Is the Rinnai RL75 worth it? [2021 Buying Guide]

Before I get into the review and buyer’s guide, let me say to click that link to check the current Rinnai RL75iN price. They are not cheap so you should see if it is even in your budget.

You do get what you pay for, however!

Rinnai hot water heaters are some of the best tankless water heater brands on the market. They are made with quality parts for consistency and efficiency.

You can read other Rinnai reviews here to see how the RL75 series compares to the other models. 

If you have a medium-size home, then the RL75 is perfect for the amount of GPM (Gallons Per Minute) you need. 

Let’s first take a look at the pros and cons and then get into the details of the features after.

Pros and Cons of Rinnai RL75

What We Like:

• 7.5 GPM (Gallons Per Minute)
• 82% Energy Efficient Rated for Heat Loss
• Low flow rate trigger – .4GPM
• Ultra low NOx emissions
• Wifi ready
• Isolation valves included
• Long warranty – 12 years for residential
• Circ-Logic technology has a recirculation pump

What We Don’t Like:

• Requires ¾ inch gas lines
• Takes a minute to heat the water at first

Let’s go through the advantages in more detail.

Water Flow Rate

At 7.5 gallons per minute, the RL75iN can easily support your average house. Though the 7.5 number does vary depending on incoming water temperature and what the hot water temperature is set for. To get an idea of what you could expect for your actual GPM take a look at this detailed article about how to size a tankless water heater and then circle back to this article.

If you do end up with the full 7.5 then you can run a shower, faucet, dishwasher and washing machine at the same time.

This is the ideal tankless water heater for a family of four with 2 or 3 bathrooms.

The unit will turn on when it senses the water flow at a mere 0.4 GPM. Many low flow fixtures start at 0.5 GPM so this puts it squarely in the right area. Even with low flow fixtures, you will have on-demand hot water.

Efficiency

With an 82 Energy Factor rating it will save up to 30% off of your normal gas bill. It is a non-condensing unit but is a HE+ rated appliance.

What that number means is that only 18% of the heat produced will be lost. 82% of the energy used will go towards heating the water. 

This is where the cost savings come into play. Your typical gas tank system only gets up to a 60 rating on average, meaning that 40% of the energy used is lost.

The RL75iN will eventually pay for itself within a few years.

Wifi Ready

To change temperature, or get alerts for maintenance and other issues, there is Wifi capability.

With a Wifi module (Sold separately: Click here to see it on Amazon.) you can get all the info right to your phone. It connects right to the unit. With an app for both Android and iPhone, you can even turn on the water recirculating pump when you are on your way home. You’ll have instant hot water as soon as you arrive.

When your unit needs maintenance like descaling then you will receive alerts right to your app letting you know via an error code. 

The only downside is that it doesn’t support Alexa at the moment.

Circ Logic Recirculating Pump

Sometimes you can wait up to a minute for hot water to reach the fixture. Especially if it is far from the inline heater. 

With Circ Logic, hot water is kept at a preset temperature. You will always have hot water circulating through the pipes so as soon as you turn on a fixture, there will be hot water. No waiting.

It is programmable to the times that you have your highest hot water needs. This will keep it from running 24/7 and only when you need it most. You will hardly see any increase in your electric bill with this feature. And it wastes far less water.

Maintenance

As with any tankless water heater, you will have to do some routine maintenance for the RL75iN. Descaling your unit will keep the lime buildup at bay. Your unit will run at peak performance when you descale it. Isolation valves are included so you can easily do this maintenance yourself. To see what descaling and maintaining your RL75iN looks like, head over to this article about tankless maintenance to get all the details.

Other RL Series Models

This version of the RL75iN is an indoor only version that uses natural gas. There is also the RL75iP which is an indoor tankless and uses propane. Click here to see it on Amazon.

For outdoor installation, there is the RL94iN. It also uses natural gas but gets a much higher GPM. In the right conditions, it gets up to 9.4 gallons per minute. It is more expensive so click here to see the current price.

Lastly, there is the RL94iP. This is an indoor version that also gets 9.4 gallons per minute with propane as its fuel source. Click here to check the current price.

RL Series vs The Competition

If the price of the RL75 or other models is too high for you, then take a look below at the next best thing. The only other brand that gives the same water flow for a lower price is Rheem.

vs Rheem RTG-84XLN-1 – You get more GPM with this model than the RL75 with a 8.4 GPM water flow. It costs much less, though it doesn’t come with isolation valves. Those will need to be bought separately. It is recirculating pump ready. It is an outdoor model so there is no venting needed. Click here to check the price.   

RL75iN Specs

• Vents through wall or roof
• Residential Factory Warranty – 120 months (heat exchanger), 12 months (labor), 60 months (parts)
• Weighs 45.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 14 x 9.3 x 23 inches
• 120 Volts
• Requires ¾ inch gas lines
• 10,300 BTU (Minimum) / 180,000 BTU (Maximum)
• Minimum water pressure: 50psi

Takeaway

I hope this RL75iN review has helped you see the benefits of having this incredible tankless water heater. It is ideal for medium sized households with 2 bathrooms and up to 4 adults living in the house.

With a 7.5 GPM it is ideal for most hot water needs.

If you are looking to save money on your gas bill, then this is a great start in that direction.