If you’re experiencing a lack of hot water or abnormal water flow rates, the first thing you should do is check out your Noritz tankless water heater. That’s when you notice Noritz error code 14 flashing on your tankless water heater, but how do you get it fixed? Luckily, we’ve got you covered.
With over 15 plus years of experience working with Noritz water heaters, we at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air developed a keen understanding of all their error codes. From the most to the least common Noritz error codes, our technicians have worked closely with technical specialists from Noritz to ensure that homes in Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas have their tankless water heaters fixed.
In this article, we will explain what Noritz error code 14 means and how it can be fixed. Noritz error code 14 will likely require the assistance of a professional to ensure it gets addressed correctly and your home can have running hot water again.
Before we dive deeper, you can gain an extensive understanding of the Noritz brand by checking out our Noritz Tankless Water Heater Guide.
Now, let’s begin breaking down what exactly Noritz error code 14 is.
What Does Noritz Error Code 14 Mean?
Noritz error code 14 indicates a failure with the thermal fuse wrapped around the heat exchanger. This error code only occurs with tankless water heaters with a copper heat exchanger, such as the NRC98 and NRC86 from Noritz.
Thermal fuse failure occurs when the heat exchanger inside the tankless water heater experiences a significant overheat. The thermal fuse acts as a safety cord that prevents potential fire hazards when overheating is detected. It has a one-time use, meaning it must be replaced once it breaks.
The fuse monitors the heat levels of the heat exchanger and can overheat for any of the following reasons.
- Scale buildup: Scale is a byproduct of hard water. It is a visible white, chalk-like residue that builds up in hot water appliances such as water heaters. The limescale buildup acts as insulation and makes it difficult for the copper heat exchanger to heat water, which can lead to overheating.
- Not enough ventilation: Tankless water heaters need proper ventilation to expel excess heat produced during the water heating process. If the ventilation is incorrectly installed or has no clear exit route, the heat can accumulate and eventually overheat.
- Electrical or gas issues: Any issues with the gas supply or faulty electrical connections can lead to irregular heating and potentially cause overheating. Aside from damaging the thermal fuse, these issues can also permanently impair a tankless water heater, leaving a house without any hot water unless the water heater is replaced.
There could also be a few other reasons that can cause a tankless water heater to overheat and lead to thermal fuse failure. Still, the only way to have the issue properly inspected and diagnosed is with a professional technician.
If Noritz error code 14 remains unfixed, it can lead to a lack of hot water, complete tankless water heater failure, or a dangerous fire hazard. The first step in clearing and fixing Noritz error code 14 is by calling for assistance from a professional.
How to Clear Noritz Error Code 14
The only way to clear and fix Noritz error code 14 is by having a technician replace the thermal fuse and resolve whatever is causing the tankless water heater to overheat. The entire thing can take two to four hours for a technician to fix.
If a replacement part needs to be ordered, it can take a couple of business days for the part to arrive before the repairs can be completed. If there’s any damage to the heat exchanger, then that will likely also need to be replaced.
By calling a technician to fix error code 14, they can review and see if the issue qualifies for a warranty claim with Noritz. If a defective component causes error code 14, the parts required for repair are likely covered under the Noritz warranty.
If the overheating was caused by scale buildup, the technician could perform a tankless water heater flush to help eliminate any scale that has built up. Although a flush removes scale buildup, installing some type of water filtration system, such as a water softener, is recommended to prevent any future scale buildup in the copper heat exchanger.
Dealing with Noritz error code 14 can be annoying, but it is entirely fixable. Still, it isn’t the only code that may appear with your Noritz tankless water heater.
How to Deal With Other Noritz Error Codes?
Noritz tankless water heaters can last up to 25 years or more, but an error code or two may likely appear throughout that time. One of the best ways to stay on top of your tankless water heaters is by learning about the most common Noritz error codes to help you prepare for the unexpected. Even if a Noritz tankless water heater lasts a long time, it may be best to consider a new replacement over repairing an older unit with an error code issue.
By learning about other error codes and keeping up with annual tankless water heater maintenance, you can ensure that your Noritz tankless water heater can continuously provide your home with hot water.
Clearing Noritz Error Code 14
Issues such as Noritz error code 14 can be a headache to deal with. Fortunately, now you’re ready to take action if your Noritz tankless water heater sees error code 14 appear on its display. By taking immediate action, you can make sure you and your family can have hot water running again in your home.
Whether it’s a Noritz tankless water heater or a different manufacturer, we at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air have helped clear error codes in tankless water heaters all over Los Angeles and the surrounding neighborhoods. Since 2007, we’ve received specialized training from brands such as Noritz to ensure that our technicians are prepared to handle any error codes, such as error code 14.
To help get you started on dealing with Noritz error code 14 or any other error codes, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment through our tankless repair online scheduler.
Now that we’ve identified the issue, are you wondering what repair costs look like? Check out this article on how much it costs to repair a tankless water heater.
