Rinnai RE160iP Propane Tankless Water Heater: 160,000 BTU/h

What it delivers

The Rinnai RE160iP Propane Tankless Water Heater is a propane tankless with a 160,000 BTU/h burner and a stated maximum flow of 6.1 GPM.

Flow depends on how cold the incoming water is. Our estimate from its input: 5.5 GPM at a 45°F rise, falling to 3.5 GPM at 70°F, which is 1 shower at 2 GPM on a cold-climate winter day. Run your house through the planner.

At full fire it burns about 1.7 gallons of propane an hour. The gas line has to carry that on top of the furnace, range and dryer; a gas fitter sizes the pipe from its length and the total load.

Non-condensing indoor units run hot exhaust and vent in the maker's listed vent system (often stainless Category III), which costs more than plastic.

Also on the listing: features: LED Display; connectivity: WiFi; material: Stainless Steel; model: RE160iP; warranty: 1 Year Labor, 5 Year Parts.

The listing gives dimensions of 14.05 in (W) x 27.34 in (H) and a weight of 48.5 lb.

Warranty, per the listing: 1 Year Labor, 5 Year Parts.

Right unit for this house?

Install it when

One shower at a time in cold climates
Propane homes
Replacing a gas tank heater

Look at another unit when

More than 1 winter shower at once
Homes without a gas line

Strengths and trade-offs

Strengths

160,000 BTU/h input
Up to 6.1 GPM

Trade-offs

Gas pipe sizing to confirm
Stainless venting costs more
Scale builds up without flushing

Install limits

Figures are the maker's or seller's own. Flow at a rise is our estimate from the input; gas, venting and electrical work needs a licensed professional.

Rated performance

Every figure below comes from the source shown in brackets. Where the maker doesn't state something, we say so instead of estimating.

Model number	RE160iP	Retailer
Dimensions (seller)	14.05"W x 27.34"H	Retailer
Features (seller)	LED Display	Retailer
Voltage	120 V	Retailer
Max flow (maker)	6.1 GPM	Retailer
Input (maker)	160,000 BTU/h	Retailer
Product weight	48.5 lb	Retailer
Material	Stainless Steel	Retailer
Warranty	1 Year Labor, 5 Year Parts	Retailer
Fuel	Propane	Retailer
Condensing	non-condensing	Retailer
Connectivity	WiFi	Retailer

Rival units at this flow

Camplux CA528M-LP 150,000 BTU Propane Tankless Water Heater150,000 BTU/h, up to 6.4 GPM.

Marey GA24CSALP 170,000 BTU Propane Tankless Water Heater170,000 BTU/h.

APUS AP-AWH-Q20LPG 140,000 BTU Propane Tankless Water Heater140,000 BTU/h, up to 6.8 GPM.

More gas tankless water heaters rated for similar demand

Full gas tankless water heaters spec grid · Every Rinnai unit in the catalog

Final verdict

A practical propane tankless for one shower at a time in cold climates.

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Questions buyers ask

Is the Rinnai RE160iP Propane Tankless Water Heater big enough for two showers?

From its 160,000 BTU/h input we estimate about 5.5 GPM at a 45°F rise and 3.5 GPM at a 70°F rise, so 2 two-GPM showers with mild inlet water and 1 in a cold winter. The maker's flow chart for this model is the final word.

What size gas line does the Rinnai RE160iP Propane Tankless Water Heater need?

At full fire it uses about 154 cubic feet of natural gas an hour or 1.7 gallons of propane. The pipe size depends on the length of the run and every other gas appliance on it; the maker's manual and a licensed gas fitter decide it.