Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Tankless Review

Rinnai's listing for the RX160iN publishes natural gas fuel, condensing operation and indoor mounting. It does not publish a BTU input, a maximum flow figure, a UEF, dimensions or weight in the listing fields we draw from. Because there is no published BTU input, we cannot honestly run the same flow-versus-rise arithmetic used on the other reviews in this series, and we are not going to assume a number based on the model name.

The RX160iN is built for a household bothered less by peak flow and more by the cold water sandwich, the moment of cold water a tankless heater delivers when a tap is turned off and back on within a short window while the heat exchanger is still catching up. Smart Sense electronics are Rinnai's answer to that specific complaint, and it is the right unit for a house with multiple people cycling showers and sinks on and off in quick succession, rather than one continuous long draw.

It also suits someone replacing an existing RX-series or comparable Rinnai condensing unit who already has PVC venting and a condensate neutralizer in place, since that infrastructure carries over.

Anyone who wants to size a purchase against a specific published BTU input and flow-versus-rise curve before buying should be cautious here, because this particular listing does not give that number. A shopper in that position is better served by a listing that states its input directly, such as the Rheem RTGH-84, or by pulling the RX160iN's actual installation manual from Rinnai directly before ordering rather than relying on the marketplace listing alone.

A household chasing the largest possible flow number for a big house with many bathrooms should also look elsewhere; Smart Sense addresses draw cycling, not raw capacity, and a larger-input unit is the better fit for that need.

As a condensing indoor unit, the RX160iN vents in PVC as a Category IV appliance rather than the stainless steel a non-condensing unit needs, and its condensate line needs to run to a neutralizer before joining a drain. Because the BTU input is not stated on this listing, gas line sizing should be confirmed against Rinnai's actual specification sheet or installation manual rather than assumed, then checked with the gas line size calculator using the manufacturer's real figure.

Gas connection and venting work belong to a licensed plumber or gas fitter regardless of which unit is chosen. Installation labor cost estimating is covered at houseprojectcalc.com, not here.

We did not install this unit or run water through it. This review is compiled from what Rinnai's Amazon listing for the RX160iN actually publishes, plus the consensus of verified owner reviews on that listing, and general knowledge of how Rinnai's Smart Sense feature and condensing venting work across the product line. Where the listing does not state a figure, we say so rather than substitute an estimate.

If a stated BTU input matters to your sizing decision, the alternatives below publish one. Either way, a condensing unit needs the same two accessories.