When it comes to domestic water supply, tankless water heaters are considered an excellent choice due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
You will save a lot more in your monthly energy bills compared to using a traditional storage tank unit.
Sadly, finding the right tankless water heater is not always as easy as it sounds. This is because there are so many brands and models to choose from.
In this Noritz vs Takagi review, we are going to compare two of the most popular brands in the market right now.
We will see how they stack up against each other by considering what they offer and where they differ.
Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with any one of these brands. But it’s still a good idea to know what to expect from each one so you can better decide the right one for your family.
Noritz vs Takagi Comparison in 2023
Noritz Water Heater
For over three decades, Noritz has been a major player in the world of tankless water heaters. They have a wide pool of products to meet hot water demand in both residents and commercial environments.
Their units are usually equipped with a lot of useful features, which often justifies their high price tag.
It will interest you to know that Noritz is a Japanese company, which obviously leads to its credibility as a reliable brand. The company thrives on innovation and excellent customer support.
One of the things that separate Noritz from many competitors is the use of high-quality components for the construction of the heaters — notable among these are its modulating gas burners and high-performance stainless steel heat exchangers.
Some of the key features or benefits of Noritz include:
Continuous Domestic Hot Water Supply
Noritz heaters are not only budget-friendly but also efficient. Installing one ensures you never run out of hot water in your home.
But that is not even the main point since that’s the whole essence of using a tankless heater.
However, with Noritz, you get to save up almost up to 50% on water bills compared to using a traditional storage tank.
High Flow Rate
Another thing we like about Noritz tankless heaters is that they have a high flow capacity.
This should come as a relief considering the fact that the bulk of tankless heaters have lower flow rates compared to their tank counterparts.
Thus if you’re considering going tankless in a large home, then a Noritz unit would be a great choice.
Compact Design
Noritz heaters usually come as compact and lightweight. As a result, they usually make an excellent choice for households with limited space.
Gas Powered
All tankless heaters from Noritz require gas for power. This could either be natural gas or propane, depending on the model.
The natural gas models are a common choice, while the propane units are usually more expensive.
Recommended Noritz Heaters to Buy
So what are the best Noritz heaters in the market? Here’s our top five picks:
1. Noritz NRC66DVNG Indoor Condensing Tankless Heater
While there’s no perfect water heater out there, there are some units that come close. We strongly believe the Noritz NRC66DVNG Indoor Tankless Water Heater is one of them.
So much has been said about how easy the unit is easy to install, not to mention the fact that it has an ultra-light design, which also makes it easy to carry when mounting on the wall. To be more specific, the overall weight of the heater is just around 39 pounds.
In addition to its lightweight, the unit is also compact and thus space-saving. This makes it a perfect choice if you have limited space available.
You can install in the garage, closet, attic, or any other available spot provided there’s adequate ventilation.
More so, you don’t have to worry about making the heater accessible as it uses a remote thermostat.
Temperature adjustment is made at an increment of 5 degrees while the flow rate is around 6.6 GPM.
Interestingly, the appliance is energy star certified and has very low NOx emission, which makes it eco-friendly and thus better for the environment.
It uses a gas fuel system and employs a carbon reduction technology to minimize emissions.
Thus you can install the heater either indoor or outdoor depending on your available space or preference.
The heater is outfitted with two heat exchangers that are both resistant to corrosion. One of these is made of stainless steel, while the other is constructed with copper.
With an energy factor of 0.91, this unit has the ability to lower your energy bills by 60 percent. As such, it one of the most efficient tankless units you will find out there.
PROS
CONS
2. Noritz NR66ODNG Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
Another impressive tankless water heater that runs off on gas is the Noritz NR66ODNG.
With UEF around 0.81 and a flow capacity of 6.6 GPM, this is one of the most efficient gas units out there.
Its high flow capacity also makes it a worthy replacement to large storage tank heaters. You will end up saving money and fulfilling your hot water needs.
One of the first things you will notice about this heater is that it is lightweight. It weighs only 36 pounds, which makes it one of the lightest options out there.
This combined with its compact design, makes it very convenient to handle and easy to carry around. And this makes installation less of a hassle.
Installation is relatively easy. You can either take it up as a DIY project or you can hire a professional to do the job if you don’t feel confident enough. A user-friendly manual is supplied with the heater to simplify things.
Depending on your level of experience, the whole process shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.
Thus you can start using it right away after delivery. Anyways, you will save money by installing the unit yourself.
You will glad to know that the heater is energy star rated and thus consumes less electricity. In addition to its high energy factor, it also boasts of heating capacity of 140000BTU, which is quite impressive.
You can adjust the temperature to suit your needs – thanks to the adjustable thermostat of the unit.
Overall, the Noritz NR66ODNG is an excellent unit with a considerable flow rate and heating range (100 – 150 degrees Fahrenheit). It is highly efficient and will give you many years of use.
PROS
CONS
3. Noritz NR50ODNG Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
The Noritz NR50ODNG Outdoor Tankless Heater is an eco-friendly unit designed to fulfill hot water demand in small to average-sized households.
Like most Noritz units, it adopts a carbon reduction technology which ensures the emission of NOx is reduced to the barest minimum.
Thus if you care about the environment, then you should invest in this unit or any one of the other products on the list.
As the name suggests, this is an outdoor heater, so you are most likely to install it outside your living space.
No costly venting is required. Instead, you need an open space as the unit vents from the front.
The heater is lightweight (only 33 pounds), which makes installation easy. You have the option to mount it on the wall.
In terms of efficiency, the unit rates quite high, which is typical of Noritz heaters. It boasts of an energy factor of 0.91, which is pretty impressive.
So you can expect to save a lot on your energy bills. Flow capacity is 5 GPM, which is enough for light household applications.
Overall, we are impressed with this unit and we have no doubt you will feel the same way, especially when you consider the price.
As we mentioned earlier, it is a perfect choice for medium households with one or two showerheads.
PROS
CONS
4. Noritz EZTR40NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater
Installing a heater outdoor might not always be the best option, especially if you’re staying in a chilly area, and there’s no freeze protection for the unit. In such a situation, an indoor heater seems more preferable.
The Noritz EZTR40NG is an indoor unit that comes with a sleek finish designed to blend into most contemporary set-ups.
So if you’re worried about purchasing a unit that might not look good with your existing décor, then this is the model to go for.
In addition to its modern design, the Noritz EZTR40NG is compact and lightweight. It can easily replace a 40-gallon traditional tank heater.
The heater is outfitted with a lot of safety features that separate it from the crowd. Some of these include a flame sensor, freeze protection, overheat protection, lightning protection, and condensate overfill — all these help to ensure the smooth operation of the unit.
To ensure you have control over temperature regulation, the heater features preset temperature controls from which allows you to set the temperature you want anytime.
In terms of capacity, you can expect a flow rate of 6.6 GPM and a heat output of 140,000 BTU while the energy factor is 0.87.
Installation is easy. Although we generally recommend hiring a professional, you can still undertake the project on your own even if you’re a newbie. It all depends on the size of your pocket and your knack of DIY projects.
PROS
CONS
5. Noritz NRC71ODNG Outdoor Condensing Tankless Water Heater
To round up the list is another compact space-saving unit with a higher flow capacity – the Noritz NRC71ODNG.
This is a condensing heater designed to operate at a greater efficiency while fulfilling your hot water demand every time.
The flow rate is around 7.1 GPM, which is quite sufficient to meet the need of many households, especially small to medium-sized families.
Thankfully, this unit comes with a LED indicator so you can always know when the heater is on.
This might not sound like a big deal, but it’s still worthy to note given the fact that many conventional heaters don’t have this feature.
We are also impressed with the overall design of the heater. With just 40 pounds weight, the unit can be considered light, which makes installation easy.
In addition to its high flow rate, it also a high heating capacity and efficiency – 140,000BTU and 0.94 energy factor.
This means it performs very fast. In fact, in very cold weather, you won’t need to wait more than two minutes to get hot water.
Overall, the Noritz NRC71ODNG is a decent heater that promises to provide great value for your money. It comes highly recommended.
PROS
CONS
Takagi Water Heater
Takagi is another Japanese brand with a wide pool of high-quality tankless water heaters.
They were among the first to provide units in North America that offer on-demand heating and continuous water supply in.
Although their products are not decorated with a lot of exotic features like higher-priced units such as Rinnai, they still manage to put up a great performance.In fact, they have units whose thermal efficiencies are over 90 percent.
Here are some of the major highlights of Takagi heaters:
Gas Powered
Like Noritz, Takagi tankless water heaters run off of gas, which could either be propane or natural gas.
Interestingly, for every gas-powered model, there’s an alternative propane version. Although propane units tend to cost more, they are usually cheaper to install.
Efficient
Takagi heaters are usually highly efficient. So you can expect to save a lot on energy when you install one. This can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run.
Affordable
One of the reasons why Takagi heaters are popular is because they do not cost as much as most of the premium brands.
This doesn’t mean they are super budget-friendly; however, you will most likely spend far less purchasing a Takagi unit than you would on a brand like Rinnai.
In other words, Takagi water heaters are generally more affordable than most of its competitors.
Recommended Takagi Heaters to Buy
Here is a review of the top Takagi heaters in the market.
6. Takagi T-H3-DV-N Condensing Indoor Tankless Water Heater
To kick off the list is one of the most “feature-rich” tankless water heaters in the market today – the Takagi T-H3-DV-N.
In terms of quality and performance, the T-H3-DV-N arguably comes top on the pyramid. Like any other Takagi heater, it is made in Japan, which speaks volumes about its quality.
The heat exchanger is made of high-grade copper alloy which makes it highly efficient and powerful.
So if you need a heater that will not disappoint, then this is the product to go for. The unit does fulfill its promise to provide “endless hot water,” and is great for both home and commercial use.
One of the first things you will notice about the heater is its compact design, which is expected since it’s an indoor unit. So you can install in anywhere in the house.
With a flow rate up to 10 GPM, this is undeniably one of the best options available when it comes to capacity.
This could easily replace a storage tank system with 50-gallon capacity, and yes, you won’t experience any lag in flow or temperature.
It will also support multiple showers and appliances simultaneously in small and medium homes.
In addition, the unit has a heat output of 199,000 BTU and, as such, is able to deal with high temperature rise without any significant change in the water output.
As the name suggests, this is a natural gas heater that employs a condensing system that leaves behind less mess and uses less energy.
PROS
CONS
7. Takagi T-H3J-DV-N Condensing Indoor Tankless Water Heater
Very similar in features to the Takagi T-H3-DV-N is the T-H3J-DV-N. In fact, except for their price difference, one can easily mistake the two units to be the same.
Like the T-H3-DV-N and other Takagi heaters, the T-H3J-DV-N promises to provide users with endless hot water. It is compact and doesn’t require much space for installation.
One of the key differences between this unit and the previous one we reviewed is that with the T-H3J-DV-N, you get a flow rate of 6.6 GPM as opposed to 10 GPM.
This is still adequate to meet the demands of most small households and even average-size ones depending on the number of persons.
As expected, the heater also uses condensing technology, which increases its efficiency and makes it better for the environment.
There’s very low NOx emission while the uniform energy factor is up to 0.95 (which is obviously one of the highest out there).
The heat exchanger tubing found in the T-H3J-DV-N is also constructed with a copper alloy of commercial-grade standard.
So there’s little to no chance of it ever being corroded. The same can be said of the backup, which is fabricated with stainless steel. Altogether, it is obvious the whole unit is built to last.
Some of the safety features include overheating cut-off fuse, freeze protection, and temperature controls.
PROS
CONS
8. Takagi T-H3M-DV-N Condensing Direct Vent Tankless Water Heater
The Takagi T-H3M-DV-N condensing tankless heater is another natural gas model that is designed to cut down your energy bills significantly.
Like the other two models we’ve reviewed, it is Energy Star rated, so you should believe us when we say it’s highly efficient.
However, you will find it quite adequate for two bathrooms or one (plus a smaller appliance) depending on the weather temperature. It has a flow capacity of 6.6 GPM, but this takes a plunge with a colder climate.
Interestingly, the heater is outfitted with inlet and outlet thermistors, which give you control over temperature.
But despite its flow rate and high efficiency, the T-H3M-DV-N is not nearly as powerful as the other models we have reviewed so far. As such, it is best suited for light residential applications.
So if you’re living in a home where you’re the only person or you are living with someone, then this unit would make a great choice.
PROS
CONS
9. Takagi T-H3S-DV-P Condensing Indoor Tankless Water Heater
If what you seek is a unit you can customize to fit your heating needs, then you should consider the Takagi T-H3S-DV-P.
This is an indoor propane heater that can be used by itself or integrated with other systems such as hydronic, tank, recirculation, or even radiant floor. As such, it’s one of the most versatile options you will find out there.
Like any other Takagi unit, it is built to last and has very low NOx emission, which should come as a relief if you care about the environment. It uses liquid propane and has an energy factor of 0.93.
In other words, this is a highly efficient unit that will save you a lot of money in the long run. That said, you will spend quite a good sum for the unit and to install it.
For a 45-degree temperature rise, the heater output can get up to 8 GPM. However, this reduces as the temperature rise increases.
The use of copper alloy for the construction of the primary heat exchanger ensures optimum thermal transfer.
Likewise, stainless steel is used for the secondary heat exchange to prevent corrosion.
To sum it all up, the system is designed to ensure minimal heat loss while providing endless hot water to your home.
PROS
CONS
10. Takagi T-H3S-DV-N Condensing Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater
To round off the list is another wonderful condensing unit – the Takagi T-H3S-DV-N. If you need a heater for on-demand use with great flow output to accomplish different activities in the house, then this is the unit to go for.
With a flow rate of 8 GPM, the T-H3S-DV-N is designed to adequately support two to three bathrooms, depending on how cold the weather is.
Thus with a warmer climate, the heater can serve three bathrooms simultaneously, but as the weather gets cooler, it is better suited for two baths.
The heater offers a maximum BTU of 180,000 BTU, which is quite impressive for its price. This together with the included sensors, helps to minimize heat loss.
With this unit, you get up to 0.82 energy factor, which is enough to reduce your bill significantly. It also has a wide temperature range, which allows you to modify the water temperature to suit the weather.
As the name suggests, the heater is designed for indoor installation and can be used in residents and commercial environments. It operates quietly and is very easy to install.
PROS
CONS
Energy Efficiency
In terms of efficiency, both brands perform really well. There’s practically little or no difference. Both Noritz and Takagi offer condensing and non-condensing heaters.
The condensing models usually have superior energy efficiency (over 0.8) than the non-condensing models (over 0.9).
Flow Capacity
Both brands offer a considerable flow rate, however, Noritz still has the upper hand. With Takagi heaters, the highest you can get at the moment is 10 GPM for 30-degree temperature rise.
However, with Noritz, you can get up to 11.1 GPM. This is enough to power up to three faucets, showers, or appliances at once. As a result, Noritz is the ideal choice for large households.
Price
If you’re shopping on a budget, then Takagi would be the option to go for as Takagi heaters are generally less expensive than Noritz heaters. However, the difference isn’t much.
Temperature Monitoring
A peculiar innovation with Takagi heaters is temperature monitoring. With this feature, the heater only provides as provides only as much heat that is needed to meet the temperature demand.
Installation
While the majority of Noritz heaters support both indoor and outdoor installation, Takagi heaters are mostly installed indoors.
Green Technology
If you care a lot about the environment, then you will be glad to know that Noritz heaters are built on green technology, which ensures they considerably reduce carbon emissions.
In addition, the construction materials are recyclable, which makes them better for the environment.
Final Verdict
There you have it – our Noritz vs Takagi comparison.
It is obvious not all water heaters are created equal. However, both Takagi and Noritz are excellent choices and you can’t go wrong with either one.
Take a good look at the comparison above to determine the best option to meet your needs.
