It can be difficult to decide when shopping for a tankless water heater due to the sheer number of options. While some brands lead the pack, others don’t impress quite as much. Noritz and Rheem have both earned the trust of homeowners and contractors over the years, but one brand definitely outshines the other in some areas.
After over 15 years of installing and servicing tankless water heaters in the Los Angeles area, we can confidently say that not all brands are created equal. There are plenty of areas where brands can fall short of the expectations set by other industry leaders.
Before we dive into comparing these two brands, check out our Noritz Tankless Water Heater guide to get a deep understanding of what Noritz has to offer.
Noritz vs. Rheem: What’s the Difference?
To understand each brand further, you’ll need a broad overview of certain factors. In this comparison, we’ll take a look at the following categories so you can confidently make the right decision for you and your home.
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Technology
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Efficiency
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Price
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Price
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Warranty
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Parts availability
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Rebates
First up, check out how Noritz and Rheem stack up in terms of technology.
Technology
Technology means something a little different than most consumer electronics. In this instance, technology refers specifically to heat exchangers and the strides both companies have made.
Both Rheem and Noritz feature the latest and greatest heat exchanger technology in the form of stainless steel heat exchangers. Stainless steel heat exchangers boast greater durability and reliability, making them the go-to choice for many of the leading tankless water heater manufacturers.
While Navien pioneered the first built-in recirculation pumps, which were previously added onto tankless water heaters during installation, other companies have adopted them since. Both Rheem and Noritz have implemented the recirculation technology, giving homeowners both endless and instant hot water.
Still, Noritz maintains its edge in the technology department. 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 creatively placing the water inlet and outlet, the EZ series negates the need to run new water lines when upgrading from a tank-style water heater, saving you hundreds of dollars.
While Rheem also offers an easier way to switch from a tank-style to a tankless, the placement of the water lines isn’t as convenient as Noritz’s.
Now that you’re filled in on the tech side of things let’s take a look at efficiency.
Efficiency
Efficiency is key in the tankless water heater race. Top brands are expected to lead the way in terms of efficiency and saving homeowners on their monthly bills.
Both Rheem and Noritz boast high-efficiency models that are ideal for those looking for a more environmentally friendly option. With Rheem, you can expect up to 96% efficiency.
Noritz high-efficiency models also reach up to 96% efficiency. This puts both brands neck and neck, which is great for consumer choice.
All of that efficiency is great, but what about the cost?
Price
Price is where Rheem and Noritz diverge slightly. To keep it brief, you can expect to pay between $1,200-$2,300 for a Noritz 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.
Rheem’s price range is much wider since the brand offers electric point-of-use options for fixtures like showers and bathtubs. You can expect Rheem tankless water heaters to run anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to $2,500 for a Rheem.
As expected, both brands offer warranty coverage to help protect your upfront investment.
Warranty
While Rheem and Noritz are similar enough, when it comes to warranty, one company outshines the other.
A blanket 15-year warranty on heat exchangers was the gold standard for years, thanks to Navien. But, Noritz trounces that mile mark by quite a lot. Noritz provides a 25-year warranty on models like the EZ series. This warranty term is far and away from the company’s previous 12-year standard, which Rheem provides on some of its models.
Rheem’s maximum warranty on offer is a boilerplate 15-year term similar to other brands, like Navien.
So, you know you’re covered, but what about parts? How hard are they to get ahold of? Is a contractor required? The answer for both brands is fairly simple.
Parts Availability
Rheem and Noritz have somewhat solid warranty coverage and handle getting ahold of parts similarly. Both offer fairly convenient access to parts.
Noritz and Rheem allow homeowners to buy parts directly from their stock. If your tankless water heater is out of warranty, you’ll still have access to both companies’ parts stock. Parts may be shipped to you or a licensed contractor.
This process is different than other brands in the space. Even an industry leader like Navien has a few more strings attached regarding their parts purchasing process.
As an aside, Rheem is one of the easiest brands of tankless water heaters to get a hold of since it is partnered with Home Depot. That being said, the installers that handle Rheem tankless water heaters when bought from Home Depot aren’t always licensed or specialized, so this is something to take into account.
Rebates
If you live in Southern California, you can apply for rebates and tax credits after purchasing a tankless water heater. Buying either a Rheem or Noritz could earn you about $1,000 in SoCal Gas rebates on some models and up to a $600 tax credit.
Team Rheem or Team Noritz?
We filled you in on how Noritz and Rheem are alike and how they differ. Now that you’ve got a sense of why these brands are some of the most common names in the space, you can carry out your research while easily avoiding lesser brands.
We’ve spent over 15 years working with and installing tankless water heaters, and we know that not every brand is up to par. Luckily, there are plenty of quality options on the market, like Rheem and Noritz.
If you’re interested in upgrading to a highly-efficient tankless water heater, visit our online scheduler or click one of the buttons below to book a consultation.
In the meantime, it’s wise to research how other brands hold against one another. Another popular comparison to check out is Navien vs. Noritz. You can also visit our Noritz Tankless Water guide for more information on the Noritz brand in general. Additionally, you can read into Noritz and Rheem in their respective brand reviews to get to know the companies a bit better.
