New Line of Noritz NRCP Condensing Tankless Water Heaters Save More Energy, Water

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — The new NRCP line of residential tankless water heaters from Noritz America combines the high efficiency of condensing technology with the comfort and savings of hot-water recirculation. A circulating pump inside the water heater keeps hot water close to the outlet, minimizing the wait and, therefore, the waste of unused potable water down the drain. Saving water, in this case, is doubly beneficial, because recirculation also avoids wasting the energy used to heat that water.

Using the integral digital display on the front of the water heater, homeowners can program the recirculation system to operate only when needed, with a precision down to the hour. An alternative “auto” setting allows the system to quickly “learn” a household’s water-usage routines and automatically control the recirculation loop activation times, allowing for immediate hot water when it is needed most.

Part of the Noritz ecoTOUGH Series of gas-fired residential tankless water heaters, the NRCP98-DV and the NRCP1112-DV, have an Energy Factor of 0.95 for both natural gas and LP gas. These ratings are more than 10 points higher than that of a comparably sized, conventional tankless unit, and approximately 30 points higher than a standard, tank-type gas-fired water heater.

Each unit delivers water from 100 F to 140 F, with a minimum flow rate for activation of 0.5 gpm.

Recirculation is accomplished through a combination of an integral pump and temperature sensor and the home’s water-distribution system. The recirculation control works by monitoring the temperature of the water exiting the heat exchanger inside the water heater.

Warm water returns to the tankless unit from the various outlets in a home via one or more recirculation loops. The maximum loop run from the tankless unit is 200 feet for 1/2-inch pipe; 500 feet for 3/4-inch pipe.

Using a half-inch gas line up to 120 feet in length, the NRCP98-DV and the NRCP1112-DV can be vented with PVC or CPVC pipe. With two-inch PVC, vent lines can extend up to 50 feet; with three inch, 100 feet.

“Condensing technology results in lower flue gas temperatures, permitting the use of plastic piping, which is less expensive than the Category III Stainless Steel venting required by conventional tankless units,” explains Noritz marketing manager Jason Fleming. “The zero-clearance plastic piping provides greater installation flexibility, as well as a lower installation cost, for the plumbing installer.”

Unlike some condensing units, the NRCP98-DV and the NRCP1112-DV do not need a built-in buffer tank to stabilize water temperature at the outlet. Not having to maintain a reservoir of hot water inside the unit further saves energy. “Hot water on demand with no storage whatsoever is what tankless technology is all about,” says Fleming.

Measuring 17.3 inches wide by 27.6 inches high by 14.8 inches deep, both units are equipped with a gas leak detector and a water leakage cutoff.

For more information on the NRCP98-DV and the NRCP1112-DV condensing tankless water heaters, visit www.noritz.com/professionals.