Rinnai J Series Air Conditioner Review 

Solar Choice is not affiliated with Rinnai or any other manufacturer and aims to provide an independent, unbiased review for Australian consumers.

At a Glance: Rinnai J Air Conditioners — Score 3.7 out of 5

Rinnai scores 3.7 out of 5 on the Solar Choice Air Conditioner Brand Scorecard. As a long-established manufacturer with a strong presence in Australia’s heating and cooling market, Rinnai has supplied residential climate systems locally for many years. If you’re comparing options for your home, consider exploring Solar Choice’s broader air-conditioning advice and quote tools to see how Rinnai compares with other major brands. 

Brand Reputation & Reliability – 4 / 5
Rinnai has maintained a strong presence in Australia for over 50 years, and the J Series reflects the brand’s focus on delivering consistent residential climate performance.

Australian Presence & Support Infrastructure – 4 / 5
Consumers benefit from Rinnai’s national service network, structured installation guidelines, accessible customer support and spare parts service.

Warranty Strength & Transparency – 4 / 5
The J Series is covered under Rinnai’s 7-year parts and labour warranty when installed in residential and light commercial settings.

Innovation & Technology – 4 / 5
All models come with built-in Wi-Fi, voice control, app-based scheduling, self-cleaning modes, and long-distance airflow

Customer Satisfaction & Review Consistency – 3 / 5
Consumer reviews tend to vary depending on installation quality and household environment, though performance feedback is generally stable.

Overall:
The J Series is a mid-range air conditioner with standard features like inverter technology, app control, and basic comfort modes. How well it performs depends on factors such as room size, installation, and local climate. It does not position itself as a premium offering, but instead delivers a standard level of capability consistent with many mainstream units.

Company Background

Rinnai is a long-established Japanese manufacturer with over 50 years of experience supplying heating, cooling, and hot-water systems to the Australian market. While the company established its Australian operations in 1971, it began selling air conditioners locally in the 1990s and expanded its cooling range through several acquisitions of Australian brands from around 2014–2015. Although best known for gas heating and hot water, air conditioning is now a stable part of Rinnai’s residential product range.

In Australia, Rinnai air conditioners are sold through Harvery Norman, and offer support provided by a national service and spare-parts network. The brand focuses on reliable performance and practical features suited to Australian conditions rather than premium smart-home functionality.

Air Conditioner Range, Efficiency & Performance

The J Series includes wall-mounted inverter split systems spanning 2.5 kW to 8.0 kW capacities. All models use R32 refrigerant, a more efficient and environment-friendly cooling gas, support high-temperature operation, and offer reverse-cycle functionality.

Key Functions Across the Range

• • Reverse-cycle cooling and heating

• • Inverter compressor

• • Built-in Wi-Fi control via the AC Freedom App
    

• • Voice control through Google Home and Amazon Alexa
    

• • Sleep mode with temperature adjustment curves

• • Turbo mode for rapid cooling/heating

• • Quiet mode

• • Self-cleaning function for long-term hygiene

• • Demand Response (DRED) support for energy-provider load control

• • Long-distance airflow up to 15 metres
    

Rinnai J Series – Model Comparison

Model	Cooling Capacity (kW)	Heating Capacity (kW)	Energy Star Rating*	Efficiency Notes
HSNRT25B	2.5 – 2.64kW	2.9kW	9.0 Cooling / 3.5 Heating	Ideal for small bedrooms; highest efficiency in the range.
HSNRT35B	3.5kW	4.0kW	5.5 Cooling / 3.5 Heating	Strong small-to-medium room performance.
HSNRT50B	5.0 – 5.2kW	5.2kW	4.5 Cooling / 3.0 Heating	Balanced efficiency and power for living areas.
HSNRT70B	7.0kW	8.2kW	4.0 Cooling / 3.5 Heating	Suitable for large rooms; stable performance in hot climates.
HSNRT80B	8.0kW	8.4kW	3.0 Cooling / 2.5 Heating	Designed for larger open-plan areas; efficiency tapers at high output.

How Much Do Rinnai J Series Air Conditioners Cost?

Capacity	Unit Price	Typical Installed Price (Unit + Labour)
2.5 kW	$700	$2,500 – $3,100
3.5 kW	$999	$2,800 – $3,400
5.0 kW	$1,469	$3,700 – $4,600
7.0 kW	$1,592	$4,000 – $4,900
8.0 kW	$2,099	$4,400 – $5,400

The J Series Models are exclusively sold through Harvery Norman. This excludes rebates you may be eligible for through state schemes like the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, VIC Energy Upgrade Discount and the SA RePS Scheme.

Important note: Prices vary by installer, site conditions, and electrical requirements.

Rinnai Warranty for Australian Customers

Rinnai provides a 7-year parts and labour warranty on all J Series refrigerated air-conditioning systems installed in residential or light-commercial settings. This aligns with industry standards for mid-range split systems and offers extended coverage compared with some brands.

What it covers

Rinnai will repair or replace components that are deemed defective due to faults in materials or workmanship during the warranty period. Warranty service must be carried out by an authorised Rinnai service technician, and proof of purchase is required.

Key conditions

• • Installation must be performed by a licensed air-conditioning technician.

• • The system must be installed and operated according to Rinnai’s instructions and regulatory requirements.

• • The warranty applies only when the system is used for human comfort, not for specialised cooling applications.

• • Customers are responsible for routine maintenance, including:
    • • Cleaning indoor air filters
    • • Keeping outdoor coils and drains clear
    • • Ensuring adequate ventilation around the outdoor unit
    • • Managing corrosion exposure in coastal or industrial environments

Failure to meet maintenance obligations may affect warranty eligibility.

Exclusions

The warranty does not cover:

• • Misuse, accidental damage or neglect

• • Incorrect or non-compliant installation

• • Environmental or corrosion-related damage where additional protective measures were required

• • Damage caused by pests, debris or foreign objects

• • Natural disasters (storms, lightning, flooding, fire)

• • Service calls where no mechanical fault is found

• • Access costs for installations in restricted, elevated or difficult-to-reach locations

• • Additional travel fees for properties outside standard service areas

Summary

Rinnai’s 7-year warranty provides coverage typical for modern split systems, with a clear emphasis on correct installation and regular maintenance. Households in coastal or industrial environments may need to take additional steps to manage corrosion exposure to maintain full warranty eligibility.

For a more indepth look, refer to Rinnai’s warranty guide.

Pros and Cons of Rinnai J Series Air Conditioner 

Pros

• • Very high energy efficiency (up to 9-star)

• • Built-in Wi-Fi and voice control

• • Long-distance airflow (up to 15m)

• • Strong 7-year warranty

• • Suitable for extreme climates (−15°C to 52°C)

• • Fresh-drying and self-cleaning hygiene features

• • Quiet and sleep-optimised modes

Cons

• • Products are only sold through Harvey Norman; all pricing is installer-dependent

• • Long-term performance varies with installation quality

• • Indoor design is functional rather than premium

• • Efficiency decreases slightly at higher capacities (7–8 kW)

• • Wi-Fi features require strong router coverage

Final Verdict

The Rinnai J Series includes the core features commonly found in modern split-system air conditioners, with optional smart-control functions. Its specifications and warranty may suit some households, while others may place greater importance on factors such as advanced filtration, lower noise levels, or design features when comparing models.

Overall, the J Series positions itself as a mid-range option rather than a category leader. It offers a mix of practical features, including wide operating temperatures and hygiene functions, alongside considerations such as efficiency differences across sizes and reliance on correct installation. Its suitability will depend on household requirements rather than standout performance in any single area.