Every current Rinnai tankless ships with the ControlR Wi-Fi module standard. The ControlR app turns the cabinet-mount controller into a remote interface — useful for setting temperature without going to the basement, scheduling recirculation, and getting an alert when an error code appears.
Setup
- Download the ControlR app (iOS App Store / Google Play)
- Create a Rinnai account (separate from any rinnai.us account)
- On the unit's controller, navigate to Settings → Wi-Fi → Pair Mode
- In the app, tap Add Unit; the module broadcasts a temporary SSID
- Connect your phone to that SSID; enter your home 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi credentials
- Wait 60 seconds for the unit to join your network and register with Rinnai's servers
Critical: the Wi-Fi module only supports 2.4 GHz — not 5 GHz. If your router broadcasts a combined 2.4/5 GHz SSID, you may need to temporarily disable 5 GHz during pairing.
Features
- Temperature control — set output temp from 98°F to 140°F (residential cap) from anywhere
- Recirculation scheduling — for Sensei RX, Sensei+, and units with external recirc pump. Set time windows (e.g., 6-8 AM, 5-7 PM) instead of running 24/7. See Circ-Logic for the learning-mode option.
- Error code alerts — push notification when the unit throws a code
- Operating history — gas usage graphs, peak GPM, runtime
- Vacation mode — lowers temp and pauses recirc during away periods
- Firmware updates — Rinnai pushes updates to modulation logic and recirc timing through the app
Smart home integrations
- Apple HomeKit (since 2023) — limited to temperature read/set and vacation mode
- Google Home (since 2023) — same scope as HomeKit
- Amazon Alexa — voice temperature query and recirc on/off
- IFTTT — full webhook trigger support
Common Wi-Fi connection issues
- Module won't connect: 2.4 vs 5 GHz issue (above). Or your router has MAC filtering — add the module's MAC
- "Disconnected" status: Wi-Fi signal too weak at the unit. Mesh node or extender in the basement
- App shows wrong status: reboot the module from the controller (Settings → Wi-Fi → Restart)
- Repeated drops: router DHCP exhaustion or lease renewal issues. Assign a static IP to the Rinnai's MAC
Models with ControlR built-in
- All Sensei (RU98 through RU199, all suffixes)
- All Sensei RX (RX130, RX180, RX199)
- All Sensei+ (RUR98, RUR199)
- RUC condensing (RUC80, RUC98) — 2018+ production
- RL Luxury Series (RL75, RL94) — module is optional but ships standard since 2020
- Demand Duo (CHS)
V-series (V53, V65, V75, V94) — Wi-Fi is optional via aftermarket kit only.
Bottom line
ControlR is the best tankless app in the category — better than Navien NaviLink and Rheem EcoNet at the basic operating level. Useful primarily for recirculation scheduling and error-code alerts. Temperature control alone isn't worth the setup time.