It sometimes begins with a flicker but then there’s complete silence. The quiet hum of the refrigerator dies, the lights go drab, and your laptop screen goes black in […]
Have you ever wondered what is draining 23 percent of your home’s energy bill without you even realising it?
Heating water is a routine activity that consumes a substantial amount of energy for most Australians.
According to the Australian Government’s Your Home guide (source), hot water alone can account for up to 23 percent of your home’s energy use. However, many households continue to employ outdated, inefficient systems, which ultimately cost them considerably more than they need to.
Modern continuous flow models, such as the Rinnai B26, can significantly reduce energy loss, even if they may not appear revolutionary at first.
According to some estimates, a homeowner might save more than $1,000 throughout the unit’s lifespan by switching from a conventional 5-star gas storage unit to a high-efficiency continuous flow model.
That brings us to the question of what the actual price of the Rinnai B26 is in 2025.
Not just the advertised price, but the whole cost, including supply-only costs, expert installation charges, and potential government rebates?
To help you determine whether the B26 is worth it for your house, we’ll go over actual pricing from Australian suppliers and installers in this post, explain what factors affect the overall cost, and guide you on how to take advantage of any available discounts.
Rinnai B26: Specifications at a glance
The following are the specifications of the builders’ model available widely across Australia:
Capacity/Flow: delivers 26 L/min at a 25 °C rise
Temperature Control: Precise temperature control with preset temps of 50 °C or 60 °C offered
Gas Type: both natural gas and LPG models are available
Gas Input: operates at a gas input of 199 MJ/h
Energy Rating: boasts a 6-star efficiency rating
Warranty: comes with a warranty of 10 years on the heat exchanger and 3 years on parts/labour
Design and installation: a sleek, weatherproof design for external installation
Unit-Only Rates of Rinnai B26 in Australia
The unit-only price of Rennai B26 varies across various Australian stores. However, the following table might give you an overview of what to expect:
| Retailer | Price (incl. GST) |
| Same Day Hot Water Service | $970 |
| Atomic Hot Water | $935 |
| Anytime Hot Water | $995 |
| Ozwide Building Supplies | $949 |
| GStore Melbourne | $1,075 |
| Proud Plumbing & Gas (WA) | $1,550 |
According to a sampling of Australian merchants, the Rinnai B26 unit alone typically costs between $935 and $1,550. The majority are priced between $950 and $1,100.
However, some are much more expensive, which may be due to supplier markups or regional pricing variations.
A price difference of more than $600, considering the same product is being marketed, demonstrates the importance of comparison shopping.
It’s important to keep in mind that these numbers only apply to the unit itself and do not include installation or any other costs.
Significance of looking beyond the sticker price
As mentioned above, the Rinnai B26 unit itself costs between $935 and $1,550, but with full replacements (including removing the previous unit) sometimes costing over $2,500, the all-in installation typically costs between $1,450 and $2,000.
This means that instead of comparing the costs of the various models, your upfront investment should be evaluated as a package, including unit pricing and installation.
How come there is a gap? Some important factors are:
Work scope: Basic replacements can cost less than A$1,500, but any modifications, such as power outlets, valves, or gas-line extensions, may result in higher prices.
Removals and extras: It often costs a few hundred dollars to remove an existing system, add a remote controller, or attach accessories; some installers even charge an extra $49/m for additional pipe.
Labour and location: Metro installations are usually less expensive than regional ones, and certain states have more expensive certification or compliance procedures.
On the plus side, many installers provide warranty documentation, compliance certificates, and the removal of the old unit, all of which you would otherwise need to arrange individually. An all-inclusive package may consist of:
- The actual unit ($950–1,150)
- Standard installation costs between $500 and $700.
- Accessories such as controllers or tempering valves ($100–300)
- Taking out and discarding the outdated heater
- Certificate of Compliance
When provided as a comprehensive quote upfront (including GST), the average total cost comes to between $1,450 and $2,000.
Savings through Government Rebates
The numbers you saw above might seem discouraging at first; however, in some Australian states, upgrading to a more energy-efficient hot water system may make you eligible for government rebates or energy savings certificates:
Federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) can reduce the sticker price of high-efficiency systems by hundreds of dollars.
If the installer is registered with a program, the state-specific programs (such as the Victorian Energy Upgrades program in Victoria and the Energy Savings Scheme for the residents of New South Wales) may provide extra savings, usually between $200 and $500.
A supply-and-install package can be reduced from $2,000 to approximately $1,000–1,300 with the combined rebates, which can reduce your expenditure by $700–1,000. This makes the Rennai B26 much more attractive up front.
Rinnai B26 Full Installation Pricing: What to Expect
In reality, several well-known installers, such as Scooper Plumbing and Hilton Plumbing, provide quotes for a typical B26 exchange that includes leak testing and the removal of the old unit for between $1,549 to $1,579 all-inclusive.
Therefore, the price per unit is merely the beginning. Your quote might be half the tale or less if you don’t account for installation, materials, removal, compliance, and regional issues.
If you include a rebate estimate, this represents the actual cost you’ll incur and typically corresponds with broader market norms.
Therefore, the price per unit is merely the beginning. Your quote might be half the tale or less if you don’t account for installation, materials, removal, compliance, and regional issues.
However, with careful planning: asking for several quotations, enquiring about rebates, and obtaining itemised pricing, you may get a continuous-flow, high-efficiency heater like Rinnai B26 for a reasonable, affordable price that will work out for you right from the beginning.
