The Luxury Series (RL) is Rinnai's non-condensing tankless water heater line. Where Sensei uses a secondary condensing exchanger and PVC venting, RL keeps a simpler single-exchanger design and vents through Rinnai's proprietary stainless Category III pipe.
Models
- RL94iN — 199,000 BTU, 9.4 GPM at 35°F rise. For 2.5-3 bathroom homes
- RL75iN — 180,000 BTU, 7.5 GPM. For 2-bathroom homes
External (outdoor) RL variants exist (RL94eN, RL75eN) for warm-climate wall-mount installs.
When RL is the right choice
- Existing chimney venting you want to reuse — RL vents through Rinnai's stainless pipe, which can sometimes route through an old B-vent space (with adapter). Sensei's PVC needs a different routing
- Lower upfront cost — RL75iN at ~$1,050 vs RU98iN at ~$1,500. Saves $300-500 plus avoids the condensate trap and drain
- Difficult PVC routing — if PVC venting would require long runs or unusual fittings, RL's stainless pipe is occasionally easier
- Warm-climate operation where the efficiency gap matters less (RL ~0.82 UEF vs Sensei ~0.96 UEF — saves ~$80/year in moderate-use Florida home; gap is double in Minnesota)
When Sensei is the better choice
- Cold-climate operation where the efficiency gap is significant
- New install with clean PVC routing
- You want the longer 15-year heat exchanger warranty (RL is 12-year)
- You want ControlR Wi-Fi standard (RL has Wi-Fi optional only)
Warranty
12 years heat exchanger / 5 years parts / 1 year labor — residential. Commercial drops to 5/3/1. See warranty hub.
Cost
- RL75iN: $999-1,199
- RL94iN: $1,099-1,299
Installation typically adds $1,800-3,000 depending on venting changes and gas line upgrade.
Legacy R-series (predecessor)
The RL line replaced the older R-series in 2012 (R75LSi, R85, R94LSi). R-series units are still in service in millions of homes; parts are still available (see parts hub) but the chassis is discontinued. If your R-series unit fails, replacement is to RL or Sensei.
Bottom line
RL is the right call when condensing economics don't make sense — warm climate, low usage, difficult PVC routing, or budget pressure. For most installs in most US climates, Sensei is the better long-term answer.