If you think a gas heater is making you unwell
Energy Safe Victoria says any gas heater can spill carbon monoxide, old or new. If people or pets feel dizzy, sick or headachy at home, leave the house and get into fresh air, then turn off gas appliances and open windows and doors. See a doctor or call Nurse-on-Call, or 000 in an emergency, and don't use the heater again until a qualified gasfitter has checked it.
What does Brivis make now?
Rinnai's site lists Brivis ducted gas heaters in the StarPro 6, 5 and 4, Buffalo BX5C and BX3C, Classic Compact and Classic Wombat ranges, plus ICE DualComfort and ICEbox DualComfort add-on cooling. Rinnai labels the heaters "Australian made" and says Brivis has a local manufacturing facility in Braeside, Victoria.
We're not a Brivis or Rinnai dealer. This is Rinnai's own information in plain English, and the manuals and error codes are on rinnai.com.au.
How does the Brivis gas heater warranty work?
Rinnai's Brivis booklet (Issue D, January 2025) gives ducted gas heaters 5 years parts and labour, or 3 years for the Compact Classic series, plus 10 years on parts for heat exchangers and burners. The clock starts when installation is completed.
Selected products can get up to 4 more years through the Rinnai Service Advantage program, which needs scheduled servicing by Rinnai and online registration within 12 months of installation.
One clause catches people out. A product installed "as a retrofit component to an existing system" counts as an Other Application, with 2 years parts and 1 year labour.
Can I add cooling to my Brivis heater?
Check it's compatible
Rinnai says DualComfort works with the Buffalo and StarPro ranges, but not every existing ducted heater can support it. A qualified technician has to assess yours.
Look hard at the ducts
Rinnai says cooling performance depends on the size and condition of the ducting, which may need upgrades.
Ask which warranty term applies
Rinnai's booklets give a retrofit component the shorter 2 year parts term, so get the installer to confirm yours in writing.
Buying a new heater? Say so now
Rinnai suggests telling your dealer if you might add cooling later, so the system is sized for it. See our add-on cooling page.
Do I have to switch my Brivis to electric in Victoria?
Not if you own and live in the home: DEECA says existing homes don't have to switch gas space heating to electric. For rentals, from 1 March 2027 a main living area heater that permanently fails must be replaced with an energy efficient electric system, while a working gas heater can stay. Our rental heating guide has the detail.
Yours, and the gasfitter's
You can
- Keep return air grilles and outlets clear of furniture and curtains.
- Look up a fault in the Brivis error codes document. If the heater keeps locking out, stop resetting it and call a gasfitter.
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm as a back-up. Energy Safe Victoria says it's never a substitute for servicing.
Leave to a licensed installer
- Servicing, which Energy Safe Victoria says should happen at least once every two years.
- Opening the heater, the burners or the flue.
- Assessing and fitting add-on cooling, or replacing the heater.
What a Brivis quote should spell out
- Whether it's a new heater or cooling added to yours, and which warranty term applies.
- The exact model, and whether it can take add-on cooling later.
- The state of your ducts and any work they need.
- Who does the gasfitting and issues the compliance paperwork.
- Time to think. A deal struck at the home visit can still carry a 10 business day cooling-off, even though you asked for the quote.
What we'd do
Where we'd start
If your Brivis runs fine, we'd book a service with a ducted gas heating specialist and ask two questions while they're there: is anything wearing out, and could this heater take add-on cooling? That answer, plus the state of the ducts, tells you whether to add cooling to what you have or plan a full replacement.