NORITZ BLOG

The Promenade at Creekside installed the NRCB to provide residents with both water and space heating simultaneously without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

The NRCB is the first combination boiler that provides simultaneous water and space heating for residential applications. Performing at a 95% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), it is the optimal solution for creating a home that maximizes energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Zack Peterson, an environmental consultant for JP&K Construction Management Inc. (San Diego), describes the NRCB as the ideal solution for the 108-unit Promenade at Creekside Apartment Complex in San Marcos, CA. He recently sat down with Noritz to explain what led his company to select this product.

Question (Q): Is this your first installation with Noritz? What can you tell us about the project?

Zack Peterson: This will be our first experience with Noritz. We are currently in the second phase of a 12-building project. At this phase, we have 43 units for low-income housing in San Marcos.

Q: Can you tell us why you chose to go with Noritz Combi Technology?

Peterson: We decided to go with Combi Technology instead of an air handler due to Title 24, Part Six, regulations in California. These are very stringent environmental compliance regulations, requiring us to curb building energy use to minimize it below a certain threshold. A combi boiler would be a no-brainer since it easily achieves this regulation.

Q: Why did your company choose to go with Noritz over other tankless systems?

Peterson: It is a smarter system. We had other tankless water heater system companies utilized in the first phase of our project, but they did not work out very well.  The other issue we had with tankless water heaters in the past is that they cannot run hot air and hot water at the same time. With Noritz, we finally found a system that can perform both functions.

It provides a nice balance and the system communicates with us. If there is ever an issue with the system, it will tell us the problem, which makes this kind of diagnosis easier for us to identify and then fix for the occupant.

To view the full interview with Zack Peterson on how the NRCB allowed for a problem-free installation, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fggMxehZKvY&feature=youtu.be

You can learn more about the NRCB and its features by visiting: https://www.noritz.com/product/nrcb180/

If you are interested in a closer look at the new NRCB, as well as other Noritz tankless water heating products, visit our booth (#C6158) at the AHR Expo in Atlanta on January 14-16.

Senior Care Center Goes Tankless for Long-term Green Strategy

The Silverleaf eldercare center in Austin, Texas, chose to install a Noritz tankless water heater to ensure a continuous, cost-efficient, hot-water supply for its residents.

Builder and developer Jason Brenizer’s vision was to create an assisted living option that would provide exceptional care without sacrificing the normalcy of day-to-day life.

Today, that vision has become a reality at the Silverleaf Eldercare Assisted Living Center in Austin, TX. Unlike traditional assisted living centers that are often large commercial buildings located far from major centers of population, Silverleaf is a converted, centrally located residential home within a short drive of metropolitan Austin.

“We wanted our residents to literally feel ‘at home’ by being in a location where friends and relatives could conveniently visit on a daily basis,” says Brenizer.

The development team located the existing home in a location in need of assisted-living care and began the remodel.

Going green and tankless

Chief among the remodelling priorities was ensuring that efficient, green products would make the home environmentally sustainable, while also effectively meeting the residents’ needs. Such products include LED, “circadian rhythm” lighting, installed throughout the home. The LED lighting serves two main purposes, says Brenizer:

“LED is more energy-efficient than incandescent or fluorescent lights, of course, but it also mimics the sunlight, which helps maintain the circadian rhythms of the elderly occupants, who are indoors for most of the day.”

Equally important as having effective lighting was ensuring that all 12 occupants have ready access to hot water for hygiene and other needs. The 3,500-square-foot home has two full bathrooms with showers, three half-baths, a large gourmet kitchen and two washers that operate most of the day. “Given the high potential for simultaneous, hot-water demand, we needed to guarantee we were covered,” says Brenizer.

He knew from the start that a conventional tank-style water heater or boiler would not meet his goals for the center. Storage-tank technology is ”very inefficient because it heats water even when it’s not needed. When it runs out of hot water, the residents are out of luck.”

Past travels to Europe and Asia had exposed Brenizer to tankless water heating technology, which heats water on demand — that is, only when needed — saving energy and meeting residents’ needs in the process. “I knew I wanted tankless from the get-go,” recalls Brenizer. “We spoke with several industry contractors, and they overwhelmingly recommended Noritz for its ease-of-installation and durability. I got the impression that Noritz builds quality.”

Reliability for the long-term

Brenizer and his team settled on installing the NRCP1112 unit, which was donated by Noritz. The entire job installation project, which took place in the home’s attic, spanned roughly five hours with no complications.

“The compact nature of the product meant we could install it out of sight,” explains Brenizer. “We would have never been able to put a storage tank in the attic, and would’ve had to use up space on the main level.”

Installing the Noritz unit has also made it easier for Silverleaf to pass mandatory, random, building inspections. “The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has a life safety code, which includes scalding prevention, that we have to meet, ” explains Brenizer. “Unlike with a storage tank water heater, the temperature on a tankless unit can be adjusted more quickly and precisely to keep it within the permissible temperature limit.”

Finally, on-demand hot water is saving the center energy while providing for all bathing, cooking and washing needs. “As a business, the lower cost of operation helps our bottom line; as a home for the elderly, the consistent hot-water supply ensures our residents will never be left in the cold,” says Brenizer.

Silverleaf Eldercare Center opened its doors during the summer of 2018 and recently moved in its first resident. “We look forward to welcoming more residents and are confident that products like the water heater from Noritz will make their stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible,” says Brenizer. He plans to continue using Noritz as he builds to his goal of 10 elderly care centers in metro Austin and other parts of Texas.

For more information on Noritz products, please visit www.noritz.com

Tankless water heaters are a long-term investment in continuous hot water and energy savings. To get the most out of them, you and your plumber need to keep certain factors in mind from the outset.

If you’ve always used a storage tank water heater, switching to tankless technology demands careful review of several critical factors. Here are six items to consider when making the switch and consulting with your contractor:

Size your tankless right

Your plumber will need to determine how to size your unit. The type of tankless water heater chosen for any given application will depend on 1) incoming water temperatures throughout the year, and 2) the water-use patterns of the home’s occupants.

In short, the water heater will need to be able to handle the coldest possible incoming ground water temperature in your area, so your plumber will calculate that and subtract it from the desired temperature to determine the maximum temperature rise, or “Delta T,” over a 12-month period.

He or she will then need to calculate the maximum flow rates of all the hot-water water fixtures in your home and add them together. Your new tankless unit should be able to meet the demands of every fixture in your home, even if they were to run at their maximum flows all at once.

With that information in hand, your plumber can figure out which tankless model is right for your home.

Check the gas supply

Typically, for a given application, tankless water heaters use more gas than their storage-tank counterparts to meet the sudden demand for hot water without storage. Your plumber must confirm that your home has sufficient gas pressure to allow the unit to meet all your gas needs.

Next, he or she should determine whether the gas line is adequately sized to supply enough gas to the water heater. A typical tankless water heater will need a ¾-inch gas line. However, if there is sufficient pressure and the run length is short enough, a ½-inch line may be sufficient with certain tankless water heaters, such as the Noritz EZ Series. Just be sure your plumber accounts for all the appliances on the gas line, not just the water heater. Installers should verify gas requirements and sizing with local licensing rules and codes.

Meet air requirements

Like any water heater, a tankless unit needs enough incoming air for the combustion process to operate properly and efficiently, thus maximizing energy savings. Many units are vented directly, drawing air for combustion from the outdoors. Others, depending on climate, can be installed outside. Check with your plumber to determine the best solution for your application.

Don’t go too hot

Once the unit is installed, the hot-water setpoint temperature should be only slightly above the highest temperature needed for domestic uses. Typically, shower temperatures are the highest, at 104°F to 106°F. You don’t really need to go warmer, and doing so could increase the risk of accidental scalding.

If you’re worried about germs, don’t. Unlike storage tank-type water heaters, which can be susceptible to Legionella bacteria growth (Legionnaires' disease), tankless water heaters store no hot water where bacteria can form. In fact, tankless water heaters continuously flush any internal water with every use.

Plan to maintain water quality

Water quality is an important consideration for all water equipment, and water heaters will often be impacted the most. Of particular note is water hardness, a measure of the minerals (magnesium and calcium) it contains. When heated, these minerals tend to precipitate out of the water and form crystals, called limescale, which can coat pipes.

The limescale acts as an insulator, reducing heat-transfer efficiency (the fraction of heat energy that moves from the burner to the water). Limescale can also increase thermal stress, which can ultimately shorten the lifespan of the water heater.

Limescale can be removed on a regular basis through a process called descaling, in which you flush vinegar through the water heater’s heat exchanger coils to remove the buildup. Ultimately, it’s important to know the local water quality and take steps to either treat household water or establish a maintenance plan.

Deal with condensation

If you’re installing a high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heater, a by-product of its combustion process is an acidic condensate that must be handled appropriately before the water moves to the home drainage system. Check local building codes for safe disposal procedures: A neutralizer may be required to protect the plumbing inside the home.

Focusing on these six factors while planning your tankless installation will help you enjoy efficient, on-demand hot water for years to come.

For more information, please visit www.noritz.com.

Chimney plugs and combination tankless water heaters are just some of your options for keeping your home warm this winter

If you live in the northern half of the country, it’s time again to start thinking about heating your home. The dog days of summer are gone, and winter draws ever closer. Here are five ways to help keep you warm and toasty this season.

Add Insulation

Older homes tend to have less insulation in their walls, roofs, attics, and lofts and are therefore less energy-efficient because the warm indoor air will escape through thinly or non-insulated areas. Consider having an energy audit done to determine parts of your home that lack insulation.

Learn how to use the Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

An audit will help identify weak spots, define the type of insulation you have, as well as its R-value, or thermal resistance. Learn more about insulation from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Caulk windows and doors

Heat can also escape through gaps and cracks in your windows and doors. Based on some estimates, a home can lose up to 30 percent of its heat energy this way. Seal these gaps using a caulking gun and weather-resistant, interior caulk.

There may also be gaps around your dryer vent and plumbing pipes, which you can fill with an expandable caulking foam. Read more about caulking your windows and doors.

Inspect your boiler or furnace

Naturally, you need to make sure your main heat source is fully functional during the winter, whether you use forced air or hydronic. This also includes making sure your water heater doesn’t freeze or malfunction. If it’s been a while, you may consider calling in a contractor to inspect everything before there’s a problem.

If you use Hydronics, consider installing the latest combination boiler and tankless water heater from Noritz. The NRCB allows for simultaneous residential domestic hot water and space heating—a first in the industry— and performs at a 95% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). You’ll be able to enjoy the continuous hot water and a cozy indoor space at the same time with the same space- and energy-saving appliance.

Learn more about the NRCB from Noritz

Check your chimney

Up to 20 percent of warm air can be lost through your chimney flue, according to This Old House. Hire a chimney sweeper to clean things up and inspect the damper. You can even seal the flue with inflatable chimney plugs available on the market.

Let the sunshine in

Take advantage of the sun’s natural warmth, even on the most frigid days, by keeping the curtains open. It’s even better if you have east- or west-facing windows since they will capture the sunrise and sunset, respectively. Using reflective paint colors and installing mirrors in poorly lit areas can also help maximize the amount of light your home gathers from outside.

Learn other interesting tips on using natural lighting in your home

Putting some of these tips into practice will cut down on those indoor shivers and keep your family comfortable when Old Man Winter comes back to town.

Noritz Blog 2 | September 2018

The company received awards for two products that created efficiency and innovation in the industry.

Noritz strives to create water-heating solutions that are effective, efficient and easy to install for plumbing and HVAC contractors and building owner-managers. This year, our company had the distinct honor of receiving two awards for products that excelled in their innovation, design, and functionality.

• The NRCB Residential Combination Boiler was recognized by The Architect’s Newspaper as a winner in the publication’s annual “Best of Product” awards competition.

• The NCC199CDV Condensing Tankless Water Heater was given the Bronze Award in the Plumbing and Water Management sectors in Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s “Product of the Year” competition.

NCC199CDV: Simplicity and efficiency

As a 2018 Product of the Year winner, the NCC199CDV was recognized for its innovation in heat safety and ventilation. Installers can common-vent up to six units, reducing the number of through-the-wall vent terminations and the necessary supports to install them. This capability allows for long vent runs and a cleaner aesthetic than individually vented systems.

With an industry-high thermal efficiency unit of 98%, the NCC199CDV is ENERGY STAR® certified. The unit has a maximum output of 199,900 BTUs per hour and includes two austenite stainless heat exchangers that resist corrosion, maximizing its lifespan and durability. Up to 24 of these heaters can be linked together, offering the most control options in its category.

NRCB:

With a performance that meets “Energy Star Most Efficient” standards, the 95%-efficient NRCB Residential Combination Boiler allows simultaneous residential domestic hot water and space heating, an industry first.

Unlike traditional combination boiler systems, the NCRB’s simultaneous capabilities are easy to control and help applications that cannot store or deliver heat energy effectively.

The unit also uses 316L austenite stainless steel heat exchangers, which enhance its durability and lifespan. For space heating, the unit has a temperature range of 80°F to 140°F; for domestic hot water and a range of 90°F to 140°F.

The NCRB provides nearly twice as much flow as other competitors, ranging from 9.8 to 11.1 gallons per minute. The flow valve – not offered on competitor models – will ensure a consistent temperature for domestic hot water, regardless of incoming water temperature.

The product also offers various user and installer-friendly features:
• It is compatible with recirculation loops without the need for additional accessories.
• The mounting bracket aligns with the unit’s top, allowing for easy positioning on walls.
• On top of its compatibility with the Noritz Connect Wi-Fi application, it weighs less than 100 pounds, making it lighter than traditional boilers and saving close to 80% in space during installation.

For more information on the NRCB and the NCC199CDV, visit our website at www.noritz.com.

California contractor has tankless as his go-to wherever possible

Edward Asuncion has been a certified plumber since 1991 and has owned his own business, Bonafide Plumbing, in Alameda, California, since 2007. Although not always a proponent of tankless water heating technology, the past few years have seen a shift in his thinking.   
“Until five years ago, I was hesitant to install the technology, because I was worried about having to upsize the gas line,” he recalls. “I eventually discovered that, in many cases, a Noritz unit allows me to keep the same gas line.”
Since then, Edward has never looked back, now installing, on average, one tankless unit per month.
He works in a unique part of the country. Alameda has a dense concentration of single-family Victorian homes, which makes for interesting history and architecture, but difficult plumbing.
“Not only do I have to convert the plumbing pipe from galvanized steel to copper when installing a new water heater, but the old heater is often positioned in the middle of a room,” he explains. “So, to save space, we try to relocate the new water heater to the wall.”
Moving the heater is much easier with Noritz units than a storage tank — or even other tankless models that are heavier, according to Edward. Because of their compact, lightweight design, they are easily wall-mounted and offer more than enough space for maneuvering around and routine dusting.
Tankless Case-In Point
Edward recently finished installing an NRC711 in a Victorian home for a family of four. The previous, 50-gallon storage tank water heater had pilot light issues and wasn’t providing the necessary hot water.
Edward gave the homeowners an option between tank and non-tank. “I emphasized the space savings for this family. The unit could be installed outdoors, giving them extra room inside.”
He also discussed the ability to enjoy unlimited hot water, thanks to the unit’s powerful burner that quickly heats incoming water. “I told them they can run hot water all night if they want, as long as they pay the bill,” he laughs.
Finally, he mentioned the potential energy savings. “Since the unit heats water only on demand, it doesn’t need to constantly turn on and off, burning energy when no one is home,” he explains. Depending on the type of unit being replaced, a Noritz can save up to 40 percent in energy costs.
The 41-pound unit was easy to move and wall-mount, so the installation went smoothly. As with many other older homes in Alameda, much of the plumbing had to be upgraded, but the compact nature of the NRC711 streamlined the job.
Edward says he will continue installing Noritz units, especially since he’s never had a single call-back. “I’ve installed several units over the past few years without any complaints or malfunctions,” he says. “That’s reason enough to stick with this reliable technology.”
Edward can be reached at 510-917-0119 or ed@bonafideplumbing.com.
For more information about the NRC711 and other units, please visit https://www.noritz.com/.

The NCC199CDV condensing tankless water heater is a finalist in the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2018 Product of the Year contest.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer has announced Noritz’s newest commercial unit—the NCC199CDV—as a 2018 Product of the Year Finalist. The annual contest recognizes the most innovative products in the HVAC, fire/life safety, electrical, and plumbing systems engineering markets.

The NCC199CDV condensing tankless water heater offers specifiers and building engineers the ability to common vent up to six units in commercial applications, which offers the following installation benefits:

• Reduced vent terminations that save the time otherwise spent making additional wall or roof penetrations.
• Fewer necessary supports that eliminate extra material costs and the labor necessary to install them.
• Longer vent runs for added installation flexibility. The maximum run for common venting up to four units with 8-inch diameter pipe is 200 feet.
• A cleaner aesthetic than an individually-vented system, with all the extra supports and penetrations that entails.

In addition to the common venting capability, the unit comes with a thermal efficiency rating of 98 percent, which is the industry’s highest and makes it EPA ENERGY STAR^® certified.*
Up to 24 NCC199CDV units can be linked together, using the optional Multi-Unit System Controller, which offers the most control options on the market, including application functions for recirculation loops and supplemental storage tanks. BTU input can range from 18,000 to 4.8 million (for a 24-unit multi-system), yielding up to a 266:1 turndown ratio. An optional Quick-Connect cable is available for connecting two units.
Voting in the CSE Product of the Year Contest is open to qualified subscribers of the Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine, e-newsletter or whitepapers.
Vote for the NCC199CDV by clicking here.

*ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR mark are registered trademarks owned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Inspecting and maintaining your plumbing components (exposed pipes, toilets, sump pumps, and even tankless water heaters) is crucial to your peace of mind after the long winter.

Step outside and enjoy: The weather is warmer, the sunlight is brighter, and the sounds of birds and insects begin to fill the air. Spring is here and with it the promise of outdoor strolls, family picnics and late-night talks on the porch with friends.

With the snows a distant memory, revealing the grass and sprouting plants, it’s also a critical time to check your indoor and outdoor plumbing for winter damage. This is especially true after the long, frigid and snowy season much of the country experienced.

Here’s a short checklist:

Check outdoor pipes: Start outside and work your way back inside. Debris can collect over the autumn and winter and clog outdoor drain pipes. Make sure to clean them out completely. Also be sure to clear your roof and gutters of debris so those spring rains can easily drain.

Check for pipe cracks: This goes for both outdoor and indoor piping. The winter cold can cause water to freeze and expand inside your pipes, in turn causing them to crack and leak. Identify and fix these cracks as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. Another way to check for cracks indirectly is by turning on your faucets and making sure the water flow seems normal. If the pressure seems low, there might be a leak somewhere in the system, in which case it’s time to call a plumber.

Check your water heater: Whether you have a tank or tankless unit, spring is a good time to perform an annual inspection and flush out your water heater. Certain units, such as Noritz condensing tankless water heaters, have built-in freeze protection technology, but it’s still advised to open the cover and check for any cracks or leaks.

It’s also important to descale your water heater — especially if you live in a hard water area — to eliminate scale buildup that can decrease operating efficiency. Although it’s possible for savvy homeowners to descale a water heater themselves, a plumbing contractor should be brought in if you have any hesitation.

Check your sump pump: This is one of the most important parts of your plumbing system to check during the spring season, especially once those April showers roll in. Check the drain that runs outside for any debris. Then make certain that the pump hasn’t tilted or the float valve moved out of place. Finally, be sure to inspect the electrical components for damage.

Check your toilet for leaks: There’s an age-old test to see if your toilet has a leak. Drop a food dye tablet into your toilet tank. After 15 minutes, check the toilet bowl for any colored water. If you see the dyed water creeping in, you have a leak and need to call a plumber.

Completing this five-point checklist will let you enjoy the upcoming warm season without having plumbing problems on your mind.

The NCC300 condensing tankless water heater is Noritz’s largest offering of its type, with a maximum BTUH input of 300,000.

Noritz has just launched the juggernaut of condensing tankless water heaters. The new NCC300 is designed for the largest commercial applications, with a BTUH input range of up to 300,000. Despite its vast performance capability, it still leaves a smaller footprint than other options.

[Note: Currently, the NCC300 is only available in California, Minnesota, and Florida]

Most Efficient Performance

The NCC300 is one of the most powerful tankless water heaters in the industry with a 97 percent thermal efficiency, a whopping 20:1 turndown ratio and an ultra-low NOx emissions rating. Its efficient performance makes it EPA ENERGY STAR^® and AHRI certified. Commercial contractors and building owners can, therefore, qualify for generous gas rebates when choosing this unit for their applications.

Multi-System Space Savings

In multi-system commercial installations, the NCC300 saves up to 33 percent in space with its compact size and design, promoting simple installation for contractors and the ability to reclaim otherwise lost space.

Flexible Installation

The NCC300 can replace the non-condensing NCC380 models from Noritz within the same multi-system, including 5-inch stainless steel venting with a PVC-to-SS vent adaptor. It also has the ability to be outdoor wall-mounted. Whether installed outdoors or directly vented inside, the NCC300 can be joined to a multi-system of up to 24 units. It adapts to whatever the hot-water demand of the application is.

WiFi Enabled

Facility owners and managers can also control their NCC300 wirelessly with the Noritz Connect App for iTunes (available soon on Android devices).

As you can see, the robust performance of the NCC300 handles the toughest commercial applications without wasting energy or taking up much space. It comes with a five-year warranty on the stainless steel heat exchanger, a five-year warranty on parts and a one-year warranty on reasonable labor.

To learn more about our largest condensing unit, please visit www.noritz.com.

The NCC199CDV tankless was named a “Gold Winner” in a leading education publisher’s award competition

A Noritz tankless heater has been recognized for its exceptional ability to positively impact the learning environment in schools and colleges.

School Planning & Management and College Planning & Management magazines have named Noritz a 2017 New Product of the Year Award winner for its NCC199CDV condensing tankless water heater, released late last year.

The innovative heater, which is approved for common-venting up to six units in commercial applications, won the Gold Award in the competition’s HVAC category. An independent panel of judges considered its features, innovation, quality, durability, design, technical advances and impact on learning.

“Our New Product Awards program gives us the opportunity to honor companies that have developed products and services that go above and beyond in helping to improve the learning environment,” said Karen Cavallo, group publisher of School Planning & Management and College Planning & Management.

“Research shows that there is a direct correlation between quality learning environments and improved student success – and these companies are leading the charge to make schools a better place for teachers to teach and students to learn.”

Noritz’s EPA ENERGY STAR® certified NCC199CDV heater’s common-vent capability drastically reduces the number of required venting terminations, saving installers time and labor. The unit has a maximum input of 199,900 BTUs per hour (BTU/hr), and includes two austenite 316L stainless steel heat exchangers that resist corrosion from condensate and chloride, maximizing durability and lifespan.

Up to 24 of these units can be linked together, using the optional Multi-Unit System Controller. The latter offers the most control options on the market, including application functions for recirculation loops and supplemental storage tanks.

Overall, the heater’s flexible installation options means it can go into virtually any education environment without hassle. Its energy efficient performance ensures that students, faculty and staff will have hot water on demand without hurting the environment—or the district’s pocketbook.

For more information on the competition, please visit https://spaces4learning.com/pages/new-product-award.aspx