Richmond Tankless Water Heaters
Review and Buying Tips

Richmond tankless water heaters are designed as gas-powered, condensing, and non-condensing models, offering great innovative features for efficient water heating.

Tankless units are used in residential and light commercial applications for an on-demand and continuous supply of hot water.

The article reviews important features and models.

Features and benefits

All Richmond tankless water heaters are built to provide endless and on-demand hot water with reduced temperature fluctuations, utilizing high-end technology and several advanced features described below.

Tankless are small and compact

Richmond tankless models are small and compact, and since they are wall-mounted, they are great for installations where space is an issue - small apartments and houses, cottages, offices, and garages. They can also be used in whole-house applications with high hot water demand, such as luxury bathrooms with multiple fixtures, hot tubs, and jetted tubs.

Energy efficient

Models with an energy factor of 0.87 or higher are Energy Star qualified, and therefore, eligible for government grants and utility rebates, providing even more savings to the homeowners. Condensing types are more efficient than non-condensing models.

Condensing water heaters utilize two heat exchangers where one is used for preheating the incoming cold water by using the exhaust gases while the other one – primary, is where the water is heated from the gas burner (non-condensing have only one heat exchanger). This action results in increased efficiency, performance, and great savings; condensing models have an energy factor up to 0.94, while the non-condensing, lower, around 0.82.

Safe operation

Exclusively made by Rheem and applied for Richmond tankless water heaters are Guardian SBT sensing burner technology, Guardian OFW overheat film wrap, oxygen depletion sensor, and the feature that allows high-altitude installations (up to 9840 ft.).

Environment-friendly

Richmond on-demand water heaters are equipped with Low NOx burners, which allow them to emit less pollution during the gas combustion, which is making them eco-friendly and "green." The mid-efficient, non-condensing models heat water resulting in an ultra-low NOx gas emission.

Advanced electronics

Every Richmond model is electronically controlled for precise temperature control and self-diagnostic, great for maintenance and troubleshooting. The temperature of the outgoing hot water is factory set at 120 F, but by using a remote control, you can easily set it in the range from 100 F to 140 F. The temperature and error codes are shown on the digital display of the remote controller.

High water flow rate

While the largest of Richmond tankless water heaters come with the 9.5 GPH water flow rate, which makes it ideal for larger homes with up to 3 bathrooms, the multi-unit capability allows them to use in high-demand applications.

An EZ-Link cable allows more hot water production by linking two Richmond tankless models into one system. There is also an option to link up to 20 units for high demanding applications by using the manifold control assembly.

Flexible venting

Condensing indoor models use the 2" or 3" PVC direct venting system for removing the products of combustion from the gas combustion chamber out, while the outdoor units are ventless. Non-condensing models utilize more expensive 3"/5" stainless steel concentric type vents.

Easy gas conversion

The models are factory-built to use natural gas but have an option for conversion to propane gas.

Modulating gas burner

As it can be seen from the comparison table below, Richmond tankless water heaters come with the gas input between their minimum and maximum value, which means that they can adjust their power based on the required temperature and water flow - the water heater uses the modulating gas burner and gas valve for this operation.

Models review

Richmond tankless water heaters come in two groups; non-condensing or mid-efficiency models (Essential Plus series) and condensing or high-efficiency (Encore) - which are bigger and heavier, all available for indoor or outdoor installation.

Here is the list of the available models:

Richmond Encore condensing (high-efficiency) models

• RMTGH-95DVLN - Direct vent, Indoor model
• RMTGH-95XLN - Outdoor
• RMTGH-84DVLN - Direct vent, Indoor model
• RMTGH-84XLN - Outdoor

Specs

Richmond Essential Plus non-condensing (mid-efficiency) models

• RMTG-95DVLN - Direct vent, Indoor model
• RMTG-95XLN - Outdoor
• RMTG-84DVLN - Direct vent, Indoor model
• RMTG-84XLN - Outdoor
• RMTG-64DVLN - Direct vent, Indoor model
• RMTG-64XLN - Outdoor

Specs

Summary of key features

• Ultra-efficient water heating with ultra-low NOx gas emission.
• Condensing technology and Energy Star compliance.
• Intelligent electronics control for accuracy, better performance, safety, and self-diagnostic.
• Multi-unit operation with the EZ-Link system and exclusive manifold capabilities.
• Long warranty of 12 years and over 20 years expected service.
• Safety features include the Exclusive Guardian overheat film wrap and freeze protection.
• Hot start programming for the reduced temperature fluctuation.
• Flexible venting with the use of a 2-pipe PVC venting system.

Summary

Richmond tankless water heaters manufacturer provides a 12-year limited warranty on the heat exchanger, 5 years on the parts, and 1 year on labor, while its service life extends to over 20 years.

When correctly selected, all the tankless models provide a steady and sufficient supply of hot water as long as you need it and with the constant temperature of the outgoing hot water. Moreover, thanks to the tankless design, the floor space can now be utilized for other use.

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• Richmond review
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• Richmond official site