NORITZ BLOG

When plumber Sam Crandall got the call for the 4th Street Market job, he knew a challenge lay ahead. “We were turning the first level of a 30-year-old, two-story building into something totally modern and different, making it impossible to anticipate every little thing,” he says.

According to Ryan Chase, S&A principal and owner, Fourth Street Market--a 30,000 square-foot, street-level emporium--was designed to attract a young clientele seeking groundbreaking cuisine from talented young chefs lacking the wherewithal to go solo.

Now fully operational, Fourth Street consists of 15 different “artisan” food vendors occupying roughly 300 square feet apiece and with funky names like Electric City Butcher, Radical Botanicals, Chunk-N-Chip and Noodle Tramp.

Combining all of these food venues into a single, 44-foot x 31-foot space on one level – while meeting all the special, mechanical requirements that resulted – are what drove the plumbing design and installation challenges for the Crandall’s Plumbing crew. This was especially true for the building’s domestic hot water system, an obviously critical need for all 22 foodservice tenants in the 4th Street Market.

The Tankless Advantage

The currently installed 22 Noritz units at 4th Street are all Model No. NC1991-OD-NG, with a thermal efficiency of 84 percent; a maximum flow rate of 11.1 gallons per minute; and gas consumption from 16,000 to 199,900 BTU/hour. Measuring only 23.6 inches high x 13.8 inches wide x 9.4 inches deep, up to 24 of these heaters can be “quick-connected” into a “multi-system.” Beyond their diminutive size and weight (54 pounds apiece) versus a boiler and storage tank system, tankless also offers the key advantage of delivering hot water only when needed, that is, “on demand,” thus saving on storage fuel costs.

Crandall’s team found its greatest design/installation challenges in two areas: 1) developing a way to mount the 22 units on the rooftop; and 2) building the pipe runs from those units through the building’s top level, where a small college had been located (the space is now vacant), to the kitchens and shops at ground level. Crandall says that the installation, including the rooftop lines, took his team roughly a week to complete. “In the end, it all came together nicely,” he noted.

A Happy Ending

The 22 water heaters at 4th Street Market have performed “without any problem” since the renovated facility reopened in early 2015, according to S&A’s Beddow. In fact, because of the reliable experience the company has enjoyed at 4th Street, it has opted for the Noritz solution at two other Santa Ana properties, both restaurants.

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Crandall sees the space-saving benefits and the energy savings of tankless as prime attractions. “The technology is ideal for point-of-use delivery of hot water and individualized monitoring of that usage, as was the case at 4th Street,” he says. “But its smaller size and zero footprint is just as important.”

New Noritz Training Center Offers Free Tankless Education for Contractors

Located roughly 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, Noritz’s new Marietta, GA, training center is nearly complete and will offer regional plumbing contractors 10 tankless water heater courses, ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

The 20 x 20-square-foot location is Noritz’s second training center, joining the main facility in Fountain Valley, CA.

All courses are free of charge and serve groups of up to 25 contractors, who call in advance to request the particular course they would like to take. Topics covered include residential tankless installation, preventative maintenance, and commercial troubleshooting (see table).

Taking Noritz courses will give contractors the edge when it comes to earning business. Not only are both builders and consumers recognizing the benefits of no-tank technology (on-demand hot water, energy efficiency, and space savings) and requesting these products in their homes and businesses, but contractors can directly receive customer leads through the Noritz ProCard program. By completing program courses, contractors earn credits that boost their Noritz Power Rankings, so that they appear higher in installer listings on the company website. The goal of the live training courses is to enable a contractor to competently and confidently install Noritz water heaters.

>> Learn more about Noritz’s ProCard program

“Contractor attendees become certified to work on Noritz heaters, just like our in-house techs,” explains Sammy Alvarado, marketing assistant at Noritz. “The courses make contractors more marketable by demonstrating that they have the training and knowledge to work on Noritz heaters and are able to tackle almost any issue.”

While other water heater manufacturers offer similar training, Alvarado explains that Noritz offers greater flexibility for contractors. “In addition to giving live lectures at our two training centers, Noritz product trainers can travel to companies that cannot make the trip to Fountain Valley or Marietta themselves. The trainers will bring actual heaters to train and teach the classes, just as if they were at the home location.”

Ultimately, adding the training center benefits the end user as much as the attendees. “By providing opportunities that allow contractors to engage more with our products, we are raising the industry’s knowledge of tankless. This, in turn, provides more installation options for end users,” concludes Alvarado.

For more information on Noritz training, please visit https://training.noritz.com/

To request a class at the Marietta location, please call 770-422-8120.

Pollinate Media Founders choose Noritz Tankless Water Heater for Home Usage 

When the oven broke down in their nearly 60-year-old Costa Mesa, CA, home, Kyle Circle and his wife Alissa had a gradual epiphany. “After we set out to install a larger oven, we realized we wanted to update the kitchen, then the bathroom; before we knew it, we had decided to remodel the entire home,” he recalls.

As founders of the successful, Pollinate Media Company, the Circles decided to turn this into a media project. “We envisioned an energy-efficient home, with smart technology, that would meet our needs for the next 50 years,” explains Circle.

Since the project began in September 2015, the home has nearly doubled in size. Structurally, 945 square feet were added to the original 1,268 square foot building, which now includes two new bathrooms and a new bedroom. Every interior wall was either moved or removed except for three, and entirely new plumbing and HVAC systems were installed.

Most importantly for the couple, the home has become an eco- lover's dream. Energy-efficient appliances and low-flow plumbing fixtures save electricity and water, as does solar-powered technology and LED lighting installed throughout. A reverse osmosis system reuses water while charging stations recharge electric cars.

The Noritz  NRCP 1112-DV Was Quick to Show It's Green Efficiency In The Circle's Home

Fitting right into this green home is a Noritz NRCP1112-DV-NG tankless water heater from Noritz. “With its ability to provide hot water on demand without the need to use energy constantly to heat a large storage tank, this technology perfectly fits into our eco-friendly vision,” says Circle.

He first encountered Noritz technology at the International Builders’ Show the year before he began his project. “I was impressed with what I saw at their booth in terms of tankless’ energy-saving benefits. After that, I heard nothing but praise from plumbers, who called it the ‘creme of the crop for reliability.’ That, plus Noritz’s convenient proximity to my home, made choosing them a no-brainer for my project, and they were gracious enough to donate the unit.”

In particular, the NRCP1112 was chosen for its built-in recirculation function. A hot-water recirculation system operates through a “loop” created in a home’s plumbing system. In addition to supply lines connecting the water heater to each hot-water outlet, a standard recirculation system also contains either a return line back to the heater from each outlet or from only the farthest fixture. A circulating pump moves hot water through this loop — in some systems, even when there is no demand for hot water — resulting in “instant” hot water when the tap or shower is turned on. “This will literally allow my family to have immediate, hot water on demand,” says Circle.

His plumbing contractor completed the installation in less than one hour without complications. Due to living in a hard water area, Circle had a water softener installed adjacent to the water
heater, which is wall-hung in the garage. “We put it right where our old, tank-style water heater had been,” says Circle.

Since the installation, the unit has performed optimally, according to the homeowners. “The ability to get instant, on-demand hot water is amazing, especially for my wife, who makes ample use of the soaking tub.”

Energy savings have been particularly impressive. Circle reports that his gas bill shrank from a monthly average of $40 to $10. Similarly, his electricity bill dropped 27 percent. “The energy savings are truly amazing, and they will pay for the unit many times over,” he states.

Tankless water heaters are increasingly proving themselves in high-efficiency homes across the country with their superior, green performance. More and more homeowners, like the Circles, are realizing that this technology is the wave of the future. “We definitely plan to use it on future media projects,” predicts Circle.

ProCard App Now Offers Contractors On-Demand Technical Resources

Contractors, Noritz has enriched its ProCard app to make your job easier when installing a tankless water heater. Several new capabilities provide the technical assistance you need when you’re on the job site and not necessarily connected to the internet.

First, in case you forgot or are unfamiliar, here’s a brief refresher on the ProCard program in general:

ProCard connects the most qualified Noritz installers with customers in need of a contractor. Either online or through the smartphone app, contractors can accept leads from customers who chose them for the job. Become a ProCard member by clicking here.

Once the contractor completes the installation in the customer’s home, he or she scans the QR code on the heater by using the ProCard app’s QR code reader. This registers the product's warranty and earns the contractor points. The more points earned, the higher the contractor’s ProCard ranking will be, resulting in greater visibility to possible leads.

>> Read more about how the QR code works

Those are the basics. Now, here are the recent upgrades to the app.

• Interactive Troubleshooting Tools: You’ve probably had computer problems in the past that you used a troubleshooting tool to fix. It asked you a series of questions about your particular problem and offered solutions. A similar tool can now be found on the ProCard app, so if you are called in to repair a malfunctioning heater or are having trouble with an installation, simply open the troubleshooter on your phone and follow the interactive wizard to resolve the problem.
• Service History: When you visit the dentist, your entire patient history is logged into a database. Now, the ProCard app provides the same for Noritz tankless water heaters. Simply scan the heater’s QR code for a history of maintenance work it has undergone.
• Technical Literature: Gone are the days of having to find hard copies of technical information on a water heater. In fact, you don’t even need an internet connection now that the ProCard app contains a full resource library of technical material on Noritz products.
• Other Tools: The ProCard app also now contains various other tools that simplify installation and maintenance of Noritz water heaters. One such tool is the new gas pipe-sizing calculator. Properly sizing the gas line is crucial to ensuring the water heater gets enough fuel. The app will determine how many BTUs are being used by other appliances to determine the correct pipe size range.

These features improve the ProCard app’s utilization for ProCard Members with a faster and more reliable field tool option to help field techs on the toughest job sites.

To download the free app on Android, click here.

To download the free app on iOS, click here.

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/