NORITZ BLOG

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Want To Know How To Prevent Your Tankless Water Heater From Freezing?

Old man winter does not look kindly upon plumbing systems, especially in northern climates where temperatures often dip below freezing. Water heaters can fall prey to his icy wrath too if proper precautions are not taken.

Freeze damage to tankless water heaters usually takes the form of standing water inside the unit turning into ice, expanding and damaging the internal components. Built-in electric heaters protect Noritz tankless units from freezing, but there are two caveats:

• To activate, the electric freeze prevention heaters must be plugged in. Without a power source, they won’t work.
• Even with the built-in electric heaters, excessively cold climates may require additional steps to prevent freezing. The freeze prevention system protects only the heater’s most critical components.

Try the following freeze prevention tips to ensure your water heaters last through the winter:

Install Your Water Heater in a Warm Place

Although not always possible, installing a water heater in a heated space will naturally help prevent freezing during the winter months. Use vent terminations that incorporate wind-resistant features and locate them away from prevailing winds (to cut down on that wind chill).

Drain Your Water Heater

As mentioned, standing water, no matter how small, can collect inside the unit and freeze. When this happens, the ice can damage internal plastic components. Prevent this by draining the unit, especially when going away for an extended period. Furthermore, be sure to isolate the water to the heater, using the valves located on the hot- and cold-water lines.

Maintain a Power Source

Stay connected to electricity to ensure the freeze protection system will operate. Note that this doesn’t mean the water heater needs to be on — just plugged in. For areas that frequently have power outages, either a battery backup system or drain-down solenoids should be used.

Consider a Recirculation System

Recirculation systems are typically installed to have hot water nearby and ready for on-demand use at a fixture. An added benefit during the winter is it allows the heater to continuously warm your pipes and prevent your plumbing lines and equipment from freezing over.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

Not just your water heater, but also your pipes are at risk from frigid temperatures, and they are NOT protected by the freeze prevention system in your heater. Be sure to insulate pipes with fiberglass or polyethylene insulation or heat tape.

Run a Trickle of Water

One trick for preventing pipes from freezing is to run at least a trickle of water, measuring 0.1 to 0.2 gallons per minute overnight through the hot side on the furthest fixture with the gas off to the heater. This will keep water running through the system and minimize the chance of freezing.

If you have additional freeze prevention questions, please contact the Noritz technical department at 1-866-766-7489.

For more than two decades, Richard Yazmajian has been solving commercial and residential plumbing issues across the Los Angeles area. Based in Chatsworth, he regularly serves customers in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

Yazmajian, owner of Richard’s Plumbing and Rooter, has been a one-man shop for much of his career, which spans to 1994. Although he can handle virtually any job, he tends to work on residential applications the most.

Unlike many plumbers who prefer to stick with convention and install tank-type water heaters, Yazmajian has embraced tankless water heating technology since the early 1990s. Part of this results from a receptive attitude among California’s customers for the technology, but most of it is due to Yazmajian’s appreciation for the technology’s simplicity and energy-saving benefits.

“Tankless water heaters offer my customers an endless supply of hot water only when they need it, thereby saving energy” says Yazmajian, who also praises the benefits of there being no tank. “Without a tank, you don’t have that extra, space-eating weight, not to mention the potential for a catastrophic leak. Out here in California, this is even more advantageous, due to our earthquakes. If an earthquake topples a conventional tank water heater, it will cause significantly more damage than if a little no-tank unit falls.”

To that point, Yazmajian also likes that tankless water heaters are not only compact, but also wall-mounted, allowing them to be installed virtually anywhere.

Although he praises the technology in general, there is one brand Yazmajian trusts the most. “I started exclusively using Noritz water heaters about eight years ago when I visited the company’s Fountain Valley headquarters for training,” recalls Yazmajian. “Noritz’s high-quality manufacturing, ease-of-installation and reliability have always appealed to me as an installer.”

Yazmajian has installed various Noritz units. One of his favorites for smaller, two-to-three bathroom applications, is the EZTR40. “By using the existing gas line and venting, not to mention its top-mounted connections, the EZTR40 saves me installation time, which means cost-savings for my customers,” he explains.

Energy Savings in Northridge
Recently, Yazmajian installed an NRC98 condensing water heater at a residence in Northridge to serve three bathrooms. His customers’ original tank-type water heater had sprung a leak, and he had recommended they go tankless. Although he had some difficulty removing the concrete platform supporting the original water heater, Yazmajian reports the actual installation was simple and straightforward, lasting no more than five hours. He also included a buffer tank to ensure his customers would not feel the infamous “cold water sandwich” (when users feel a spurt of cold water in the midst of a hot-water flow).

By choosing the no-tank option, Yazmajian believes his customers will possibly save upwards of $1,000 per year on energy.
“Unlike a conventional water heater, which must constantly turn on to keep the stored water hot, the Noritz unit heats water only when my customers need it, saving them money,” he explains.

“The state of California also offers various energy rebates that they can take advantage of to offset upfront costs.” Experiences like the above reinforce Yazmajian’s dedication to Noritz. “There’s no brand I trust more, and it continues to be my exclusive option for tankless,” he concludes.

For more information on Yazmajian’s plumbing operations, visit one of his websites:
https://richardsrooterandplumbing.com/
https://plumbingemergencylosangeles.com/

Noritz at IBS 2017

The 2017 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) is upon us, and Noritz is excited to be exhibiting (Booth W6086). Expanded product lines and new wireless capabilities are among our major highlights this year. In addition to discovering the latest in tankless water heating technology, booth visitors will have the chance to win great prizes.

Noritz and the Internet of Things

The “internet of things” refers to our increasing interconnectedness with digital technology through the internet. Now Noritz is in on the action with its incorporation of wireless technology into all current product models (models introduced within the past 10 years).

To go wireless, simply plug in a wireless adaptor into the connection port on your unit and install the corresponding NoritzConnect application on your phone or wireless device.

Benefits of this new wireless capability include:

• Water heater energy efficiency and usage reports sent directly to the homeowner.
• Live diagnostics, alerts and error codes can also be received by a service contractor connected to the unit through the wireless app. This app can cut service costs by giving the contractor all the information needed to fix the problem without taking a separate diagnostic trip.
• Homeowners can change the set-point temperature of their units remotely through the app.

New Upcoming Products 

In addition to the exciting launch of its wireless capabilities, Noritz is expanding some of its popular product lines in the coming year and will be previewing them at the show.

• The popular EZTR40 will now be joined by the EZ98 and EZTR50 and EZTR75. In addition to retaining all of the installer-friendly benefits of the EZTR40 (top mount connections and ability to use existing vents and gas lines), these more powerful units will have higher hot-water-delivery ratings as well as outdoor installation capabilities.
• Noritz will be unveiling a new version of its CB Combi Boiler, now manufactured in Noritz’s own facilities to the highest standards. More details on this upcoming launch of the new NRCB will become available soon.
• A new 199,000 BTUH commercial condensing water heater, the NCC199 CDV, will be previewed. The anticipated launch date is May 2017.

IBS booth visitors between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. during the first two days of the show will have the opportunity to win Noritz gear and $25 or $50 Visa gift cards — or even a $500 gift card — onsite by spinning the Noritz prize wheel. In order to have a chance at the wheel, visitors must take a photo of themselves in the booth and post it on Facebook or Instagram, tagging the correct Noritz handle (@noritzamerica for Instagram; @NoritzAmerica for Facebook) and including our hashtag #NoritzAtIBS.

We look forward to sharing the latest Noritz innovations with you and to answering your questions at IBS. If you are in Orlando on January 10-12, come visit us at Booth W6086!

Maintenance Of A Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger: Do’s and Don’ts

The stainless steel heat exchanger is a critical component of any Noritz condensing tankless water heater. In general, heat exchangers transfer heat from one medium to another through convection. For condensing units, the stainless steel heat exchanger transfers heat energy from the exhaust gasses leaving the water heater into the water.

Note: A second heat exchanger in all Noritz condensing units, made of copper, transfers heat energy from the gas burner to the water.

Stainless steel heat exchangers are, therefore, largely responsible for a condensing unit’s superior energy efficiency. Without them, the exhaust heat could not be recycled, permitting the system to capture more energy from the combustion process (resulting in a higher efficiency rating).

That’s why it is crucial that homeowners and their service contractors each play their part in maximizing exchanger life.

What Not to Do

Sometimes, in trying to fix one problem in a tankless water heater, the service technician can inadvertently create another by mishandling the stainless steel heat exchanger.

Be gentle when removing the exchanger. Do not grab it by the pipe headers, as this will bend and weaken the pipe, which can leak or crack in the future. In general, do not handle it like a piece of scrap metal.

A cracked heat exchanger pipe will eventually cause dripping and puddles to form underneath the heater. It can also cause an Error Code 11, which indicates ignition failure, according to Sam Barba, Field Service & Sales Engineer at Noritz. Check out more info on common error codes here.

Although it should last at least 10 years, a stainless steel heat exchanger will fail sooner if the homeowner never services or descales the unit. Do not be neglectful.

What To Do

Instead of grabbing the heat exchanger by the pipe headers, hold it by the side. This will prevent the pipe from being damaged and causing pinhole leaks.

When reinstalling the copper heat exchanger to the stainless steel heat exchanger, add some silicone lubricant to the inside of the stainless steel pipe and to the O-rings to facilitate the assembly.

It’s important to note that the same care should be taken with the unit’s copper heat exchanger, although copper is more flexible and will be slightly more resilient.

Homeowners and builders should invest in a water softener or water filtration system that will cut down on scale accumulation, in turn preventing long-term damage to the heat exchanger. Service and descale the water heater every year or two, especially if you live in a hard water area. See how to descale a tankless water heater.

For more information, contact Noritz at 714-433-2905 or visit https://www.noritz.com/

The New Noritz  Outdoor Conversion Kit For NRCP Tankless Water Heaters Has Arrived

You can now install your NRCP tankless water heater outside! In an effort to lower installation time and costs and boost flexibility for contractors and consumers. Introducing the New Noritz  Outdoor Conversion Kit for the NRCP condensing unit.

The VCK-NRCP kit comes with (1) an outdoor vent cap assembly with decorative plate and packing, (2) an exhaust pipe with an adaptor and bracket, (3) a bird screen to protect the exhaust aperture, and (4) an outdoor front cover with cap and sealing, an extension cable, screws and an instruction manual.
For consumers living in warmer parts of the country, such as the south and west, the outdoor kit provides greater installation flexibility (The water heater is designed to automatically prevent freezing to temperatures of 5F°/-15°C). If they want to save space inside their homes, they can now locate the NRCP unit outside. The provided extension cable still allows the unit’s control panel to be installed inside the home for continued convenience.
Furthermore, the outdoor vent cap and cover will ensure that the elements do not damage the unit. In fact, placed outdoors, the unit has been tested to withstand 20-30 inches of water per hour—literally buckets-full.

For contractors, the outdoor conversion kit allows for reduced installation time and costs. Indoor units require venting to be run from the inside to the outside, which in turn involves additional materials and added labor. The outdoor conversion kit eliminates this extra time and cost because it allows the NRCP unit to vent directly into the open air. The aforementioned protective screen keeps birds and other small animals out.

The outdoor conversion kit adds yet another benefit to an already well-equipped water heater. A circulating pump inside the unit keeps hot water close to the outlet — such as a shower head — minimizing the wait and, therefore, the waste of unused potable water down the drain. Saving water, in this case, is extremely  beneficial because recirculation also avoids wasting the energy used to heat that water. Learn more about hot water recirculation.

For more information on the NRCP unit, please visit https://www.noritz.com/blog/understanding-benefits-nrcp-line-tankless-water-heaters/

The NRCP outdoor conversion kit becomes available this month (December 2016) from Noritz. Remember also that by switching to a tankless water heater, you can qualify for sizeable federal and/or state energy rebates. Find more information about energy rebates on Noritz tankless water heaters.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Promotes Noritz Water Heaters

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a full-service provider of residential plumbing with locations spread across the United States. In particular, its Chandler, AZ, franchise stands out for its focus on providing customers the energy and performance benefits of tankless water heaters.

Michael Smith has been Operations Manager of the Chandler location for the past 11 years, overseeing a staff of 10 technicians, two installers and two apprentices. Upon arrival in 2005, Smith spearheaded the company’s acceptance and promotion of tankless water heating technology.

“I wanted to be an innovator for our company and offer customers the continuous hot water and energy savings of tankless water heaters,” says Smith. To accomplish this, he placed a heavy emphasis on training his employees in tankless and taking advantage of any technical representatives visiting the area—especially those from Noritz.
“To me, Noritz tankless water heaters became the best thing since sliced bread for their simplicity, style and design,” explains Smith. “We take great pride in explaining to our customers, who are often not familiar with tankless or are turned off by the higher upfront costs, that it saves energy and will pay for itself down the road. Customers are also drawn to the space savings gained by not needing a large tank, and they also like the interchangeable parts and ease-of-control.”

Today, Noritz is the only brand of tankless water heater that Smith’s company installs. “One competitor actually offered to give each of our technicians a free tankless water heater if we switched from Noritz to them,” recalls Smith. “We graciously declined.”
Over the past several years, Smith has seen growing tankless sales, as customers recognize the technology’s many benefits. Currently, Smith estimates that one-third of his monthly sales are tankless water heaters. “Also attractive to customers are the long warranties and the fact that we provide annual maintenance work,” he says.

One particular model that Smith praises is the EZTR40 condensing tankless water heater. “It’s phenomenally easy to install with its top-of-unit, hot- and cold-water connections and its ability to use the same venting and gas line as the old tank type it replaces,” he says. “A single installer can typically install an EZTR40 in only three to five hours.”

Case Study: Mesa Arizona
Recently, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing demonstrated the value of tankless water heaters in a Mesa, AZ, residential application. A homeowner had two aged, 75-gallon tank-style water heaters servicing a roughly 7,500-square-foot house with seven bathrooms. When one water heater burst, the owner called Mark Felice, Field Supervisor at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Chandler, who recommended replacing both with Noritz NRCP1112-DV-NG tankless water heaters for their built-in recirculating pumps and stainless steel heat exchangers.

The units’ installation lasted six hours with three installers, and there were no complications. By choosing tankless, the homeowner is saving an estimated $700 per year in energy costs and no longer needs to worry about bursting storage tanks full of hot water.
It’s just one example, out of the roughly 120 installs per year, of how tankless water heaters are helping Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Chandler provide exceptional service and long-term value to its customers.

For more information on the Chandler, AZ branch of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, please visit https://www.benfranklinplumbingaz.com/

Benefits of Installing a Noritz Combination Boiler, Part 2: Outdoor Temperature Reset

The new CB Combination boiler/tankless water heater (CB Combi) from Noritz has a number of installer and homeowner advantages — over not only traditional, stand-alone boilers and tank-type water heaters, but also other combination units on the market.

Previously in this series, we explained how the Combi’s unique flow control valve helps achieve desired water temperature for the user. In this post, we will discuss a Combi component that contributes to its energy-efficient operation and qualifies it for numerous rebates: the outdoor temperature reset control.

In any residential hydronic heating application, the heat load, or how much heat must be supplied to keep the home at the desired temperature, depends on the outdoor temperature. The larger the temperature difference between the outside and inside, the faster that heat will dissipate into the environment (depending on the home’s insulation).

“Oftentimes, when the outdoor temperature is really cold, the homeowner will know to raise the setpoint temperature inside,” says Randy Oshiro, Assistant Manager of Engineering at Noritz America. “However, when the outdoor temperature is really warm, homeowners often don’t know to lower the setpoint, which results in energy inefficiencies each time the boiler turns on and off.”

Short cycling occurs when a boiler fires on and off repeatedly, merely to raise the temperature of the water in its heating system, regardless of whether the home needs heat. This can happen when the boiler setpoint temperature is set unnecessarily high relative to the outdoor temperature. Since a boiler operates most inefficiently during its combustion and purging (turning off) stages, frequent cycles waste energy. To avoid this, the user needs either to remember to lower the indoor temperature manually; or to install an outdoor temperature reset.

Automatic Adjustment

An outdoor temperature reset control, such as the one that comes with the Noritz Combi, monitors the outdoor temperature and relays that information directly to the boiler, which adjusts the setpoint accordingly. So, if the outdoor temperature is warm, the hydronic system setpoint temperature will be reduced; if it’s cold, it will be raised.

This automatic adjustment keeps the boiler running for as long as possible, minimizing wasted energy during the start-up and shut-off phases and leading to energy savings.

The proper location of the sensor is critical. Place it on the northeast side of the home if possible, but certainly make sure it stays out of direct sunlight, which can mess with its temperature readings.

Several state energy rebates recognize the added energy efficiencies garnered by this technology and can be awarded to users who purchase units like the Combi, offsetting its initial cost. For example, Massachusetts offers a $1,600 rebate to homeowners who install an integrated condensing boiler and water heater.

Noritz’s outdoor temperature reset control is fairly unique in that it comes standard with each Combi unit. Many other manufacturers do not offer this, requiring the sensor to be purchased separately.

To learn more about the CB Combi, please visit https://www.noritz.com/combi/

Noritz Tech Support To The Rescue

One of life’s most frustrating experiences is being put on hold for an indeterminate amount of time when calling any company’s customer service number, be it for a malfunctioning cable box, “blue screen of death” on your computer or a malfunctioning water heater. For this reason, Noritz has updated its technical support system to serve customers in a faster, more efficient and more predictable manner.

Here are some of our new technical support features:
Streamlined Menu: Nothing is more irritating than calling a company and not knowing which extension or department to reach. For this reason, we  have condensed our greeting to allow customers to get to the appropriate department quickly and easily. The top three cues are at the top of the menu: Press 1 for Tech Support and Warranty Claims; Press 2 for Sizing; Press 3 for Sales and Parts Ordering.

Useful Announcements: It’s true—we have only a limited number of technical support agents, and sometimes we have to put our customers on hold. But, unlike those places that play 1980s elevator music while you wait, we try to offer some value. You will hear our support website address where you can go find technical documentation, warranty status, troubleshooting and frequently asked questions.

During this waiting time, you can also double-check that you have everything you need for us to help you as efficiently and effectively as possible. Here’s a brief checklist:
 Your name and/or company name.
 Your reference ID number (if you're calling back).
 The model number and serial number of the product that you are servicing.
 In addition, you will need to be in front of the product with a Phillips screw driver, manometer and multimeter.

Estimated Wait Times: One of the worst aspects of getting put on hold is the wait-time uncertainty. If you know it will be a long wait, you might hang up and call back. But if you don’t, you will likely stay on the line hoping that, any second, someone will answer. Oftentimes, this leads to long waits and wasted time. Fortunately, Noritz now offers estimated wait times, which update every minute. That way you at least know where you stand. Furthermore, Noritz does callbacks if you find you are unable to stay on the line. So there’s no pressure to wait at all.

While these improvements are meant to help callers waiting on hold, our first priority is, and always will be, to answer every call as quickly as possible while giving our customers the best service. We are continually working on training our teams so that we can provide superior support for a superior product.
Contact Noritz at 1-866-766-7489.

Go For Noritz Winners Showcase Top-of-the-line Installs

Noritz’s recent #GoForNoritz contest gave our social media followers the opportunity to win gift cards worth up to $500 by sharing photos of their best Noritz tankless water heater installations on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Well, the verdict is in and here are our top three winners!

FIRST PLACE: John Thompson, owner at Thompson Family Plumbing & Rooter Inc.

Congratulations to our first place winner, John Thompson, owner of Thompson Family Plumbing & Rooter Inc. in southern California! The winning photo featured an EZTR40 residential tankless water heater installation.

A plumber for nine years, Thompson has been installing Noritz throughout his career. He is particularly drawn to the energy-saving benefits of tankless water heaters, the ability to swap out individual parts instead of the entire unit if something is wrong, and the built-in recirculation pump found in the NRCP model.

“After installing an NRCP unit in my own home, I’ve been saving $100 in energy every month,” says Thompson. “Noritz’s energy-saving benefits help my company achieve its dual mission of pleasing customers and protecting the environment by reducing our carbon footprint.”

First  Place Install 

SECOND PLACE: Eric Stromerson, Van’s Plumbing & Electric, Inc.First Place Install

Congratulations to our second place winner, Eric Stromerson, Lead HVAC Technician at Van’s Plumbing & Electric in Bellingham, WA. His submitted photo featured a residential NRCP-1112 tankless water heater.

Stromerson has been in the HVAC business the past 20 years and is a huge proponent of tankless water heating technology for its energy savings and ability to provide continuous hot water. He explains that Noritz heaters, with their ease-of-installation and helpful tech support, are the preferred option for his customers.

“We encourage our customers to install tankless over tank-type water heaters, specifically the Noritz brand,” says Stromerson. “We frequently put in NRCP-1111DV units, and I find they are much simpler to install than other systems.”

Second Place Install

THIRD PLACE: Scott King and Moises Ortiz, Alpha Plumbing & Heating Services, Inc.

Congratulations to our third place winners, Scott King and Moises Ortiz, owners of Alpha Plumbing & Heating Services, Inc. in Westchester, NY. They entered a photo of a Noritz-donated CB Combination Boiler, which was installed in a residential application.

King and Ortiz have been installing tankless water heaters for the past seven years, including Noritz models. Their primary reason for switching to tankless was the energy efficiency gained by heating water only on demand, instead of around the clock.

“I’m grateful to Noritz for donating the combination unit to this recent residential application,” says King. “It was a smooth installation, and I’m impressed with its efficient use of space and energy, as well as its overall performance.”

Third Place Install

Why Install a Noritz Combination Boiler 1: Variable Flow Control

The new CB Combination boiler/tankless water heater (CB Combi) from Noritz has a number of installer and homeowner advantages, not only over traditional, stand-alone boilers and tank-type water heaters, but also over other combination units on the market.

In this new blog series, we will explore some of these user-installer advantages. First on the list—the CB Combi’s unique flow control valve.

Why it’s there

To understand what the flow control valve does, you need to recognize the problem that it solves. If multiple fixtures are generating simultaneous demand for hot water, more energy may be required than the water heater can provide.

In such a scenario, the water emerging from the various fixtures would be colder than the desired setpoint temperature, because heat is not being transferred quickly enough due to the high volume.

What it does

The CB’s flow control valve acts to ensure that the domestic hot water (DHW) supply always emerges at the desired temperature by slowing down the water flow through the unit during periods of multiple fixture demand. Reducing the flow rate ensures enough time for the DHW to reach the setpoint temperature for all fixtures. 

Randy Oshiro, Lead Engineer at Noritz America, explains that one consequence of slowing down the flow rate could be slightly reduced water pressure from the fixtures. “The reduced pressure is so slight that it’s practically unnoticeable,” assures Oshiro. “The flow control valve sacrifices this tiny amount of water pressure to ensure the far more important and noticeable ability to meet desired hot water temperatures across multiple fixtures.”

Conversely, if there is a sharp change in hot-water demand, the flow control valve helps prevent scalding by adjusting the flow accordingly. “The goal of any domestic hot water heater is to deliver water at the desired temperature as quickly as possible,” explains Oshiro. “The flow control valve accomplishes this by either restricting or expanding water flow, depending on demand.”

Why it’s unique

Most other combination boilers on the market lack a flow control valve, meaning they either accept the fact of colder water in high-volume scenarios or require an add-on, flow-limiting device. Only the flow control valve inside the CB Combi by Noritz allows the user to enjoy desired water temperature for as long as needed, fulfilling the tankless promise.

To learn more about the CB Combi, please visit https://www.noritz.com/combi/