Shopping for a new fixture involves narrowing down the various options different brands offer. Searching for the right tankless water heater isn't any different. With top manufacturers like Noritz and Rinnai leading the industry, comparing these two brands can be overwhelming. However, a thorough comparison review can change that and simplify the tankless water heater shopping experience.
At Monkey Wrench, we've learned which tankless water heaters are the best for homeowners after 15-plus years of installations and servicing. Rinnai and Noritz are two brands that have earned slots as some of our preferred tankless water heater brands for homes across Los Angeles, from Brea to Oxnard.
Before you dive into this comparison, take a moment to check out our Noritz Tankless Water Heater Guide to get an in-depth look at everything Noritz has to offer.
To help break down this comparison, we'll review how Noritz and Rinnai rank against each other in the following categories.
- Technology
- Efficiency
- Price
- Warranty
- Parts Availability
By highlighting these points, you'll gain plenty of information to help you make an educated decision on whether Rinnai or Noritz are right for you or if you're better off exploring other tankless water heater options.
Let's get started!
Noritz vs. Rinnai: What's the Difference?
Technology
Tankless water heaters have been around for decades, but Rinnai and Noritz have constantly sought to improve tankless water heating technology. Furthermore, it's inside their units where Rinnai and Noritz slightly differ. Each offers condensing and non-condensing tankless water heaters that best suit a home's hot water needs.
Noritz tankless water heaters were one of the first manufacturers to decrease the time it took for hot water to reach a fixture, thanks to the Noritz NRCR Series. These Noritz tankless water heaters are a group of tankless water heaters that reduce hot water waiting time by using an integrated recirculation line designed to keep hot water circulating until it's needed again. Rinnai also carries a recirculation line with their Rinnai Sensi series of tankless water heaters.
Rinnai and Noritz have extra, optional features outside of water heating, such as WiFi compatibility and tracking hot water usage patterns unique to each home. Both brands offer different models of tankless water heaters that make installation easier.
Noritz has the EZ Series, designed to make swapping a conventional, tank-style water heater for a tankless unit easier, thanks to its dedicated connection lines. Rinnai has the SENSEI Rx Series, a tankless water heater that offers versatile installation options depending on a home's ventilation, water heater location, and fuel source.
One area where Noritz and Rinnai share similarities is through their energy efficiency.
Efficiency
Efficiency is crucial in comparing tankless water heater brands like Rinnai and Noritz because it's a massive indicator of how much homeowners can save on utility bills. Although both brands offer Energy-Star-certified high-efficiency tankless water heaters, Rinnai has a slightly higher rating than Noritz.
Rinnai has tankless water heater models with a 98% efficiency rating, whereas Noritz's highest-efficiency units have a 96% rating. The 2% difference may not seem like much, but for every dollar spent on fuel to heat water, 98 cents are used compared to 96 cents.
Over time, the difference between the two cents will add to annual energy savings. Both can offer significant energy savings, but Rinnai may offer just a little more than Noritz.
Besides efficiency, price is another indicator to use when comparing Noritz and Rinnai.
Price
Price is another factor homeowners look at when comparing tankless water heater brands. Rinnai and Noritz have similar pricing, with Rinnai having units at a lower cost. Still, the range can vary depending on model type and efficiency level.
Rinnai tankless water heaters cost as low as $700 to $2,900 without installation and between $4,800 to $8,800 with installation included. Noritz tankless water heaters can cost about $1,200 to $2,300 without installation and between $4,700 to $8,300 with installation. To help offset the cost, special rebates of up to $1,600 are available for homeowners who upgrade their home's water heating to a tankless water heater.
When shopping for a Rinnai or Noritz tankless water heater, homeowners should keep in mind that stores and businesses can sell these at whatever price they choose at their discretion. Before deciding to move forward with a purchase, homeowners should review Noritz and Rinnai's warranty terms.
Warranty
Noritz outshines Rinnai when it comes to warranty. Select Noritz tankless water heaters, like the EZ series, come with a 25-year warranty on the stainless steel heat exchanger. Tankless water heaters can last 12 to 15 years and sometimes 25 years, which makes Noritz a strong choice for long-term security for water heating.
Rinnai's warranty for the heat exchanger in tankless water heaters is 15 years, far less than Noritz's, but still a good warranty. Both brands offer 5-year coverage for replacing defective parts and a year warranty for reasonable labor, but Rinnai offers 5 years of labor if a homeowner registers their tankless water heater.
If a tankless water heater from one of these Noritz or Rinnai needed a part for a repair, how do they compare regarding availability?
Parts Availability
Noritz and Rinnai have a solid network of parts for technicians whenever repairs are needed. Both manufacturers have parts stocked in different supplier locations.
Noritz allows homeowners to purchase parts straight from their stock, and Rinnai has parts available at major hardware stores. However, it's highly recommended that they consult with a certified technician to repair or purchase parts for a tankless water heater.
Is a Noritz or Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Right for Me?
If you're looking for long-term water heating backed by a strong warranty, Noritz is a clear choice. But if you're looking for a tankless water heater that costs less, Rinnai may be a better option. By using different factors to compare these brands, you can weigh out which one is better for you or use those same factors to compare other tankless water heater brands.
Since 2007, we've installed multiple series of tankless water heaters from the top manufacturers in the industry. At Monkey Wrench, our technicians have seen all types of tankless water heaters up close and can see which options from different brands can benefit a home and its hot water needs.
If you need help choosing a tankless water heater for installation, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment directly through our online scheduler for tankless water heater services.
Rinnai and Noritz annually make the best lists for tankless water heaters. Learn more about other top brands for tankless water heaters to spread your search for the best water heating option for your home.
