Two of the most familiar brands in Canadian gas tankless issued their pre-show releases in the last week of January 2026, ahead of AHR Expo 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from February 2 to 4. Rinnai's January 29 release put its SENSEI RX tankless series at the centre of a wider water heating lineup. Navien's January 26 release promised a preview of a hybrid water heating product it did not name.
Both releases are U.S. announcements. We report them because the same product lines are sold through Canadian distribution, and because they show where the two makers are steering contractors.
Rinnai: SENSEI RX and a broader electric lineup
The short answer: one condensing tankless family for both fuels, plus new electric tank and heat pump products.
Rinnai said its booth would feature:
- SENSEI RX tankless gas water heater, rated up to 0.98 UEF, with what Rinnai calls a 4:1 SKU reduction. The release lists natural gas and propane support, indoor and outdoor installation, Smart Connect for setup and service, Quick Flush to simplify maintenance, and Smart Sense, an adaptive gas valve that Rinnai says optimizes combustion without conversion kits. An outdoor vent cap is sold separately.
- REHP series heat pump water heater, up to 4.0 UEF, in 50, 65 and 80 gallon sizes.
- RECT series commercial electric tank heaters in 50 and 80 gallon sizes.
- RCB series commercial boilers and I-SERIES Plus condensing boilers, including combi models up to 96% AFUE.
- The Rinnai Central app, with guided setup, recirculation scheduling and a vacation mode.
Frank Windsor, president of Rinnai America, is quoted saying the company fully tests "every unit before it leaves our facility". The release also claims Rinnai has the highest efficiency of any tankless brand in the U.S. and Canada; that is the company's claim, not our finding.
Navien: a hybrid preview and seminars
The short answer: no new tankless model, but a clear signal toward hybrid systems.
Navien's release said its redesigned booth would focus on hybrid solutions combining its HVAC and water heating products across energy sources, and would preview a future hybrid water heating innovation. It gave no specifications.
It listed four in-booth seminars, held at noon and 4 p.m. on February 2 and 3, covering its NFB700-C commercial fire tube boilers, its HVAC systems, NWP heat pump water heaters and WEC electric tankless water treatment systems. The product list in the release includes the NPE-A2 and NPE-S2 condensing tankless lines and the NPN non-condensing series. CEO TH Kim is quoted describing the company as established as the leader in gas tankless water heaters and condensing boilers.
What neither release said
The short answer: no Canadian launches, prices or availability dates.
Neither company announced a Canada-specific tankless model, Canadian pricing or a Canadian availability date. Rinnai's July 2026 Canadian release later added Canadian distribution and training news.
Why pre-show releases matter in Canada
This section is TanklessNews.ca analysis.
The short answer: they preview what distributors will stock months later.
Trade-show releases are written for a U.S. audience, but Canadian wholesalers often stock the same model families once certification and distribution are in place. Reading them early helps an installer decide which product pages, training and spare parts to plan for. They don't confirm Canadian timing, so we treat any Canadian availability as unknown until a Canadian source confirms it.
Analysis: reading the direction of travel
This section is TanklessNews.ca analysis.
- Fuel-flexible units simplify rural quoting. A model that runs on natural gas or propane without a conversion kit is useful in areas where some customers are off the natural gas grid. If your distributor stocks it, your propane-area pages can say so specifically.
- Both makers are hedging toward electric. Heat pump water heaters featured in both releases. Tankless specialists who also quote heat pump water heaters can answer the "should I go electric?" question instead of losing the lead.
- Maintenance features are a retention hook. Quick Flush-style features and app-based reminders make annual descaling easier to sell. That is the basis of our maintenance plan marketing service.
- Trade-show claims are not ad copy. "Highest efficiency" and "leader" are manufacturer claims. Attribute them or leave them out of your own marketing.
We are a marketing service for HVAC and heating companies, not a dealer or contractor. For the full list of stories, see the newsroom, or read about how we work. Call, text or email if you want to talk through your product pages.
Frequently asked questions
What tankless product did Rinnai feature?
The SENSEI RX tankless gas water heater, which Rinnai rates at up to 0.98 UEF. The release lists natural gas and propane support, indoor and outdoor installation, Smart Connect setup, Quick Flush maintenance and an adaptive gas valve that Rinnai says avoids conversion kits.
Did Navien launch a new tankless heater?
Not in the release. Navien said it would preview an unnamed hybrid water heating innovation and listed its existing lines, including the NPE-A2 and NPE-S2 condensing tankless models.
Were any products announced specifically for Canada?
No. Both releases came from U.S. headquarters. Rinnai mentioned Canada only in an efficiency claim, and Navien in describing its market position in the U.S. and Canada.
What does a 4:1 SKU reduction mean?
Rinnai uses the phrase to mean the SENSEI RX range needs fewer stock-keeping units. The release does not explain the calculation; the dual-fuel design it describes is one plausible reason. For a contractor, fewer SKUs can mean fewer units to carry in the van or warehouse.