Rheem Tankless Questions

[Schwarz633]

DYI'er here, considering installation of a Rheem Ikonic RTGH-SR11i. This is the one with the built in recirculation pump. This installation would place the water heater in the basement and the crossover valve on the second floor. In reviewing the spec. sheet and installation documents I haven't been able to find any specifications on the recirculation pump, or mention of any limitations on head. Seems like there should be a head/flow chart available. I just want to make sure that it will be able to recirculate at a flow rate that is greater than the minimum for unit (.4 GPM). Talking to Rheem tech. support was a waste of time. They indicated that they only fix problems and don't have any access to engineering support, that's not confidence inspiring.

Does anyone have experience with this unit installed in a similar application?

 

[Fitter30]

Second page of specs

Rheem Super High Efficiency IKONIC RTGH-SR11i 199,000 BTU Tankless Water Heater with Recirculation Pump

Rheem Super High Efficiency IKONIC RTGH-SR11i 199,000 BTU Tankless Water Heater; Brand: Rheem; Model #: RTGH-SR11i; Series: Ikonic; EcoNet Enabled; Recirculation Pump Built-In; Stainless steel Primary and Secondary heat exchangers provide increased efficiency and durability

wholesalewaterheater.com

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Schwarz633]

I think my initial concern was unfounded, as I've determined that the height really doesn't matter in a closed loop recirculation application.

The head in a closed loop is entirely "dynamic head" - that is, the friction from moving the water through the pipe. There is no static head, so the elevation does not matter, just the effective length (actual length plus extra length for elbows and tees.) A long single level house and a tall multi-story house work the same for that.

My new concern is in regard to the Rheem EcoNet recirculation schedule. I'd like to be able to only run the pump at certain times of the day, but it looks like you can only schedule when it turns on, not when it turns off. Reading between the lines, it looks like it may turn off after 5 minutes or when the inlet temperature rises to SP-15°F. In order to minimize the amount of hot water pumped into the cold water line I'd prefer to have the pump run for less than 5 minutes. In my application I suspect the pump will be deadheaded against the crossover valve long before 5 minutes. And if the crossover valve closes, the inlet temperature may never reach SP-15°F.

Can anyone confirm how this EcoNet scheduling actually works? I downloaded the app, but without a heater to connect to, you can't get very far into it.

 

[Fitter30]

Look at page 28 looks like a wifi timer

RHEEM IKONIC RTGH-S11I MANUAL Pdf Download

View and Download Rheem IKONIC RTGH-S11i manual online. TANKLESS WATER HEATERS. IKONIC RTGH-S11i water heater pdf manual download. Also for: Ikonic rtgh-s10i, Ikonic rtgh-s84i, Ikonic rtgh-sr11i, Ikonic rtgh-sr10i, Ikonic rtgh-sr84i, Ikonic crtgh-s11i, Ikonic crtgh-s10i, Ikonic...

www.manualslib.com

 

[Schwarz633]

Yes, that looks like where you select schedule mode. I'm asking how schedule mode operates, which is on the EcoNet app.

 

[Fitter30]

Lots of you tube videos on EcoNet