Enter Valid Zip.
Hard waterIt’s not frozen and it hasn’t been lifting weights at the gym. “Hard water” means the water running through your pipes contains a high level of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
At an average temperature, these minerals combine with the water coming into your house. When water is heated, these minerals separate and latch onto the surfaces of your water heater and pipes. That creates buildup, causing inefficiency, damage and the need for replacement in certain circumstances. And, it’s not just the heaters and pipes you’ll be replacing, either. Faucets and showerheads get clogged due to the scale buildup. Depending on how many faucets or showerheads are in a home, the cost of replacing them may increase the amount of money you have to spend.
So, you may be asking yourself, “How can I tell if I have hard water? Should I consider investing in a water softening system?”
Here’s a 4-step trick to test if you have hard water. All you’ll need is a bottle of dish soap and water from a faucet:
Step 1: Get a bottle you can easily fill. Fill it halfway with the water you want to test. Screw on a cap (or put a thumb over the opening) and shake it up. Remove the cap (or thumb) and pour the water out.
Step 2: Fill the same bottle halfway again and add 5 drops of liquid dish soap. Cap it off and give it a couple good shakes.
Step 3: If the bottle is full of soapsuds and the suds flow out when the cap is removed, then congrats! You do not have hard water.
Step 4: The more you must shake the bottle to create soapsuds, and the less time those suds last, the "harder" your water. In short: If all you get is a soapy film in the bottle, then you have very hard water.
The most cost-effective solution to hard water problems is to install a water softener system, such as a Noritz Scale Shield: A unique product that provides superior lime scale prevention and corrosion control for your tankless water heater while still retaining the beneficial minerals in your water.
The Scale Shield requires no extra electricity or maintenance, and needs a cartridge replacement only one or two times per year.
For homes that have very hard to extremely hard water, a Noritz H2Flow System is most recommended. The H2Flow System requires no salt or chemicals and has no discharge. The H2Flow retains the beneficial minerals in water, produces no water waste, and needs to be replaced no more than every two years. Installing the H2Flow also extends the life of your tankless water heater system, and even reverses pre-existing scale problems.
The simple test we’ve included here is a quick way to determine if you need to take action on hard water. If you do have any concerns about hard water or switching your water to a water softening system, contact a Noritz University trained plumber for more information.
For more information on managing hard water and information about our selection of tankless water heaters, visit Noritz.com.
Water heaters are becoming more energy efficient, with engineers working to maximize the amount of heat that is transferred from the combustion process to the water. Condensing technology is available in both tank and tankless water heaters — is designed to capture and reuse heat that previously went up the flue.
Condensing tankless water heaters offer efficiency gains of approximately 10 to 15 percentage points over conventional tankless units. Of course, they also carry the Energy Star label. Like any tankless water heater, condensing heaters are an on-demand system with no hot-water storage and no pilot light burning 24/7. When a hot-water appliance, faucet or fixture is turned on, the tankless system senses flow and rapidly heats the incoming water to the designated temperature. However long the fixture or appliance operates, the tankless unit will meet the demand for water at the set temperature; i.e., “endless hot water.”
A condensing unit uses the same sequence of steps to generate hot water as a conventional tankless water heater. But it also incorporates a secondary heat exchanger to capture and repurpose the heat generated from the combustion gases before they escape and are vented outside. In other words, instead of sending hot exhaust gases out the flue, which wastes energy, condensing heaters use this heat to preheat the incoming water. That's why condensing gas water heaters are so efficient (up to 96 percent thermal efficiency).
The efficiency improvement might not be as drastic as switching from tank to tankless, but it certainly is not insignificant over the estimated 20-year life of a tankless water heater. If you’re looking to save energy, and you have a choice between 84 and 95 percent efficiency rating, wouldn’t you opt for the latter in most instances? If you’re interested in the latest and greatest in condensing tankless technology, you should check out the NRC711. On top of already existing benefits of condensing tankless units, the heater features a primary heat exchanger that is three times as durable, scale detection software for proactive leak prevention and a built-in digital display to aid servicing.
For more information on condensing technology,visit our website.
Is tankless water heater technology really all that marketable to homebuyers?
People are talking about tankless water heaters, and builders are fielding requests about this hot water heater. They can readily see its marketability. A Colorado townhome builder we know routinely conducts after-close surveys to learn what features really motivated the buyer to buy. In our experience, tankless water heater makes about 30 percent of these lists, which is higher than many other products, including some amenities that might surprise you. Overall, it probably ranks among the top five features in these hot water heater reviews.
Are the energy savings tankless provides really enough for most new-home buyers?
It often depends on the price point of the home as well as the time horizon the builder is using with his buyer.
The tank-versus-tankless price difference can be a challenge if the home is valued at $150,000 or less. Typically, builders of this type of unit will specify a very basic, 40-gallon hot water heater. A utility rebate might help justify the extra cost, but the tankless unit will still represent a sizable percentage of the overall cost of the home.
The newer, smaller Noritz tankless water heater models are also helping to close the cost gap between tank and tankless water heater prices. There’s movement in the other direction as well, as the price of commercial water heater tank units continues to climb as manufacturers work to meet rising energy standards.
But it’s important to talk more than comparative costs. Buyers are increasingly mindful of utility costs over the long haul. Tankless water heaters have a significantly longer life expectancy than conventional tank water heaters: 15 to 20 years versus eight to 10 for a tank unit. For owner’s intent upon remaining in their homes, those extra years represent a major value, as they will get a return on their investments during that time.
And let’s not forget: Providing a product engineered to last two decades can’t help but reinforce the builder’s own reputation for quality construction as well.
Is tankless a true green product?
Any product is measured on economics, social acceptance and — the new kid on the block — the environmental component. A tankless water heater meets all of these values. Builders and their buyers like the idea of continuous, instant hot water, as well as the energy and space savings. Over time, a tankless water heater has become more economically viable with lower up-front costs for smaller models, while the cost of a tank water heater is rising.
But while builders and buyers are better versed in the comfort, convenience, and economic values of tankless water heater technology, they don't always look at the manufacturing process. A tankless water heater is a cradle-to-cradle product, environmentally sustainable from its packaging to its components. These products deliver lower emissions, reduced electrical consumption, a longer life cycle, and smaller amounts of potentially hazardous construction materials. It has also been proven to be easier to recycle those materials and components once the product is removed from service.
At Noritz, we have even affixed specific alpha codes to various plastic components inside the heaters to help identify their material makeup when it is time to recycle the unit. These products are manufactured by a plant that is committed to sustainability, with PV panels generating the electricity used in the production process. Noritz simply offers one the best manufactured tankless water heaters in the industry.
Selecting the right tankless water heater is important because the benefits—cost-savings and lower energy consumption—are dependent on choosing the right model, and you want to maximize these benefits. But how do you know you’re choosing the right model when there are quite a few things to consider? Well, now the pressure’s off! Use the Noritz America Product Page and find out.
Consumers and trade professionals now have the ability to search for exactly what they need, as well as compare their options on the new Noritz America Product Page. Similar to spreading out all of your information in front of you, the new Product Page lets you explore the options before making a decision—and therefore, ensuring you choose the right product for your needs and lifestyle.
By using the “Filter by Type” option, users can easily browse tankless water heater products in the ecoTough, proTough, valueSolutions, Commercial and Accessory lines.
• ecoTough: Innovative, high-efficiency line providing a lower carbon footprint
• proTough: A long lasting and optimized for any size home-size
• valueSolutions: A value solution for smaller sized homes and warm climate living
• Commerical: Precise and efficient options for any commercial project
• Accessories: Other items to make your tankless water heater run at its best
Wondering how to find a tankless water heater based on where you want it located? You can also filter by the venting–type to compare indoor and outdoor models from the four Noritz lines of tankless.
And the best part about using the new Product Page to search for and select your tankless water-heating product needs? You can compare models and accessories based on their individual characteristics, which ensures a confident final decision.
Using the “Compare” check box, you can select the models you want to compare in a grid that breaks down:
• Home size
• Indoor or Outdoor Unit Dimensions
• Weight
• Gas Consumption (NG and LP)
• Capacity Range
• Energy Factor
• Thermal Efficiency
• Temperature Settings
• Accessories
You can also check to see if your selection fits your lifestyle but using the Noritz Sizing Calculator, and find qualified installers in your market to quote the job and ensure you’re getting the right product for the right price: Everything you need to make an informed decision, thanks to Noritz.
For more information about Noritz products, please visit our products page.
Unable to attend training sessions halfway across the country? Noritz America’s new online training program will save you time and the discomfort of “pretzeling” yourself into that horrid middle seat.
The new Residential Level 1 (R1) tankless water heater training course, held by Noritz University, will allow busy trades people who are unable to attend in-person sessions the ability to quickly deepen their tankless knowledge from the comfort of their own homes or offices.
Unlike traditional training courses, the online course can be taken at any time—day or night—that is most convenient for you. For contractors engrossed in their daily routines, training can often be something you can never seem to schedule. This is unfortunate because your very livelihood requires keeping abreast of new technologies and procedures. The online option allows contractors to accomplish this—at their own pace and at their convenience.
Trainees can access the online lessons through the Noritz website at the office, jobsite or home. The self-guided course will take about an hour to complete and will review technical information, including an overview of available products and guidance on proper sizing and residential installation. Also discussed are common maintenance issues related to water quality and key product benefits.
And, yes, there is a test. A quick recap at the end of the module will confirm that you have successfully completed the online course. Those who successfully complete the course will be listed on the Noritz Website, under the “Find an Installer” section, as well as receive PROCard member status on their account.
Here are some of the topics offered in the online course:
PRODUCT LINE
INSTALLATION
MAINTENANCE
For more information on the new Online Residential Level training program, please visit training.noritz.com.
Thanks to your enthusiasm and the success of our very first Quest for Cash, we’re giving our community a second shot at claiming the big bucks! We want grow our Facebook community with the help of our devoted ProCard members so we’re giving away another $200 American Express gift card. Drop by our Facebook page Monday morning for your first clue! Here’s how to enter:
1. Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NoritzAmerica
2. Find the daily ‘Quest for Cash’ question on our Facebook page
3. Find the answer by following the links provided
4. Leave your answer in the comments section under each question
5. Remember, the more questions your answer, the greater your chance of taking home our cash prize!
Rules & Regulations
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: One winner will be selected at random and notified via Facebook from the Lisa Herbert (Flying Camel) Account before 4:00pm (ET) on May 26. Winner must respond by June 2. Unclaimed prizes will not be redrawn for.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. Contest open only to legal residents of the United States of America (Void where prohibited by law) and Canada, 18 years old or older. Please note that there can only be one winner. Offer void where prohibited. Employees of Noritz or their immediate families are not eligible to participate or win. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply./p>
Tankless water heating is one of the most cost-effective ways for builders to "green" their homes. In the state of Colorado, a builder might be looking to follow the Built Green Colorado initiative, which awards eight points for installing tankless. The LEED for Homes certification program, created by the U.S. Green Building Council, gives two points for tankless.
From a strictly economic perspective, the cost of tankless per rating point is lower than upgrading with windows, insulation, or even solar. In short, you are getting more efficiency for each dollar.
By substituting a wall-hung tankless water heater for a tank unit, you gain nine additional square feet of floor space. How much of that up-front difference in price is recouped by that space savings?
Actually, this consideration should go beyond the tank unit itself to a consideration of its location. Because of its bulk, a tank heater typically must sit in a mechanical room. In a multiple story house with a basement mechanical area, you will likely run the venting through a notched-out chase system that is routed through bedroom closets, the attic and other living areas, taking up valuable space in the home.
But a tankless water heater is small enough to fit into a variety of locations, so you can make those vent runs shorter and less obtrusive. Gaining back that extra space has a value to the builder and his buyers.
From the intensification of drought in the South and West, to the magnification in hurricane, tornado and snowstorm activity nationwide, environmental concerns are having a major impact on the way American homes are designed and constructed. Because of these weather extremes, green homes will keep on increasing in marketability, according to green building experts Ron Jones and Tim O’Brien. But the extent of that growth depends heavily on how convincingly builders promote the idea of sustainability to their customers.
According to Jones, who is president of Green Builder Media, builders need to continue looking through a “lens of responsibility,” one that takes into consideration the durability, performance and security for the people who live or work in the structures they build. “We want to make sure a family can stay put if there is a destructive weather event, and that at the same time, they’ll have a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle while reducing their consumption,” he says.
Builders need to develop an even greater sense of urgency about making their homes more energy- and water-efficient, according to Tim O’Brien of Wisconsin-based Tim O’Brien Homes.
“We’ve got millions of homes out there right now that are just sucking energy and resources,” says O’Brien. “We’ve got to continue to do a better job as builders and lead the way of building better, high performance homes and stop adding to the pile of waste, if you will, that is being consumed and burned trying to heat, cool and operate homes in our country.”
“Maintaining relationships with manufacturers and suppliers will help us reach the goal of building a better quality home while still keeping it affordable, says O’Brien. “Our ultimate goal is to eradicate the term ‘green home’ from our marketplace. My vision for the future is to be at a point where everyone is building green homes, so that it is not an exception or niche—it’s just what every builder does.”
Stay tuned to our blog for more on information, tips and advice for homebuilders on green building practices.
Do homebuyers understand and appreciate the value of green building? Although homeowners are increasingly sophisticated regarding sustainable building practices, new technologies, new systems, combinations and materials are constantly being introduced, says Ron Jones, president of Green Builder Media.
Tim O’Brien of Wisconsin-based Tim O’Brien Homes, affirms Jones’ sentiment about the need for homeowner education. “We saw early on that much of green building technology can be a bit above the level of understanding of the average homeowner, and easily overwhelming,” says O’Brien. “We’ve combated this by pulling buyers into the planning process very early, so that they understand everything that’s involved—that it’s not just about energy efficiency, but also water conservation and indoor air quality, too.
“While we do enjoy a more sophisticated and better-educated client, it’s still incumbent on us—the builder—to be the source of information,” opines Jones, who notes that it is the responsibility of builders to keep abreast of industry and technological developments in order to be a resource for homebuyers.
Don Ferrier of Texas-based Ferrier Custom Homes points out that ‘green buyers’ of all ages are typically much savvier than typical homeowners, but often have different sustainable building motivations. “We’ve seen baby-boomers more interested in the financial payoff through energy savings associated with green building, while younger buyers, typically in their 30s and 40s, believe sustainability is the right thing to do for their families, future generations and the earth.”
“When our clients first come to us, they’re still working to understand how sustainability benefits them,” continues O’Brien. “Overall, we’ve found that these benefits are something you have to experience yourself to truly appreciate. Homeowners who have lived in their homes for 3-5 years are more likely to value the benefits: durability, quality construction, high-energy efficiency and better indoor air quality… The message builders have can then resonate with buyers.”
Stay tuned to our blog for more on information, tips and advice for homebuilders on green building practices.
For this blog installment, we asked our Builder Sales Manager, James Facer to share his best advice for builders on how to recommend and sell tankless water heaters in projects. Thanks to James for this excellent advice! Enjoy!
A steadily rising trend on the residential construction scene for more than a decade, tankless water heating is now a legitimate, well-established option for most builders. They no longer wonder how that little box hanging on the wall actually works, or whether it can keep up with a homeowner’s hot-water needs. Today, builders want to know how tankless can work for them, helping them sell their homes in a market that is eager for products that cut energy costs and deliver a payback.
This shifting perspective inevitably impacts the kinds of questions I get from builders on tankless. Most relate to the utility, economic viability and marketability of the product — as well as how to promote these advantages to a buyer.
For me, the easiest way to recall the key benefits of tankless technology in the home is to think of a little word you and your people likely use everyday in your business — S-P-E-C.
Or never mind overnight guests: Maybe you don’t really have enough hot water to accommodate your own family’s needs. Do you refrain from using your soaking tub, because no one can shower for an hour afterward while the water heater recovers? Does your bath have dual showerheads that provide only nine or ten minutes of truly hot water before the shower turns lukewarm?
A properly sized tankless system eliminates the worry over whether there’s enough hot water for all the members of your household all the time. Tankless is an automatic technology with no storage and no shortage of hot water. Continuous hot water will be there — on demand — whenever you need it, for however long you need it.