-heating products sold in the UK will need to meet minimum energy performance criteria in order to be legally placed on the market, and will require an energy label.

“The Energy Labelling Directive offers transparency to specifiers, installers and end users who will now have a clear guide for choosing the most efficient units available,” says Tony Gittings, Managing Director of Rinnai UK.

“Rinnai now brings to market the most expansive range of A-rated appliances, that have load profiles suitable for both domestic and commercial projects.  Our appliances range from load profile(s) for small domestic models to XXL sized commercial units,” says Gittings.

Rinnai is also set up to offer installers expert help with system labelling. The onus of labelling in this scenario falls on the installer, rather than the manufacturer, who will be responsible for system labels for those installations that combine a water heater with renewables, for example.

Rinnai has been working well ahead of the deadline for ERP and took delivery of its coveted A-rated labels in July. To get to that stage, Rinnai had all its appliances tested twice. The first test was carried out at the Rinnai headquarters in Japan, where units underwent rigorous interrogation by the company’s expert engineers and then again by notified body who awarded the rating.

“An energy efficient continuous flow gas fired hot water system, whether teamed with renewables technology or used on its own, actually has a lot to offer as we move towards the Government’s carbon reduction goals. Rinnai Infinity units have been developed to exceed all current demands and lead the field in this respect.  As seen with the launch of the Rinnai HDC1600i which has been introduced to adhere to the low-NOX requirements of ERP in 2018.

“And don’t forget, the A-rating applies to a unit in use under specific test conditions – ie when fuel is being used. As an ‘A-rated’ Rinnai unit only uses fuel when water is being drawn it doesn’t suffer any standing losses, making the system more efficient than any stored hot water system.

“In effect, an A-rated Rinnai continuous flow water heater, will always have an advantage in efficiencies over A-rated storage systems, as there is no standing losses or any need to re-circulate and re-heat water to avoid stratification,” Gittings explains.

When these Rinnai water heaters are paired with solar thermal technology and the latest intelligent controls are used for ultimate renewable heat optimisation, even higher efficiencies can be achieved, Gittings adds.

Rinnai’s advanced engineering and attention to detail has resulted in the complete range of Rinnai Infinity water heaters being given the coveted A-rating. It shows an energy efficient continuous flow gas fired hot water system, whether teamed with renewables technology or used on its own, actually has a lot to offer as we move towards the Government’s carbon neutral goals. Rinnai Infinity units have been developed to exceed all current demands and lead the field in this respect.

Gittings concludes: “It is great news that Rinnai has recognition in the form of the A-rating across all our appliances – domestic, light commercial, heavy duty and industrial.

“It shows we are well on the journey to assist with the greening of industry with our continually improving efficiencies. However, there is still a way to go for the industry to develop even more superior energy efficient technologies – which is why Rinnai is looking at new developments with an eye to October 2018 when the next tier of legislation is due.”

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com