Noritz Tankless Water Heater Reviews: How Does It Work?

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AllThingsHVAC
Last updated: 
January 4, 2022

Noritz Tankless Water Heater Reviews

The idea behind tankless water heaters is to provide hot water on demand. They reportedly use less energy to heat the water you use and are supposed to save you money as well.

They can typically be installed in a more convenient area of your home as opposed to the giant water heaters that you often find in a garage. You can have them installed inside or outside depending on what you prefer.

Noritz tankless water heaters are just one of the options you have when you start thinking about installing a system like this. Keep in mind that not all tankless water heaters are exactly the same although they do the same job.

What Is a Noritz Tankless Water Heater and How Does It Work?

Noritz is just one manufacturer behind these water heating wonders. Within their line, they have several different models that will provide you with hot water that the turn of a knob.

Indoor/Outdoor Units

As an example, the NRC98-DV-NG is considered to be one of the best options out there because of what it can do and how it works. NG stands for “natural gas” meaning that this tankless water heater uses a fire element to heat the coils.

When water cycles through the coils, it heats up. In most cases, units that use natural gas will give off fumes which makes these units better suited for outdoor installation. This model from Noritz uses a different technology to allow for indoor installation that will not result in releasing noxious fumes.

In another Noritz tankless water heater, B0084CPEQ6, the primary fuel source is propane. It works similarly to its natural gas counterpart. This tankless water heater can also be installed indoors or outdoors depending on your personal preference.

There are also smaller models like the NRC661-DV-NG which also runs on natural gas. This is a better choice for a smaller living space with only a couple of bathrooms. Because of the design that Noritz uses, this one can also be installed inside or outside.

Designed for Outdoor Installation

There are a few models of Noritz tankless water heaters that have to be installed outdoors due to the way that they release fumes. One such model, the NRC661-OD-LP is a propane system that is a sister system to the NRC661-DV-NG, meaning that it is best for smaller living spaces, too.

Another option is the Noritz EZTR40-NG tankless water heater that runs on natural gas. This is a great option if you’re not sure about replacing your traditional water heater because you can use existing plumbing without needing to make major changes.

The NR501-OD-NG is another one of their tankless water heaters that can only be installed outside due to the fumes. It is made for a smaller water demand that is maybe up to approximately two bathrooms. If you have more than two bathrooms, you’re going to need a second unit to ensure enough hot water to go around.

There are so many more models available from Noritz, but this should be enough to give you a brief overview of the types of options that you have from this manufacturer. Because many of these water heaters can also be installed inside or outdoors, they have a new and different kind of placement and application.

What Makes Noritz Tankless Water Heater Unique?

Noritz tankless water heaters are unique because many of them can be installed inside or outside without any issues. That makes installing one of these heaters on your own completely realistic.

The truth of the matter is that you don’t need a professional to install one of these water heaters. It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but it will cost you significantly more if you call up a local plumber and have it installed.

Pricing of Noritz Tankless Water Heaters

You can find Noritz tankless water heaters on Amazon for anywhere from $800 to closer to $1400 for the unit. Pricing depends on type and capacity.

If you have the unit installed by a professional as opposed to doing it yourself, you can expect to pay up to several thousand dollars depending on what the process is going to be. The fees that are charged also tend to include the water heater disposal of your old water heater.

Of course, you can dispose of the water heater yourself, but you may need to take it directly to your local dump. If you do, you’ll end up paying a much smaller fee, but you have to make sure you have the means of transporting the heater, too.

Public Perception of Noritz Tankless Water Heaters

If you take the time to read the reviews, and you should, you’re going to see that the majority of the reviews are positive as long as you take into account the total water capacity for the unit you’re interested in purchasing. In other words, don’t buy a unit that can handle a smaller amount and expect it to heat the water in your mansion.

KeepingItReal over at Amazon writes, “Spent the weekend installing this – along with the matching accessory isolation valves from Noritz and matching concentric direct vent accessory from noritz. I had some challenges with the sourcing of the 3” PVC vent pipe – no local or big box hardware store stocks 3” OVC (Sch 40) pipe. They only stock drain pipe which is not recommended for this unit’s venting. When you call these stores they tell you that they stock it, and the employees think that they do, because they have a whole shelf of 3” fittings (elbows, tees, etc). But, these fittings do NOT fit the actual 3” pipe. So, word of caution (from my lessons learned) – go buy the venting pipe from a plumbing supply outfit – and do this on a weekday as they do not work weekends.” Along with this useful information, he goes on to say, “Turned it on (after following all their detailed and easy to follow instructions) and the hot water is great!”

So far, it sounds great, right? Before you jump on the bandwagon, read this review from a customer that had a negative experience and see if it means something to you in making your decision. Kelly Mann writes, “We have a ten year old Nortiz (sic). Our water hardness level is 9 grains per ph and after spending in excess of 5K for initial installation, we were told that we would need to have our heater flushed every year. This costs about $300. Three years ago, we were told that we needed to have the entire system cleaned. This ran $500. Today (2018) we were told that several parts of our system need to be replaced and that getting the replacement parts would take SEVEN DAYS. I can order juice from the UK and it will be here in two days. How is it possible that it takes seven days to get the parts that will (hopefully) reestablish hot water in my home?? I was also told that if it is not the spark plug and igniter, it could possibly be the circuit board. So it could take in excess of seven days and $1000. There is no way that a tankless water heater can possibly cost less than a traditional water heater.”

With regards to another Noritz model, the NRC661-DV-NG, Jonathan Park has a glowing review to report. “I did a lot of research on tankless hot water heaters before deciding on the NRC661-DV-NG. At first, I didn’t know much about brands and types, so I started looking at prices. The lower-cost heaters had generally good reviews, but I didn’t really like the idea of expensive stainless-steel venting and hot exhaust. That’s when I discovered higher-efficiency condensing heaters with simple PVC venting, just like our high-efficiency furnace. While the cost difference seems unreasonable at first, the lower venting costs, higher efficiency, and cool exhaust made the condensing heathers more appealing to me. I tried to find and absorb everything about condensing tankless heaters, from reviews to owner and installation manuals.” He goes on to say that he is very happy with his purchase and would recommend it to anyone.

Interestingly enough, if you head over to Furnace Compare, you’re going to say far more negative reviews on Norwitz tankless water heaters. According to Rob Mir, “Tankless will give you constant hot water as Tanked will give you hot water that is stored in Tank depending on how many gallons your Tank is cold water will start refilling and fire up the boiler before you receive hot water again. It may take 15-30 minutes as tankless is on demand and won’t stop giving you hot water till you stop. So the truth is 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.” This customer goes on to say that it leaked three years after the initial installation and the customer experience was fantastic.

How it Compares

When you’re thinking about buying a tankless water heater, you’re going to want to consider a few different things in deciding which one is best for you. Those features include the total amount of hot water that you will be using on a regular basis.

You’ll also need to be aware of the temperature you expect your water to be at when it comes pouring out of your faucet. This affects the heater you choose because colder climates require more energy to reach the desired temperature.

Some of the more popular tankless water heaters on the market include Rinnai, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi systems. They’re all well-known for a reason – they’re quality systems. Homeluf compared them all to help you understand how they compare.

They are all energy-star certified which is essential for the sake of efficiency and for saving money. The Navient has a faster flow rate compared to the others, and they all operate off of either natural gas or propane.

It is interesting to note that multiple models can be installed either inside or outside, but most tankless water heaters seem to be outdoor installation only. The best warranty is from Navien at a full 15 years while the rest are sitting at either ten or twelve years of coverage.

Pricing varies, too. The most inexpensive option is the tankless water heater from Takagi, but it is meant for smaller spaces. The most expensive is from Navien at nearly $1700 for a unit. It is meant for a slightly larger space, but still shouldn’t be used for more than three water uses at a time.

What We Think

You may need more than one tankless water heater depending on how much water you want to have available for use. If you have three bathrooms, in order to maintain a steady water pressure, you’re going to have one set up for two bathrooms and a second unit for the other bathroom and maybe the washer.

Overall, the idea of going with a tankless water heater has merit, but if you like to take long showers, you may be disappointed in how long the water stays hot. As far as the Noritz tankless water heater goes, it’s a decent choice for the price, but if you were willing to spend a couple hundred more, you could get a water heater that has higher capacity and a better warranty.

Ultimately, we think it’s a good choice in tankless water heaters even if it isn’t the best choice out there. If you were to go with a tankless system, you would likely be satisfied with what Noritz will provide for you as long as your expectations are realistic.

(kw: Noritz Tankless Water Heater)

Noritz Tankless Water Heater Reviews

The idea behind tankless water heaters is to provide hot water on demand. They reportedly use less energy to heat the water you use and are supposed to save you money as well.

They can typically be installed in a more convenient area of your home as opposed to the giant water heaters that you often find in a garage. You can have them installed inside or outside depending on what you prefer.

Noritz tankless water heaters are just one of the options you have when you start thinking about installing a system like this. Keep in mind that not all tankless water heaters are exactly the same although they do the same job.

What Is a Noritz Tankless Water Heater and How Does It Work?

Noritz is just one manufacturer behind these water heating wonders. Within their line, they have several different models that will provide you with hot water that the turn of a knob.

Indoor/Outdoor Units

As an example, the NRC98-DV-NG is considered to be one of the best options out there because of what it can do and how it works. NG stands for “natural gas” meaning that this tankless water heater uses a fire element to heat the coils.

When water cycles through the coils, it heats up. In most cases, units that use natural gas will give off fumes which makes these units better suited for outdoor installation. This model from Noritz uses a different technology to allow for indoor installation that will not result in releasing noxious fumes.

In another Noritz tankless water heater, B0084CPEQ6, the primary fuel source is propane. It works similarly to its natural gas counterpart. This tankless water heater can also be installed indoors or outdoors depending on your personal preference.

There are also smaller models like the NRC661-DV-NG which also runs on natural gas. This is a better choice for a smaller living space with only a couple of bathrooms. Because of the design that Noritz uses, this one can also be installed inside or outside.

Designed for Outdoor Installation

There are a few models of Noritz tankless water heaters that have to be installed outdoors due to the way that they release fumes. One such model, the NRC661-OD-LP is a propane system that is a sister system to the NRC661-DV-NG, meaning that it is best for smaller living spaces, too.

Another option is the Noritz EZTR40-NG tankless water heater that runs on natural gas. This is a great option if you’re not sure about replacing your traditional water heater because you can use existing plumbing without needing to make major changes.

The NR501-OD-NG is another one of their tankless water heaters that can only be installed outside due to the fumes. It is made for a smaller water demand that is maybe up to approximately two bathrooms. If you have more than two bathrooms, you’re going to need a second unit to ensure enough hot water to go around.

There are so many more models available from Noritz, but this should be enough to give you a brief overview of the types of options that you have from this manufacturer. Because many of these water heaters can also be installed inside or outdoors, they have a new and different kind of placement and application.

What Makes Noritz Tankless Water Heater Unique?

Noritz tankless water heaters are unique because many of them can be installed inside or outside without any issues. That makes installing one of these heaters on your own completely realistic.

The truth of the matter is that you don’t need a professional to install one of these water heaters. It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but it will cost you significantly more if you call up a local plumber and have it installed.

Pricing of Noritz Tankless Water Heaters

You can find Noritz tankless water heaters on Amazon for anywhere from $800 to closer to $1400 for the unit. Pricing depends on type and capacity.

If you have the unit installed by a professional as opposed to doing it yourself, you can expect to pay up to several thousand dollars depending on what the process is going to be. The fees that are charged also tend to include the water heater disposal of your old water heater.

Of course, you can dispose of the water heater yourself, but you may need to take it directly to your local dump. If you do, you’ll end up paying a much smaller fee, but you have to make sure you have the means of transporting the heater, too.

Public Perception of Noritz Tankless Water Heaters

If you take the time to read the reviews, and you should, you’re going to see that the majority of the reviews are positive as long as you take into account the total water capacity for the unit you’re interested in purchasing. In other words, don’t buy a unit that can handle a smaller amount and expect it to heat the water in your mansion.

KeepingItReal over at Amazon writes, “Spent the weekend installing this – along with the matching accessory isolation valves from Noritz and matching concentric direct vent accessory from noritz. I had some challenges with the sourcing of the 3” PVC vent pipe – no local or big box hardware store stocks 3” OVC (Sch 40) pipe. They only stock drain pipe which is not recommended for this unit’s venting. When you call these stores they tell you that they stock it, and the employees think that they do, because they have a whole shelf of 3” fittings (elbows, tees, etc). But, these fittings do NOT fit the actual 3” pipe. So, word of caution (from my lessons learned) – go buy the venting pipe from a plumbing supply outfit – and do this on a weekday as they do not work weekends.” Along with this useful information, he goes on to say, “Turned it on (after following all their detailed and easy to follow instructions) and the hot water is great!”

So far, it sounds great, right? Before you jump on the bandwagon, read this review from a customer that had a negative experience and see if it means something to you in making your decision. Kelly Mann writes, “We have a ten year old Nortiz (sic). Our water hardness level is 9 grains per ph and after spending in excess of 5K for initial installation, we were told that we would need to have our heater flushed every year. This costs about $300. Three years ago, we were told that we needed to have the entire system cleaned. This ran $500. Today (2018) we were told that several parts of our system need to be replaced and that getting the replacement parts would take SEVEN DAYS. I can order juice from the UK and it will be here in two days. How is it possible that it takes seven days to get the parts that will (hopefully) reestablish hot water in my home?? I was also told that if it is not the spark plug and igniter, it could possibly be the circuit board. So it could take in excess of seven days and $1000. There is no way that a tankless water heater can possibly cost less than a traditional water heater.”

With regards to another Noritz model, the NRC661-DV-NG, Jonathan Park has a glowing review to report. “I did a lot of research on tankless hot water heaters before deciding on the NRC661-DV-NG. At first, I didn’t know much about brands and types, so I started looking at prices. The lower-cost heaters had generally good reviews, but I didn’t really like the idea of expensive stainless-steel venting and hot exhaust. That’s when I discovered higher-efficiency condensing heaters with simple PVC venting, just like our high-efficiency furnace. While the cost difference seems unreasonable at first, the lower venting costs, higher efficiency, and cool exhaust made the condensing heathers more appealing to me. I tried to find and absorb everything about condensing tankless heaters, from reviews to owner and installation manuals.” He goes on to say that he is very happy with his purchase and would recommend it to anyone.

Interestingly enough, if you head over to Furnace Compare, you’re going to say far more negative reviews on Norwitz tankless water heaters. According to Rob Mir, “Tankless will give you constant hot water as Tanked will give you hot water that is stored in Tank depending on how many gallons your Tank is cold water will start refilling and fire up the boiler before you receive hot water again. It may take 15-30 minutes as tankless is on demand and won’t stop giving you hot water till you stop. So the truth is 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.” This customer goes on to say that it leaked three years after the initial installation and the customer experience was fantastic.

How it Compares

When you’re thinking about buying a tankless water heater, you’re going to want to consider a few different things in deciding which one is best for you. Those features include the total amount of hot water that you will be using on a regular basis.

You’ll also need to be aware of the temperature you expect your water to be at when it comes pouring out of your faucet. This affects the heater you choose because colder climates require more energy to reach the desired temperature.

Some of the more popular tankless water heaters on the market include Rinnai, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi systems. They’re all well-known for a reason – they’re quality systems. Homeluf compared them all to help you understand how they compare.

They are all energy-star certified which is essential for the sake of efficiency and for saving money. The Navient has a faster flow rate compared to the others, and they all operate off of either natural gas or propane.

It is interesting to note that multiple models can be installed either inside or outside, but most tankless water heaters seem to be outdoor installation only. The best warranty is from Navien at a full 15 years while the rest are sitting at either ten or twelve years of coverage.

Pricing varies, too. The most inexpensive option is the tankless water heater from Takagi, but it is meant for smaller spaces. The most expensive is from Navien at nearly $1700 for a unit. It is meant for a slightly larger space, but still shouldn’t be used for more than three water uses at a time.

What We Think

You may need more than one tankless water heater depending on how much water you want to have available for use. If you have three bathrooms, in order to maintain a steady water pressure, you’re going to have one set up for two bathrooms and a second unit for the other bathroom and maybe the washer.

Overall, the idea of going with a tankless water heater has merit, but if you like to take long showers, you may be disappointed in how long the water stays hot. As far as the Noritz tankless water heater goes, it’s a decent choice for the price, but if you were willing to spend a couple hundred more, you could get a water heater that has higher capacity and a better warranty.

Ultimately, we think it’s a good choice in tankless water heaters even if it isn’t the best choice out there. If you were to go with a tankless system, you would likely be satisfied with what Noritz will provide for you as long as your expectations are realistic.

(kw: Noritz Tankless Water Heater)

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