Canada-wide water heater information · On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC
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Comparison
Verdict in brief
Both are 199,000 BTU/h-class indoor condensing natural gas tankless units sold in Canada, but they publish their capacity differently. Rinnai lists the RX199iN at UEF 0.98 with a maximum flow of 11.1 GPM (42 L/min) and no stated temperature rise, plus Wi-Fi control and ENERGY STAR marking. Rheem lists the ThermaForce CRTGH-L199i at up to 0.90 UEF and 10.1 GPM, also with no stated rise, with a single-pass Labyrinth heat exchanger, four moving parts, an illuminated touchscreen and wireless RF cascading. Neither flow figure is winter delivery; the flow-at-rise table for the actual incoming water decides sizing.
Published manufacturer figures with units. Storage and flow figures are different measures and are shown on their own rows; blanks mean not applicable or not published.
| Specification | Rheem ThermaForce CRTGH-L199iGas tankless | Rinnai RX199iNGas tankless |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum gas input | — | 15,000 BTU/h |
| Maximum gas input | — | 199,000 BTU/h |
| Published flow (CRTGH-L199i) | 10.1 GPM at unspecified rise rise | 11.1 GPM (42 L/min) at unspecified rise rise |
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) | 0.9 | 0.98 |
| Venting | Flex vent in existing B-vent; moveable combustion air intake (left or right) | — |
| Vent material | — | PVC, CPVC or polypropylene (condensing) |
| Gas connection | — | 3/4 in |
| Condensate drain | — | 1/2 in NPT (13 mm) |
| Electrical supply | — | 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Height | 29 in (737 mm) | 30.11 in (762 mm) |
| Width | 17 in (432 mm) | 18.5 in (470 mm) |
| Depth | 10 in (254 mm) | 11.4 in (291 mm) |
| Weight | — | 55 lb (24.5 kg) |
| Listings shown by Rheem | CSA Low Lead Compliant, CSA (C/US) and AHRI marks on the product page | SCAQMD ultra-low-NOx approved |
| Multi-unit operation | Wireless cascading over RF; no Wi-Fi required | — |
“—” means not applicable to that system type or not published by the manufacturer. Flow figures are only comparable at the same temperature rise; UEF values are only comparable within the same draw pattern.
Both units sit in the 199,000 BTU/h input class and are indoor condensing tankless heaters that need sealed PVC-family venting, a condensate drain and a 120 V supply, so neither provides hot water during a power outage. Rinnai publishes the RX199iN at UEF 0.98 and marks it ENERGY STAR on rinnai.ca; Rheem publishes the ThermaForce at up to 0.90 UEF with ENERGY STAR qualification. Both are high-draw-class ratings and the gap is directional, not a savings percentage.
Capacity is published in the same incomplete way on both. Rinnai lists an 11.1 GPM (42 L/min) maximum flow with no stated temperature rise; Rheem lists 10.1 GPM, also without a stated rise. A tankless unit's deliverable flow falls as the required rise grows, so in Metro Vancouver's winter, where incoming water can sit below 8 °C and heating to 49 °C is roughly a 40 °C rise, the honest number comes from the flow table in the installation manual, not from either headline.
Controls and serviceability separate them. Rinnai adds Wi-Fi capability, and the RXP199iN is the built-in-pump recirculation variant while the RX199iN itself is recirculation-capable with an external pump. Rheem's published feature set is a single-pass Labyrinth heat exchanger with an integrated copper waterway, only four moving parts (fan, mixing valve, gas valve and damper), an illuminated touchscreen control, a moveable combustion air intake and wireless RF cascading to stage several units. Rheem does not publish domestic recirculation capability for the ThermaForce.
The physical and venting differences matter at install. The Rinnai cabinet is 30.11 in high by 18.5 in wide by 11.4 in deep and weighs 55 lb; Rheem publishes a 29 in by 17 in by 10 in cabinet but no weight. Rheem states the unit can flex vent in existing B-vent and lists a moveable combustion air intake for left or right routing; Rinnai lists PVC, CPVC or polypropylene condensing venting with separate common-venting instructions. Either way the manual governs materials and lengths, and whether CANRO supplies a given model is confirmed at consultation.
Rheem · Gas tankless
The Rheem ThermaForce CRTGH-L199i is an indoor condensing natural gas tankless water heater published by Rheem at up to 0.90 UEF and 10.1 GPM, with a single-pass Labyrinth heat exchanger and four moving parts.
Rinnai · Gas tankless
The Rinnai RX199iN is Rinnai's current flagship indoor condensing natural gas tankless water heater in Canada: 15,000–199,000 BTU/h, UEF 0.98, up to 11.1 GPM (42 L/min) maximum flow at an unstated rise, Wi-Fi control and ENERGY STAR marked on rinnai.ca. It is the RX successor to the RU199iN.
On published figures, the Rinnai RX199iN at UEF 0.98 against up to 0.90 UEF for the Rheem ThermaForce. Both are high-draw-class ratings and the difference is directional, not a promised bill saving.
Only loosely. Both are maximum-flow ratings with no stated temperature rise, so neither is winter delivery. Sizing uses the manufacturer's flow-at-rise table against the actual incoming water temperature and required rise.
Not on these models. The Rinnai RX199iN is recirculation-capable with an external pump (the RXP199iN has the pump built in), and Rheem does not publish domestic recirculation capability for the ThermaForce, whose multi-unit feature is wireless RF cascading.
Rheem states the ThermaForce can flex vent in existing B-vent and has a moveable combustion air intake. The installation manual governs the approved materials and lengths for the specific installation.
A consultation includes a hot-water demand review so capacity is right for your winter, not the brochure's.
On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.
Sources and verification
Facts checked September 21, 2026. Last updated September 21, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.