A plumber in an online forum thread put it bluntly when someone asked about buying a Rinnai RU199iN in early 2025: “It looks like the RUR199in has been discontinued. What would you…” and the thread trails off into people scrambling to figure out what to buy instead. That confusion is exactly why this review needs to start with the most important fact first, before specs, before price, before anything else.
The Rinnai RU199iN was a 199,000 BTU, 11 GPM condensing tankless natural gas water heater, discontinued by Rinnai on September 4, 2024, according to SupplyHouse.com and confirmed by multiple HVAC distributors. If you already own one, this review covers what made it a genuinely well-regarded unit and what to know about parts and support going forward. If you’re shopping to buy new, Rinnai’s current lineup replaces it with the RX199iN and RXP199iN, both still condensing Smart Sense models in the same BTU class, and both currently in stock.
What the RU199iN Actually Was
While it was in production, the RU199iN carried a strong reputation in the condensing tankless category. It delivered up to 11 GPM at 199,000 BTU, making it one of the higher-output residential units Rinnai offered, condensing technology meant it extracted extra heat from exhaust gases before venting, pushing efficiency well above standard non-condensing units.
Owners and installers who discussed the unit on forums like r/askaplumber and r/Plumbing generally described it as reliable and well-built, consistent with Rinnai’s broader reputation in the tankless category, though pricing was a frequent point of discussion, with one Reddit user in 2021 noting a quote of “$1750 for Rinnai RU199iN, no tax” for the unit alone before installation and available rebates.
Why It Was Discontinued
Rinnai’s broader product strategy has shifted toward its newer Smart Sense platform, which includes updated condensing models like the RX199iN and RXP199iN. Based on the pattern visible across Rinnai’s current lineup, these newer models represent an evolution of the same core technology, similar BTU output and GPM capacity, updated internally, rather than a fundamentally different category of product.
What Replaced It
If you’re looking to buy a comparable unit today, two current Rinnai models stand out as the direct continuation of what the RU199iN offered:
The RX199iN is a condensing Smart Sense natural gas or propane tankless water heater rated up to 11.1 GPM at 199,000 BTU, suitable for indoor or outdoor installation, currently priced around $1,538.78 on Amazon with a 4.6-star rating across 136 reviews and “100+ bought in past month,” a strong indicator of current market traction.
The RXP199iN adds a built-in recirculation pump to the same core specs, addressing a common complaint about the older RU199iN (the lack of an integrated recirc pump), priced around $1,735.53 with a 4.6-star rating across 119 reviews.
Should You Still Look for a Used RU199iN?
If you specifically want the RU199iN model itself, whether for a planned installation, matching an existing setup, or replacement parts, used and remaining new-old-stock units occasionally surface through Facebook Marketplace, HVAC supply houses, and other secondary channels. One Facebook listing found during this research described a “brand new, installed for a mock up then taken out” unit being resold, illustrating that genuine new-condition units can still appear even after official discontinuation.
If parts availability matters to you (heating exchanger components, sensors, flow valves), confirm with your installer or a Rinnai parts distributor whether RU199iN-specific parts remain stocked, since discontinued models eventually see parts support wind down over time, though this typically happens gradually rather than immediately.
The Honest Verdict
If you already own a RU199iN, you own a well-regarded, high-capacity condensing unit, and normal maintenance and troubleshooting guidance still applies. If you’re shopping new in 2026, the RX199iN or RXP199iN are the direct current-generation equivalents, both readily available, both carrying strong review scores, and the RXP199iN specifically solves the recirculation pump gap that some installers cited as a drawback of the original RU199iN.
For a direct comparison between the discontinued RU199iN and its closest current replacement, see our RU199iN vs RXP199iN guide.
Rinnai RXP199iN Condensing Tankless Water Heater with Built-In Recirculation Pump - View on Amazon
Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Tankless Water Heater - View on Amazon
The Bottom Line
The Rinnai RU199iN was a strong condensing tankless unit before its September 2024 discontinuation, and existing owners can continue relying on it with proper maintenance. New buyers should look to the RX199iN or RXP199iN, both currently available, both carrying the same core 199,000 BTU and roughly 11 GPM output, with the RXP199iN adding a built-in recirculation pump the original lacked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rinnai RU199iN still available to buy new? No, it was discontinued by Rinnai on September 4, 2024, according to SupplyHouse.com. Remaining new-old-stock units occasionally appear through secondary sellers, but it’s no longer part of Rinnai’s active lineup.
What replaced the Rinnai RU199iN? The RX199iN and RXP199iN are the closest current Rinnai models, both condensing Smart Sense units in the same 199,000 BTU class, with the RXP199iN adding a built-in recirculation pump.
Why was the RU199iN discontinued? Rinnai has shifted its lineup toward the newer Smart Sense platform, which includes updated internals in models like the RX199iN and RXP199iN, representing an evolution of the same core condensing technology.
Is the Rinnai RU199iN a good unit? Based on forum discussions among plumbers and owners while it was in production, yes, it was generally well regarded for its capacity and Rinnai’s overall reliability reputation in the tankless category.
Can I still get parts for my Rinnai RU199iN? Parts availability for discontinued models typically winds down gradually rather than immediately. Check with a Rinnai parts distributor or your installer to confirm current availability for specific components.
Should I buy a used Rinnai RU199iN? If you specifically need this exact model, used or remaining new-old-stock units do occasionally surface through secondary marketplaces, though buyers should factor in the eventual parts availability question.
What’s the difference between the RU199iN and RXP199iN? Both share similar BTU output and GPM capacity, but the RXP199iN adds a built-in recirculation pump and reflects Rinnai’s newer Smart Sense platform internals.
Does the RX199iN have the same GPM as the RU199iN? The RX199iN is rated up to 11.1 GPM, very close to the RU199iN’s rated 11 GPM, making it a near direct capacity match.
Is the RXP199iN more expensive than the RU199iN was? Based on available pricing, the RXP199iN (around $1,735.78) runs somewhat higher than RU199iN pricing reported in older forum discussions (around $1,750 before rebates), reflecting both inflation and the added recirculation pump feature.
How do I know if my existing RU199iN needs to be replaced or just repaired? If you’re experiencing issues, most standard condensing tankless troubleshooting steps still apply. Check our dedicated problems and error code guides before assuming a full replacement is necessary.
References
- SupplyHouse.com, Rinnai RU199IN product listing confirming discontinuation date, accessed July 2026: https://www.supplyhouse.com
- Amazon.com live product listings for Rinnai RX199iN and RXP199iN, accessed July 2026
- Reddit r/Plumbing and r/askaplumber community discussions regarding Rinnai RU199iN pricing and discontinuation, accessed July 2026