Noritz EZ111-DV-NG Tankless Replacement Water Heater

The Noritz EZ111-DV-NG Tankless Replacement Water Heater is the purpose-engineered tank-to-tankless retrofit solution — designed specifically to drop into existing 50-gallon tank water heater closets with minimal venting and gas-line modifications. 11.1 GPM peak flow, 199,900 BTU, 0.96 UEF, 12-year warranty.

Headline specifications

• Type: indoor condensing tankless, replacement-optimized, natural gas (LP-convertible)
• Maximum flow rate: 11.1 GPM at 35°F rise
• BTU input: 15,000–199,900 BTU/h (modulating)
• Energy Factor (UEF): 0.96
• Min activation flow: 0.5 GPM
• Temperature range: 100°F – 140°F
• Warranty: 12-year heat exchanger, 5-year parts
• Venting: 3" or 4" PVC up to 75 ft (replacement-friendly diameters)
• Dimensions: 25" H × 17" W × 10" D
• EZ-Series adapter kit included for tank-replacement install

Who this model is for

Homeowners converting an existing 50-gallon gas tank to tankless. The EZ111's value proposition is the EZ-Series install adapter kit — pre-engineered fittings, vent termination adapters, and connection hardware designed to minimize the venting/plumbing modifications a typical tank-to-tankless conversion requires. The same heat exchanger as the NRC1111 but bundled for the retrofit market.

For new construction or installs without existing 50-gallon tank infrastructure, the NRC1111 (same hardware, no retrofit kit) is the right pick — saves ~$100 by skipping the adapter parts. For larger households or commercial-tier needs, NRC1111 plus separate cascading.

Where the EZ111 beats the alternatives

Vs NRC1111: EZ111 ~$100–$150 more, but adapter kit saves $200–$500 in install labor and miscellaneous fittings. Net savings $50–$400 for retrofit installs. Choose EZ111 if you're converting from tank; choose NRC1111 if new construction or replacing existing tankless.

Vs Rinnai RU199iN + retrofit: Rinnai offers similar conversion kits ($150–$250 separate). Total cost similar. Rinnai installer network is larger. Choose by which brand your installer is certified.

Vs Navien NPE-240A2 retrofit: Navien doesn't ship a dedicated EZ-style replacement kit but the NPE-240A2's smaller footprint generally fits retrofit slots well. ComfortFlow buffer is the Navien differentiator. Noritz wins on retrofit-specific engineering; Navien wins on cold-water sandwich elimination.

Where it falls short

No built-in WiFi — Noritz Connect optional module.

12-year warranty trails Rinnai and Navien 15-year at the same tier.

Cold-water sandwich without buffer tank.

Smaller US Noritz installer network. Strongest on West Coast.

"Replacement-optimized" is real but limited. Tank-to-tankless conversion still typically requires gas-line upgrade (1/2" to 3/4" if existing is undersized), venting changes (atmospheric flue to PVC), and 120V outlet addition. EZ kit saves time on the fittings but not on the infrastructure work.

Install considerations

Verify existing 3/4" gas line — if 1/2", upgrade required. Existing atmospheric flue must be capped and replaced with PVC. 120V outlet near install. EZ kit includes wall-mount bracket and PVC adapters.

Install cost: $1,400–$2,400 for typical tank-to-tankless retrofit using EZ kit (saves ~$300–$500 vs ad-hoc retrofit fittings). $2,900–$4,800 if gas-line upgrade needed.

Maintenance

• Annual descaling required
• Inlet filter clean annually
• Burner inspection every 3 years

Bottom line

The Noritz EZ111 is the tank-to-tankless retrofit-optimized variant of the NRC1111 — same 11.1 GPM, 0.96 UEF, 12-year warranty, with EZ-Series adapter kit that saves $200–$500 in retrofit install labor. Right pick when you're specifically converting from a 50-gallon gas tank. For new construction, choose the standard NRC1111 instead. For broader installer network, Rinnai RU199iN + Rinnai retrofit kit is the alternative.