Heaters Buying Guide
Our buying guide will explain which type of heater would suit you most, how much you can expect to pay for one, and which features are worth looking out for.
DavidGippsland, VIC
Not sure what people are complaining about!!!
Replaced my Buffalo 20 with the BX520 about 4 months ago, got a 3 bedroom house with two living areas plus a study. Air wasn't as hot as the Buffalo 20 when the heater was first installed, but being an engineer I know that the more airflow passed over the heat exchanger the more heat is pulled off it. This extra air spreads the energy taken form the heat exchanger further therefore resulting on colder air, however you still have more energy being delivered to your house, it's actually pretty simple. People clearly just like to complain. If they...Read more
bother to look in the manual for the heater you can easily adjust the duct temperature, which I did. I set mine to 60degC (from I think 50degC) and now it heats the house faster than the Buffalo 20 and my gas bill has dropped from $581 to $326 during my winter quarter and it has been really cold and wet here in Gippsland. Also Upgraded my controller to the one with the dial so I can program it to come on and off and change to different temperatures at different times of the day and days of the week. I think it is brilliant and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one!! One down side is that it is a bit rattly, if you have the choice install it near your laundry or bathroom or toilet, not you bedroom. I used that foam tape you can get from Bunnings to put between the lid and outer body, that quietened it down significantly.Purchased in May 2021.
1 comment
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MatyD
- 6 reviews
Excellent replacement
We replaced our current Brivis buffalo heater that has been in the house for 20 plus years. was a little concerned after reading some of the reviews but was explained by the fitter J & S heating in Tullamarine that the current return air vent was too small. Since its been in with the larger air vent it hasn't missed a beat and its quieter.
Purchased in June 2021.
1 comment
Rinnai A.Brivis
We are pleased to hear your Brivis Buffalo is exceeding your expectations.
Rinnai Australia pride themselves in having superior products and ensuring that our customers are satisfied with them and the service we provide.... Read more
Thanks, Rinnai AustraliaSimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Other Gas Heaters
Rinnai Avenger 25 / 25Plus
4.1(127)Rinnai Energysaver FT Series
3.9(36)Rinnai Dynamo 15
4.3(23)Rinnai Granada 252
4.3(17)jk_melbourneAU
- 5 reviews
- 8 likes
Poor reliability - matched by poor service.
This unit was purchased and installed in August 2014, and after I booked a maintenance service became faulty with an error code 60, and couldn't be reset and didn't work. As a result the heater didn't work and we had no heat over Easter and for the three weeks it took to get a service person to attend. The service technician found that the fault was due to a faulty PCB or 'Motherboard'. Thankfully it was under warranty - otherwise it would have been very expensive.
I had a Brivis Buffalo which worked flawlessly for over 20 years - this one fa...Read more
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Find out how Brivis Buffalo Series compares to other Gas Heaters
Know better, choose better.
AudiOwnerMelbourne
- 13 reviews
- 14 likes
Do not buy the heater from Brivis.
Got my old heater replaced for Brivis Buffalo 5 BX520. Second day the heater stopped producing heat. Called up Brivis technician for check up. He said everything is fine, didn't check the heater at all just said everything works fine and I need to get the heater upgraded for stronger one when this one was recommended for my single story house.
After a week called up a private heater specialist. He opened the heater up and he found unit to have factory faulty supply air sensor He told me he used to work for Brivis for 30 years but they suck...Read more
ed every worker and got cheap Chinese people to save money that have no clue what they are doing. Avoid the headache, customer service is a pain in the posterior and you won't get a refund even if its under warranty.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Why are people so vitriolic ?
I too have had a Brivis buffalo for over 20 years. It was a very reliable appliance. When it was no longer serviceable I had it changed over to a BX520. It works well just like the old one.
When I get services from the company the service guys are all experienced and of course they know all the error codes.
What some people don't tell you is that they just put in a replacement heater as cheap as they can and then the wife asks for a few more ducts, so they put them in too. They dont care when the technical guy tells them it will be undersi...Read more
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Be warned this heater is hopeless
Had a Brivis Buffalo for 23 years and it was excellent so when it finally died we replaced it with a BX520. This heater is hopeless. Cannot get it up to 21 degrees in winter. May be claimed to be more energy efficient per hour but it has to run much, much longer to increase the temperature by each degree, consequently much more costly to run. The installer came back and checked the temperature settings and fan speed which were both OK. Now stuck with this model which hopefully will fail within the warranty period. Be warned do not buy a Brivis BX520
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The old brivis was great / this new one is rubbish
We had a brivis for 15 years and were so happy that, when it died of old age, we didn't hesitate to replace it with a new model. Big mistake. This heater is hopeless. We can't get it up to 20 degrees on a cold day and we get constant error messages which require us to reset. Customer service can't even tell us what the error code means. This is the 4th call-out in 6 weeks and we are asked to wait a week. The next call will be to consumer affairs. Do not buy a Brivis !!!!
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- Buffalo BX520
- Verified purchase
New unit after 3 weeks properly working stop end error#50 Contact BRIVIS
Be aware !!!!!
The name should be changed to RABISH.
Two week waiting on warranty service is unheard off.
But it is a new standard for Brivis warranty services in winter in Melbourne.
I've just replaced my old Buffalo20 unit. It was working 23 years every season with only two service calls
Never ever will recommend this brand to any one.
What happen with the old Brivis and 3 day service?
Pensionier have to wait two weeks in cold for warranty repair.
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Questions & Answers
Michaelasked
Hi just had a bx 520 installed. It takes over 2 hours just to warm my house from 17 degrees to 20 degrees. The house is a small 3 bedroom house. I don’t understand why it takes so long is there wrong with the heater. Thanks Michael
3 answers
Good morning Michael,
Have a look at the manual that came with the heater, it shows you how to increase the air temperature and the airflow if you have the networker controller (the one which has a dial which can turn). If you only have a simple controller, get the installers back (who will have one) and they can increase the temperature and airflow for you.
Most installers are really lazy and can't be bothered to set-up the heater for each house they install a heater into.
David
Hi David
I do have a network controller and iv looked at the manual but cant see where i can increase the air temperature. Please help.
Michael
Rinnai A.Brivis
Hi Michael,
Thank you for the question.
We would recommend speaking with our Technical Helpdesk, who can be reached on 1300 555 545 (option 3) for assistance and troubleshooting.
Thanks
Rinnai Australia
Rose L.asked
My newly installed bricks buffalo bx520 just did not start this year even tried so many times on and off power and gas switches, has electricity and gas but just no air come in, the heater did not run at all, not sure what was the issue. It was installed 2018
5 answers
There are little LED’s that flash on the control board. These should flash a certain number of times and then pause and repeat. That number of flashes gives you an indication of what is wrong. If there are no LED’s lit up, the fuse may have blown. Check the users manual for fault codes, it could be many different issues.
Hello David, thank you for your replying to my question.
My wall controller is a very basic one, it does not have any error number come on the screen at all, I know there is one controller which will indicate error code, I wish I had those ones. I booked for Brivis service on line, hope they will contact me soon before another cold front come.
Thank you for your reply, David.
That’s ok Rose. My apologies for not being so clear.
There is a control board inside the heater itself. Four screws will take the lid/roof off the heater and you will be able to see the circuit board under a cream plastic cover. There will be some holes moulded into the cover, in one of those you will be able to view the flashing LED.
I hope this helps, I also hope Brivis can come soon...this is the busy time of year when everyone turns their heaters on for the first time in 6 months and find the issues that grew over summer.
Once I saw that ants had made their nest in a heater and the owner had decided to kill them with fly spray, unfortunately the owner sprayed directly onto the circuit board before Brivis had a cover on it and short circuited everything! You can never tell what might be the issue after the heater has been sitting dormant for 6 months.
David
Tony M.asked
What is the code 07 mean?
1 answer
Rinnai A.Brivis
Hi Tony M,
Thanks for the question. If the error code 07 appeared at the start of operation it is referenced to a valve lockout, if the error has appeared during operation it is referenced to a flame roll out, this requires a service call. Please contact our 1st Care Service Centre on 1300 555 545 or altertenatively book on line following the link provided. https://www.rinnai.com.au/support-resources/online-service-booking/
Thanks,
Rinnai Australia
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5.0(1)
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Rinnai A.Brivis
Hi David,
We are pleased to hear your Brivis Buffalo Ducted Heating System is exceeding your expectations and has reduced your gas bills.... Read more
Rinnai Australia pride themselves in having superior products and ensuring that our customers are satisfied with them and the service we provide. Thanks, Rinnai Australia