Outdoor Rheem Tankless Water Heaters — Sizing Comparison

Five outdoor models. Different flow rates, different burner ratings, the same no-vent install. This guide compares the full Rheem outdoor lineup — RTG-64 through RTG-95, plus the RTGH-95 Prestige condensing — so you can pick the right size before the truck rolls.

Compare GPM, BTU, and bathroom-count fit, then jump to the model page that matches.

The Outdoor Lineup at a Glance

Maximum flow rate at 35°F temperature rise

RTG-64XLMid-Efficiency
6.4 GPM
1 – 2 Baths
RTG-70XLMid-Efficiency
7.0 GPM
2 Baths
RTG-84XLMid-Efficiency
8.4 GPM
2 – 3 Baths
RTG-95XLMid-Efficiency
9.5 GPM
3+ Baths
RTGH-95XLPrestige Condensing
9.5 GPM
3+ Baths
0 2.5 5.0 7.5 9.5 GPM

Side-by-Side Specs

Every Rheem outdoor tankless installs without venting and includes built-in freeze protection down to -30°F (with power). The differences that drive sizing are flow capacity, BTU input, and efficiency class.

Compact

RTG-64XL

For the cabin, the in-law unit, the one-and-a-half bath bungalow.

6.4GPM
@ 35°F rise · 3.0 GPM @ 77°F rise
BTU/hr140,000
UEF0.81
Bathrooms1 – 2
Min. Activation0.40 GPM
TypeNon-Condensing
Standard

RTG-70XL

The dependable middle. Two bathrooms and the dishwasher running.

7.0GPM
@ 35°F rise · 3.4 GPM @ 77°F rise
BTU/hr160,000
UEF0.81
Bathrooms2
Min. Activation0.40 GPM
TypeNon-Condensing
Best Seller

RTG-84XL

The all-rounder. Three baths, back-to-back showers, no theatrics.

8.4GPM
@ 35°F rise · 3.9 GPM @ 77°F rise
BTU/hr180,000
UEF0.82
Bathrooms2 – 3
Min. Activation0.40 GPM
TypeNon-Condensing
Max Flow

RTG-95XL

Big house, cold climate, no patience for the second-shower wait.

9.5GPM
@ 35°F rise · 4.5 GPM @ 77°F rise
BTU/hr199,000
UEF0.81
Bathrooms3+
Min. Activation0.40 GPM
TypeNon-Condensing

How to Size an Outdoor Rheem Tankless

The "9.5 GPM" you see on the box is a marketing number. Every Rheem outdoor unit is rated at three different temperature rise points, and the actual flow you'll get drops fast as the rise gets steeper. A unit rated 9.5 GPM at 35°F rise might only push 4.5 GPM when groundwater hits 50°F and you want a 127°F shower.

Step 1: Calculate Your Required Temperature Rise

Find the coldest your incoming water gets — typically 40°F to 50°F in northern climates, 60°F to 75°F in southern. Subtract that from your desired output (most homes set 120°F at the tap). The difference is your required rise. A house in Wisconsin with 40°F inlet and 120°F output needs an 80°F rise. A house in Florida with 70°F inlet only needs a 50°F rise — and that same unit will deliver a lot more hot water.

The math required_rise = output_temp − inlet_temp
peak_demand = sum of fixtures running at once
unit.flow_at(required_rise) ≥ peak_demand

Step 2: Add Up Your Peak Simultaneous Demand

Not "how many bathrooms" — how many fixtures might run at the same time during your worst-case morning. A standard shower is about 2.0 GPM, a kitchen faucet 1.5 GPM, a dishwasher 1.5 GPM, a clothes washer 2.0 GPM. Two showers plus a kitchen faucet equals about 5.5 GPM peak demand.

Step 3: Match the Right Unit at Your Required Rise

This is the table that matters. Find your required temperature rise across the top, then pick a unit whose flow rating at that rise covers your peak demand.

Model 35°F Rise 45°F Rise 77°F Rise
RTG-64XL6.4 GPM5.6 GPM3.0 GPM
RTG-70XL7.0 GPM5.9 GPM3.4 GPM
RTG-84XL8.4 GPM6.6 GPM3.9 GPM
RTG-95XL9.5 GPM7.6 GPM4.5 GPM
RTGH-95XL9.5 GPM8.4 GPM5.0 GPM

Why the Outdoor Series at All?

Outdoor models skip the venting bill — no concentric pipe, no roof penetration, no condensate routing. They're the right call when you're freeing up indoor space, replacing an aging tank in a garage or utility closet, or installing on a Sun Belt home where freeze risk is minimal. Every Rheem outdoor unit includes built-in freeze protection that runs the burner briefly when ambient temps drop, valid down to -30°F as long as the unit has power.

Pick by Scenario, Not by Spec

Skip the homework. Find the situation that sounds like yours and start there.

Scenario A

Cabin or vacation home, one bath

Low simultaneous demand, occasional use, often propane. The RTG-64 is purpose-built for this — small footprint, lowest BTU draw, no venting headache.

Scenario B

Two-bath home, moderate climate

Florida, Texas, the Carolinas. Inlet temps stay above 60°F most of the year, so a mid-size unit hits its rated flow. The RTG-70 or RTG-84 is the sweet spot.

Scenario C

Three-bath home, cold winters

Midwest or Mountain West. Inlet can drop to 40°F in January. You'll need a 77°F rise and 5+ GPM at that rise — only the 9.5 GPM units deliver.

Scenario D

Replacing an indoor tank, moving outside

Going outdoor frees up a closet and skips the venting bill. Match flow to your old tank's recovery: a 50-gallon equivalent is RTG-84, larger families step up to the RTG-95.

Scenario E

Long-haul efficiency, rebate-eligible

If you plan to stay 10+ years and your utility offers condensing rebates, the RTGH-95 Prestige pays back the premium through lower fuel draw and federal tax credit eligibility.

Scenario F

Off-grid or LP-only, any size

Every model in this lineup has a propane variant — same chassis, same BTU, just dialed for LP. Match the model to your bathroom count, then swap the suffix from N to P.

Need a Second Opinion on Sizing?

RheemTanklessOnline.com is operated by LCP Supply alongside our flagship plumbing wholesale site, PlumbersCrib.com. Every order is fulfilled by PlumbersCrib — an authorized Rheem dealer with full manufacturer warranty support. Talk to us before you order. Proper sizing is the difference between a happy install and a callback. Call 877-881-2742 and we'll walk through inlet temperature, fixture count, and your fuel situation in five minutes.