The NRCR Condensing Tankless Water Heater is the flagship model for Noritz’s residential product offering. Regardless of the presence (or lack of) a pre-existing dedicated return line, the NRCR delivers hot water to fixtures throughout the home — instantly — through innovative technology and a recirculation pump built right into the heater. The pump recirculates water through a home’s plumbing system, making sure hot water is readily available for immediate use — as opposed to waiting for the cool water to heat up.

Perhaps you already know about the NRCR and are actively selling and installing it in your local market. But just in case, here are 10 key features of the NRCR Condensing Tankless Water Heater that will be of special interest to your homeowner-customers:

1. No return line? No need

Most homes— between 80% and 90% — do not have a dedicated return line. This means once the water exits the fixture or faucet, it simply goes down the drain. However, with the NRCR, installers can purchase a Noritz crossover valve that allows the cold-water line to function as a return line, bringing water back to the water heater and passing it through to create a loop.

The NRCR has intelligent sensing that (1) turns itself on when only cold water is near an outlet experiencing demand; and (2) turns itself off when hot water is available. This sensing feature enables those many homeowners who lack a dedicated return line to have hot water available at the shower or tap very quickly without extra expense.

2. Easier wiring for remotes

The NRCR’s predecessors needed the weather protective cover on the remote controller terminal removed in order to wire the remote or wifi adapter. It had one screw and was located outside the case. Like the previous version, the new version is also conveniently located outside of the unit with a flip-down hatch. Now, however, the access panel requires no tools, allowing for an easier and faster way for the installer to make necessary connections compared to the previous unit model.

3. Highest efficiency in its category

Compared with competitor models, the NRCR offers the highest efficiency of similar products on the market. This rating is a result of extremely low emissions and a high-efficiency burner. In addition, the built-in recirculation pump allows the NRCR to have hot water instantly available, meaning shortened operating times — a benefit of convenience and comfort that conventional tankless units cannot offer.

4. Bracket for wall placement

An additional new bracket for the NRCR enables the unit to be hung on the wall after it is installed and allows it to slide from left to right. This creates more room for precise adjustments that may be required post-installation.

5. Auto-learning household habits

Once in use, the NRCR offers a homeowner different operating modes, designed to increase functionality and enhance the user experience. Take, for example, the “on-demand recirculation” mode, which is especially suitable for the energy-conscious homeowner who wants to have the most energy-efficient recirculation. When a home lacks a pre-existing recirculation system, this mode can be activated by a simple push of a button.

The NRCR can also be triggered by a motion sensor. When an individual enters a bathroom, the product will activate automatically, immediately putting hot water at the outlets for hand-washing or showering.

The most innovative and impactful mode is “auto-learning.” In just a few days following the tankless heater’s installation, this mode studies and “learns” the hot-water habits of the household: how often the occupants use hot water, what times of day they use it, how much is used, etc. The NRCR’s default mode will then schedule hot-water recirculation around those usage patterns, saving water and energy without sacrificing user comfort.

The auto-learning mode is easy for installers: You don’t have to figure any additional, complex programs. But the mode also makes life easier for your homeowner customers, sparing them from having to make post-installation adjustments to their NRCR water heaters.

6. Swinging board circuit

The NRCR’s circuit board can now easily swing out of the way for users. This feature allows for easy access to internal components.

7. Flushing to maintain performance

A descaling procedure will flush out mineral deposits that have accumulated inside the water heater over time. Similar to an ice machine or a coffee maker, the NRCR can be used with a descaling kit to clean the heat exchanger coils, as well as an acid solution to break down the minerals from hard water.

8. Dynamic descale reminder

A countdown timer was the previous version of the NRCR’s descale reminder. The current unit has a descale reminder that is more dynamic and based on the amount/usual time of use rather than a timed countdown.

9. Steady water temps in hot weather

The NRCR offers an industry-first, offered exclusively by Noritz: the Steady BTU (SBTU) Mode that eliminates concerns over high incoming water temperatures, particularly in warmer regions of the country. If you are a contractor working in the Sunbelt, this is huge news for you and your customers.

Every tankless water heater has a minimum input and a maximum input, measured in BTUs per hour. For the NRCR, the minimum operational input is 18,000 BTU/h.

In warmer months and especially in hotter climates where the ground water remains warm year-round, the input needed to heat the water to the desired temperature can be actually less than the minimum. For example, if the temperature of the incoming water is 90°F, the system will need significantly less than 18,000 BTU/hour to raise that temperature the necessary 10 to 20 degrees to reach the desired setpoint for washing, showering, etc.: usually between 100°F and 120°F

Conventional tankless water heaters have historically struggled to accommodate such sub-minimum energy demands in warmer months of hot-climate areas. The unit may overheat or not activate at all in response to demand. The temperature of the hot water produced may also be unsteady.

In the SBTU Mode, the NRCR’s breakthrough burner-control technology reduces the effective minimum input by more than 70 percent — to under 5,000 BTU per hour. As a result, the hot-water demand is met, while the output temperature of the water remains steady, enhancing the comfort of the homeowner.

10. Fast temperature

The new NRCR model can reach a set temperature faster than ever before. To be more specific, the unit is about 40% faster than the previous generation of product to come to a stable, set temperature!

In sum, this new and highly precise control of the combustion process in the NRCR effectively eliminates a warm-weather issue that has long been a shortcoming of tankless water heaters. Interested in learning more about the NRCR Condensing Tankless Water Heater? Reach out to an expert at Noritz today!

NORITZ CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO INSTALLER AUDIENCES TO HELP INCREASE USER EXPERIENCE.

Why does this matter to installers?

At Noritz America we strive to answer your technical questions, so you can get the best value from our tankless water heaters and combination condensing boilers.

Our hope is to provide technical advice and support in a quick and easy format. The Noritz Tech Tip Series aims to solve technical problems and daily issues that arise in the field. This includes installation and maintenance issues, error codes, and other technical difficulties that can impact user experience.

What follows are short overviews of four of our latest Noritz Tech Tip installments, which are available in video format:

Tech Tip 1: Setting up the connections for a Noritz System Controller in commercial installations.

• Locate the blue wires connected to the top of the remote control terminal and follow them to the Molex Plug labeled “90.” After disconnecting this plug, grab the blue wires with the yellow connectors coming from the system controller. One of these wires is labeled “To Connector 90.”
• Connect this labeled wire to the previously disconnected blue wires. Locate the remaining disconnected wire and yellow connector and connect them.
• Next, grab the black and red pair of wires coming from the system controller labeled “To Connector B5.” Inside the unit, connect them to another pair of black and red wires with a tag that says “System Controller.”
• Finally, maneuver the remote control wires from the other units through the bottom of the primary unit. Find the right connector on the system controller and plug them together.

Watch the tech tip video here.

Tech Tip 2: Checking the outlet water temperature on your Noritz unit.

• Note your set temperature before turning on the maintenance monitor mode. Turn off the remote and hold the up and down arrows until “03” appears on the screen.
• Turn the unit back on, and notice the power and priority lights are on. Continue to press the up arrow until you get to maintenance monitor 31 (photo), where you will be able to see the water temperature sitting at the outlet. As you're testing the faucet, the burner light will turn on when the unit has fired up.
• Once the unit hits the set temperature, it will maintain it within two degrees. Turn off the faucet once the set temperature has been verified. You can also turn off maintenance monitor mode by once again holding down the up and down arrows.

Watch the tech tip video here.

Tech Tip 3: How to diagnose and service an error code 11 on your Noritz Tankless Water Heater.

• Error code 11 is either due to insufficient gas or lack of spark. The image shows the minimum and maximum inlet gas pressures required, based on the maximum BTU Input and gas type, just as it shows on the rating plate of the unit.
• Troubleshooting Step 1 – Checking inlet gas pressure: After shutting off the water heater, remove the screw from the inlet testport with a Phillips screwdriver. Slide the hose from a Digital Gas Manometer over the testport, and do not zero it out. After opening up the gas valve, the manometer will show the static and dynamic gas pressures.
• Troubleshooting Step 2 – Cleaning the ignition rod: You will again need a Phillips Screwdriver and cleaning material. Carefully remove the screws from the bracket that holds the ignition rod in place. After pulling out the ignition, clean with a sponge, sandpaper, or a rough cleaning cloth of your choice. Re-insert the ignition rod and reconnect any wires. Look through the burner window to make sure the flame is ignited.

Watch the video here.

Tech Tip 4: How to bypass a temperature lockout on your Noritz Tankless Water Heater, using your included remote.

• After turning off your remote, hold the flow meter alarm set until the temperature starts flashing.
• Hold the arrow down until you reach the setting of your choice.
• You will see the old temperature, but now you can set it higher after powering the remote back on.

Watch the video here.

What’s Next?

Here are several upcoming Noritz Tech Tips to look forward to:

• Programming of the NRCR remote
• Checking error code history

We know that technical support is a critical element of your overall user experience. At Noritz, we strive to provide innovative, accessible support, at all levels, to our installer audience.

Is there a particular technical issue or error you would like Noritz to cover? Share your ideas, comments and questions here.

Changing times demand changing methods to continue providing quality training to our installing and service contractor audience.

At Noritz, we strive to mitigate disruption and forge a new path forward in a COVID-19 world. Noritz has pivoted to the internet to continue providing training to our installing and service contractor audience.

As we all navigate these changing times together, the Noritz team has pushed online training resources to the forefront. We have been hard at work to create web-based content that is informative, resourceful and — most importantly — interactive. We have also updated our Noritz University training site for 2020, making it easier for our professional trades audience to navigate.

One immediate step we've taken to ease the impact of the pandemic is to bring our conventional in-person trainings to your screens through free webinars led by Noritz product engineers and sales teams.

You can register for our brand new webinar training series, “Tuesdays with Noritz,”  at https://training.noritz.com/webinar-registration/. The webinar is broadcasted live every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Pacific and again at 1:00 p.m. Pacific from our headquarters in Fountain Valley, CA.

The Tuesdays with Noritz training series covers various product lines and topics, including:

• Our newest products — the EZ Series and the NRCR with a built-in recirculation pump.
• A commercial focus, spotlighting the features and benefits of Noritz Commercial Tankless Water Heaters.
• Tankless Water Heater Accessories, such as the recently introduced NWCC WiFi Adapter and more.

Every Tuesday, we'll change it up, as we enhance our training and discover more topics of special value to our professional attendees. We hope to develop the Noritz webinar offering even further by hosting Technical Wednesdays and Tear-Down Thursdays.

Our first Tuesdays with Noritz webinar session went live in mid-April. Since then, Noritz has delivered online training to countless installers and service techs.

INTERACTIVE WEBINARS

We're offering better value to our webinar attendees with cutting-edge technology that allows us to build real-time interactive content. During Tuesdays with Noritz, we take a hands-on approach and encourage attendees to pose questions. Noritz sales teams sit in as panelists and respond to your questions live. 

We want to provide an engaging experience for our participants by offering "tear down trainings" to dive deeper into answering questions, such as: "What does this specific component do? How do you fix it? How do you replace it?”

WHAT'S NEXT?

For the sake of the health and safety of our customers and our team, Noritz has postponed all face-to-face training courses until further notice. Going forward, Noritz will provide web-based, private training sessions conducted by our product training teams. Private trainings are available upon request.

We certainly look forward to getting back to in-person trainings, in addition to our webinars, because we value face-to-face interaction with our customers.

In the meantime, Noritz will continue to enhance the quality of our webinar trainings and e-learning offerings, while also working to ensure we cover topics that are top-of-mind for attendees.

Is there a particular topic or product you would like Noritz to cover? Share your ideas, comments and questions here.

"Featuring an integrated recirculation pump, a 0.97 UEF, and an unmatched 15-year heat exchanger warranty"

It’s safe to say we’ve all experienced the inconvenience of having to wait for hot water to arrive at the faucet or shower. Fortunately, the all-new, award-winning NRCR Residential Condensing Tankless Water Heater Series, equipped with the latest technology Noritz has to offer, delivers hot water with virtually no wait time.

Featuring an integrated recirculation pump, the NRCR is designed to provide homeowners with reliable and instantaneous hot water for years to come. It does this by recirculating the water through the home’s plumbing system, so hot water is always available in whatever part of the house it’s needed.

The NRCR carries an ultra-high Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of 0.97, while offering superior durability and better efficiency with redesigned and reformulated dual, stainless-steel heat exchangers. The corrosion and heat-shock resistance of this high-grade material permits an industry-leading, 15-year warranty. Available with inputs of 165,000 Btu per hour and 199,900 Btu/h, the new NRCR series delivers a premium solution to meet the growing demand for hot-water recirculation.

Green Builder magazine has awarded the NRCR its Green Innovations of the Year Award for 2020. The NRCR aims to reduce resource waste and minimizes the waste of unused potable water down the drain. It further protects the environment by heating water strictly on-demand, saving energy by eliminating the need to constantly reheat a full storage tank, as with a conventional water heater. Moreover, the material composition of the NRCR Condensing Tankless Water Heater contributes to its superior sustainability and makes it the smarter choice in terms of product longevity.Some homes have a pre-built loop that is ready to take advantage of a recirculation pump working in conjunction with the water heater. If a home lacks a dedicated return line, and homeowners want to avoid the cost of adding one, a crossover valve can be installed.

Our CSV-BPK Crossover Valve Kit is a simple-to-install component that effectively provides hot-water recirculation without the need for a conventional, dedicated return line from the farthest fixture to the water heater.

The Learning Mode on the NRCR quickly learns household water usage habits based on daily use. Once it does, it automatically triggers the recirculation loop in line with that expected usage. The correct water temperature is quickly delivered when and where it’s needed the most.

Scheduling Mode

Scheduling Mode offers even more control, as you can set your schedule with a remote accessory and tailor the integrated pump’s operation to your lifestyle and scheduled needs. Water recirculates only when needed; for example, first thing in the morning or later in the evening when family members take their daily showers or baths.

On-Demand Mode

The most efficient mode, On-Demand operates at the push of a button. A rocker switch or “doorbell”-style button can be purchased and installed to prime the pump for use only when you want it, in compliance with California’s Title 24 Code. text="OTHER KEY FEATURES" Whole-home, hot-water service: The 199,900 Btu/h model (NRCR111-DV) meets all the hot-water needs of residences with up to 4.5-bathrooms; the 165,000 Btu/h model (NRCR92-DV) is designed for homes with up to 2.5-bathrooms.

Less-expensive and easier-to-install venting: Venting involves 2-inch or 3-inch PVC or CPVC pipe, instead of stainless steel: with vent runs up to 65 feet for 2-inch pipe; up to 150 feet for 3-inch. Also available: Common venting of multiple units with no need for a return valve.

Wi-Fi capability: Homeowner and contractor can monitor and control the NRCR remotely through a special app with on-off control, setpoint temperature adjustment, error-code checking, energy-consumption tracking, and scale-buildup detection.

Improved, low-BTU performance: The NRCR eliminates issues with high incoming water temperatures by reducing BTU output to less than 10,000 Btu, preventing water temperature fluctuations while keeping your tankless running smoothly and efficiently. Special programming allows the NRCR to maintain stable outlet water temperatures at input levels well below the listed burner minimum of 18,000 Btu/h. This unique, energy-saving feature — found in no other tankless water heater currently available — is ideal for recirculation applications, which so often involve warm water returning to the water heater for reheating. A special control mode directs the unit to bring that warm water back to the setpoint with minimal energy consumption.

Separate digital display enables easier monitoring of water heater operations by the homeowner, as well as easier troubleshooting for service tech personnel.

At Noritz we value the small business as equally as our larger partners. In fact, our installer network is primarily made up of many small businesses so we understand the importance of helping small businesses. We’ve done some research to help get you started and below are some links for us to recommend to our contractor base.

GOVERNMENT RELIEF LINKS : SMALL BUSINESS

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

This is the overall link explaining fund availability called the CARES Act.

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

This is the Paycheck Protection program which is designed to provide a direct incentive for small business

to keep workers on their payroll.  This loan program began on Friday, April 3^rd.

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance

This is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan which allows for up to $10,000.  This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-express-bridge-loans

This is the Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program.  This allows small businesses to access up to $25,000 instantly if they have a relationship with an SBA Express Lender

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-debt-relief

The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest and fees of current 7(a), 504 and microloans for a period of 6 months.

If you do find additional resources or links feel free to send them to us so we can help out our community. marketing (at) noritz.com

Best wishes from your friends at Noritz.

YOUR NEW TANKLESS WATER HEATER MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR $300 FEDERAL ENERGY TAX CREDIT

Non-Business Energy Property Tax Credits have been retroactively extended back to January 1, 2019, through all of 2020.

Good news! The Non-Business Energy Property Tax Credit has been extended through 2020 and made retroactive to cover 2019. The credit amount for Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heaters, including tankless units, is $300.

That means if you installed a qualifying tankless water heater last year, you could get the credit on the return you file in 2020 (for 2019). Of course, any qualifying tankless water heater installed this year would also qualify on taxes due in April 2021.

Here is how it works:

Residential equipment and materials that meet specific standards set by the Department of Energy can qualify for the Equipment Tax Credits for Primary Residences. However, these credits apply only to existing homes and a principal residence. Newly constructed homes or rentals are not eligible.

For this credit, the IRS distinguishes between

Qualified Energy Efficiency Improvements and Residential Energy

Property Costs. “Water Heaters (non-solar)” are a part of Residential Energy Property Costs. All Energy Star-certified tankless water heaters meet the requirements for the Non-Business Energy Property Tax Credit.

According to Energy Star, water heaters account for 12% of the energy consumed in the home. Energy Star® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions.

Here’s what you need to know before you apply:

1. Does your tankless water heater have a Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of 0.82 or above?

UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) is the newest measure of overall water heater efficiency, according to the Energy Star website.

To qualify for the Residential Energy Property Costs Tax Credit your tankless water heater must have an energy factor (overall efficiency) of 0.82 or more. The UEF of your tankless water heater is an important consideration when you’re in the process of purchasing a residential tankless water heater, or hoping to apply for the tax credit.

Most Noritz residential tankless water heaters are Energy Star-certified, but be sure to check your model’s spec sheet or technical information to confirm whether it qualifies. You can also find your residential tankless water heater’s UEF on the Noritz products page by clicking on your model.

2. Do you have your Manufacturer Certificate?

To apply, you will need a written certificate that your tankless water heater qualifies for the tax credit. You can download the certificate as a PDF right from our Rebate Center page, which can help you find the best rebates available in your area on qualifying models.

As soon as the IRS announces an extension of the tax credit, manufacturer certificates are updated and made available on our website.
Not sure how to apply for the tax credit from the IRS? You will have to use Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits, on the IRS website. Read more about it here.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Have you ever turned on the faucet to take a relaxing hot shower, only to be hit by an unpleasant stream of cold water?

It’s safe to say we’ve all experienced the inconvenience of having to wait for hot water to arrive at the faucet or shower — most of us every morning. You’ve probably grown accustomed to waiting several seconds or even a minute or two, depending on the distance to your bathroom or kitchen from your water heater in your basement, garage or utility closet on the opposite side of the house. The longer that distance, the longer the wait, the bigger the annoyance.

So why does the water coming from your “hot”-water faucet or shower run cold at first before finally turning hot? When that outlet was last turned on, hot water flowed through the pipes, right?

But once the outlet was shut off, the remaining warm water in the pipes did not return to the water heater for reheating. Instead, it stayed in the pipes and eventually turned cold. When the outlet was next turned on, this resting cold water exited the pipes first, ahead of the incoming hot water from the water heater.

Not only is this inconvenient (and downright uncomfortable if you’re standing in the shower), but a typical American home annually wastes thousands of gallons of perfectly usable potable water down the drain, thanks to lengthy wait times at hot-water outlets in the bath and kitchen.

So what’s the solution? Is it possible to get truly “instantaneous” hot water? Yes, with a hot-water recirculation system that delivers hot water with virtually no wait time.

What Is a Hot-Water Recirculation System?

A hot-water recirculation system delivers hot water to a faucet, shower or appliance in seconds, eliminating the usual water-wasting wait. The system does so by recirculating the water that remained in the pipes and eventually turned cold, back to the water heater, through either the cold-water line or a dedicated return line.

One type of recirculation system — and the focus of this blog — is a closed-loop, pump-assisted, hot-water recirculation system.

A recirculation pump can operate 24/7. But the energy savings would be nonexistent if the external circulator were always on and continuously recirculating hot water.

The most efficient type of hot-water recirculation system is an on-demand type that operates on the push of a button.

The most efficient “traditional” recirculation method would use a combination of both a temperature sensor and a timer to activate the system.

• The temperature sensor monitors the hot-water line: Once the preset temperature is reached, the pump automatically shuts off.
• A timer-activated pump has a customizable timer that can be set to run only at preprogrammed times. This type of system works to recirculate hot water only when needed; for example, first thing in the morning or later in the evening when family members take their daily showers or baths.

Recirculation System with a Dedicated Loop

Some recirculation pumps can serve as a separate, add-on component that uses a dedicated pipe loop for hot-water recirculation.

Here’s how a recirculation pump with a dedicated return line works:

1. The pump is mounted on a pipe connected to the water heater to help create a fresh, hot-water circuit.
2. Hot water flows from the water heater and passes near each hot-water outlet.
3. The system has a cold water line, hot water line, and a third, dedicated recirculation return line that originates at the fixture that is farthest from the water heater. When the hot-water outlet isn’t open, the pump will turn on to circulate the water and allow for the water in the lines to return to the water heater. Whenever the water heater detects that the returning water is cold, it turns back on to reheat the water to the set point temperature. The result is a continuous loop of hot water.
4. If the recirculation pump system is activated with a sensor or a timer, the pump kicks on to match your hot-water usage needs and, again, shuts off once the preset temperature in the return line is reached.

Recirculation System with an Integrated Pump

Some hot-water recirculation pumps are built into the water heater itself. An integrated recirculation pump is ideal if your home lacks a dedicated return line, and you want to avoid the cost of adding one.

Another option is to purchase a “crossover kit” that is sold with the water heater and acts as a substitute for a return line.

Instead of wasting energy by having hot water flow through the system continuously, some water heaters have an integral display on the front of the unit that allows homeowners to program the recirculation system to operate at specified times.

In conclusion...

Whether you choose to install an external recirculation pump or go with a fully integrated system, the benefits for both are clear. A hot-water recirculation pump eliminates the need to wait for hot water by recirculating the water through your plumbing system, keeping hot water flowing and ready for the moment someone turns on the faucet or shower.

Hot-water recirculation dramatically reduces water waste. With time and temperature sensors, hot-water recirculation pumps can control when the recirculation kicks on, ensuring that energy is not constantly being wasted.

"SELLING TANKLESS IS A “NO-BRAINER” "

California contractor Mike Jungers explains how the EZ Series’ new 25-year warranty has been an important “game-changer” for his business.

Mike Jungers, owner of Complete Plumbing, Heating and Air, has been in business in Southern California’s Orange County for more than 30 years. Committed to meeting the needs of their customers, the team at Complete Plumbing has embraced new technology as a way to always deliver on that commitment.

In the following interview, Jungers explains why partnering with Noritz to offer its line of residential tankless water heaters has been a major value to his company and, more importantly, to his customers.

Q: How long has your company offered tankless technology?

Mike Jungers: We have been installing tankless water heaters since the inception of the technology in the United States. A lot of plumbers were very skeptical when tankless heaters were introduced, because of the perceived intricacies with wiring and installation. But because our offering includes heating, air conditioning and water filtration, for us, it was an easy next step.

We are technically savvy and already had the knowledge and tools to install and maintain tankless heaters. There are a lot of benefits to this technology, and the learning curve isn’t as high as people think.

Q: How do you sell the benefits of tankless technology to customers?

Jungers: When I come to a customer’s home, the first thing I consider is their wants and needs. If they had a water heater that leaked, I’ll ask if they’ve considered another option, rather than just putting in another tank. Have you considered tankless? We make the offer, “Would you like this to be the last water heater you ever buy?”.

Tankless heaters with a 25-year warranty provide peace of mind to a homeowner. I have so much confidence in this technology and the company standing behind it, I tell homeowners: “Any problems, you don’t pay a dime.” This 25-year warranty is a game-changer, and I put a 25-year labor warranty on it too just to make the decision easier.

I also sell the benefits of this technology. Complete does a lot of kitchen and bath remodels, and we see a lot of beautiful tub and shower installs. I tell clients that a tankless unit is the only option to enjoy a hot bath and shower in that space. I explain that the unit has a temperature setting, so they can set their preference.

I then talk about space considerations. A tankless unit can be installed almost anywhere and takes up significantly less space than the large tank-type heaters. We’ve put them in attics, under crawlspaces in homes — it can go virtually anywhere, including outside, which is nice.

The last selling point is service, and it is huge. We can be proactive with a tankless water heater, so that keeps the life cycle cost down. Nine times out of 10 when we have a leak — and I’m talking a drip — with a tankless water heater, it is due to the hard water we have in Southern California. Routinely, we install a drain pan under the heater so there is no damage.

Also, when we do a maintenance check on a tankless unit, which every contractor should do every 1 to 2 years depending on water quality in the area, I always remove the ports and look at the tube bundles. If I see signs of green or corrosion, I alert the homeowner by showing them the problem.

You can’t see inside a tank heater to determine the level of corrosion. Replacing these parts is covered under the warranty, so our customer isn’t paying out of pocket to keep the unit operating at peak efficiency.

Q: How did you make the decision to partner with Noritz for your tankless offering?

Jungers: One of the issues that I have always seen is that, with tankless water heaters, all the piping configurations come in at the bottom. What I like about Noritz, with the new EZ Series, installation is very easy, since all the plumbing and wiring connections go through the top. Noritz also makes venting really easy.

Now, with the 25-year warranty announced in January, picking Noritz is a no-brainer. I tell my customers: this is the product I have in my house. Make sure it is installed properly and is regularly maintained — and then forget it.

Q: How do you think tankless water heaters benefit your company?

Jungers: One of the things that attracted me to Noritz is they are very contractor-friendly. They cater to the contractor, as long as they install the units properly. They also honor their warranties. The hard water in California can scale up the water heater, and Noritz is really good in standing behind the product. It is also the easiest tankless unit to install, so every plumber on my crew is comfortable with this technology.

Q: How do you bring in the green aspect of the technology?

Jungers: The green aspects of the product that we highlight are: the low emissions into the atmosphere, the gas savings that come with heating only the hot water you’re using, and the water savings that come when you’re not waiting for hot water to arrive at the outlet. In California, this is a big deal, and customers like hearing it.

Q: What are the pain points with tankless and how do you eliminate them?

Jungers: There is a misconception about the difficulty of tankless. Plumbers, for the most part, are like “Pull out the old one, put in the same new one” without thinking about it. Tankless is different: You have to think about it — most especially where you are going to put it, proper sizing and venting. It isn’t hard; it is just different.

Q: Does the new EZ Series change the game for tankless water heaters?

Jungers:  The EZ was developed to make things easier for our customers and hopefully bring down the installed cost of this technology. With the new EZ Series, not only is it a 25-year warranty, but it is easy to install because all the connections are through the top. Noritz has made it really easy to vent too; there are options to cover all the conditions.

Q: Do you really tell homeowners that tankless is the last water heater they will ever buy?

Jungers: My contractor buddies think I’m crazy to do this, but my question back to them is: Why wouldn’t I? I want that customer for life too. We do more than just plumbing for a customer; we want to be their source for heating, air, water filtration, full-service plumbing. If I can solve a leaky water heater with a product that solves their problem and provides peace of mind for 25 years, I stand a better chance that they will keep them using us.

With the cost of marketing these days, it is a no-brainer.

HOW TO GET FULL VISIBILITY OVER COMMERCIAL
TANKLESS WATER HEATER SYSTEMS

INTRODUCING THE NEW NORITZ NWCC WI-FI ADAPTER

If the facilities you own or manage use tankless water heater systems, you most likely battle to find the best way to monitor and control the hot water needs of each site. Never mind troubleshooting the error codes of each individual heater, while minimizing, if not preventing, overall tankless water heater system downtime.

For a solution look no further: The new Noritz NWCC Wi-Fi adapter offers an organized, web-based dashboard and alert system that provides full visibility and control over your commercial tankless water heater systems.

How it works:

The NWCC Wi-Fi adapter can be used on a single commercial tankless water heater as well as multiple-unit tankless rack systems where the adapter connects to the rack’s system controller. One adapter can monitor up to 24 units in a single system.

Monitoring your tankless water heater sites has never been easier. Using your laptop, tablet or phone you can now stay up to date and informed on everything you need to know, remotely and in real-time. Should a problem occur, the NWCC adapter immediately transmits, via the web, all the relevant actionable error information to your laptop or smart device, enabling you to take immediate action to solve the problem and prevent further issues.

While most monitoring is done via a dashboard, with notifications sent via text or email, a dedicated mobile app is also available for download on smartphones and tablets. The Wi-Fi adapter is compatible with both iOS (Apple) and Android. 

Let’s take a look at some of the features and benefits of the NWCC Wi-Fi adapter:

Complete visibility

Although the NWCC adapter provides many benefits, perhaps the most important is that you can continuously track the operational status of multiple tankless water heaters. The adapter keeps you current with multi-site monitoring and site-specific notifications, so that you can quickly and accurately identify which location’s system needs attention and when.

Operational problems left unchecked can turn into added operational costs and are therefore critical to track. The adapter also ensures that your system functions properly and efficiently.

Reduced downtime

The NWCC Wi-Fi adapter notifies you when a heater needs your attention by offering early service alerts that trigger timely reminders via email or text, allowing you to proactively anticipate maintenance needs. Maintaining your tankless water heater system can help you reduce downtime related to repair issues.

Focused troubleshooting

Physically checking each individual tankless water heater in multiple systems — including those that don’t need servicing or aren’t actually causing the problem — can be unnecessarily time-consuming and tedious. The NWCC adapter pinpoints the problem and transmits all error data, so you can focus on the true complication.

Customized, logic-based alarms

The NWCC Wi-Fi adapter allows you to customize your dashboards and alarm systems to speed comprehension and decision-making. You can set up alerts and notifications to be sent to designated individuals, allowing you to decide who receives what information.

The best thing you can do for your commercial tankless water heater systems is to invest in a tool that identifies issues that prevent them from performing as intended. The NWCC Wi-Fi adapter does just that.  By understanding where problems originate, you can take proactive measures to direct your attention to the problem and ensure that your systems are in its optimal working condition.

As a manager, technician or mechanical contractor, it's important for you to capitalize on the latest trends and newest technologies. The NWCC Wi-Fi adapter will keep your systems running efficiently with minimal downtime.

For more information about the NWCC Wi-Fi Adapter visit: https://www.noritz.com/commercialwifi/

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE ARRIVAL
OF YOUR COMMERCIAL RACK SYSTEM

A checklist to follow for mechanical contractors and commercial facility owner-managers

on multi-unit tankless water heater systems.

Tankless water heaters in combination become a potent, problem-solving solution in larger commercial installations. Floor- and wall-mounted multi-unit rack setups — anywhere from two to six tankless heaters — provide flexibility and efficiency in both installation and operation.

Offered by Noritz America, these systems have provided solutions to complex commercial applications, both new and retrofit. A significant labor savings and time savings make the appeal of these multi-unit systems easy to understand.

To help ensure that the installation of these pre-engineered, prefabricated and pre-plumbed packages, delivered on an aluminum frame rack, is problem-free, we have prepared the following checklist that answers the most frequently asked customer questions and concerns — from initial order to operation.

• How do commercial racks save cost and installation labor? There are two rack configurations: wall-mounted and floor-mounted. Each Aluminum frame rack arrives on the job site as a single integrated package, pre-fabricated, pre-plumbed and with the heaters pre-mounted and prewired with a multi-unit system controller. What would typically require a two-person crew several days to build and plumb before moving to the job site can now be put in place, plumbed and vented by one person.
• How many water heaters will I need for my project? The number of heaters varies by system design and rack configuration. A wall-mounted rack can hold up to three tankless water heaters; floor-mounted racks, from two to six. This rack flexibility is designed to ease installation, even in tight settings. In addition, the ability to combine multiple units offers peace of mind through redundancy: if one unit requires shutdown or removal for servicing, the others will continue to meet demand.
• Which model should I purchase? Model No. NCC199CDV is the only heater offered in rack configurations. Thanks to its versatility, it is the only one you will need.
• Where can I find plumbing diagrams for commercial applications? PDF and Cad drawing files can be downloaded at https://www.noritz.com/plumbingdiagrams/

• Shipping: Lead times, from order to job-site delivery, average two to four weeks. When the order is completely fabricated, the unit is shipped in engineered crates to protect the contents.

• Upon delivery, check the unit for damage to the rack or the heaters. If damage is evident, refuse the delivery. Take pictures of the damage and report the problem to the local Noritz distributor or sales representative.
• A loading dock or an appropriate forklift is needed to remove the shipping container from the transport vehicle. For example, a six-unit rack is nearly seven feet long, so a conventional forklift will not be sufficient to move the shipment.

• Electrical: While the requirements are minimal, it is worth remembering that each tankless heater in the rack requires a 120-volt connection. Each connection should be either hard-wired directly to an electrical circuit breaker panel or wired with an appropriate 3 prong power cord then plugged into an electrical outlet box installed on the aluminum frame. Both the power cord and electrical outlets are field supplied.
• Space: Tankless typically involves a significantly smaller foot print than a comparable storage tank or boiler package. Still, be sure you have sufficient space for the rack as well as the required piping, venting, and side and front clearance required by code. For wall-mounted rack set-ups, don’t forget to make sure the wall can handle the weight.
• Plumbing: Consider the pipe-size requirements of the heater setup. The flow capacity of two racks piped in series can surpass the flow of the pre-plumbed pipes. Parallel plumbing with a secondary manifold mitigates pressure loss and pipe erosion due to high velocity flow.
• Venting: Again, the NCC199CDV tankless heater offers plenty of versatility for nearly every application. It can be installed indoors or outside. Obviously, with an outdoor installation, venting is not a consideration; however, a rain cap is required to cover the intake and exhaust flues; where the vent pipes normally would connect.

Indoors, there are three venting configurations:

• Direct vent:  Here is a two pipe system. One is for combustion air drawn from outdoors and the other is for exhaust.
• Single vent: This case is a single pipe system. An exhaust vent pipe is installed for each heater; the combustion air is drawn from indoors. In this configuration use the Noritz single vent conversion kit  (part # SV-CK-2)
• Common venting: A shared 4-, 6- or 8-inch pipe vents up to six heaters. With common venting, remember to install a non-return valve (part # CDVNRVK ) to prevent backflow of exhaust gases from one tankless water heater to another. This valve is available from a local Noritz distributor. Omission of this key step will cause combustion abnormality and trigger operational error codes.

3 types of venting material can be used: polypropylene, PVC, and CPVC. With PVC or CPVC, a Noritz supplied adaptor (part # PP4xPVC-ADAPT) is needed to connect the PVC common vent header to the non-return valve of each tankless water heater.

One final item for your venting checklist: the dip switch settings. Depending on the vent configuration, there are corresponding dip switches located on the circuit board that need to be set. Failure to set these switches can result in error codes or operational issues.

To learn more about tankless water heater rack configurations, contact/visit https://www.noritz.com/racksystem/.