Rinnai ES38 RHFE-1004RFA Quick start guide

— Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and
liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.
— WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS
• Do not try to light any appliance.
• Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any phone in
your building.
• Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone.
Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire
department.
— Installation and service must be performed by a qualified
installer, service agency or the gas supplier.
WARNING: If the information in these instructions is not
followed exactly, a fire or explosion may result causing
property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
Owner’s Operation and Installation Manual for the
ES38 (RHFE-1004RFA)
Energysaver
Gas Direct Vent Wall Furnace
INSTALLER: Leave this manual with the appliance.
CONSUMER: Retain this manual for future reference.
Table of Contents........... 2
Safety Information .......... 3
Operating Instructions .... 6
Care and Maintenance... 10
Fault Codes.................... 12
Installation Instructions... 14
Parts List ........................ 32
Consumer Support ......... 42
French Version............... 45
Register your product at www.rinnairegistration.com
or call 1-866-RINNAI1 (746-6241)

2 Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual
This appliance may be installed in an aftermarket, permanently located, manufactured home
(USA only) or mobile home, where not prohibited by local codes.
This appliance is only for use with the type of gas indicated on the rating plate. This appliance
is not convertible for use with other gases, unless a certified kit is used.
Table of Contents
This appliance may be installed as an OEM installation in a manufactured home (USA only) or
mobile home and must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the
Manufactured Home construction and Safety Standard, Title 24 CFR, Part 3280, in the United
States, or the Mobile Home Standard, CAN/CSA Z240 MH Series, in Canada.
Consumer Safety Information
Safety Definitions ............................................. 3
Safety Behaviors and Practices....................... 3
Safety Features................................................ 4
Specifications
Appliance Specifications .............................. 4, 5
Features ........................................................... 5
Flue Manifolds.................................................. 5
Operating Instructions
Getting to Know your New Heating Appliance 6
Control Panel ................................................... 7
Operating the Heater .................................. 8, 9
Care and Maintenance................................... 10
Before Making a Service Call......................... 11
Fault Codes.................................................... 12
Restart Function............................................. 13
Troubleshooting ............................................. 13
Installation Instructions
General Instructions....................................... 14
Gas Connection ............................................. 15
Clearances to Combustibles.......................... 15
Flue Terminal Clearances ....................... 16, 17
Dimensions .................................................... 18
Installation Parts ........................................... 19
Drilling Flue Hole ........................................... 20
Attach Wall Brackets...................................... 20
Attach Back Spacers ..................................... 20
Flue Manifold Installation......................... 21, 22
Extension Kit Installation .......................... 23-25
Connecting the Appliance.............................. 26
Operating Instructions ................................... 27
Cut-Away Diagram......................................... 28
Wiring Diagram .............................................. 29
Ladder Diagram ............................................. 30
Parts List................................................... 31-41
Consumer Support
Warranty Information ..................................... 42
Limited Warranty...................................... 42, 43
State Regulations.............................................. 44

Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual 3
WARNING
CAUTION
Safety Behavior and Practices
• Do not block the warm air discharge. Do not allow
anyone to sleep directly in front of the appliance.
• Due to high temperatures, the appliance should be
located out of traffic and away from furniture and
draperies.
• Children and adults should be alerted to the
hazards of high surface temperature and should
stay away to avoid burns or clothing ignition.
• Young children should be carefully supervised
when they are in the same room as the appliance.
• Clothing or other flammable material should not be
placed on or near the appliance.
• Any safety screen or guard removed for servicing
must be replaced prior to operating the appliance.
• Do not insert items into the louvers.
• Do not spray aerosols near the appliance while it is
operating. Most aerosols contain butane gas which
is flammable.
• Do not unplug the appliance while it is operating or
while the fans are on.
• Do not use bare hands to touch the front louvers
due to high temperatures which may cause burns.
• Wear hand protection when touching the side back
covers, front louver, and rear intake for the
convection fan.
• Keep the area around the appliance clear and free
from combustible materials, gasoline, and other
flammable vapors and liquids.
• Never store liquid propane containers indoors.
• Do not use this appliance if any part has been
under water. Immediately call a qualified service
technician to inspect the appliance and to replace
any part of the control system and any gas control
which has been under water.
• This appliance is equipped with a three-prong plug
for your protection against shock hazard and
should be plugged directly into a properly grounded
three-prong receptacle. Do not cut or remove the
ground prong from this plug.
• Any alteration to the appliance or its controls can
be dangerous.
• Do not operate appliance with the panels removed,
cracked or broken. Replacement of the panels
should be done by a licensed or qualified service
person.
Consumer Safety Information
Safety Definitions
This is the safety alert symbol. This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and
others.
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or
moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices.
DANGER
CAUTION
WARNING

4 Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual
Application For manufactured home (USA only) or mobile home or residential installation
convertible for use with natural gas and liquefied petroleum gases (propane /
LPG) when provision is made for the simple conversion from one gas to the
other.
For commercial setting.
For installation at altitudes up to 10,200 feet (3109 m).
General Description Forced combustion, forced convection, flued gas furnace
Operation Push button electronic
Gas Connection 1/2 in female NPT
Gas Control Electronic
Burners Stainless steel Bunsen burner
Temperature Control Electronic thermostat
Ignition System Electronic spark ignition
Flue System The flue must be terminated to atmosphere with only flue components listed
with the appliance’s certification. Warranty will be voided if non listed
components are installed.
Humidifier Tray Capacity - 7 pints (3000 cc)
Electrical Connection AC 120V, 60 Hz, 121 watts
Weight 90 lbs (41 kg)
Noise Level 37-47 dB
AFUE Rating Natural Gas: 80.6% Propane: 82.0%
Specifications
Rinnai is continually updating and improving products. Therefore, specifications are subject to change without
prior notice.
The efficiency rating of this appliance is a product thermal efficiency rating determined under continuous operating
conditions and was determined independently of any installed system.
Safety Features
• Overheat: The appliance will automatically shut
down when the appliance exceeds a predetermined
temperature.
• Flame Failure: The appliance will automatically
shut down if the burner flame is extinguished.
• Power Failure: The appliance will cut off the gas if
it loses electrical power.
• Power Surge Fuse: A glass fuse on the PC board
protects against overcurrent. If the fuse blows then
all indicator lamps will be off.
• Spark Detector: The appliance automatically shuts
down if there is an abnormal spark at ignition.
• Fusible Link: In case the overheat feature
prevents the temperature from rising then the fusible
link will break shutting off the appliance.
Appliance Specifications

Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual 5
Features
• Restarts automatically when ignition or combustion
fails.
• Clean Heating Forced Flue Type
• Easy Operation One-Touch Ignition
• Sensible Temperature Control Feature
• Comfortable Room Temperature Control and
Display
• Warm Air Outlet at Floor Level (keeps your feet
warm)
• Function Lock
• Room Temperature Setting Memory
• Clean the Air Filter - Indicator Lamp
• Energy Saving Economy Setting
• Humidifier Tray
• Air Flow Directional Louvers
• Direct Vent Easily Installed
• Proportional Heating Variable Capacity
• Hush! Quiet Operation
• Modern Design Minimizes Floor Space
Requirements
• Fault Code Message Display
Appliance Specifications
The following flue manifold sizes are
available for different wall thicknesses: Name Kit No. fits walls
S Vent Kit FOT-150 3 - 4 1/2 in (75 - 115 mm)
A Vent Kit FOT-151 4 1/2 - 9 1/2 in (115 - 240 mm)
B Vent Kit FOT-152 9 1/2 - 15 3/4 in (240 - 400mm)
C Vent Kit FOT-153 15 3/4 - 23 5/8 in (400 - 600 mm)
D Vent Kit FOT-154 23 5/8 - 31 1/2 in (600 - 800 mm)
Natural Gas Propane Gas
Minimum supply gas pressure 5.0 in (127 mm) W.C. 11.0 in (280 mm) W.C.
Maximum supply gas pressure 10.5 in (267 mm) W.C. 13.0 in (330 mm) W.C.
BTU/hour input Low 10,500 High 38,400 Low 10,500 High 36,500
BTU/hour output Low 8,400 High 30,720 Low 8,400 High 29,200
Flue Manifolds

6 Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual
Getting to know your new heating appliance
Operating Instructions

Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual 7
Control Panel
All buttons beep when operated.
Set Temp
Room Temp
Economy
Temp
Control
Function Lock
Filter
ON/OFF
ON
FUNCTION
LOCK
Lamp is "green"
when this feature
is on.
FILTER LAMP
Flashes when filter
is dirty.
OPERATION LAMP
This lamp turns
"green" when power
is on. Lamp will
change to "red"
when burner is on.
TEMPERATURE
BUTTONS
" " adjust temp. to
lower setting.
" " adjust temp. to
a higher setting.
ENERGY SAVING
BUTTON
Lamp is "green"
when this feature is
activated.
〈CONTROL PANEL 〉
〈INDICATOR DISPLAY 〉
>
>
TEMPERATURE
DISPLAY
SHOWS EITHER THE
TEMPERATURE OR
CODED ERROR
MESSAGES.
ON/OFF BUTTON
Easy operation
One touch ignition

8 Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual
Operating the Heater
Turning the heater ON
When you press and release the
ON/OFF button, the Temperature
Level lamps will illuminate, the
combustion fan will begin to run,
and the spark will ignite the main
burner.
This heater has an automatic ignition system. When
the main burner has lit, the combustion lamp will glow
red, and the spark will stop.
If ignition does not occur after 15 seconds, the
appliance will automatically turn off and the
Temperature Level lamps will flash indicating a fault
code. This may occur when using the appliance for
the first time or if it has not been used for a while. Try
operating the appliance again.
There may be a smell of burning dust or oil the first
time the heater is lit or when the heater has been out
of operation for a long time.
The appliance may make noises after ignition or when
it is turned off. This is normal and is due to the
thermal expansion or contraction of its components.
Adjusting the Temperature
The first time that the appliance is turned on, the
preset temperature of 72° F will be shown on the
display. Every time the temperature setting is
changed, that temperature setting will be the latest
data appearing on the display the next time the
appliance is turned on.
To change the temperature setting, adjust the
temperature control buttons until the desired setting is
indicated.
When the desired temperature has been set, 10
seconds later, the display will show the current room
temperature.
The thermostat automatically modulates the burner
and the fan to maintain the temperature setting.
The temperature settings available are:
• LO - burner is on minimum combustion
• 60° F - 80° F in two degree increments
• HI - burner is on maximum combustion
Turning the heater OFF
Press the ON/OFF button. Do not
turn off by unplugging at the power
outlet.
The fan will continue to run for a
short time to prevent the internal
components from overheating.
ON/OFF
Economy Mode
Pressing the Economy button will cause
the appliance to go into Economy Mode
and the green lamp will glow. This
results in the temperature setting being
reduced by 2° F, 30 minutes after the
room temperature has reached the
temperature setting. After another 30
minutes the temperature setting is
reduced another 2° F. This could result
in the temperature setting being reduced by a
maximum of 4° F. The intent of this mode is to save
energy.
When the heater is running at the LO setting, the
Economy Mode does not function.
Economy
ON/OFF
Set Tem p
Ro o m Tem p
Temp
Control
Function Lock

Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual 9
CAUTION
Adjusting Air Flow Direction
The vertical louvers may be adjusted to move the air
flow more to the right or to the left.
Use a screw driver or similar object to bend each
louver to the desired position.
Do not bend repeatedly (no more than 5 times) or else
the louver will break.
The horizontal louver (which determines the vertical air
flow direction) is fixed and cannot be adjusted.
Do not adjust the air flow
louvers while warm air is
flowing.
Operating the Heater
Adding Water to the Humidifier
To fill the tray, open the door as shown in the diagram
and pour water into the tray using the spout built into
the door. The air will be humidified as it passes over
the water in the tray.
During operation a small amount of condensation is
produced in the flue system and drains into the
humidifier tray.
If the water overflows from the water level hole, then
do not add any more water.
CAUTION
Do not fill the tray while the
appliance is in operation.
Close the door after filling.
The humidifier tray and
surrounding area are hot
when the appliance is on.
Lock
This feature locks the
buttons to prevent
unintended operation.
Press the up and
down buttons to
activate and the lamp
will glow. Pressing
and holding the up and down buttons for two seconds
will disengage the Lock.
If the Lock is engaged while the unit is operating, all
buttons will be disabled except for the ON/OFF button.
If the Lock is engaged while the unit is off, then all
buttons will be disabled. The Lock must be
disengaged in order to turn the unit on.
Filter Lamp
If the filter lamp flashes
during operation, check
the air filter for dust. If
dust is present, clean the
filter. See the Care and
Maintenance section. Turn the heater off before
cleaning the filter.
Sensible Temperature Control
The sensible temperature control feature allows
comfortable heating which matches the conditions in
the room.
Based on the information collected by the room
temperature thermistor when the heating starts, the
heating capacity is automatically adjusted to achieve
a comfortable heating effect and to reach the
temperature setting quickly.
Temp
Control
Function Lock
Fi l t er ON
Access Door
Max. Fill Line
Humidifier Tray
Filler Spout
Do not force door open too far.
Close door during operation.
Pull

10 Rinnai Corporation ES38 Manual
Care and Maintenance
Filters
Dirty filters reduce the air flow and the appliance’s
ability to produce heat. The filters should be cleaned
frequently during the heating season. If the filters
become blocked the filter indicator lamp will flash and
the appliance will beep. Eventually the appliance will
turn off and the Temperature Level lamp 14 will light,
indicating a fault code.
To clean the filters, the
appliance should be OFF
and cool. Remove the
filter and clean it using a
soft dry cloth or vacuum.
If the filter is greasy wash
with warm soapy water,
rinse, and dry
completely.
Maintenance
All maintenance and service are to be performed by a
qualified service technician, preferably one who has
attended Rinnai service training classes on the Direct
Vent products.
The appliance should be inspected annually by a
qualified service technician. More frequent cleaning
may be required due to excessive lint from carpeting,
bedding material, etc. It is imperative that control
compartments, burners, and circulating air passage
ways of the appliance be kept clean.
Any screen or guard removed for servicing the
appliance must be replaced prior to operating the
appliance. Clean as follows:
1. Turn heat off. Allow to cool for one hour.
2. Remove the front panel by removing two screws.
3. Use pressurized air to remove dust from the main
burner, heat exchanger, and fan blades.
4. Use soft dry cloth to wipe cabinet.
Do not use wet cloth or spray cleaners on the burner.
The flue should be inspected annually for blockages or
damage.
Motors are permanently lubricated and do not need
periodic lubrication. Keep fan and motor free of dust
and dirt by cleaning annually.
Verify proper operation after servicing.
Visual Inspection
of Flame
Check that the burner flames are operating normally.
The flame can be seen through the circular window
through the louvers.
When operating normally the burner flame should
appear as long, clear, blue, stable, streaks. Yellow
flames or an orange color is abnormal and
maintenance is required.
Care of Exterior
Dampen soft cloth with warm water. Wring water out
well and wipe the unit.
Do not use volatile substances such as benzene or
thinners. They cause fading of the paint and
deformation of the resin.
Snow Accumulation
Keep the area around flue terminal free of snow and
ice. The appliance will not function properly if the
intake air or exhaust is impeded by obstructions.
Refer to the Flue Terminal Clearances. The clearance
in Ref. A should be maintained from any snow
accumulation.
AIR FILTERS
CAUTION
Prevent dust from accumulating on the power cord,
side covers, and parts behind the appliance.