Product Overview
The Rinnai RE Series is a non-condensing line of tankless hot water heaters. The RE160 is for residential use and is available in either Natural Gas or Liquid Propane. As with all Rinnai tankless water heaters, it must be purchased for indoor or outdoor use*. Indoor versus outdoor installation is not interchangeable and must be decided at time of purchase. Indoor installation of the RE Series utilizes concentric venting. With concentric venting, one pipe allows for fresh outside air in, while the other allows for exhaust to go out. Outdoor installation does not require venting. This item, the RE160i, is for indoor installation and, therefore, requires venting.
It is a high efficiency hot water heater and features a 0.81 UEF (Uniform Energy Factor). It features 160,000 BTUs and hot water delivery with a flow rate that ranges from 0.26 - 6.6 GPM. The minimum GPMs is perfect for low demand uses such as shaving, where warm water is needed but not at a high rate! It is the ideal tankless solution for a home with a single bathroom. The RE160 is optimal for simultaneous use of 2 - 3 fixtures at one time. So 2 people can shower and get ready to go out, while someone else is washing the dishes, and not fear running out of hot water. Simultaneous fixture use is directly linked to the ground water temperature. Please refer to the chart in the photos above. An integrated controller is included with the water heater. The minimum temperature setting is 120° with a maximum of 140°F. The unit offers maximum settings at 125°F with an option to increase to 140°F.
In a non-condensing tankless water heater, such as the RE160i, once you turn on the tap, cold water goes into tankless heater and the flame is activated. Water is heated as it passes through the coils in the copper heat exchanger, exits the water heater, into your pipes and up to the fixture calling for the hot water. Depending on the amount of hot water called for, the flame adjusts accordingly to heat more or less water.
Benefits of a Tankless Hot Water Heater:
- Endless hot water - Heats water as it goes through the pipes, offering endless hot water for your home (or business)
- Hot water on demand - Once you turn the water on, hot water runs through your pipes and out the faucet! Virtually no time or water is wasted waiting for the water to heat up
- Highly Efficient - Gallon for gallon, you will spend less money heating your hot water. With a tankless system the water is heated on demand rather than sitting in a storage tank. A storage tank typically heats the water intermittently throughout the day and night not only when it is needed. This unit features an Energy Factor of 0.81 (the closer to 1.0 the better)
- Ultra Low NOx - Complies with South Coast Air Quality Management District 14 ng/J or 20 ppm NOx Emission Levels
- Long lasting - Unlike a storage tank in which the water sits in the tank all the time creating sediment and rust, a tankless water heater will last longer
- EZ Connect - Allows for connection of two units together
The RE160i offers WiFi Technology (Control-R WiFi Module sold separately) for remote monitoring, management. (Remote diagnostics and monitoring requires a monitoring dealer.) Rinnai service providers can monitor the efficiency of your tankless water heater with WiFi monitoring. Rinnai also recommends installing isolation valves on both the cold and hot water lines. The valve kits are optional (and available separately), however the warranty on the water heater is reduced if a valve kit is not used in installation. Installation of isolation valves allows for the ability to isolate the hot water heater from the plumbing for flushing the heat exchanger as part of the maintenance for your hot water heater.
With a tankless hot water heater, space is rarely an issue. A Rinnai RE160i tankless heater takes up about as much space as a carry-on suitcase - 22.87"h* x 14.05"w x 10.77"d. They are designed to be installed on an exterior/outside wall with the following clearances:
| Clearances | ||
| To Combustibles and Non-Combustibles | ||
| Top: | 2" | |
| Bottom / Ground: | 12" | |
| Front (Panel): | 0" (The clearance is a minimum of 24" required for servicing) |
|
| Back: | 0" | |
| Sides: | 2" | |
*Indoor and Outdoor Installation are specific to the model chosen. RE160iP and RE160iN are for indoor installation and require venting while RE160eP and RE160eN are designed for outdoor installation and venting is not required. Both installation types are available in either Liquid Propane (P) or Natural Gas (N). Certified for installation in Manufactured (Mobile) Homes.
To find a local, Rinnai-trained Advanced Comfort Expert that installs Rinnai products in your area click here.
As an added bonus Rinnai has partnered with Folds of Honor. For every Rinnai tankless water heater or boiler that is sold, a contribution is made to Folds of Honor. This provides over 50 scholarships to trade schools for the spouses and children of America's fallen and disabled service members.
- Bay Area AQMD (Reg 9, Rule 6)
- Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD (Rule 411)
- San Joaquin Valley APCD (Rule 4902)
- Santa Barbara County APCD (Rule 352)
- South Coast AQMD (Rule 1146)
- Ventura County AQMD (Rule 74-11)
- Yolo-Solano AQMD (Rule 2.37)
*24.64"h includes the water connections. The vent adds an additional 2.64" to the height.
This item replaces V65i.
Tech Specs
General Features
Performance
Features
Venting and Connection Requirements
Weights and Dimensions
Electrical Requirements
WARNING!
Product Warranty
It is recommended that you use a Rinnai Authorized Installer when installing your hot water heater. Your hot water heater includes a Residential Warranty:
- Limited 15 Year Warranty on Heat Exchanger (or 12,000 combustion hours, whichever occurs first)
- 5 Year Warranty on Parts
- 1 Year Labor Warranty
