WI
“The Rinnai RSC series sets the standard for gas tankless water heaters — the Smart-Circ recirculation eliminates the cold water sandwich that plagues cheaper models.”
Is the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater worth it?
The Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater ($1,500-$1,800) is recommended with a 8.6/10 consensus score across 8 expert reviews. Experts highlight smart-circ recirculation learns your hot water schedule automatically and up to 9 gpm flow rate — handles 3+ simultaneous fixtures. Wirecutter says: "The Rinnai RSC series sets the standard for gas tankless water heaters — the Sma..." Best for: Large households with high hot water demand, Gas-connected homes, Eliminating tank standby losses.
Recommended8 Expert Reviews
Price Range
Check Price on Amazon →$1,500-$1,800
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Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater
NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner
Energy
SHE ScoreAbove Average
SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating
6.1/10
8 expert sources
Compatibility Breadth2.3/10
Setup Ease5.3/10
Reliability7.1/10
Value Rating10/10
Future-Proofing6/10
The Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater earns a SHE Score of 6.1/10, driven by strong value (10/10) with room to improve in compatibility breadth (2.3/10). Based on 8 expert sources and SmartHomeExplorer compatibility analysis.
How we calculate the SHE Score →Expert Consensus: 8.6/10 across 8 sources
Updated:“The Rinnai RSC series sets the standard for gas tankless water heaters — the Smart-Circ recirculation eliminates the cold water sandwich that plagues cheaper models.”
Key Features
- ✓ Smart-Circ recirculation
- ✓ 9 GPM max flow
- ✓ Control-R Wi-Fi
- ✓ 0.93 UEF
- ✓ 15-year warranty
Best For
Large households with high hot water demandGas-connected homesEliminating tank standby losses
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ Smart-Circ recirculation learns your hot water schedule automatically
- ✓ Up to 9 GPM flow rate — handles 3+ simultaneous fixtures
- ✓ Wi-Fi capable via Control-R module for app and voice control
- ✓ 0.93 UEF — ENERGY STAR certified condensing gas technology
- ✓ 15-year heat exchanger warranty — longest in gas tankless category
- ✓ Compact wall-mount saves floor space
Common Criticisms
- ✗ Control-R Wi-Fi module sold separately at $150-$190
- ✗ Professional installation required — gas line and venting
- ✗ Higher upfront cost than electric tankless alternatives
- ✗ Natural gas line required — not available for all-electric homes
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What The Experts Say
BO
“Rinnai's condensing technology extracts more heat from exhaust gases than any competitor, and the 15-year heat exchanger warranty backs up their durability claims.”
Ready to buy the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater?
Check Price on Amazon$1,500-$1,800 · 8 expert sources · 8.6/10 consensus
Featured in these buying guides
See how the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater ranks against the full field in our Energy buying guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater worth it?
The Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater earns a 8.6/10 consensus score across 8 expert sources and is rated "Recommended". At $1,500-$1,800, it is best for Large households with high hot water demand. Wirecutter notes: "The Rinnai RSC series sets the standard for gas tankless water heaters — the Smart-Circ recirculation eliminates the cold water sa..."
How much does the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater cost?
The Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater is priced at $1,500-$1,800. With a 8.6/10 score from 8 expert reviews and a "Recommended" rating, that price represents strong value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Energy products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.
Who is the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater best for?
The Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater is best for Large households with high hot water demand, Gas-connected homes, Eliminating tank standby losses. Experts rate it "Recommended" with a 8.6/10 consensus across 8 sources.
How does the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater compare to other Energy options?
Among the Energy products we have aggregated, the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater ranks above average with a 8.6/10 score. Bob Vila adds: "Rinnai's condensing technology extracts more heat from exhaust gases than any competitor, and the 15-year heat exchanger warranty ..."
What smart home systems does the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater work with?
The Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater works with major smart home platforms. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.
What are the best alternatives to the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater?
If the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater ($1,500-$1,800, 8.6/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Energy are Navien NPE-240A, Noritz EZ111DV, Rheem RTGH-95DVELN. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater?
The main strengths of the Rinnai RSC160iN Smart-Circ Tankless Water Heater are smart-circ recirculation learns your hot water schedule automatically and up to 9 gpm flow rate — handles 3+ simultaneous fixtures. The most-cited downside is control-r wi-fi module sold separately at $150-$190. Overall, 8 expert sources rate it "Recommended" with a 8.6/10 consensus score.
Sources & Methodology
This review aggregates 8 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores and the SHE Score methodology.
Expert review sources cited on this page:
- Wirecutter
- Bob Vila
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This consensus review is based on 8 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.