Rinnai RU160iN
The Rinnai RU160iN is the indoor, natural-gas member of Rinnai's SENSEI Super High Efficiency Plus line — a condensing tankless rated at 160,000 BTU/h and up to 9.0 GPM. Where the RE and V series are built to a price, the RU160iN is built for output and efficiency: a secondary condensing heat exchanger pulls extra heat out of the exhaust, pushing it to roughly 0.92 UEF (ENERGY STAR certified) and allowing cooler PVC/polypropylene venting instead of stainless.
It modulates from 15,000 up to 160,000 BTU/h, activates at 0.4 GPM, and holds temperature from 98 to 140 °F. At 9.0 GPM it is a genuine whole-home unit for most climates — three showers at once in warm regions, or two plus a kitchen tap in cold ones. It's Wi-Fi capable and recirculation capable out of the design, though both the Control-R module and an external pump (or the RXP recirc-pump variant) are the paths to those features.
Key Features
Best Use Cases
Our Verdict
The RU160iN is the sweet spot in Rinnai's residential lineup for a whole-home condensing unit that isn't the flagship. Its 9.0 GPM and 0.92 UEF cover the vast majority of North American homes while cutting gas use meaningfully versus a non-condensing RE or V. You give up the RX/RUR series' higher UEF and built-in recirculation, but you also skip their price. Owner feedback is strongly positive on endless, steady hot water and the compact indoor footprint; the recurring cautions are Code 11 ignition faults (usually a power-cycle fix), the extra cost of the Wi-Fi module, and the reality that recirculation burns noticeably more gas. Our take: if you want a condensing Rinnai for a 3–4 bath home and don't need the very top of the range, this is the value pick in the condensing tier — buy it, and add recirculation deliberately rather than by default.
What owners report
Themes summarized from verified-purchase reviews across major retailers (4.4★ average, 75 ratings). These are aggregated owner opinions — not our own bench testing.
Efficient, reliable endless hot water that holds temperature even with several fixtures running — a frequent highlight in retailer reviews.
Compact, space-saving indoor design and a straightforward install for a condensing gas unit.
Intermittent Code 11 (ignition) errors reported by some owners, usually cleared by powering the unit off and back on.
The Wi-Fi module is a separate purchase and owners find Rinnai's app underwhelming; several wish connectivity were built in.
When recirculation is enabled it consumes noticeably more gas, and mis-set recirc parameters can cause exhaust odor at the outdoor vent.
Rinnai RU160iN FAQ
Is the RU160iN a true whole-house unit?+
For most homes, yes. At 9.0 GPM it can run about three showers at once in warm climates; in cold climates its usable flow is closer to 4–5 GPM, which still covers two simultaneous showers or a shower plus kitchen use. Very large or very cold-climate homes should look at the 199,000 BTU RU199i.
What makes it condensing, and why does that matter?+
A second heat exchanger recovers heat from the exhaust that a non-condensing unit sends up the vent. That raises efficiency to about 0.92 UEF (ENERGY STAR), lowers gas bills, and allows cheaper PVC/polypropylene venting — but it produces condensate, so the install needs a nearby drain.
Does it come with Wi-Fi and recirculation?+
It's capable of both but ships with neither. Wi-Fi needs Rinnai's Control-R module, and recirculation needs an external pump (or the factory-pumped RXP160iN variant). Owners note recirculation is convenient but increases gas use, so enable it deliberately.
What is a Code 11 error?+
Code 11 is a no-ignition fault. Owners most often trace it to gas supply or venting, and it frequently clears with a power cycle. Persistent Code 11s warrant checking gas-line sizing and venting, or a service call.
What's the warranty?+
In residential use, 15 years on the heat exchanger (or 12,000 operating hours, whichever comes first), 5 years on parts, and 1 year of labor — labor extendable to 5 years with timely product registration.
Price range from leading retailers
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