Rinnai tankless water heater with built in recirculating pump

Installation Services

Water Heater Repair

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• Installation Services
• Project Guide
• Is a recirculation pump worth it for tankless water heater?

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The Rinnai RSC199 is one of the newest model additions to the Sensei Series, a line of super high efficiency, Energy Star Qualified, tankless hot water heaters. The RSC199 features Rinnai's Smart-Circ Intelligent Recirculation technology. With this technology, users set the recirculation patterns based on their hot water usage and the technology learns it. This makes sure hot water is available when needed, saving the homeowner the expense and energy of circulating the water when there is no call for hot water! Two modes are available including a Dedicated Mode (for use with a dedicated return) and Crossover Mode. The Dedicated Mode works in conjunction with a dedicated return line and the integrated pump recirculates water from the RSC199 through the return line and back to the heater. For the Crossover Mode, where a return line does not exist, Smart-Circ Intelligent technology allows for the installation of a Thermal Bypass Valve (included). This valve is installed on the fixture furthest from the water heater.

The RSC199 is for residential and commercial use and is available in either Natural Gas or Liquid Propane. 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 RSC199 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. This item, the RSC199i, is for indoor installation and requires venting.

The Rinnai Sensei 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.

It features 199,000 BTUs and hot water delivery with a flow rate that ranges from 0.26 - 11.0 GPMs, with a max flow rate of 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 RSC199 is optimal for simultaneous use of 3 - 6 fixtures at one time. So 2 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 in the photos above. The MC-91-2US controller is included with the water heater as part of the front panel. For scheduled recirculation or ON-DEMAND operation, the MC-195T-US or ControlR WiFi module is required. 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. A parameter adjustment on the RSC199 unit can be made for greater hot water flow - up to 11 GPM - as well.

In a condensing tankless water heater, such as the RSC199, once you turn on the tap, cold water goes into tankless heater and the flame is activated. Water is pre-heated as it passes through the stainless steel heat exchanger then continues to be 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 is Energy Star Qualified and features an Energy Factor of 0.96 (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

The RSC199 offers WiFi Technology (Control-R WiFi Module required, 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 as well as send you automatic maintenance alerts and possibly offer faster service. The Control-R 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. The Control-R also allows for pairability and voice activation with Amazon Alexa.

The RSC199 includes Rinnai's Smart-Circ Recirculation Technology. Recirculation technology allows you to set patterns that coincide with your hot water usage. The Dedicated Mode works in conjunction with a dedicated return line and the integrated pump recirculates water from the RUR160 through the return line and back to the heater. If a dedicated return line is not available, installing a thermal bypass valve at the fixture furthest from the RUR160 is possible for use in the Crossover Mode.  The RSC199 ships with isolation valves for easier maintenance and service.  A Thermal Bypass Valve is included with this unit for use with the crossover recirculation mode. The MC-195T-US is a controller for recirculation (sold separately) and is not compatible with the Control-R WiFi controller. 

With a tankless hot water heater, space is rarely an issue. A Rinnai RSC199 tankless heater takes up a little more space than a carry-on suitcase - 26.4"h x 18.5"w x 11.4"d. The top vent adds approximately 5" to the top of the unit. They are designed to be installed on a wall with the following clearances:

The RSC199i 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 Vent Sizes and Lengths: 2"/ 65 Ft. or 3"/ 150 Ft.
• Concentric Vent Sizes and Lengths: 2" x 4"/ 65 Ft. or 3"x 5" / 150 Ft.

*Indoor and Outdoor Installation are specific to the model chosen. RSC199iP and RSC199iN are for outdoor installation and do not require venting while RSC199eP and RSC199eN are designed for indoor installation and venting is 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.

This water heater is not certified for commercial use in Texas, or residential use in Utah.

Is a recirculation pump worth it for tankless water heater?