NORITZ BLOG

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Frequently Ask Questions about Tankless Water Heaters

The utilization of tankless water heating technology has risen in recent years. By choosing a tankless water heater, homeowners and building occupants are able to have hot water whenever the situation demands it. With the heaters using less energy than conventional storage-tank water heaters by operating only on demand, adopters of tankless technology can save money on their monthly energy bills.

But even while more American home and business owners are transitioning to tankless solutions, questions about how these water heaters operate can arise.

To provide a better understanding of the Noritz technology, service technician lead Desiree Lovelady sat down with us to discuss several of the most common questions she hears from both professional installers and their homeowner customers.

Q: What type of venting material is the most acceptable for installing a Noritz heater?

A: The venting material can vary, depending on the type of installed heater. For condensing water heaters, installers can use plastic — PVC, polypropylene, or CPVC — piping for creating a proper vent connection. In the case of non-condensing water heaters, the venting material must be Category 3 stainless steel.

Q: What is the difference between condensing and non-condensing heaters?

A: The main difference between the two is their efficiency. A condensing heater uses a secondary heat exchanger to create a preheat cycle, so you capture more of the heat from the exhaust — that is, a higher percentage of the height from the gas burner is used to warm the water. A non-condensing heater does not use a secondary heat exchanger to provide this additional heating, so its energy efficiency rating is not as high.

The other major difference is the use of a drain line. A condensing unit, as its name indicates, will produce more condensate than a non condensing unit. The drain line is used to ensure the condensing unit can drain away the condensate to perform at peak efficiency. This condensate is acidic. Consequently, if not properly disposed of, it can damage a home’s or building’s plumbing system.

Q: Is a re-circulation pump compatible only with certain Noritz units?

A: People may think a re-circulation pump, or circulation, is compatible with only certain units, because competitors have pumps that can be used with just a few water heater models. Re-circulation pumps are compatible with all tankless water heaters at Noritz. The tricky part about these pumps is sizing. If you use a pump not properly sized for your tankless heater, it will create problems.

Q: Is water treatment necessary for tankless water heaters?

A: In most cases, water treatment is necessary, but it depends on your water quality. We determine the quality based on the grains per gallon. If there is a large amount of grains in the machine, it can damage the water heater. When you have hard water to this extent, you do need to undergo water treatment in order to maximize the longevity of your heater.

Q: What is the average lifespan of a tankless water heater?

A: The average lifespan is between 10 and 25 years, depending on how well it is maintained. We do recommend annual maintenance on a Noritz tankless water heater. As long as you make sure you provide it with proper care, it can last a long time.

To learn more about other common questions for Noritz tankless water heater, please visit our FAQ page here: https://www.noritz.com/about-noritz/faqs/

Learn more about the products offered by Noritz by clicking here: https://www.noritz.com/products/

Noritz Blog 1 | March 2019

Noritz Offers Prizes For March Madness League

To celebrate the exciting conclusion of another great season of college basketball, Noritz will host its own March Madness league for some weekly fun and the opportunity to win an assortment of bigger prizes, like a free Noritz tankless water heater, a $150 and $50 gift card.

Think you already know which teams are going to win this year? Then put your inside basketball knowledge to work! Starting on March 17, pick the winners for each round of the season-ending tournament.

• For each winning pick, you will receive points.
• Starting with the second round, point values will increase for the winners of each round.
• Earn bonus points for completing surveys or watching Noritz online content.
• If you are feeling really confident, pick “underdog” teams that will bring larger point values if they win.

Signing up for this event is easy. To create an account, visit our portal via laptop, smart phone or tablet. Since registration is through a new system, you will be required to create a new login for this league, even if you competed in Noritz football leagues previously. You can enter the league at any point in the competition but starting earlier offers opportunities for more points. Individuals living in Canada will also be allowed to participate.

E-mail reminders will help keep you from forgetting to make your picks, but they must be made before the tip-off time of each game. What happens if you neglect to make a selection? The website will make one for you, so you can still be included in the competition! Still, your best chance of winning is to make the picks yourself, of course.

The more points you win, the better! After the champion is crowned, prizes will be awarded to the three players who have accumulated the most points.

• First prize: a Noritz EZ Series Tankless Water Heater.
• Second place: a $150 Amazon or Amazon.ca gift card.
• Third place: a $50 Amazon or Amazon.ca gift card.

In the case of any tiebreakers, the closest prediction of the combined score of the championship game will decide first place.

If you are looking to engage in some friendly competition and have a chance to win a new EZ Series heater, register today at https://www.touchpointgames.com/noritz-basketball-contest/about/?cm=SJGf-ewbu&s=1

Noritz Tankless Water Heaters Improve Quality of Life

For the fortunate among us, hot water is something we sometimes take for granted. Tankless water heaters take the benefit of hot water to the next level by making it endless. You get all the hot water you want or need without the risk of running out. However, tankless technology also offers quality of life improvements beyond the obvious!

Tankless Water Heater Fills Walk-In Tub

Walk-in bathtubs offer the user a great experience that may have been previously unavailable to them due to limited mobility. The downside to the walk-in tub is that they use a lot of water when active. Traditional tank water heaters have a difficult time providing enough hot water to truly enjoy a new tub.

Ron Burris, owner of Beastbay Plumbing and a Master Plumber in Oakland, California  recently had a homeowner in exactly this situation. His “old school” water heater left him with lukewarm baths at best. The team at Beastbay installed a new Noritz Tankless water heater that easily fills the tub with hot water. Ron said, “The customer was so incredibly happy with his new Noritz water heater. He was very disappointed when his old water heater couldn’t provide him with the hot water he needed. It truly changed his life!” He went on to say, “we’ve installed thousands of the Noritz Tankless heaters and every time the customer is amazed with the technology.”

Tankless Technology Gives Space Back In Small Kitchen

Traditional water heaters are bulky. They take up a lot of space that can be better utilized if the large tank weren’t required. A homeowner in Vallejo, California recently gained significant square footage in his kitchen when his old water heater was replaced with a Noritz tankless water heater. The new water heater was positioned outside the home, freeing up space previously occupied in his kitchen by the old water heater. In a small home, each square foot matters.

These are a couple real-life examples of how changing to tankless technology is positively impacting lives. For more information on how tankless water heaters from Noritz can change your life, please visit www.noritz.com.

Noritz Showcases EZ Series at the Professional Builder Show Village at IBS

The EZ98 will be featured in the Show Village at the International Builders’ Show to demonstrate tankless heaters for homes and Noritz’s industry-leading 25-year warranty. 

Established in 1998, The International Builders’ Show (IBS) is well-known as the biggest light-construction show in the world for residential builders, architects and remodeling contractors. To be held February 19-21, this event will also welcome over 1,500 of the top manufacturers and suppliers from around the globe to showcase the latest industry innovations.

To better show how effective tankless waters are for residential applications, Noritz will again participate in the event’s Show Village, an event produced by Professional Builder and SGC Horizon. This part of the show allows attendees to tour demonstration homes and experience new products firsthand, allow them an opportunity to see how beneficial the tankless technology of Noritz is.

“In this event, our primary goal is to show how Noritz is the ideal solution for current and future home-building efforts,” says Sammy Alvarado, Marketing Assistant for Noritz America.

With a Uniform Energy Factor of .95, the EZ98 includes top-mount water connections, maximum venting flexibility and the possibility of reusing the existing tank unit’s half-inch gas line. While these features are not so critical in a new-construction situation, they can dramatically cut the installation time and cost when replacing a storage tank-type water heater in an existing home.

The EZ98 is also compatible with the Noritz Connect app, allowing users remote control of the heater’s functions. The unit also contains a stainless steel heat exchanger, offering greater resistance to corrosion and scale buildup

Like all EZ Series heaters, the EZ98 is protected by Noritz’s unprecedented 25-year warranty. Effective January 1, this new warranty is a full decade longer than the longest warranty currently on the market in North America and more than double Noritz’s previous warranty on the EZ Series.

“The EZ Series was designed with the North American water heater replacement market in mind,” Alvarado says. “We want buyers to have the best-quality materials to ensure that they get the most out of tankless technology.”

Because of Las Vegas’ comparatively warmer climate, the Show Village installation will feature an outdoor model. Equivalent in size to a piece of carry-on luggage, the compact EZ98 can be installed almost anywhere, indoors or outdoors, taking up significantly less space than a conventional storage tank-type water heater. 

“Tankless water heaters make up close to 15 percent of the residential water heater market but there are still many individuals who do not know how beneficial this technology can be,” Alvarado says. “Our hope with the Show Village is that people will be able to see this product in action and become aware of a more energy-efficient technology that can help them.”

For more information on the new warranty and other Noritz products that will be at the show, please visit: www.noritz.com. You can also visit booth N1477 at The International Builders’ Show for more information.

You can also find videos that provide in-depth information on tankless technology by clicking: https://www.youtube.com/user/noritzamerica/videos

Despite the rising use of tankless water heaters, several common misconceptions prevent people from making the switch from conventional storage tank-type units.

Switching from a conventional storage tank-type water heater to a tankless model is a difficult decision for most American consumers. For some, it’s the up-front cost. Others may understandably hesitate to make the switch because they have relied on tank water heaters all their lives. However, tankless water heaters offer several advantages that can help users save space and energy.

To show how beneficial tankless heaters can be, let’s eliminate four common myths to help you make an informed, confident decision to go tankless.

Myth 1: Tankless water heaters heat water to an unsafe temperature.

While the temperature of the water generated in a tankless heater is hot, it does not get overheated. This information is more accurate about traditional heaters, as they can overheat when there was an influx of cold water. Tankless water heaters will heat water only to a temperature slightly above a desired temperature. Tankless water heaters also include a thermostat that allows you to control the set-point temperature of the water.

Noritz tankless water heaters do have a certain temperature range they use for water heating. The EZ Series heaters can heat water from 100 – 140°F. Presetting maximum and minimum temperatures will keep the heater from overheating beyond the designated range. The Noritz Connect app also allows you to have control over thermostat, simplifying the matter even more.

Myth 2: Tankless water heaters require annual inspections.

Another common misconception is that you must spend additional money to have your tankless water heater formally inspected yearly. Tankless owners need not worry about an annual inspection; however, it’s still a good idea to have the unit periodically checked to ensure all components are operating properly. It is highly recommended to do an annual descaling of the heater so your tankless heater can maintain its efficiency.

On certain Noritz tankless water heaters, error codes will appear when there is any issue with the system. Thanks to the Noritz Connect app, service contractors can receive alerts from a WiFi-enabled water heater, giving them the problem and location. This will help tankless water heater owners identify and resolve any issues quickly with competent professional help.

Myth 3: Tankless water heaters will not supply constant hot water.

This myth stems from the fact that tankless water heaters do not store hot water. Many people are led to believe that because of this lack of storage, it will take time for the water to get to the desired temperature. This can be the case with a tank heater. It stores a certain amount of hot water but will then need to reheat new water, something that can take 30 or more minutes.

As long as there is a demand for hot water, a tankless water heater will supply a continuous stream of water at the preset temperature. If the tankless unit has not been sized properly for a given application, the flow rate of the water may drop, but the output water temperature will remain will remain within range of the preset level.

In a Noritz tankless water heater, the water is heated by an Eco-Burner that modulates the amount of fuel consumed to meet current demand. This allows the heater to supply hot water only when needed, allowing it to meet the household’s needs, while minimizing the amount of energy used.

Myth 4: Tankless water heaters are expensive to operate

Many people believe that tankless water heaters are more expensive to operate than a storage tank unit. In truth, they are less expensive. Tankless heaters have a lower energy cost, but have a longer service life. Depending on the energy factor (EF), a tankless heater can save minimally 20 percent on your energy bill. Also, because a tankless water heater does not store hot water, you are not paying additional money to keep water heated all the time. Additionally, local gas companies can offer rebates for utilizing tankless technology, allowing you to save more money by using a tankless water heater.

The EZ Series water heaters have an energy factor of .96, allowing it to cut the cost of an energy bill by 27-50%. This is higher than many tankless heaters that only have an energy factor of 80%.

Tankless water heaters are an environmentally friendly solution that can be used in both commercial and residential buildings. Tankless heaters also require less space, allowing them to be easily accessible when needed. Make sure you know all the information about this technology in order to facilitate a switch to tankless water heaters.

For more information about Noritz water heaters, please visit: www.noritz.com

Noritz to Unveil New, Industry-Leading, 25-Year Warranty at AHR 2019

Unprecedented protection for four select residential water heaters will highlight Noritz’s participation at the 2019 AHR Expo in Atlanta. Booth C6158 will also showcase new tankless water heater and combination boiler products.

Established in 1930, the AHR Expo has long been known as the premier showcase for engineers, contractors and educators to learn about the newest technologies and emerging trends in the HVACR industry. To be held January 14-16, this year’s event will again welcome manufacturers of all sizes and types from around the world to share their latest ideas and innovations.

As a leader in tankless water heater and combination-boiler solutions, Noritz will be demonstrating how these technologies can be effectively utilized in residential and commercial applications.

But highlighting this year’s presentation in Booth C6158 will be the company’s new and unprecedented 25-year warranty on the dual stainless-steel heat exchangers used by four of its residential condensing tankless water heaters: the EZTR50, EZTR75, EZ98, and EZ111.

Effective January 1, this industry-leading protection is a full decade longer than the longest warranty currently on the market in North America and more than double Noritz’s previous warranty on these four products. The 25-year warranty will apply to single-family home applications using any of the four EZ Series models.

In addition to the formal unveiling of the 25-year warranty, Noritz will showcase a number of other, recently introduced, energy-efficient products, including:

• Recirculation Pump Kit: Previously available only as a fully integrated circulator in the NRCP line of condensing tankless water heaters, the new RPK-EXT Kit is now available as an add-on component to 26 additional Noritz residential models. The pump provides hot water to the outlet in seconds, shutting off once a sensor in the hot-water line detects the flow has reached a preset temperature. The RPK-EXT Kit includes the RC-9018M Commercial Remote Control, allowing homeowners to customize run times for when they will need hot water.
• The NCC199CDV: The NCC199CDV condensing tankless water heater from Noritz is approved for common-venting up to six units in commercial applications. Common venting drastically reduces the number of required venting terminations, saving professional installers time and labor. Up to 24 of these 199,900 BTU per hour units can be linked together, yielding up to a 266:1 turndown ratio. Such applications would use the 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 system), The WIFI-enabled unit has a thermal efficiency rating of 98 percent, the industry’s highest, making it EPA ENERGY STAR^® It has a maximum flow rate of 11.1 gallons per minute.
• The NRCB: The Noritz Residential Combination Boiler (NRCB) allows for simultaneous residential domestic hot water and space heating without sacrificing user comfort or convenience. The unit’s simultaneous capabilities are easy to control and especially beneficial for applications that do not store or deliver heat energy efficiently. Performing at a 95% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), the unit is EPA ENERGY STAR^® certified. The NRCB's 316L stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers have higher corrosion resistance than traditional heat exchangers for increased durability and
• EZ Series: The EZ Series of high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heaters are designed to cut installation time and cost when replacing larger, storage tank-type units. The Energy Star-rated EZ98-DV and EZ111-DV (Energy Factor: 0.95) join the previously released EZTR40 to provide professional installers and their homeowner-customers with a wider range of tankless options, covering the majority of residential, tank-replacement opportunities. Both models include top-mount water connections, maximum venting flexibility and the possibility of reusing the existing tank unit’s half-inch gas line.

For more information on the new warranty and the other products to be featured at the AHR Expo, please visit: www.noritz.com

You can also find videos that explain all of our products by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/user/noritzamerica/videos

Why the Quality of the Heat Exchanger in your Tankless Water Heater Matters

Noritz’s latest tankless models include corrosion-resistant 316L austenite stainless steel heat exchangers with a U-bend shape for higher performance and efficiency than most units on the market.

Like stagehands in a play, heat exchangers play a crucial, behind-the-scenes role in the life and operation of a tankless water heater. They transfer heat to the building’s domestic water and, for that reason, represent the heart of the entire system.

Noritz is at the forefront of heat exchanger technology with its inclusion of U-bend, 316L austenite stainless steel heat exchangers in its newest residential and commercial units. This higher grade of stainless steel is more durable and efficient than competitors’ ferrite exchangers.

“Our use of austenite drives the initial cost up a bit relative to other makes and models, but you are paying for increased lifetime and performance,” says Noritz national sales manager Jason Corey.

Austenite versus ferrite in tankless

So what’s the difference? It comes down to durability. Austenite stainless steel alloys typically have nickel added to them and often have a higher chromium content. These two properties give austenite very good corrosion resistance against acids, alkalis and chlorides. Since they contain nickel, austenite stainless steel heat exchangers are more expensive, but they also are expected to last longer and have fewer maintenance problems.

Ferrite stainless steel, the more common alloy on the market, is less expensive because it doesn’t contain as much nickel. The downside is it may be more prone to corrosion, which will shorten the heat exchanger’s — and the water heater’s — life. Ferrite is more resistant to very high temperatures, but these temperatures are typically well above what would be used in a domestic hot water application.

Getting what you pay for

Whether or not to pay a little bit extra for the austenite stainless steel heat exchanger is up to the building owner. However, doing so could result in longer-term performance.

The amount spent replacing a corroded heat exchanger or — worse — replacing the entire water heater is much higher than investing more upfront in a product that will last. This is especially true in commercial applications that put more strain on water heaters. The threat of heat-exchanger failure is compounded in such applications, and the consequences — absence of hot water in a restaurant or hotel, for example — are far more devastating.

Another factor to consider is geography. Certain regions of the country have harder water with a higher concentration of minerals. These regions should definitely consider austenite stainless steel heat exchangers as a way of preventing damage to the water heater.

>> Check out this water hardness map

In addition to the austenite, Noritz uses U-bend heat exchangers in its newer models, which improve heat transfer and lead to higher efficiency. Most tankless water heaters on the market use flat plate heat exchangers, which suffer from higher pressure losses and generally less-efficient operation.

So the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” holds true for tankless water heaters. Commercial builders and specifiers would be especially wise to go the extra mile in their upfront investment to better assure longevity and efficient operation, which will eventually pay for itself.

To view Noritz’s latest commercial offering, the NCC199CDV, which includes austenite stainless steel heat exchangers, please visit http://www.noritz.com/products/ncc199cdv/

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.