Rheem RTG-R Series: Tankless Gas Water Heaters With Built-In Recirculation

Tankless Water Heating Just Got a Whole Lot Smarter

If you've ever stood at the kitchen sink waiting for hot water to finally arrive, you know the frustration -and the waste. Rheem is tackling that problem head-on with the launch of its RTG-R Series tankless gas water heaters, now featuring built-in recirculation. It's a meaningful upgrade that benefits homeowners and contractors alike, and it signals where the water heating industry is headed.

What Makes the RTG-R Series Different?

The headline feature is the integrated recirculation pump. Rather than requiring a separate pump and additional plumbing, the RTG-R builds recirculation right into the unit. The result? Hot water reaches the tap faster, and far less water goes down the drain while you wait.

The numbers are striking. Rheem estimates the built-in recirculation can save homeowners up to 12,000 gallons of water per year. Over a 15-year lifespan, that adds up to more than $1,000 in water savings alone. In an era where water conservation matters more than ever -especially in drought-prone regions like Houston- that's a compelling selling point beyond just convenience.

Energy Efficiency That Actually Moves the Needle

The RTG-R Series uses up to 25% less energy than a standard 50-gallon gas tank water heater, with a Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of 0.82. But efficiency isn't just about utility bills. These units also reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 65%, which is a significant win for air quality. For homeowners looking to shrink their environmental footprint without sacrificing comfort, the RTG-R makes the math easy.

A Contractor's Best Friend

Rheem clearly designed this series with the people who install and service these units in mind. The RTG-R is smaller and lighter than previous generations, and its industry-best clearances  -just half an inch on the sides and front- mean it can fit into tight closets and compact utility spaces where older units simply wouldn't work.

Serviceability is equally thoughtful. A standard Phillips screwdriver is all that's needed for disassembly, and the front door slides down and hangs in place for easy access to internal components. For contractors juggling a full schedule of service calls, these details save real time on every job.

Smart Home Integration Done Right

Wi-Fi-enabled models connect to Rheem's EcoNet® platform, giving homeowners full control from their smartphones. Users can adjust water temperature, schedule the recirculation pump, monitor water and energy usage, and receive maintenance alerts -all from an app.

Indoor Wi-Fi models also include LeakGuard™ technology, which detects leaks and automatically shuts off the water supply. It's the kind of proactive protection that can prevent thousands of dollars in water damage and give homeowners genuine peace of mind.

Performance You Can Count On

Under the hood, the RTG-R Series delivers the reliable performance Rheem is known for. A durable copper heat exchanger ensures fast, efficient heat transfer, while the brand's exclusive Hot Start Programming™ minimizes those annoying cold water bursts that can happen when you turn the hot water back on shortly after use.

Gas input rates reach up to 199,900 BTU/h, supporting up to three and a half bathrooms depending on the model and temperature rise. Universal venting compatibility and vent runs up to 43 feet give contractors flexibility across a wide range of home layouts. And Rheem backs it all with a strong warranty: 15 years on the heat exchanger, 5 years on parts, and 1 year on labor.

The Bottom Line

The RTG-R Series represents exactly the kind of incremental-but-meaningful innovation that makes a real difference in daily life. It's not reinventing the water heater -it's making an already solid product smarter, more efficient, and easier to live with. For homeowners tired of wasting water and waiting for hot showers, and for contractors who want installs that go smoothly and service calls that go quickly, the RTG-R is worth a serious look.

Learn more about the full RTG-R tankless lineup at Rheem.com/Tankless.