There are plenty of tankless water heater brands on the market, but few are as renowned as Noritz and Navien. But if both brands are top choices for going tankless, are they really any different? That’s what we’re here to walk you through!
We’ve worked with Noritz and Navien tankless water heaters for over 15 years. While both brands are great in their own right, thanks to their reliability and performance, there are some departments where they set themselves apart from one another for better or worse.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision regarding which brand is best for your home, and you’ll also have an understanding of what being the best really means.
If you're interested in either of these brands, skip to our Navien or Noritz Tankless Water Heater Guide linked below to get the full scope of how these brands position themselves within the industry.
Now, let’s jump into comparing the two brands by categorically breaking down where they’re alike and where they diverge.
Noritz vs. Navien: What’s the Difference?
To understand each brand, you’ll need a broad overview of certain factors. In the following section, well take a look at the following:
- Technology
- Efficiency
- Price
- Warranty
- Parts availability
- Rebates
Check out how Noritz and Navien stack up in terms of technology.
Technology
When you hear the word technology, you’re probably thinking about complicated electronics. While both brands feature models with onboard computer boards, technology, in this instance, refers specifically to heat exchangers and the strides both companies have made.
Both Navien and Noritz feature the latest and greatest heat exchanger technology in the form of stainless steel heat exchangers. The kicker here is that Navien is credited with revolutionizing the field with the world’s first stainless steel heat exchanger for tankless water heaters, giving them an added layer of trustworthiness.
Navien also pioneered the first built-in recirculation pumps, which were previously added onto tankless water heaters during installation. Noritz has since adopted the technology, but Navien gets the benefit of being first on the scene with new, more convenient technology yet again.
Noritz gives itself an edge in the technology department, though. The company’s EZ series is designed to make switching from a tank-style water heater to a tankless water heater a relative breeze. Thanks to some creative placement of the water inlet and outlet, the EZ series ensures that you won’t have to run new water lines when making the switch, saving you hundreds in the process.
All of these strides are great and all, but what about efficiency? What good is top-of-the-line technology if it costs you an arm and a leg in bills every month?
Efficiency
When you look at anything that impacts the environment and your monthly bills, efficiency is top of mind. Luckily, tankless water heaters are highly efficient, and the case is no different for Noritz and Navien.
Being two of the industry’s top earners, Navien and Noritz both offer homeowners high efficiency across their many respective models. Looking at Navien specifically, you can expect up to 98% efficiency.
On the Noritz side, high-efficiency models can reach up to 96% efficiency. While this is 2% beneath Navien, Noritz is still right at the top. Navien has the slightest edge here, but the difference isn’t enough to sway an opinion in either direction when you're comparing the two brands.
High-efficiency models are great, but what about the cost? What can you expect from each brand?
Price
Price is another area where both brands are neck in neck. To keep it brief, you can expect to pay between $1,200-$2,300 for a tankless water heater alone. With installation, you’re looking at anywhere between $4,700 and $8,300, depending on if your installer offers premium installation services with multiple add-on components like water treatment.
Luckily, both brands offer warranty coverage to help protect your upfront investment.
Warranty
Ok, you get it by now. Both Navien and Noritz are top-end brands with little to differentiate them. But when it comes to warranty, one company stands a bit taller than the other.
For years, Navien led the way regarding warranties with a blanket 15-year warranty on all of its heat exchangers. But, Noritz has since surpassed Navien as the industry leader in terms of warranties. Noritz now offers a 25-year warranty on select models, like the EZ series. This warranty term is far and away from the company’s previous 12-year standard.
Both Navien and Noritz stand by their respective warranties and honor many first-time replacements in a show of good faith. There’s no runaround here, just a warranty that its issuer steadily backs.
So, you’ve got a great warranty, but what about parts? Are they difficult to get? Do I need to go through a contractor? The answer is a mixed bag.
Parts Availability
While Navien and Noritz sport solid warranty coverage, they don’t handle getting ahold of parts similarly. One offers more convenient access, while the other can make it quite difficult for some homeowners.
Both companies allow homeowners to buy parts directly from their stock, but Navien draws a line past a certain point on who can purchase directly. If your tankless water heater is out of warranty, you won’t have direct access to Navien’s parts stock. Instead, you’ll need to get a contractor involved to buy from Navien directly.
Granted, this won’t be an issue for 15 years or so in most cases, but it is still something to think about if you fancy yourself to be a do-it-yourself type.
Rebates
If you live in California, you can net rebates and tax credits for purchasing a tankless water heater. Going with either a Navien or Noritz will earn you about $1,000 in rebates on most models and up to a $600 tax credit.
These are the maximum rebates and credits available right now. Considering how close both brands have been thus far, their even-keel rebate and tax credit value bring them even closer together in terms of similarity.
Neck-and-Neck Tankless Water Heater Performance
We touched on all the ways Noritz and Navien are similar and different. Now, you’ve got a better idea of why these two brands are at the top of the industry and that you can’t go wrong with either of them if your budget allows. Now, you can carry out your research knowing what the pinnacle of tankless water heaters looks like and weed out lesser options.
After 15 years, we can confidently tell you that both Navien and Noritz are reliable and trustworthy brands that will offer you constant hot water for years to come. Ready to take the next step? Call us at 310-853-8690 or visit our tankless water heater service page to schedule a consultation.
We get that a single comparison isn’t enough to build a full opinion; that’s why we encourage you to look into other comparisons like Noritz vs. Rheem tankless water heaters. If you’re still on the fence, it’s worth digging into whether a tankless water heater is right for you to better address your home’s needs.
You can also take a deeper dive into Navien with our Navien Tankless Water Heater Guide, which will give you a better understanding of how the brand defines itself within the industry.
