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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

After spending nearly 20 years trying to heat his 5,000-square-foot Victorian mansion, Glenn Giaimo has found a comfortable, energy-efficient solution in a combination tankless unit from Noritz.

Victorian mansions are an awesome sight to behold and could easily be considered America’s very own “castles.” Yet, when actually living in one, there can be a significant trade-off: The high-ceilinged, drafty interiors can get really cold.

That, at least, was the experience of Glenn Giaimo and his wife when they first moved into a 5,000-square-foot Victorian home in Ferndale, CA, in 1997. Built in 1901, the home’s single-paned glass windows and lack of wall insulation made for a chilly experience at times. Improving heat retention was financially unfeasible; e.g., making the thousands of window-glass pieces double-paned.

Thus, the first 15 years of the Giaimos’ residing in the home became a constant battle to heat the place effectively. Initially, a combination of pellet stoves and a forced-air furnace couldn’t provide the desired warmth. In 2000, Glenn special-ordered 34 radiators to try hydronic heating. However, frequent failures and monthly, propane- fuel bills of upwards to $1,000 during the cold season led the Giaimos to abandon this option, too.

It seemed like nothing could do the job. The Giaimos were literally relying on electric heaters and extra blankets when Glenn discovered the CB199 Combination (Combi) tankless water heater and boiler from Noritz. The dual unit was much more affordable than his other option—solar heating, which would have cost more than $20,000 to install.

A Natural Fit

The Combi unit fits right into the Giaimos’ expensive hydronic setup from 2000, which had lain dormant for years. Glenn compared the Combi’s installation to a “miraculous heart transplant” that brought the 34 radiators back to life. The unit was installed by Fred Patterson of Patterson Sales Agency Inc., the local sales representative for Noritz, and a licensed plumber.

The new Combi boiler also fed the domestic hot water (DHW) heating system, which had previously been served by a 50-gallon storage-tank heater. Although the Giaimos had no problems with water heating, this switch was an added bonus. Removing the old tank saved space, as well as eliminated the energy-wasting need to constantly heat the stored water.

The Combi is able to convert 95 percent of the fuel it consumes into useable heat, which was crucial for the Giaimos’  situation. The home’s astounding level of heat loss was always the main reason the family had struggled to keep it warm in a cost-effective way. In addition, the home’s being on the National Historic Registry made it difficult, if not impossible, to reduce heat loss to the outdoors without altering the aesthetics of the original stained glass and clear windows.

Post-installation, and within an hour of turning on the unit, Glenn reported his first-floor set point temperature had already been reached. He also put the unit’s outdoor temperature reset control to use. Installed outdoors, the control measures the outside temperature and automatically adjusts the unit’s output to keep the interior warm. A hot-water recirculation system Glenn had installed provides nearly instantaneous hot water on the DHW side, even to the furthest fixtures.

Super Savings

For the Giaimos, who had been spending $6,000 during the six cold months of the year on propane for the stainless-steel boiler and, later, roughly $350 per month to power his multiple electric heaters, the Combi unit’s efficiency made a huge impact on energy costs. Glenn reports that he now spends around $80 per month on propane, and another $80 per month on his electric bill, for an 88 percent total reduction!

Based on his experience, Glenn believes that other historic homes lacking insulation can benefit from the Combi, especially if they have hydronic heating systems already in place. Finally, 20 years after moving in, the Giaimos have found a system capable of heating their Victorian mansion.

Noritz to Showcase Latest Innovations at January Trade Shows

Noritz is excited to showcase its latest tankless water heating innovations this month at the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando and the AHR Expo in Chicago. As always, our goals have been to maximize customer comfort while conserving energy and space.

This year, we’ll be at Booth W7583 at IBS and Booth 4983 at AHR. Here are the highlights:

EZ Tankless Water Heating

Designed expressly for the North American market, the EPA ENERGY STAR^® certified EZ Series of tankless water heaters comes equipped with top-mounted, hot- and cold-water connections, a half-inch gas line input, and the option to use a flexible vent piping that can be fed directly through existing B vents.

The best part for installers: There’s an EZ unit available to directly replace virtually any size storage-tank water heater for a quicker, easier installation. The EZTR40, EZTR50 and EZTR75 units replace 40-, 50-, and 75-gallon storage-tank water heaters, respectively.

New Combi Boiler

Noritz’s new EPA ENERGY STAR^® certified NRCB combination boiler has the revolutionary ability to provide simultaneous domestic water and space heating. The NRCB includes the full energy-saving power of a tankless water heater: no tank, no storage, no unnecessary heating of water when you’re not around. At the same time, its boiler heats the home at a 95% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).

Since these functions can now be run simultaneously, there is virtually no concern about the space temperature having to decrease to warm up the shower. Your occupants really can have their cake and eat it too.

Commercial Common-Venting

The EPA ENERGY STAR^® certified NCC199CDV condensing tankless water heater is approved for common-venting up to six units in commercial applications. The ability to common-vent drastically reduces the number of required venting terminations, saving installers time and labor.

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.

Don’t miss out on learning about the latest ways from Noritz to save energy and streamline your water heater installations. Builders and installers will not leave disappointed. Visit our booths!

IBS will take place January 9-11, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The AHR Expo will take place January 22-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

For more information, please visit https://www.noritz.com/

2017 Model Remodel home includes direct replacement tankless water heater

for ease-of-installation and energy savings.

Each year, the Model Remodel program takes a home in serious need of a makeover and turns it into a modernized, energy-efficient residence. This year, the project was a 1,300-square-foot home in Woodbury, Conn., in which the owner wanted to spend the rest of her life.

Built in the 1930s, the single-level home was completely gutted to add a slew of maintenance-friendly designs and appliances to keep the homeowner’s long-term expenditures affordable and consistent, assuming a fixed income.

Answering the hot water question

One of many decisions that had to be made from an energy-efficiency standpoint involved replacing the home’s 60-gallon storage-tank water heater.

To simply swap it with another storage-tank heater didn’t make any sense in the context of the project’s energy efficiency goals, as it would consume energy all day and night, regardless of hot-water demand.

Instead, Ben Bogie, general contractor at Built to Last Design & Build LLC, immediately identified tankless water heating technology as the preferred solution. “Our firm has been installing predominantly tankless heaters for the past 10 years because they’re great from a cost and stewardship perspective,” he says. “They fire only on-demand to give you hot water exactly when needed, thereby saving energy.”

Replacing a storage-tank water heater with a tankless model has traditionally brought installation challenges beyond draining and hauling out the massive tank. While storage-tank heaters have top-mounted hot and cold water connections, conventional tankless units have those same connections on the bottom. Thus, contractors usually have to add extra plumbing to lengthen the connections, raising material and labor costs.

EZ as Pie

The Model Remodel contractors chose the EZTR75 tankless water heating package, which Noritz donated to the project, for a streamlined installation.

The EZTR75 is a direct replacement option for 60- and 75-gallon storage-tank water heaters because of its top-mount water connections and multiple venting options, which reduce installation costs. The package comes with an EZ111 tankless water heater, a flex vent conversion kit (with 25 feet of 2-inch flex) and an isolation valve kit. Venting can be accomplished using either dual-pipe or single-pipe (made of PVC or CPVC), as well as the included 2-inch Flex, which can be fed through the existing B-Vent. Once again, these venting options save time and material.

“It’s 100 times easier because you’re not piping down to the bottom of the unit to connect the water lines,” says contractor Bob Lucas, owner of Lucas Plumbing LLC. and the installing contractor on the job.

Lucas was able to install the EZ111 in under three hours. For venting, he ran the 2-inch Flex included with the unit up through the existing B-vent. The simple venting and top-mount water connections were major time-savers. The streamlined installation saved an estimated $300-$400.

Overall, Lucas reports no challenges on the installation. “It was really straightforward. I can’t emphasize the importance of those top-mount water connections enough. Other tankless units don’t have them, and are therefore a hassle to install.”

Creating a sustainable future

Since the installation, the unit has been tested and forecasted to earn the homeowner significant energy savings once she moves in, especially when considered in the context of the entire remodel. Other energy-efficient features include low-flow showerheads and faucets and triple-glazed windows. Thus, while the tankless water heater promises substantial energy use reductions by itself, when combined with the rest of the home, it helps create a truly sustainable environment for the long-term future — perfect for someone planning to spend the rest of her life there.