3 year old Rheem rtgh-95dvln direct vent condensing tankless.
Since new, this unit has made a 'whomp' noise on startup. Its a low frequency bass drum kind of noise, and is slightly more pronounced when the unit is cycled on and off in quick succession (on-off-5 seconds-on kind of timing).
I had the unit installed by a authorized Rheem installation plumber. I;ve had two other plumbers inspect it while they were onsite doing maint on my furnace. None the 3 of these plumbers of them know whats wrong, but all have said they can hear/feel the 'whomp' and it doesnt sound right. I've tried Rheem customer support, but the 'whomp' is barely perceptible when I've taken a recording on my phone and they have just shrugged. Believe me, the noise is very noticeable in the house - I can feel/hear the 'whomp' anytime hot water flow is cycled on from anywhere in the house.
I'm 99% sure the source of the noise is the ignition. In fact the plastic critter screen that is installed in the exhaust pipe on the exterior of the house gets blown out of the exhaust pipe on a regular basis. The screen isnt a tight fit and was never glued in place during the original install.
Exhaust and intake piping are no longer than 4-5' and are 3" in dia. I, and 3 plumbers who have looked at the system, all have concluded the intake and exhaust piping is well within the spec laid out in the Rheem install guide. Piping was also approved by the local gas inspector. I had also sent Rheem support pics of the exhaust piping and they indicated it was perfectly fine
Unit is fed by 3/4 black pipe that is less than 15' run from the meter. Gas pressure after the meter (ie: inside my house) is 6.5-7" of WC and has been verified by all 3 plumbers. Piping is correctly sized for this unit per all 3 plumbers and Rheem support.
I'm posting here in the hopes *maybe* someone else has seen or heard of such a problem with Rheem tankless water heaters. The 'whomp' is very unsettling and has been bugging me for the 3 years since the unit was installed. I've been around enough machinery, heaters, and furnaces to feel that its not quite 'right'
Since new, this unit has made a 'whomp' noise on startup. Its a low frequency bass drum kind of noise, and is slightly more pronounced when the unit is cycled on and off in quick succession (on-off-5 seconds-on kind of timing).
I had the unit installed by a authorized Rheem installation plumber. I;ve had two other plumbers inspect it while they were onsite doing maint on my furnace. None the 3 of these plumbers of them know whats wrong, but all have said they can hear/feel the 'whomp' and it doesnt sound right. I've tried Rheem customer support, but the 'whomp' is barely perceptible when I've taken a recording on my phone and they have just shrugged. Believe me, the noise is very noticeable in the house - I can feel/hear the 'whomp' anytime hot water flow is cycled on from anywhere in the house.
I'm 99% sure the source of the noise is the ignition. In fact the plastic critter screen that is installed in the exhaust pipe on the exterior of the house gets blown out of the exhaust pipe on a regular basis. The screen isnt a tight fit and was never glued in place during the original install.
Exhaust and intake piping are no longer than 4-5' and are 3" in dia. I, and 3 plumbers who have looked at the system, all have concluded the intake and exhaust piping is well within the spec laid out in the Rheem install guide. Piping was also approved by the local gas inspector. I had also sent Rheem support pics of the exhaust piping and they indicated it was perfectly fine
Unit is fed by 3/4 black pipe that is less than 15' run from the meter. Gas pressure after the meter (ie: inside my house) is 6.5-7" of WC and has been verified by all 3 plumbers. Piping is correctly sized for this unit per all 3 plumbers and Rheem support.
I'm posting here in the hopes *maybe* someone else has seen or heard of such a problem with Rheem tankless water heaters. The 'whomp' is very unsettling and has been bugging me for the 3 years since the unit was installed. I've been around enough machinery, heaters, and furnaces to feel that its not quite 'right'