When a hot water system stops working, Wellington homeowners want two things. A straight answer about what went wrong, and a fix as fast as possible.
Chas Plewinski from Miramar called us at Paramount Plumbing after losing hot water, and we had his Rinnai Infinity gas hot water system replaced and running the same day. His system was 20 years old, showing error code 14, and had reached the end of its serviceable life. Within three hours of arriving on site, the job was done.
Here is what happened, what we found, and what it means if you have an ageing continuous flow system in your Wellington home.
The Problem: Error Code 14 in a 20-Year-Old System
Chas Plewinski from Miramar, Wellington, called us after finding an issue with his hot water. We arrived on the same day of the phone call and found that Chas’ Rinnai Infinity gas hot water system was showing an error code of 14, which is an overheated code.
What Rinnai Infinity Error Code 14 Actually Means
Error code 14 on a Rinnai Infinity system indicates the unit has reached an unsafe temperature and has shut itself down as a protective measure. It can sometimes be resolved with a reset, but when it appears in an older system, it signals something more serious is going on internally. In Chas’ case, further investigation confirmed the system had reached the end of its serviceable life.
Why a 20-Year-Old System Is at End of Life
After further investigation, it was found that Chas’ system was 20 years old, which is the normal life expectancy of a Rinnai Infinity Gas System. Spares were obsolete and there was corrosion inside the unit. At that point, continuing to repair is rarely the right call. The parts simply are not available, and even if a short-term fix were possible, the underlying condition of the unit means further failures are likely in the near future.
The Solution: Same-Day Rinnai Infinity Replacement
After discussing options with Chas, Paramount Plumbing & Gas replaced the system with a Rinnai A26 Natural Gas Infinity.
Why We Recommended the Rinnai INFINITY A-Series
The Rinnai INFINITY A-Series is purpose-designed for continuous flow hot water in domestic installations. These systems produce instant and endless hot water and are highly energy efficient, operating only when hot water is actually needed. Rinnai makes five models in the A-Series to suit different household demands, with the A26 suited to medium to large homes where simultaneous hot water use is common.
For homeowners weighing up their options, we also noted Rheem as an alternative worth considering. Rheem offers an excellent 10- to 12-year warranty on the heat exchanger, which is a meaningful consideration for those prioritising long-term coverage. We present both options to clients so they can make an informed decision based on their priorities and budget.
What the Installation Involved
We replaced the system and carried out pipework with Dux Secura pipe and fittings, protecting the pipework from UV with solar lagging. We added a new Aqualine IK20 valve kit with the Infinity and upsized the main water runs to 20mm to improve flow rate. The full installation was completed within three hours on the same day as the callout.
What Chas Had to Say
Chas was grateful for the quick fix. On the speed and quality of the work, he said: “They installed the system within 3 hours the same day. It was impressive and fast service considering how busy everybody is.”
Once the job was complete, his overall view was equally clear: “They did an excellent, tidy installation and kept me well informed. The pricing was very reasonable. Would use them again for sure.”
For a same-day replacement on a property that had been without hot water, that outcome reflects what a well-resourced local gas fitting Wellington team can deliver when the job is planned and executed properly.
What This Means for Wellington Homeowners With an Ageing Hot Water System
Chas’ situation is one we see regularly across Wellington, Miramar, and the wider region. A continuous flow gas hot water system that has been running reliably for 15 to 20 years can fail with little warning. Error codes, inconsistent temperatures, and reduced flow rate are all signs worth taking seriously rather than resetting and hoping for the best.
If your Rinnai Infinity is approaching or past the 15-year mark, it is worth having a licensed gas fitter assess the condition of the unit before it fails entirely. A planned replacement on your timeline is considerably less disruptive than an emergency callout when you have no hot water. Our hot water systems Wellington service covers assessments, recommendations, and full replacements across Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and Porirua.
For situations like Chas’, where the system has already failed, our emergency plumbing Wellington service operates around the clock to get hot water restored as quickly as possible.
Talk to Paramount About Your Rinnai Infinity System
If your continuous flow hot water system is ageing, showing error codes, or has already failed, we are the team to call. We are a locally owned Wellington plumbing and gas fitting company with the experience and stock to turn around same-day replacements across the region.
We service Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, and surrounding areas.
Contact us to book an assessment or discuss your options. Call 0800 02 72 72.