Noritz Water Heater Age
Noritz makes this easy. The serial usually starts with the full year and the month, often written like 2018.06. Enter it below to see the age and how much life a tankless unit typically has left.
Part of the water heater age lookup
Serial number age lookup
Where to find the serial number on a Noritz
Noritz tankless units have a rating plate on the side of the cabinet. The serial number is usually near the bottom of the plate, below the model (for example an NRC, NRCP, EZ or GQ series model) and the gas and electrical ratings. Outdoor models have the plate on the side or behind a small cover.
How the Noritz date code works
| Part | Example (2018.06-123456) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 4 digits | 2018 | Year |
| 2 digits | 06 | Month (June) |
| rest | 123456 | Production sequence |
The year and month are often separated by a period, and the rest by a dash. You can type the serial with or without them.
- Year
- Month
- Not part of the date
Worked examples
| Serial | Built |
|---|---|
| 201806123456 | June 2018 |
| 201911AB1234 | November 2019 |
| 200902000123 | February 2009 |
| 202310555555 | October 2023 |
Example serials are made up to show the format; they don't belong to real units.
If the serial on your unit doesn’t start with a plausible year (2000 or later), it’s probably from a product line that uses a different format. The tool will say so rather than guess.
About Noritz
Noritz is a Japanese water heating manufacturer with a long history in gas tankless units, which are standard in Japanese homes. Its North American arm sells non-condensing and condensing tankless water heaters and combination boilers. Many Noritz models are condensing designs with a secondary heat exchanger, which makes them efficient but adds a condensate drain that needs to stay clear.
How long Noritz units last
A well-maintained Noritz tankless water heater typically lasts 15 to 20 years. The heat exchanger is the expensive part; fans, igniters, flow sensors and control boards can be replaced individually.
Keeping a Noritz going
- Descale yearly (more often in hard water) through the service valves. Scale build-up triggers overheating faults and eventually damages the heat exchanger.
- Clean the inlet filter. A clogged screen reduces flow and can stop the burner firing.
- Check the condensate drain on condensing models. Blocked or frozen drains cause shutdowns.
- Keep the air intake clear. Lint, dust and insects reduce combustion air.
Replacing a Noritz: what to check first
Tankless replacements are less plug-and-play than tank swaps. Before you choose a new unit, check:
- Venting type. Condensing units (with a secondary heat exchanger) usually vent through PVC or polypropylene; non-condensing units need stainless-steel venting rated for their hotter exhaust. Switching between the two means new venting.
- Gas supply. Tankless burners draw a lot of gas at full fire. If the original install skimped on the gas line size, a replacement is the time to fix it, or the new unit may struggle at high demand.
- Condensate disposal. Condensing units need a drain and, in many areas, a neutralizer for the acidic condensate.
- Flow rate. Compare the new unit’s rated flow at your groundwater temperature, not just its maximum BTU, especially in cold-water northern climates.
- Indoor vs outdoor model. Outdoor units skip venting altogether but need freeze protection.
Staying with Noritz often makes the swap simpler because mounting points, venting and connections may line up, but any major brand can work with the right adjustments.
What to do with your result
Under 10 years: maintain and repair. The heat exchanger may still be under warranty if the unit has been maintained and installed to code.
10 to 15 years: service it and repair individual parts as needed.
Over 15 years: start budgeting. If it’s using more gas, struggling to keep temperature or throwing repeated error codes, a new condensing unit will likely be more efficient.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a Noritz serial number?
The first four digits are the year and the next two are the month. A serial starting 2018.06 or 201806 was built in June 2018.
Where is the serial number on a Noritz?
On the rating label on the side of the unit, usually near the bottom of the plate. Some models also have a label inside the front cover.
How long does a Noritz tankless water heater last?
About 15 to 20 years with regular descaling and a clean inlet filter.
My Noritz serial doesn't start with a year. What now?
Some older or different product lines use other formats. Check the label for a printed manufacture date, or contact Noritz with the model and serial.
Sources and accuracy
The Noritz decoder is built from these references and cross-checked between them. Facts are restated in our own words; any mistakes are ours.
Status: being verified against real data plates. Rules last reviewed 2026-10-18; page updated 2026-11-06. Not affiliated with Noritz. Report a wrong result.
Part of the water heater age lookup
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