Rinnai announced on 14 November 2022 that its Infinit-E range of electric water cylinders is available to purchase1. The company, which describes itself as a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters producing over two million units a year, said the range is made with stainless steel1.
"The Infinit-E range of electrical water cylinders is available to purchase now – visit www.rinnaiuk.com for more details."
The cylinders are manufactured in stainless steel, which Rinnai says provides added durability and results in a lightweight model that is easier to transport and handle1. The maximum weight of an empty Infinit-E model is 54kg1. Rinnai states that quality manufacturing and design give the models durable working lives with minimal maintenance, supported by warranties, though the length of those warranties is not given in the announcement1.
On installation, Rinnai says all electrical elements can be fitted to a single-phase or three-phase supply where site limitations demand it1. Each element in the range has its own controllable thermostat with a temperature range between 49 and 90 degrees Celsius1. Fuse protection is applied to all elements, which Rinnai says removes the need for sacrificial anodes because stainless steel is used in manufacturing1.
The launch sits within what Rinnai calls its H3 range, covering hydrogen, heating and heat pumps, which includes commercial heat pumps and hydrogen blends-ready and hybrid hot water heating systems1. Rinnai says it is developing and introducing electrical formats across all its existing product ranges within the next few months, and that its water heating products are hydrogen blends-ready now1. The company has pledged to fully decarbonise its own operations by 20501. No prices, cylinder capacities, model count or efficiency ratings for the Infinit-E range are given in the announcement1.
| Feature | Detail as stated by Rinnai |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Maximum empty weight | 54kg |
| Supply | Single-phase or three-phase |
| Thermostat range | 49 to 90 degrees Celsius |
| Anodes | Not required, per Rinnai, due to stainless steel |
Why it matters for households
Hot water is one of the largest single uses of energy in a home, and the fuel it runs on shapes how exposed a household is to changes in gas and electricity prices. An electric cylinder stores water heated by electricity rather than by a gas boiler, so a home running one is no longer dependent on a gas supply for hot water. That can matter for households off the gas grid, for those adding a heat pump, and for those weighing up how their hot water would be produced if a boiler were replaced. Electric cylinders can also be paired with on-site generation such as solar panels, though the announcement does not discuss controls, tariffs or smart operation, and no running costs are given1. The wider hot water cylinders market includes vented, unvented and thermal store designs, and Rinnai now appears among UK hot water cylinder manufacturers.
What happens next
Rinnai says it is developing and introducing electrical formats to all existing product ranges within the next few months1. No dates, prices or further model details have been reported1.
Sources1 cited
- Rinnai’s hot water storage solutions now in ELECTRIC :: Rinnai UK, rinnai-uk.co.uk