Deciding on which water heater meets your unique demand may not be as easy as it sounds. It takes a lot of “triple C,” consideration, comparison, and calculation; I call it a humongous affair. Probably Rheem understood the difficulty level; this is why they introduced this user-friendly EZ-Spec™ Sizing Software – This advanced online tool will do the guesswork out of sizing tankless applications; you can find it on Rheems website.
Rheem RTG-95XLN Whole House Tankless Gas Water Heater -This is one of them. This 2nd generation condensing gas-fired heater is suitable for outdoor. Very powerful in the context of GPM, it has been contrasted with a rare combination of high energy efficiency and high capacity. Rheem itself has mastered different needs and has delivered various tankless units. Let us dig into the detail.
What Is Interesting About the Rheem RTGH-95XLN?
The cold water sandwich problem resolved
Rheem condensing Prestige series has a ‘Hot-start programming’ feature. This feature minimizes fluctuation in water temperature during the frequent on-off period. What happens in a tankless water heater because on-off, there remains stored water in the line, which is cold, and when hot water comes, it gets in between, often called a complicated water sandwich problem. The hot start program takes care of it by balancing water flow and heat.
Compliant with a high standard of the eco-friendly appliance
Rheem RTG-95XLN is exceptionally environmentally friendly. It conforms with many high standard certifications-
Like it meets Ultra-Low NOx burner and meets SCAQMD rule 1146.2 requirements. That is precisely the standard set for reducing nitrogen oxides from gas-fired fan-type residential furnaces. These gas-fired furnaces are used for comfort heating of home or commercial uses if they meet such standards, are deemed very safe, and emit very nominal nitrogen oxides.
EnergyStar compliant - Meeting Energy Star compliance is not easy. It considers many things: Low air pollution, energy consumption to output production ratio, etc. For a 9.5 GPM gas-fired heater to meet Energy Star is tricky as it has to be high-powered yet emit low pollution; indeed, Rheem RTGH-95XLN is doing that with excellent efficiency bagging EnergyStar.
Copper heater to heat water
Rheem RTG-95XLN uses a copper heat exchanger, unlike the stainless heat exchanger that many other heaters often use. Stainless heat exchangers are functional and efficient, but a copper heat exchanger is 40 times faster when it comes to the question of heat transfer. Rheem is giving 94% efficiency with a copper heat exchanger. So with improved performance, you can let go of the worry of cost and residual for sure.
Saves water
It has a Water savings setting. It decreases the flow rate through the pipes until the temperature reaches the heater’s set temperature. So when you open the faucet and wait for hot water to come, you do not waste so much water; an approximate calculation says it saves up to 1,100 gallons of water per year. Imagine how many baths you could take with that much-wasted water now being saved!
Compatible with Low flow fixture
Rheem RTG-95XLN is compatible with Low flow fixtures. It allows you to use it for the energy-saving showerhead, faucet, or accessories that have low flow due to low water pressure in the area. It has let you avail as little as 0.26 GPM and a minimum activation flow rate of 0.40 GPM, ensuring the user will receive hot water even in low-demand situations.
Pros
- Digital display of heat control, with maintenance code showing for probable error alarm
- EZ-Link™ cable for connecting two tankless units to operate as a single
- OptionalMIC-6 manifold control board connects up to six groups
- High-altitude capability – up to 9,840 ft.
- Guardian OFW™ overheat film wrap
- Digital remote control
Cons
It is super heavy and big
What is the point of going tankless when it weighs as much as 78 pounds! It is not easy to carry or install for the burden. It weighs 5-10 times more than the tankless heater
Solution
One primary reason for the overweight is the hundreds of feature accommodating parts that have made it so powerful yet energy saving.
Rheem RTG-95XLN is designed for outdoors, so you need not worry about the look of the bathroom/kitchen or the weight because when you install it, you make an arrangement that can hold it for at least the next ten years. When you find the weight is a significant barrier to installation, you can always seek professional help.
It cannot be used indoor
It is for outdoor installation, making it susceptible to freezing temperature and a rugged exterior.
Solution
The beauty of this outdoor heater is- that it will heat water faster as it is gas-fired and indoors are generally electric with no venting need. It is true when a unit is installed outdoor, and you need to look after the best possible ways to shield it from wind or trees. It is applicable to any outdoor gas-fired heater. In case you are not comfortable with it, you can choose an indoor version of the same capacity from Rheem.
You have to clean the stored water from the pipes before cold weather surges or leave home for a long time. However, it has Freeze protection to -30 degrees F, so no worry until your temperature is beyond that limit.
Commonly Asked Queries
How many years of warranty does it provides
Ans- Warranty on Parts - 5 Years, the warranty on Labor - 1 Year, and 5 Years on Heat Exchanger.
I live at 7800 ft above sea level. Will it work?
Ans- It has High-altitude capability - up to 9,840 ft elevation above sea level, so your condition is perfect for using it.
I have four bathroom inlet temperatures that vary between 40-and 60 degrees. Will it serve the whole house?
Ans- With 9.5 GPM, you can use all the showerheads above 50 degrees; at 40 degrees, you can still use three showerheads and a faucet simultaneously. So definitely, it will serve the need no matter what the temperature is.
Verdict
A 9.5 GPM tankless heater is good enough for a big home with 8-10 people or a home with frequent visiting guests’ needs. Rheem RTG-95XLN Prestige Natural Gas Outdoor Whole House Low NOx Condensing Tankless 9.5 GPM Water Heater is suitable for low flow to high flow fixtures, for homes far above sea level, and for people like me who cannot do without a remote control. I recommend this for big houses and high demands. Rating and reviews suggest nothing except the weight is a drawback of it.