E041 on a Rinnai heat pump: Inconsistent temperatures alarm
Short answer
On a Rinnai heat pump, E041 means: Inconsistent temperatures alarm. The heat pump stops until the fault clears or is reset. An engineer is needed to fix the cause. The wording differs by model range — each is shown below.
Reviewed 24 September 2026 · 2 sources
What it means
On the HPI (HPi32) R32 monobloc
The manual says: Inconsistent temperatures alarm.
Part involved: compressor / refrigerant circuit.
When it shows: After ~180 s: in heating/DHW, delivery water temperature lower than return -1 C (reversing-valve malfunction); opposite in cooling.
On the R290 monobloc (HPR290)
The manual says: Incongruent temperature alarm.
Part involved: compressor / refrigerant circuit.
When it shows: After ~180 s: in heating/DHW, delivery water temperature lower than return -1 C (reversing-valve malfunction); opposite in cooling.
Is it safe?
| Does the heat pump stop? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Severity | Fault — needs a manual reset once the cause is fixed |
| Engineer needed? | Yes |
The heat pump stops until the fault clears or is reset.
Resetting itself: unknown.
Manual reset: manual reset.
What you can check
- Note the code shown on the controller and the model number on the unit's rating label before contacting your installer.
- Check that the heat pump's isolator and consumer-unit breaker are on; do not open any casing.
What the engineer will check
- Record high/low pressures, discharge/suction temperatures and EEV steps with the unit running.
- Check water-side flow and air-side coil (blocked/frosted fins).
- Check pressure switches/transducers and wiring.
- Leak-test the refrigerant circuit and correct the charge (F-gas / flammable-refrigerant competent engineer only).
Who to ask for: Heat pump engineer.
Certification: Heat pump installer competence; F-gas and flammable-refrigerant (R32/R290) handling competence for any refrigerant-circuit work.
What you might notice
Sources
- Maxa i-32V5 Heat pump air/water inverters with axial fans - Controller Manual ↗ · page p.35 (MAXA i-32V5 controller manual) · Reviewed 24 September 2026
- Maxa i-290 Inverter air/water heat pumps with axial fans - Controller Manual (0106-0118) ↗ · page p.44 (MAXA i-290 controller manual) · Reviewed 24 September 2026
A code explains what the controller detected, not a confirmed root cause.
Reviewed: 24 September 2026