NORITZ BLOG

Get the latest in Noritz news and announcements.

Over time, all water heaters, be they storage tank- or tankless-type, inevitably build up scale deposits that can decrease their operating efficiency. The rate of scale build-up depends on a given geographic area’s water hardness, but sooner or later, it becomes appropriate to descale any unit. This blog will instruct you on how to a descale a Noritz tankless water heater.

To this end, Noritz has created a simple descaling procedure, outlined below. Although it’s possible for savvy homeowners to follow this themselves, a plumbing contractor should be brought in if there is any hesitation. For a visual explanation, view our video on How to Descale a Noritz Heater.

To descale a tankless water heater, you will need:

• a five-gallon bucket;
• three to four gallons of distilled, food-grade white vinegar;
• two ¾ inch connection drain hoses;
• a submersible pump.

Descaling a Noritz tankless water heater

Note Before Starting: On the unit, the red isolator valve indicates the hot water side, while the blue isolator valve indicates the cold water side. Drain caps are located on top of the hot side and on the left of the cold side. Turning the valves to the vertical position indicates they are “on” and that water is free flowing. Turning the valves to the perpendicular position indicates they are “off.”

1.  Keep the unit on but turn the gas valve off.

2.  Turn both hot and cold valves off. Remove the drain caps on both valves. Place the five-gallon bucket underneath the hot water side. Carefully turn the red drain valve to the “on” position and use the bucket to drain the unit of excess water still inside.

3.  Repeat step two on the cold water side.

4.  Connect a hose to the submersible pump and place the pump with the connected hose into the five-gallon bucket. Make sure the power cord stays out of the bucket.

5.  Connect the pump outlet hose to the cold water drain valve.

6.  Connect a drain hose to the hot water drain valve and place the end of the drain hose into the bucket.

7.  Pour between three and four gallons of vinegar into the bucket so that the pump is completely submerged. Open both drain valve lever handles on the isolation valves and turn on the pump for at least an hour. For maximum effectiveness, change the vinegar solution after 30 minutes and repeat. The unit will try to fire up, but will fail due to the gas being off. Eventually, an error code 11 will appear, which is normal during the procedure. DO NOT RESET.

8.  After a minimum of one hour, turn the pump off and close the cold water drain valve. Remove the hose from the cold water drain valve and replace the cap onto the drain valve outlet.

9.  Remove the pump and drain hose from the bucket and drain the liquid. Place the hot water drain hose back into the empty bucket and open the cold water main valve. This procedure will flush out the heater with fresh cold water. Flush for at least five minutes or until 20 gallons of water have passed through the heater.

10. For condensing units, place a bucket under the unit and twist open the drain cock located directly under the water heater to drain out any descaling medium that may have collected in the unit. Turn the main inlet valve to the “OFF” position.

11. For additional maintenance, unscrew and remove the water filter for cleaning—some water may flow out. Clean the filter under running water to remove any debris. Place the dry filter back into the port, making sure it’s twisted tightly by hand.

12. Turn the drain valve to the “OFF” position. Unscrew and remove the drain hose. Replace the drain cap and make sure it’s screwed on tightly.

13. Turn the main hot and cold valves back to the “ON” position and turn the gas supply back on. To get rid of the error code 11 that resulted from descaling, reset the unit by powering it off, then powering it on again.

See this descaling guide for more step-by-step information on the process.

Although Noritz builds its water heaters to the highest standards, from time to time you might get an error code on your unit. “These codes can diagnose problems that otherwise might remain unnoticed until unit failure, thus saving on repair and replacement costs,” says Randy Oshiro, Assistant Manager of Engineering at Noritz. However, the error codes’ meaning may not always be clear to a homeowner.

For that reason, we’ve constructed the following helpful outline of the seven most common error codes and their resolutions. Some resolutions are simpler than others, but you should always err on the side of caution and contact a licensed contractor.

The Seven Most Common Noritz Tankless Error Codes

Noritz Error Code 11

This indicates ignition failure in your tankless water heater. It means that your unit is not firing up to heat the water, a situation that can be caused by insufficient gas supply, insufficient airflow or debris on the ignition plug.

After checking to see if the gas is turned on, call a licensed contractor. He or she will make sure your gas valve is open, the exhaust vent is unobstructed and the ignition plug is firmly attached and free of debris.

Noritz Error Code 12

A code 12 means the unit has a weak flame and that water is not being heated properly. Similar to a code 11, this is caused by lack of gas or airflow.

Call your licensed contractor who will likely take similar steps as outlined for code 11.

Noritz Error Code 16

A sharp spike in outlet water temperature will cause a code 16. This often results from scale buildup, which hampers heat-transfer efficiency and makes the unit try to compensate by burning hotter.

Since this error can be caused by scale buildup or hard water, performing a descaling procedure or using a water softener may resolve it. Contact your licensed contractor to make sure this is the case.

Noritz Error Code 29

This code indicates a problem with condensate drainage. In condensing tankless water heaters, a special drain line equipped with a neutralizer (to reduce the acidity of the outflow) removes the condensate. A blockage in the condensate drain line or incorrect condensate drain piping would cause the burner to flood if not for this error code.

Call your licensed contractor, and he or she will check to make sure the condensate drain line is properly routed and unobstructed.

Noritz Error Code 73

Improper circuit board settings will cause a code 73 error. Changing a jumper connection or dip switch while power is supplied to the heater can trigger the problem, as can an improperly programmed circuit board.

Unplug the heater for 30 seconds and then plug it back in. If the error code persists, call a licensed contractor.

Noritz Error Code F76

This error code involves a breakdown in communication between two tankless water heaters using the Quick Connect Cord. It can occur when more than one remote is hooked up to handle two Quick-Connected units.

Make sure that only one remote control is hooked up when two units are connected. If the error continues, contact a licensed contractor.

Noritz Error Code 90

A code 90 indicates a combustion abnormality caused by an improper mixture of air and fuel. Possible culprits are insufficient gas supply, a blockage in the fuel vent or debris in the fan motor.

You will need a licensed contractor to resolve this error. He or she will check gas pressures, venting length, dip switches, etc.

For help with finding a licensed contractor to fix these various error codes, please use the Noritz Find a Service Rep tool.

How to Perform Tankless Water Heater Internal Maintenance

If you have installed a Noritz tankless water heater, then you know the convenience and water-saving benefits it yields by providing hot water on demand for your clients. To keep that hot water flowing at the correct temperature, however, they need to know to call you back to perform regular maintenance every two to three years.

In this post, we will look at how to perform tankless water heater internal maintenance.

• Make sure to turn the gas valve off and unplug the unit.
• Remove the heater’s front cover with a Phillips head screwdriver and inspect the inside, looking for any corrosion or discoloration.
• Detach the white detectors from the flame rod and ignition plug and remove the screws on the sides with a Phillips head screwdriver. Do not use power tools, as they might strip the screws.
• Carefully remove the flame rod and sensor. The flame rod and ignition plug can be cleaned with fine grit sandpaper. Do not touch the end of the probes that go into the burner, but make sure there is no buildup on them.
• Next, disconnect the gas manifold connection from the wiring harness by pressing the top connector. To remove the C clamp, hold the gas manifold in place and pull out the clamp.
• Remove the gas manifold by using a Phillips head screwdriver to remove its four large screws. It will loosen but not fully release. Push up on the gas manifold pipe and remove the gas manifold to reveal the burner chamber.
• Now it’s time to inspect the fan. Remove the GFCI mounting bracket plate. Carefully push the wires aside and remove the two screws. Gently move the plate away. Disconnect the fan from the wiring harness by pressing the top connector. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the three fan screws. Pull the entire fan motor and blades from its housing.
• If the fan is dirty or clogged with debris, you can clean it using a brush. Brush under the burner plate to remove any bugs or debris. Continue to clean the entire fan by brushing around as necessary. Use compressed air to remove any remaining particles. If the fan is really dirty, soak it in a degreaser. The fan blade will need to be removed from the motor and completely dried before reinstalling. Use compressed air to blow out all of the components until they are clean. Repeat as needed.

The tankless unit has now been serviced and is ready to put back together. All maintenance info can be found in your Noritz homeowner’s guide.

To view video instructions for this maintenance process, please click here.

Tips for Performing Tankless Water Heater External Maintenance

If you own a Noritz tankless water heater, you know the convenience and water-saving benefits it yields by providing hot water on demand. To keep that hot water flowing as long as possible, it is important to perform regular tankless water heater external maintenance.

In this post, we will look at how to perform external maintenance of your tankless water heater. The following is based on an instructional video called How to Perform Noritz Periodic Maintenance.

• Start by doing a visual inspection around the heater, looking for combustible materials that could be a future hazard.

• Listen closely to the heater to detect abnormal sounds during operation.

• Check for abnormalities in the external appearance, like discoloration. Wipe the outside surface of the water heater and remote control with a wet cloth, then dry. Use a neutral detergent to clean any stains. Do not use benzene, oil or fatty detergents to clean the remote. Although the unit is water-resistant, it is not water-proof.

• For DV condensing models, remove the SV conversion kit piece from the intake valve and check for dust and soot in the exhaust. Use the end of a screwdriver to pop out and remove the screen, checking for dirt and debris. It’s always best to clean both sides of the screen with water and a brush to ensure that air can properly flow into the system. Cleaning the screen is important to avoid an Error Code 90. Make sure the screen is dry before returning the conversion kit to the intake.

• Check the pressure relief valve to ensure it does not have any leaks. Continue to check all other connections and make sure that everything is fitted correctly.

• Open the pressure relief valve to ensure that everything is in working order and that it turns off. If the pressure relief valve is leaking or dripping, it will need to be replaced.

• To replace the pressure relief valve, close the inlet supply valve by turning it to the right. Next, turn on a few hot-water fixtures in your home or building. With a bucket ready to catch draining water, remove the inlet and outlet drain caps on the water heater’s isolator kits. Then open up both drain valves. Take the water drain valve with filter out of the inlet port. Clean the filter thoroughly with your fingers under running water to remove any debris. Dry it and put it back into the inlet port, close the drain plugs, and replace the caps. Close the water fixtures you opened in the beginning. Open the water supply valve and check for any water leaks from the drain plug or water drain valve.

• In our next post, we will explore how to perform internal maintenance on your tankless water heater.

Are you planning a new bathroom remodel? Don’t let it become a nightmare. Here are five common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Along with kitchens, bathrooms are the rooms homeowners most frequently want to renovate. A good bathroom is stylish, luxurious, functional and comfortable. But getting there isn’t always easy, and many homeowners make costly or time-consuming mistakes. Here are the top five mistakes to avoid when remodeling your bathroom:

1. Too much bathroom in too little space.

One of the most common problems with bathrooms is that they end up feeling crowded, too small or inconveniently arranged. This is especially true when adding a new bathroom where there wasn’t one before. Think carefully about how doors and drawers will open, whether a sloping ceiling will be a bother, and whether you really have space for the fixtures you’re choosing. Consider a pedestal sink in lieu of a vanity, with some shelving high up on the wall.

2. Getting the most inexpensive contractor.

Bathrooms are among the projects most likely to run over budget and past deadline. This is because they often require plumbing, electrical, and tile work on top of routine renovation. As a result, you need to look at quotes from contractors very carefully. If one is lower, make sure absolutely everything is included before you jump on it, and only pay half up front.

3. Poor ventilation or no ventilation.

Ventilation is absolutely essential in a bathroom, even when there is no shower/bath. There will be moisture in every bathroom and if it isn’t being vented it will lead to mildew or mold, which fuels sickness and allergies. As a general rule of thumb, if you have no way of venting a space then it shouldn’t be a bathroom.

4. Materials that won’t last or low quality materials.

Bathroom fixtures come in a wide range of styles and price points. Likewise, flooring ranges from the low-cost rolls to expensive tile. We all need to stay within budget, but try to aim for at least the mid-level bathroom fixtures. They really will hold up longer and look better for years to come.

5. A wasteful water heater.

If you’re adding a new bathroom, don’t make the mistake of investing in an old fashioned tank-based water heater. A tankless water heater will save you big money on energy bills and provide hot water on demand. By providing proper maintenance and replacing your water heater when necessary will give you years of enjoyment in your new bathroom remodel.

Before installing anything in your home, you probably go through a research process to determine who is best qualified to successfully complete the job. You may browse the internet for contractor reviews or talk to neighbors for recommendations. Even though any contractor in a given field is probably capable of doing the job, you want one who has been vetted and proven to know his or her trade.

The same holds true a Noritz tankless installation. According to Jason Fleming, Sr. Marketing and Customer Care Manager for Noritz America, “Any contractor can install Noritz, but it is in your best interest to utilize contractors that have been trained to install and service Noritz products.”

The importance of a proper tankless water heater installation cannot be overemphasized. “Improper gas line sizing or venting, unclean or insufficient makeup air and cross lines in the plumbing are all potential installation mistakes that can be made if the contractor is not 100 percent knowledgeable,” warns Fleming. “The problem is that many of these mistakes will not present themselves immediately,” he adds.

Thus, your tankless installation may seem sound at first, but a few weeks or months down the road, the error messages might begin to crop up. “Ultimately, an improper installation will significantly reduce your tankless water heater’s life,” admits Fleming.

You might be wondering how on earth to locate an installing contractor who is familiar with Noritz products. After all, sometimes it’s a hassle just to verify that the contractor is insured. “We have developed an online dealer locator to make finding the ideal tankless installer quick and easy,” assures Fleming.

The dealer locator simply asks for your zip code and a distance radius ranging from two to 50 miles. Upon entering the information, you will receive a list of nearby Noritz installers and their contact information.

“Noritz trains contractors daily to ensure they have the most up to date information on our ever-changing product line,” concludes Fleming.  “Do your research and make sure your contractor is familiar with tankless, and familiar with Noritz.”

Tankless heaters aren’t just for homes anymore. Here are four ways a commercial tankless heater can help your business—and save you money.

Often when we talk about the advantages of tankless water heaters, we frame the conversation in terms of the home consumer. But increasingly businesses are switching to tankless as well. Why? Well, here are four major benefits a tankless heater brings:

1. Save money on water heating. Without a doubt the biggest benefit of a tankless water heater to any business is the one that affects your bottom line. Tankless heaters run more efficiently than traditional water heaters and they cost less to run. This savings happens twice over: first because the tankless unit itself is more efficient when heating up any given quantity of water, and second because it only heats water when you need it. A traditional heater keeps burning energy to heat up the tank over and over, even during low demand periods. Tankless eliminates the waste and business owners can see the difference in their energy bills.
2. Keep up with demand. No matter how big the tank, with enough customers and enough faucets running a traditional heater will eventually run out. With tankless, when you choose a unit with enough capacity for your needs, there is no such thing as running out of hot water. It heats up however much you need, when you need it. For small businesses this can be as simple as a small tankless unit with enough capacity for a single family home. But even for high demand businesses like a large restaurant, there are tankless heaters that can keep your water steaming hot indefinitely.
3. Show your dedication to the environment. As an energy saving appliance, a tankless water heater is green technology and showcases your dedication to the earth. Not only does that appeal to more and more customers, it can also save you money, helping you qualify for LEED credits and local or state rebates and tax incentives.
4. Get more years of hot water. Any appliance you put in your business will wear out eventually, and maintaining or replacing them is a big part of the cost associated with the space. Tankless heaters offer a big advantage in this regard: they are very low-maintenance units, and they typically last years longer than their traditional counterparts. That means savings.

What kind of hot water capacity does your business need? What has you considering going tankless?

Ever notice a crusty white or green substance on your shower wall, showerhead or faucet? It’s called lime scale or scale deposits, and it forms when the calcium in water separates and begins to accumulate.

Although not as visible, this same process occurs inside both storage tank and tankless water heaters to varying degrees, depending upon the hardness of the water in your area. Randy Oshiro, Assistant Manager of Engineering at Noritz, explains how this happens and how to eliminate it in a tankless unit.

“Scale is formed when the heat energy inside a tankless water heater separates calcium from water,” explains Oshiro. “Those calcium deposits will accumulate on the heat exchangers over time and, left unchecked, lower your water heater’s efficiency and life span.”

Essentially, the built-up scale makes heat transfer within the tankless unit more difficult. As a result, the unit has to work harder in order to heat the water to the set-point temperature. As with anything that is strained, an overworked water heater can potentially give out long before its time. Meanwhile, it will unnecessarily waste energy through its inefficient operation.

Detecting scale buildup is not always easy. Fortunately, many Noritz tankless water heaters come with scale detection software technology. This technology measures changes in heat transfer inside the unit to figure out if there’s too much scale. If it detects that heat transfer has slowed, it sends an error message that it’s time to descale.

For those units that do not include this software, Oshiro recommends relying on experience when deciding when to descale. “After installing your water heater, schedule a maintenance checkup in one year. If, during that checkup, your plumber notices significant scale buildup, you will know that you should descale at least once per year. If not, you can go longer,” advises Oshiro, adding that Noritz does plan to implement scale detection software on all future products.

We’ve mentioned descaling, but what is it exactly, and how is it done? “Descaling refers to neutralizing the calcium deposits,” states Oshiro. “If you’ve ever poured vinegar on a clam shell, you probably noticed that it disintegrated into a milky liquid. The same principle applies to getting rid of scale.”

To descale a tankless water heater, Noritz recommends pumping kitchen-grade vinegar through the system for about an hour. Although a plumber is recommended, if you have the right equipment and ability, Oshiro says it can be a do-it-yourself job.  Noritz provides descaling procedures in this FAQ.

When you descale your tankless water heater, all of the calcium deposits will dissolve just like that clam shell, and you will once again have a fully operational and efficient unit.

Noritz Tankless Installer of the Year Contest

What sets you apart from your fellow installers? What drives and inspires you to do the best work possible? We’d love to hear about it!

Noritz is having our first ever Noritz Tankless Installer of the Year Contest , and you could be the winner!

To enter, make a video that is no longer than 15 seconds. In this video, briefly tell us why you choose to install Noritz tankless water heaters in your projects. Your reason could be anything from being one of our original installers, to your commitment to being green, or your hard work and dedication to your profession. We want to know why you spec Noritz!

Entering is simple!

Phase One: September 8 to October 31

1. Tell us why choose Noritz in a 15-second-or-less video (Pro tip: Record with your cell phone!).
2. Post it to Instagram or YouTube using #NoritzPro OR email us your video at Noritz.marketing@gmail.com and we’ll do the submitting process for you!
3. Once uploaded, submit your video to our Installer of the Year landing page here<LINK: https://woobox.com/5uc24d >! It’s easy, just copy and past the link to your video.

Phase 2: November 2 to 6

Once your video is posted, it’s time to vote. The video with the most votes by November 6 will earn the title of Installer of the Year and our amazing prize pack!

Follow the conversation online by tracking the hashtag #NoritzPro <link: https://bit.ly/1JPpvse> and contact us at Noritz.marketing@gmail.com for any details.

In today’s fast-paced society, people want everything now. We are equally impatient when it comes to instant hot water — and for good reason: a lot of water is wasted down the drain, as we wait for the warm water to arrive. Whether you are washing your hands, the dishes, or taking a shower, you want hot water immediately.

By now you may have heard about tankless water heaters and how they provide instant hot water “on demand.” You may interpret this as meaning that as soon as you turn on the faucet, warm water will begin flowing like a geyser.

It is an understandably common myth. Although tankless water heaters do provide hot water on demand by detecting when you turn on the faucet and instantly heating incoming water, they cannot make that water move any faster through the piping.

“The speed at which you get hot water is wholly dependent on the location of the tankless water heater relative to the fixture,” says Jason Fleming, marketing and customer care manager at Noritz America. “If your fixture is right next to the heater, you will hardly have to wait at all. But if you are showering at the other end of the building, that wait time is not going to decrease.”

With tankless, once the hot water does reach you, however, it will never ever run out, unlike a tank-type heater, which contains a finite amount of water.

Those who want immediate hot water have the option of installing a hot water recirculation system. Recirculation operates through a “loop” created in a home’s or building’s plumbing system. In addition to supply lines connecting the water heater to each outlet, a recirculation system also has a return line back to the heater— either from each hot-water outlet or from only the farthest fixture. A circulating pump moves hot water through this loop — in some systems, constantly, even when there is no demand for hot water — resulting in “instant” hot water when the tap or shower is turned on.

The Noritz NRCP line of residential water heaters offers immediate hot water, but without the energy consumption and expense of an always-on circulator. Instead of having hot water flow through the system continuously, an integral display on the front of the water heater allows homeowners to program its arrival at the outlet with a precision down to the half-hour.

An alternative, “auto” setting permits the system to “learn” a household’s water-usage routines quickly and automatically control the recirculation loop-activation times, allowing for immediate hot water when it is needed most.

In a sense then, a hot water recirculation system is the high-speed internet of indoor water supply. Combined with a tankless water heater, it truly will allow for instant, unlimited hot water.