Point of use and mini tank heaters
Rheem RTEX-06T 6.5kW Point of Use Specifications
Researched from the DOE test procedures, NFPA 54 and NEC code tables, and manufacturer specifications. Updated .
Quick answer
This page collects what is actually published about the Rheem RTEX-06T 6.5kW Point of Use and shows what those figures produce, computed rather than transcribed. Anything the listing does not publish is not filled in with an estimate.
Published specifications
Everything here is taken from the listing or the manufacturer, and nothing is inferred.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Kw | 6.5 |
| Volts | 240 |
Published standard Source: Manufacturer listing data. A specification not listed here is one this listing does not publish. Check the installation manual for the full data plate.
Flow across the temperature rise range
Computed from the published input rating with the energy relation, so these figures cannot disagree with the calculators on this site.
| Temperature rise | Flow | Inlet needed for a 120 F outlet |
|---|---|---|
| 35 F | 1.2 GPM | 85 F |
| 45 F | 1 GPM | 75 F |
| 60 F | 0.7 GPM | 60 F |
| 70 F | 0.6 GPM | 50 F |
| 80 F | 0.5 GPM | 40 F |
| 90 F | 0.5 GPM | 30 F |
Published standard Source: Energy relation applied to the published 6.5 kW input at 98 percent efficiency. An electric unit converts essentially all its input to heat, so these figures track the manufacturer curve more closely than a gas unit does.
What circuit it needs
At 6.5 kW and 240 volts this draws 27.1 amps. NEC 422.13 treats it as a continuous load, so the circuit is sized at 125 percent, giving 33.9 amps of design load.
That means a 35 amp double pole breaker and 8 AWG copper. Confirm the circuit count against the installation manual, and see the breaker and wire page for 6.5 kW, the nearest rating worked through in full.
How it sits against the rest of its category
There is a full review of the Rheem RTEX-06T 6.5kW Point of Use covering who it suits and who should not buy it.
Other point of use and mini tank heaters in this catalog: ThermoMate 2.5 Gallon Mini Tank, ThermoMate ES250B 2.5 Gallon, ThermoMate 4 Gallon Mini Tank, GE 2.5 Gallon Mini Tank.
Compare them on input rating and on the figures the manufacturer actually publishes rather than on the headline number in the listing title, which in this category is frequently a maximum measured under conditions the listing never states.
Other point of use and mini tank heaters
ThermoMate 2.5 Gallon Mini Tank
$189.99A 2.5 gallon tank on a standard 120 volt receptacle, which is the only point of use option that needs no electrical work at all.
Best for: A sink far from the heater, with an outlet under it
Check price on Amazon
ThermoMate ES250B 2.5 Gallon
$179.99The same capacity in a shelf or wall mount body. A mini tank buys you the first two gallons instantly and then runs out, which is exactly what a hand wash needs.
Best for: Under sink installation in a cabinet
Check price on Amazon
ThermoMate 4 Gallon Mini Tank
$199.49Four gallons covers a longer draw than 2.5, which is the difference between washing hands and washing dishes at a remote sink.
Best for: A remote kitchenette or utility sink
Check price on AmazonFrequently asked questions
- What are the specifications of the Rheem RTEX-06T 6.5kW Point of Use?
- The listing publishes kw, volts and related figures, shown in full in the table on this page. Anything not shown is something the listing does not publish, and this page does not estimate it.
- What circuit does the Rheem RTEX-06T 6.5kW Point of Use need?
- It draws 27.1 amps at 240 volts, which becomes 33.9 amps of design load under the NEC continuous load rule. That means a 35 amp double pole breaker with 8 AWG copper. Confirm against the installation manual.
- Is this page based on hands-on testing?
- No, and we never claim otherwise. Everything here is compiled from the manufacturer listing, published specifications and the energy relations that turn those specifications into flow and recovery figures. We do not test products in person. Where a figure is not published, this page says so rather than estimating it.
- Are the prices on this page current?
- They come from verified catalog data at the time the page was built, and prices in this category move often. Treat any price shown as a guide and check the listing itself before deciding. Availability moves even faster than price does on water heater accessories in particular.
Turn the breaker off before touching an element. Both legs of a 240 volt circuit are live, so switching one of them off is not enough, and testing with a meter before you touch anything is the habit that matters. Never energise an element that is not submerged: dry firing destroys an element in seconds and can crack the tank lining around it.