Noritz NRC Series Code 29
Condensate container clogged. The condensate is not draining. A condensing water heater makes several litres of acidic water a day and has to get rid of it; when the container or its drain line backs up, the unit stops. Noritz's check is a single line — is the drain line clogged or frozen. Frozen is the one worth knowing about, because it means the answer is the season rather than the appliance.
DIY fixThe verdict
No parts needed — reset or re-check a setting
Often free, and often just ice. Follow the condensate line from the unit to where it discharges and look for a blockage or a frozen section, particularly where it runs outside or through an unheated space. If the line is clear and the code stays, it is the container or the pump.
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 NRC Series — not averaged across the brand.
Source: Noritz Service Manual — NR501-OD, NR662-OD, NRC661, NRC711 (Rev. Dec 2013) (p. 28), 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 and check the whole run.
- In cold weather, feel for a frozen section where the line passes through an unheated space or leaves the building — that is Noritz's own named cause.
- Check the line slopes downhill the whole way and has no sagging loop holding water.
- Clear any debris at the discharge end, then cycle the power.
- If the code returns with a clear line, book a service call — the trap or the condensate pump is next on the list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just pull the condensate line off and let it drain into a bucket?
No. Condensate from a condensing appliance is acidic, it will damage what it lands on, and most jurisdictions require it to be neutralised or piped to an approved drain. Clear the line instead.
Is code 29 on the display window too?
Yes — 29 in the window and 29 on the controller. It is one of the codes Noritz shows the same way on both.
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: