Product Overview
The Rinnai RX160iN is part of the new RX Sensei+ Series, a line of super high efficiency, Energy Star Qualified, tankless hot water heaters. The RX160 is available in Natural Gas for indoor installation and can be used in residential applications. One of the many new features on the new Sensei+ RX Series is its versatility in installation applications. The unit itself ships standard from the factory configured to Natural Gas and indoor installation. However, it features Smart Sense, Rinnai's proprietary Adaptive Gas Valve Technology. This technology allows the unit to adjust from Natural Gas to Liquid Propane.* Additionally, with the addition of an Outdoor Vent Cap (RXOVC, sold separately), is required before your unit can be installed outdoors. A pipe cover is available to keep your pipes covered and make your installation look more complete.
Indoor installation of the RX160 offers both concentric and PVC/CPVC venting. The dual venting option on the top of the unit allows for maximum installation flexibility - one concentric vent or two PVC/CPVC/PP pipes can be used for 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. The RX160 is certified for mobile home installation. Also it complies with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) 14 Nanograms/Joule or 20 parts/million NOx.
The Rinnai Sensei+ RX Series with condensing technology offers built-in freeze protection down to -22°F on the indoor units. The unit features an integrated check valve located between the turbo fan and the combustion chamber to prevent cold air from entering the venting system and backflow of exhaust in common vent applications. The Fiber Mesh Premix Burner helps to provide even flame distribution for optimal performance for any demand. The MIVK-T-LW Isolation Valve is required for this unit.
It features 160,000 BTUs and hot water delivery with a flow rate that ranges from 0.13 - 9.0 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 2 - 3 bathrooms. The RX160 is optimal for simultaneous use of 2 - 5 fixtures at one time. So 2 or 3 people can shower and get ready to go out, while someone else is washing the dishes, and still have hot water to run a load of laundry or the dishwasher or both! Simultaneous fixture use is directly linked to the ground water temperature. Please refer to the chart attached in the guides and manuals tab above. The RX160 is a non-pump water heater. It will not recirculate. However, it does offer recirculation capabilities. An internal recirculation conversion kit (RX2RXPCK, sold separately) is available and can be installed, internally, on your RX160 for recirculation! Recirculation allows the water in the plumbing system to provide hot water more quickly once the tap is opened, using the cold water line for recirculation. The recirculation mode is for use in residential installations only. Additional accessories such as a thermal bypass valve are required unless there is a dedicated return line installed in your home.
Simply download the Smart Connect App which allows you to connect your smart phone or table to your RX water heater via blue tooth, for easy, water heater set-up and registration. All of your initial water heater settings are confirmed/changed at this time. The RX160 is WiFi Ready. A WiFi module is required to control on-demand recirculation (the RX160 is not and requires RX2RXPCK, sold separately), remotely adjust temperatures as well as communicates with your service provider. (Remote diagnostics and monitoring requires a monitoring dealer.) With WiFi monitoring, only Rinnai Service Providers can monitor the efficiency of your tankless water heater as well as send you automatic maintenance alerts and possibly offer faster service. The WiFi Module attaches right to your Rinnai tankless water heater. Simply download the mobile app and you can control your hot water from anywhere in the home, as well as activate recirculation (if installed). It also allows for pairability and voice activation with Amazon Alexa.
There is a built-in controller located on the front panel. The default minimum temperature setting is 98° with a maximum of 120°F. The unit offers a maximum setting of 140°F with parameter adjustment.
In a condensing tankless water heater, such as the RX160, once you turn on the tap, cold water goes into tankless heater and the flame is activated, heating up the two heat exchangers inside. Water is pre-heated as it passes through the secondary heat exchanger then continues to be heated as it passes through the primary, stainless steel heat exchanger. Once the water is heated, it is then mixed with cold water from the bypass valve before it exits the water heater at your set temperature. From there it goes into your pipes and up to the fixture calling for the hot water. Depending on the amount of hot water called for, the water heater adjusts the flame and bypass ratio accordingly to maintain your hot water for as long as it is needed. Once the water is shut off at the tap the water heater shuts down until it is needed again.
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 is Energy Star Qualified and features an Energy Factor of 0.98 (the closer to 1.0 the better)
- 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
With a tankless hot water heater, space is rarely an issue. A Rinnai RX160 tankless heater takes up a little more space than a carry-on suitcase - 30.11"h** x 18.5"w x 11.4"d. They are designed to be installed on a wall with the following clearances:
| Clearances | |
| Top: (0" from vent components) |
2" |
| Bottom / Ground: | 12" |
| Front: (minimum of 24" required for servicing) |
0" |
| Vent: | 0" |
| Sides: | 2" |
The RX160 offers flexible venting options for installation.
- Concentric or Schedule 40 PVC/CPVC
- Direct vent (Concentric and Twin Pipe)
- Non-Direct Vent (Room Air)
- Common Direct Vent (Direct Vent and Room Air)
- Maximum Equivalent Vent Lengths:
- Twin Pipe (PVC/CPVC and PP) Vent Sizes and Lengths: 2"/ 75 Ft. or 3"/ 150 Ft.
- Concentric Vent Sizes and Lengths: 2" x 4"/ 75 Ft. or 3"x 5" / 150 Ft.
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.
*A gas conversion label is included. This is affixed to the water heater to display the new gas type if converted from NG to LP.
**30.11"h includes the water and vent connections, while the tank itself is 25.8"h.
THIS ITEM REPLACES RU160
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
- 5 Year Warranty on Parts
- 1 Year Labor Warranty; 5 Year with Registration within 90 Days
