Score

The Rinnai RU Series Sensei SE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater receives a moderate score due to its strong performance in providing continuous hot water and energy efficiency, as highlighted by users praising its effectiveness for multiple simultaneous uses. However, issues regarding inconsistent heating, high installation costs, and potential design flaws have led to dissatisfaction among several customers, indicating concerns about reliability and value for the investment.

6.9/10
Overall

Pros

  • •High thermal efficiency at 98%
  • •Significant gas usage reduction (50%) compared to tank models
  • •Provides a continuous flow of hot water with up to 9.8 GPM
  • •Indoor installation saves space compared to traditional water heaters

Cons

  • •Requires a recirculating pump to function optimally
  • •Needs a WiFi module for full functionality, which may be an additional purchase
  • •Installation may require professional assistance due to venting and gas supply requirements

Bottom Line

The Rinnai RU Series Sensei SE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater is a highly efficient, space-saving solution, particularly suitable for indoor use. Its high thermal efficiency and reduced gas consumption make it an excellent long-term investment. However, the need for additional components like a recirculating pump and WiFi module could add to the initial setup cost. If convenience and efficiency are your primary concerns, this model is well worth considering.

Product Score

Based on professional reviews and customer feedback

6.9/10
Overall
6.9
Consumer

Why this score?

The Rinnai RU Series Sensei SE+ Tankless Hot Water Heater receives a moderate score due to its strong performance in providing continuous hot water and energy efficiency, as highlighted by users praising its effectiveness for multiple simultaneous uses. However, issues regarding inconsistent heating, high installation costs, and potential design flaws have led to dissatisfaction among several customers, indicating concerns about reliability and value for the investment.

8+ Excellent
6-8 Good
4-6 Average
<4 Poor
Available at Amazon
View at Amazon
How we researched this

About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 3 retailers to give you the short version.

Where to Buy

Prices last updated: October 8th 2026 10:04 am
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More Answers

If you're still curious about the Rinnai RU199iN Tankless Water Heater, here are some other answers you might find interesting:

The Rinnai RU199iN Condensing Tankless Hot Water Heater doesn't have a built-in recirculating pump. If you're aiming to cut down on the wait time for hot water, you can pair it with an external pump, thanks to its compatibility and the Circ-Logic feature that lets you schedule or demand hot water recirculation. This can be particularly useful if your home's plumbing layout means long waits for hot water.

From our research, experiences with an external pump do vary. Some folks find it really convenient, enjoying quicker hot water delivery. A few have even used a pump from their old tank heater with success. However, if quick hot water is a big priority for you, Rinnai's RUR series might be worth a look since it has a built-in pump.

Despite missing a built-in pump, the RU199iN is pretty efficient, especially with its high GPM flow rate. If your home's faucets are far from the heater, adding an external pump could be useful for quicker hot water access.

Just keep in mind, getting a pro to handle the installation is a smart move to avoid hiccups and ensure

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The Rinnai RU199iN tankless water heater can heat water up to 140°F (60°C), which is typical for most residential needs like showers, dishwashing, and laundry, according to our research.

This heater is designed for indoor installation and provides efficient and consistent hot water. However, it doesn't have a built-in recirculating pump. This could mean longer waits for hot water, especially if your home is larger, because the water in the pipes might cool off. When you first turn on the tap, you might get a burst of cold water at fixtures that are far from the unit.

If quick access to hot water is important, you can pair this unit with Rinnai's ThermaCirc360 technology. Though you'll need an external recirculation pump for that, it keeps warm water circulating, cutting down on the cold water delay.

If you're looking for a heater with a built-in recirculation system, Rinnai’s RUR series might be worth checking out. These models

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How long does it take for the Rinnai RU199iN to heat water?

Q&A
Published: July 2nd, 2024
Last Updated: September 26th, 2024

If you're wondering how quickly the Rinnai RU199iN heats water, here's what to know. This tankless water heater can provide up to 11 gallons per minute (GPM) according to the manufacturer's product description. So, it's pretty efficient at running multiple appliances with hot water without a noticeable drop in temperature, even if the incoming water is on the colder side.

The unit packs quite a punch with a 199,000 BTU input capacity, allowing it to heat water fast to your desired temperature. Plus, it includes Rinnai's ThermaCirc360 technology, which is great for cutting down on wait time by recirculating warm water through your plumbing lines. This means you almost have instant hot water, which is a win, especially in colder areas.

Generally, our research suggests that this model is efficient, though you might notice a brief delay initially when heating water, especially in bigger homes or setups without a recirculation pump. It takes a bit for the unit to kick in and adjust when the incoming water is super cold.

But once it's up and running, it

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