Noritz Tankless Water Heater Install Cost in 2026

The Noritz lineup, by use case rather than model number

Specifications below are from Noritz's 2025 high-efficiency spec spread and EZ series spec sheet, checked October 2026.

EZ series, the tank-replacement family

The EZ-series (EZ71DV, EZ98DV, EZ111DV) is condensing, rated 0.98 UEF, at 160,000, 180,000 and 199,900 BTU. The EZ111DV is rated 11.1 GPM at a 30F rise and the EZ98DV 9.8 GPM. Noritz sells them as tank-replacement bundles (EZTR50 with the EZ98, EZTR75 with the EZ111, for 50 and 75 gallon tanks). Venting can be 2, 3 or 4 inch PVC/CPVC, polypropylene, an outdoor vent cap, or a 2-inch flexible vent fed through the old tank's B-vent. The spec spread lists 1/2 inch gas line capability up to 40 ft for the EZ111DV and 50 ft for the EZ98DV, and a 25-year heat exchanger warranty. Installed cost on a tank-swap job runs roughly $2,600 to $5,000 on the itemised model below, lower than an equivalent fresh-vent install because the vent and gas work shrink.

The key constraint: the B-vent only serves as a chase for the flex vent, so it has to be a clear, intact run your installer can feed the liner through. If the route is blocked or the gas run is longer than the spec allows on 1/2 inch, the EZ advantage shrinks to an ordinary install.

NRCR series, the other condensing models

The NRCR111DV (199,900 BTU, 11.1 GPM at a 30F rise) and NRCR92DV (165,000 BTU, 9.2 GPM) are also condensing at 0.98 UEF, with a 15-year heat exchanger warranty rather than the EZ's 25 years.

NRC series, the non-condensing line

The NRC111DV, NRC98DV and NRC711DV (and outdoor OD versions) are Noritz's non-condensing "high efficiency" models, rated 0.89 to 0.92 UEF, with a 12-year heat exchanger warranty and approval to 8,000 ft. The NRC711DV is the small-house entry point at 7.1 GPM (30F rise).

Sizing the NRC711DV

Installed cost runs $2,600 to $3,500 on our model. It suits 1.5 to 2-bath houses in mild climates where higher-GPM units would be oversized; at 0.89 UEF it sits in SoCalGas's $800 rebate tier (UEF 0.87 to 0.94), against $1,300 for the 0.98 UEF EZ models.

Itemised installed cost for the EZ111-DV-NG (retrofit scenario)

Tank swap with a 2-inch flex vent run through the existing B-vent, like-for-like 3-bath house:

The labour line is the biggest reason Noritz wins on tank swaps: where a fresh-vent install eats 8 to 11 hours, an EZ swap using the old B-vent as a chase eats 4 to 7 on our model. That single difference closes most of the unit-cost-premium gap with Rheem and even beats Rheem on some retrofit jobs.

High-altitude installs

Approved altitude varies by model, not brand: Noritz's EZ series is approved to 10,200 ft and its NRC series to 8,000 ft; Rinnai's RU series is approved to 10,200 ft; Navien's NPE-2 to 10,100 ft; Rheem's RTGH series to 7,800 ft. Every gas appliance loses some output as air thins, and the installer sets the unit's altitude parameters during commissioning, so check the model's manual for its high-altitude settings.

For Denver and other 5,000 to 6,000 ft markets, all four major brands have condensing models approved for the altitude. Above 7,800 ft, the Rheem RTGH is out and Noritz EZ, Rinnai RU or Navien NPE-2 are the options.

Ultra-low NOx compliance in CA air districts

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (covering greater Los Angeles, including all of Orange County and most of Riverside and San Bernardino counties) enforces rule 1146.2, which caps NOx emissions from residential water heaters at 14 ng/J. The Bay Area AQMD enforces a similar 20 ng/J cap. In these districts, only certified ultra-low-NOx tankless units can be permitted.

Noritz's 2025 spec spread lists its condensing EZ and NRCR models as ultra-low NOx. The other brands' condensing lines list compliance too: Rinnai's RU series spec sheet cites the 14 ng/J limit, Navien lists SCAQMD 1146.2 for every NPE-2 model, and Rheem's RTGH brochure lists rule 1146.2 compliance. Check the exact model before ordering.

Within CA, the SoCalGas tiered rebate of $80 to $1,300 by UEF (and the PG&E program in northern CA, whose current schedule you should check before purchase) is only available for qualifying units. At 0.98 UEF the EZ and NRCR models sit in SoCalGas's top $1,300 tier.

Federal tax credit: ended for 2026 installs

The IRS Section 25C credit (30% of installed cost, capped at $600 per tax year for tankless) ended for any unit placed in service after December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. A 2026 install gets no federal credit. If your unit was installed during 2025, you can still claim it on your 2025 return via IRS Form 5695. While the credit was in force, Noritz's condensing EZ and NRCR models (0.98 UEF) met the qualifying threshold; the non-condensing NRC models (0.89 to 0.92 UEF) did not.

State and utility rebates

Noritz participates in most US utility tankless rebate programs:

• SoCalGas: tiered rebates of $80 to $1,300 by UEF on qualifying ENERGY STAR tankless units replacing a storage water heater ($1,000 at UEF 0.95, $1,200 at 0.96 to 0.97, $1,300 at 0.98 and above), per the 2026 program schedule
• PG&E (northern CA): check the utility's current program schedule and dsireusa.org before purchase
• NYSERDA Comfort Home in NY: check the program's current incentive schedule before purchase
• Mass Save in MA: check the utility's current program schedule before purchase
• Xcel Energy Colorado: check the utility's current program schedule and dsireusa.org before purchase (combined with the Noritz altitude advantage, Denver-metro installs are where this brand stacks best)

Reliability and 10-year service profile

Noritz heat exchangers are generally considered the most durable in the industry, partly because of their commercial-grade engineering heritage. Field data points to:

• Annual descaling: $80 to $150 plumber, or $5 DIY. Same as competitors.
• Igniter (years 9 to 13). $120 part, $90 labour.
• Flame rod (years 9 to 13). $90 part, $80 labour.
• Recirculation pump (years 10 to 15, if fitted). $260 part, $120 labour.
• Control board (years 13 to 18). $400 to $550 part, $130 labour.

Noritz's parts pipeline is thinner than Rinnai's (fewer dealers, smaller US footprint), so allow 3 to 7 days for parts on non-trivial repairs. The trade-off for the longer-life heat exchanger.

When Noritz is the wrong choice

Three scenarios where Noritz underperforms:

• Fresh-vent install, suburban metro, no special requirements. The EZ-series retrofit advantage does not apply; the dealer-density disadvantage vs Rinnai does. Rinnai or Navien is usually cheaper and faster to service.
• Pure electric tankless market. Noritz does not make residential electric units. Stiebel Eltron, Rheem, or EcoSmart for that segment.
• Tight budget, like-for-like swap. Rheem's RTGH from the Home Depot install package will usually undercut Noritz by $200 to $400 in this scenario.

Bottom line

Noritz is the right pick for a straight tank swap where the EZ series can use the old B-vent as a flex-vent chase and the existing 1/2 inch gas line is within spec. In that scenario it usually beats Rinnai and Navien on installed cost. In the standard suburban replacement scenario without those complications, Rinnai's dealer network or Rheem's price wins more often.