Bosch 16H

The Bosch 16H is available in both a natural gas variant and an LPG (bottled gas) variant, making it one of the most flexible continuous flow options in Ember’s range. Natural gas is the reticulated piped supply connected to most Perth metro homes. LPG is bottled propane or butane, used in areas without gas mains or in some older properties. When booking an installation, confirm your gas supply type with Ember’s team to ensure the correct variant is ordered. The two gas types use different burner orifices and regulators and cannot be interchanged.

HydroPower is Bosch’s water-powered ignition system. When you open a hot tap, water flows through the unit and spins a small turbine, which generates enough electrical current to ignite the burner. No batteries, power point, or standing pilot flame are needed. The burner fires only when water is flowing and shuts off the moment you close the tap. This on-demand operation eliminates the standing gas cost of a pilot light and means the system uses zero energy when idle. It is ideal for holiday homes, rental properties, and any installation where simplicity and low maintenance are priorities.

Both deliver 16L/min and are designed for 1-2 bathroom homes, but they differ in several ways. The Rinnai B16 uses electronic ignition powered by a 240V power point or D-cell batteries, whereas the Bosch 16H requires no power source at all. The Rinnai B16 has a 6.1-star energy rating compared to the Bosch 16H’s 5-star rating, which means lower gas running costs with the Rinnai. The Rinnai B16 also carries a 12-year heat exchanger warranty versus the Bosch 16H’s 10 years. For homes where a power point is available nearby, the Rinnai B16 offers a higher energy rating and longer warranty. The Bosch 16H is the better fit where there is no power access at the installation point.

The Bosch 16H is rated at 16 litres per minute and suits 2-3 people in homes with up to two bathrooms. It will comfortably supply one shower and a kitchen or basin tap running at the same time. For larger families or homes where simultaneous use across multiple bathrooms is common, the step up to the Rheem 20 or Rinnai B20 provides a more comfortable performance margin.

Bosch recommends the 16H be serviced every two years under normal use. A service includes cleaning the water filter, inspecting the burner and heat exchanger, checking the gas pressure, and verifying all safety components are functioning correctly. Perth’s generally soft water supply reduces the risk of scale build-up compared to harder water areas, but regular servicing is still important for both performance and warranty purposes. Ember’s team can perform the service as part of an annual or biennial maintenance visit.

It depends on your situation. The 16P costs $1,499 installed and the 16H is $1,549. The extra $50 buys you HydroPower ignition (no pilot light running 24/7), LPG compatibility, and slightly lower ongoing gas costs because there is no standing pilot flame. If you are on natural gas and have no strong preference about pilot vs HydroPower, both models are excellent. If you are on LPG, the 16H is the only option of the two. If energy savings over time matter, the 16H’s elimination of the pilot light gas cost will recover the $50 difference within the first year for most households.