Noritz NCC199 & NRC111 Code 29
Neutralizer or water level electrode fault. The condensate is not getting away, or the electrode watching it is not reporting properly. Noritz gives three checks: the drain pipe for blockage, the neutralizer for blockage, and the neutralizer water level electrode connection. There is also a technician's note — the on/off condition of the electrode can be read on maintenance monitor 19, where 000 is normal and 111 is abnormal.
Also displayed as: F29
DIY fixThe verdict
No parts needed — reset or re-check a setting
Two of Noritz's three causes are outside the cabinet and cost nothing: the drain line and the neutralizer cartridge. On a condensing appliance both fill up as a matter of routine, and a neutralizer that has turned to a solid cake blocks the drain as effectively as a kink in the pipe.
Typical cost: $0–$400
US estimate for parts and labor. Prices vary by region and by who does the work — see how we estimate costs.
What the manual says
The meaning above is transcribed from the manufacturer's diagnostic documentation for the NCC199 & NRC111 — not averaged across the brand.
Source: Noritz Service Manual — NR50 / NR66 / NR71 / NR98 / NCC199 / NRC111 / NR111 / NC380 (Rev. July 2011) (p. 55), read Sep 2026 — the manufacturer's own documentation for this exact series.
What you can safely check
- Follow the condensate drain line from the heater to where it ends, checking for blockage, a sagging loop holding water, or a frozen section.
- Check the neutralizer cartridge. Tip it — if the media pours out as a cake rather than loose chips, it is spent and blocking.
- Replace or repack the neutralizer if it is spent, then cycle the power.
- If the code stays with a clear drain and fresh media, book a service call — the electrode is the remaining cause and it is inside the unit.
Frequently asked questions
Is code 29 the same as the condensate code on other Noritz models?
Not quite. On the NRC661 and NRC711, code 29 is condensate container clogging and the whole remedy is the drain line. Here Noritz adds the neutralizer itself and an electrode watching the water level, because this series has a neutralizer that the other does not.
What is maintenance monitor 19?
A diagnostic readout a technician can call up on the controller. Noritz's note says monitor 19 reading 000 means the neutralizer water level electrode is normal and 111 means it is abnormal. It is not something to work through yourself, but it is worth mentioning when you book — it turns a guess into a reading.
Code 29 on other Noritz series
The same code number can mean something different on another series — make sure you're reading the page for your exact unit: