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Noritz vs. Rinnai

by Zee from water heater reviews
(Canada)

Noritz vs. Rinnai... which tankless water heater is better?
As there are many inquires online about comparing Rinnai and Noritz water heaters, I will try to cover their main advantages so you can actually decide or find the answer which tankless water heater is better.

Both Noritz and Rinnai water heaters are coming from Japan and using the same tank-less technology. They both heat the water. They both have great 12-year warranty. All the units are Energy Star qualified and have burners with the low NOx emission.


Noritz vs. Rinnai - Comparison

But, lets compare two the largest Energy Star models for residential hot water applications: Noritz NR98-DVC and Rinnai R94 LSi.

Noritz NR98-DVC with 11,000 min/199,900 max. BTU/hr for both natural and propane gas outperforms Rinnai R94 LSi which is designed for 15,000 min./199,000 max. BTU/hr for natural gas (190,000 for LP).

Noritz NR98-DVC outperforms Rinnai R94 LSi in capacity range also: 0.5-9.8 gpm vs. 0.6-9.4 gpm.

Noritz tankless water heater has a built-in pump control for recirculation application while Rinnai doesn't.

Noritz is equipped with the heat exchanger made of the commercial grade copper which is 25% thicker than Rinnai.

Noritz is equipped with the dual flame burners, to maximize the output, provides temperature stability, and maintains low emissions. Rinnai has single flame burners.

Noritz uses stainless steel casing on all ASME commercial units, while Rinnai don't.

Noritz offers more tankless water heater models and higher flow rate (commercial models are with the 13.2 gpm, residential 9.8). Noritz manufactures units for hot water production and radiant heating applications while Rinnai doesn't.

Rinnai has more condensing tankless water heater models in its offer; with the 8 and 9.8-gallon water flow and for indoor and outdoor installation.


Noritz vs. Rinnai - Price

Amazon: Rinnai R94 LSi costs $1400; on sale is $1100
Google product: Noritz NR98-DVC is $1150

Conclusion:

Bottom line is, according to the above review and comparison, both tankless units are great, long lasting with great features. What I personally like is that Noritz manufacturer builds and quality controls almost all of its parts, they do not outsource the work.

Which one you are going to buy depends on your budget, personal preference, availability in your area and customer service. It is easy to buy a water heater but if you don't have the reliable tech support, available replacement parts and technicians when you need it than think twice.

Comments for Noritz vs. Rinnai

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Jan 11, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rinnai in Bed with Reliance and Enercare
by: Anonymous

I believe Rinnai is working with Reliance and Enercare having their units installed in new home builds in Ontario, Canada as rentals. Once you have purchased your home you only have 10 days to opt-out or get locked into renting for 15 years. Likely best to buy them out if you pass your 10 days opt-out. You will likely pay much more than the unit is worth on buy-out. I’ve had a Rinnai unit installed by Reliance going on for 12 years. No issues with the Rinnai unit so far. The problem is I’ve paid at least twice what it is worth and to currently buy it out they want $1400. I could pay a couple hundred more for a new similar model and have a 12-year warranty and the peace of mind knowing I will likely get at least 20 years out of it. I told Reliance, with the current price of scrap steel they would be lucky to get $250.00 for it. And they definitely won’t be able to resell it as it is obsolete. They still wouldn’t budge. So my choices are to keep renting at $140/every 3 months, have them uninstall and remove it for $125, have a new one installed after removing the Reliance provided Rinnai and have them pick it up for $65, or finally have a new one installed after removing the Reliance provided Rinnai, and return it to a drop off location at no charge. Considering the principle of the matter I will choose to drop it off to them for scrap metal and will never deal with Reliance again. I may choose Noritz because I believe Rinnai Canada is in bed with Reliance, who is one of the distributors. New home contractors are now trying to work it out that not only will hot water heaters be rentals, but furnaces and air conditioning units as well. Buyer beware…10 days to cancel after you go through the process of a new home purchase.
Apr 18, 2020
Rating
starstarstar 		Neither are great
by: Anonymous

I’m a plumber who regularly services tankless units in Canada, neither of these units seem to last very long, big parts are hard to find and expensive. Noritz seems to be trouble-free until they hit about 8 years then become plugged up. Rinnai seems to have a lot of small finicky problems, cheap to repair but obnoxious how many small parts go. Of course, I only see things when they go wrong never when they work perfectly, but do your research and price should be the least important when you're installing a tankless. I like IBC or Navien in Alberta. The performance and support you get are regional, depending on water quality, quality of installation and availability of wholesalers, different units are better choices elsewhere.
Takagi and Baxi are the worst lol
Jan 14, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Both Rinnai and Noritz are great water heaters.
by: PacificTankless.com

We only install Rinnai, Takagi, Noritz, and Navien, the reason being they are the best brands on the market today. With the right model for the situation, correct sizing and installation you can not go wrong with any of those. In regards to the comments below, it is true that some older Noritz water heaters were pickier and would develop leak but their warranty and customer service are great too. We have many customers with multiple properties fitted with Noritz for more than a decade and they don't want to hear about any other brand but on the other hand that goes for Takagi and Rinnai owners too. Navien is still too new as a brand but it is getting there fast. Rinnai came up with built-in rec. pump model which doesn't require a dedicated return line and 15-year warranty on heat exchanger, Noritz came up with a similar model without a pump but with a 25-year warranty on the heat exchanger. Bottom line is both Rinnai and Noritz are great tankless water heaters.
May 21, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rinnai product is vertically integrated
by: Anonymous

Rinnai is the #1 selling brand of tankless water heaters in North America.

Rinnai manufactures all components of its tankless water heaters down to the screws. There is no outsourcing.

Rinnai is also building a new manufacturing facility in Griffin, GA and by 2021 will manufacture all parts and assemble all of its tankless water heaters that are sold in the US.
Jan 21, 2019
Rating
star 		Rinnai has new models
by: Anonymous

Rinnai has recirculating models with stainless steel heat exchangers, an excellent warranty that can include 5 years on labor, tech support that is 24/7/365 and very helpful. Their new models also are easy to service and operate. They work with Alexa and Google. They include a hanging bracket so one person can install. They also can vent longer than any other manufacturer going up to 65’ with 2" PVC!
Jan 21, 2019
Rating
starstar 		Article not all facts....
by: Anonymous

Rinnai is vertically integrated and makes the parts and pieces in the unit. Their defect rate is well beyond world-class standards. There seems to be a bias toward Noritz, there are many factors not taken into consideration in the comparison and some broad stroking.
Oct 13, 2018
Rating
star 		Never go with Noritz
by: Anonymous

I had an NRC111 for only 2 years before an error code 26 popped up along with a leak that occurred a week after. I have descaled it three times during the last 2.5 years. The third time I did it myself after thoroughly watching the previous plumbers do it along with a couple of youtube videos. But regardless, it leaked because it was "overheating" due to hard water.

The customer service women sent out a new heat exchanger, but I had to pay for the labor which wracked up to $285. Talk about quality...Noritz lacks that. I would definitely go with a Rinnai like my neighbor had who has had it for 8 years without doing much as an error message.
Aug 26, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		most defects on Noritz
by: Anonymous

We sell and install tankless heaters only for the past 15 years and are not "married" to a brand. Here is our experience.

We see by far the most problems and return from Noritz (aside from Bosch :-) ). Noritz heat exchanger is very sensitive to hard water, heat exchanger starts to leak and by the burner being below the heat exchanger causes ignition failure very quickly.

Regular combustion fan failure. The fan is mounted vertical (Rinnai is horizontal) and the weight of the fan is on its shaft and bearing, wears out. I have never seen a Rinnai fan fail, it is mounted horizontally as it should be.

On Noritz, the burner is made of steel and below the heat exchanger, contaminants blown into it by the fan clog it easily and the burner mesh corrodes over time.

On Rinnai, the burner sits above the heat exchanger and is made of ceramic, no corrosion possible here.

On Noritz model 751 for example, there is frequent ignition module failure, although not a big deal but a headache for the customer.

Motorized mixing valves on Noritz fail prematurely often, weak motors that can't overcome the small amount of scale buildup in the valve, they burn out.

Noritz had a lot of heat exchanger failures mostly due to hard water and got tired of replacing them under warranty. Now the heater measures hours of operation and stops working after a while until it is descaled, very annoying to customers.

I could go on but that should be enough for now. And BTW we also install Noritz all the time.

justtankless.com
Feb 12, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		If I had to do it again, I would pick Noritz again, hands down.
by: Anonymous

I have had a Noritz thankless DHW heater for about 6 years. I am not a plumber or a contractor. I have had much experience with plumbing and contracting over the years and am confident in my work. I have not had one issue with the Noritz.

From what I understand Rinnai has a tighter control on who they train to install their product. So to the one gentleman who mentioned about kickbacks, this couldn't be more of a kickback!! Sorry, in this society, I trust so few, as soon as I get any whiff of dishonesty or self-fulfillment I am out!! I learn and do it myself instead!!!

I had done much research prior to making my purchase, asking around and researching online, when I finally settled on Noritz.

I ensured I installed using their manifold and I couldn't be happier.

One downside is during the cold months, the temperature rise is enough that the unit gates down the hot water supply to ensure proper temperature, where only one shower can be used at a time.

If I had to do it again, I would pick Noritz again, hands down.
Mar 13, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Noritz vs Rinnai
by: Anonymous

I have had a Noritz water heater for about six years and love it. I have since moved and am looking at having an on demand water heater installed, was given a price of $2900 for the Rinnai, plus additional $ for changing from electric hot water to natural gas, I think that is a bit much.
Will go with a Noritz again, even though there is no certified installer in my area.
Feb 12, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Noritz
by: Anonymous

I have a Noritz and can't say enough about it. In the 5+ years I have had mine it has never failed me. Remind you that I do the yearly maintenance and pump 4 gallons of vinegar through it to descale it. Something that doesn't get discussed is the units that fail-were they maintained properly?? I would buy Noritz again.
Aug 11, 2016
Rating
starstar 		Noritz vs. Rinnai... master plumber's opinion
by: Matt- Florida

As a master plumber I personally have installed well over 500 Rinnai tankless water heaters, a hand full of Noritz, Rheem, Navien, and other cheaper brands. I can count on one hand the time I have went back or on a service call for a Rinnai issue on a heater I installed. Yes, I am a little biased towards Rinnai only because of my personal experience and lack of problems. Other service calls I have been on most of the time were an installation issue.

Rinnai and Noritz are both good heaters but some issues were not discussed in this article. Rinnai hands down has better customer support-24/7. Noritz is only during business hours. I have always been able to get Rinnai heaters cheaper also(not an astronomical difference but usually $50-$90). Noritz has a program with contractors to get a kickback for heaters they sell, more they sell more kickback they get.

Not all contractors will have you in their best interest if they can make an extra buck. I did have a Noritz out of the box labeled for natural gas and was set up for propane. After 2+hrs on the phone with tech support their theory was lightening must have hit the house and changed some parameters set up in the heater.

Really?

It didn't hurt anything else in the house and didn't magically change any other parameters but the one for propane. Come on. Lightening didn't hit the house. My advise is do your own research and talk with knowledgeable and experienced plumbers. Lots of people out there are willing to give you advice about things they aren't knowledgeable about.
Mar 25, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rinnai overratted
by: M Florest

I have had a Rinnai tankless Water heater for about 5 years.

Had two breakdowns and the water at the low end of the flow rate does not heat at all. Currently working on the third breakdown of the system.

I have been looking into the Noritz and from all that I can tell it is a better unit unless I find that they too are over selling their product just as Rinnai has done.

Also installed a Rinnai gas heater in my basement and am equally dissatisfied with the output versus gas consumption.

In my estimation Rinnai is overrated and I will look anywhere but to Rinnai when I replace units from here on out.
Jan 31, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Noritz Vs Rinnai
by: Anonymous

I am in hvac sales , and i have sold both the products. But i have noticed that people tend to like the Noritz brand more than Rinnai, both customers and installers alike. Installers love the fact that they can use the condensing model of Noritz for any house and also the venting pipes are cheaper as they use a 3 inch venting, where as most of the Rinnai models use a concentric venting which is more expensive than regular 3 inch pvc pipes.

Hope this helps people make a better decision when it comes to chose a brand
Oct 05, 2011
Rating
starstarstar 		Which brand is best - Noritz or Rinnai?
by: EKN

I have the 9.8 g/min Noritz for my master bath which replaced a tempermental Rinnai. I am also replacing an old tank heater with the newer condensing Noritz 11 g/min for the remainder of the house. Noritz always wins over Rinnai when you do the side-by-side. I'm only going with Noritz from now on.
Sep 06, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rinnai vs Noritz tankless heaters
by: Anonymous

I can buy and have installed either of the heaters mentioned in the article for approximately $3200. it is hard to discerne the difference without digging into it. This article was very helpful in making my decision. Clouding the issue, I think Rinnai does a better job of advertising. I will opt for the Noritz.

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