Navien Tankless Water Heater Reviews
Are you in the market for a tankless water heater? If so, you may have heard of Navien. Navien is a lesser-known brand than Rheem, Rinnai or Takagi, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good option. In this Navien tankless water heater review post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of the Navien tankless water heater as well as some alternatives, including Rheem, Rinnai and Takagi.
Not very famous, Navien also produces a large variety of tankless water heaters to compete in the market. All the products of Navien One of the biggest pros of the Navien tankless water heaters are that they are very efficient appliance. In fact, they are one of the most efficient on the market. They also have a very low emissions rating, making them a good choice for those who are environmentally conscious. Additionally, the Navien tankless water heater is relatively easy to install and is backed by a good warranty.
Previously known as Kyung Dong Machinery Co., Ltd, the company changed its name to Navien in 2006. Mainly, this company works on condensing techniques, in addition to green technology. The main aim behind their strategy is to enhance comfort at your home.
Warranty of Navien Tankless Water Heater
The Navien tankless water heater comes with a rock-solid 15 year heat exchanger warranty. This is much longer than what rival brands offer and is sure to give you peace of mind. In addition to the heat exchanger warranty, Navien offers a 5 year parts warranty and one year for labor.
Installation of Navien Tankless Water Heater
Generally, Navien tankless water heater demands 4 hours for a successful installation. If we compare, this time is lower than other units. The PVC exhaust technology has made the installation easier. Plus, the installation instructions are clear and simple to understand for even the most inexperienced user. You should always get a professional plumber to install any gas appliance, so the easier they are to install the more money you will save on the time your plumber is there.
Call for an HVAC expert to deal with Navien tankless water heater concerning installation.
Maintenance of Navien Tankless Water Heater
Navien tankless water heaters are fitted with high-quality parts, they are for the most part maintenance free requiring little attention once installed. In the rare case when there may be an issue, the integrated control panel will alert you to the exact issue.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Series
Navien is quickly becoming a leading name in the market, with two main series of products that have both achieved Energy Star certification. Both the NPE-Advanced and NPE standard series boast high efficiency, making them an especially wise choice for homeowners looking to save on their energy bills.
Navien has stated they want to build the most efficient gas condensing water heaters in the world. They are designed to extract maximum heat with reliable and consistent performance.
Let us discuss different models from both series and their differences.
A) NPE-Advanced Series
Navien has introduced comfort flow technology in all its advanced models. This technology is fast enough to produce warm water that takes 1 second to start heating. This flow system will maintain the water temperature flowing through the system to your outlets.
This Comfort Flow technology takes Navien one step ahead of competitors by combining recirculation pump and buffer tank in a single unit. The buffer tank is specialized to maintain the temperature of stored water up to a certain limit. It bypasses the burst of cold water by its unique technology and advanced composition.
Navien allows you to deactivate the integrated recirculation pump to decrease utility bills. All the NPE-Advanced models have integrated Wi-Fi control. This series is a unique combination of decreased NOx ratings and H2Air.
1. NPE-180a Model
Comfortflow Technology
NPE-180A is adorned with ComfortFlow technology that comes with a recirculation pump. This technology comes with a well-insulated buffer tank. This composition results in the supply of warm water very quickly. The water never lost its temperature due to strong insulation.
Flow Rate
Talking about the maximum flow rate of NPE-180, it offers an impressive 8.4 gallons per minute. This capacity is enough to supply a large size home with multiple connections. It comes with a cascade capability allowing for multiple water heaters to connect in a series and supply higher demand needs such as a commercial building.
Normally, it runs on natural gas, but you can convert it to propane type with a convertible gas system.
Environmental Friendly
This model of advanced Navien series never left adverse effects on your surroundings. This protection has become possible by the availability of Eco Pre-mix burners. The release of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide gets reduced by the mixture of air and gas before the ignition process.
According to manufacturers, this strategy reduces 75% of total gas emissions in the surrounding. This emission of carbon dioxide is the same as 31 cypress trees.
Energy Efficiency
Navien’s advanced series ensures comfort and efficiency at the same time. In addition, to the efficiency and comfort comes the energy efficiency is enhanced by the trick that allows water heating only when needed. In this way, the additional cost does no add.
It comes with secondary heat exchangers that allow condensation and expelling additional heat to the surrounding. As a result, your system stays cool while producing warm water. On the same side, the ventilation temperature stays lower with an enhanced energy factor. In short, the overall result of this scenario is energy efficiency followed by the least operational cost.
Strong Durability
Burners and heat exchangers are both composed of stainless steel for enhanced durability. Keep in mind the stainless steel is strong enough to bypass corrosion followed by increased life. Moreover, the chanced of leaking out gets destroyed to increase its lifetime.
Certification
This model of Navien enjoys the energy star certification that ensures this tankless water heater is safe to use for you and your surroundings. Furthermore, there are other listings for the product that houses this tankless water heater include CSA listing, AHRI listing, and NSF listing.
Installation
The company says that this model of the NPE-A series can be installed indoors or outdoor. Its composition is strong enough to tolerate environmental stress. It has been designed for direct venting and comes with a conversion kit to facilitate installation. The secondary accessories that come with this unit include a conversion kit, two pairs of tapping screws and anchor, a bracket for wall mounting, a pair of 2 inches wall flange, and a couple of vent termination caps 2 inches.
Pros
Cons
2. NPE-210A Model
ComortFlow Technology
ComfortFlow technology is the most prominent feature that is enjoyed by the NPE-210A model. This technology brings a recirculation system with it to support you more. A buffer tank is integrated with this model that ensures constant warm water all the time. Actually, the strong insulation steps forward to offer consistent warm water by cutting down heat loss.
Flow Rate
The flow rate offered by NPE-210A is 10.1 gallons per minute. This capacity is enough to serve a large home. You can use this powerful unit on a commercial scale to enjoy the non-stop warm water.
Safe for Environment
NPE-210A never undergo any function that is followed by environmental pollution. Before ignition, heating gas is combined with air, followed by reduced emission of nitrogen oxide and carbon mono oxide. Specialized, Eco Pre-mix burners are integrated to support the whole system that results in an effect-less environment. Talking in feature, 75 percent of the total amount of expelling gas gets reduced. Plus, carbon dioxide emissions also get reduced by the same technology.
Energy Efficiency
You are offed to enjoy non-stop warm water while using less energy. The main trick that NPE-210A follows is that it heats water only at the time you need it. It does not spend energy heating the additional amount of water. It comes with secondary heat exchangers that enjoy the through for condensation to skip additional heat while maintaining a colder system. The necessary heat does not leave the water to maintain its temperature. This feature results in an increased energy factor.
Durability
With NPE-210A, you would never run out of warm water, even in the intense cold. It comes with dual heat exchanges that are made of stainless steel. This construction says goodbye to corrosion followed by decreased chances of leakage. In this way, NPE-210A gets a higher chance to serve you for a longer time.
Installation
NPE-210A has been designed to fit happily indoor or outdoor. The size is compact and small to support easy installation. It would be fit in your small space. Due to its ‘its smaller size, it can be mounted on the wall. This composition allows direct venting. The gas conversion kit comes with this product to switch between natural gas and propane type.
Other secondary accessories that come with this tankless water heater include one piece of wall mounting bracket, four tapping screws and anchor, A couple of 2 inches vent termination caps, and two pairs of wall flange with 2 inches size.
Pros
Cons
3. NPE-240A Model
Advanced Technology
Every company makes its product different by introducing unique technology. Navien also follows the same technique. It comes with a smart preheating system that is cost-effective and saves your time. This system is smart enough to notice the daily routine of your warm water. It produces hot water automatically t that specific schedule and saves you from waiting for a consistent hot supply.
Thus technology not only bypasses cold sandwiches but also consumes a very less amount of energy.
Flow Rate
Out of all the tankless water heaters produced by Navien, NPE-240A is the strongest, with 12.2 gallons of hot water per minute. According to a survey, this capacity does not meet even by very famous names in the market. Although the Navien introduces a tankless water heater for general home use, this model can be used for the commercial purpose due to its enough flow rate.
This capacity is enough to entertain seven bathrooms and multiple sinks for general home needs. You would enjoy intense and on-demand warm water with this capacity without any lag.
Energy Efficiency
It comes with very strong and sturdy heat exchangers. It can work continuously regardless of intense conditions. These heat exchangers work as the main player to transfer the heat and necessary energy to the water. Talking about the composition of heat exchangers, these are strong enough to manage every kind of stress and corrosion. As a result, these produce zero chances of leakage.
All these favors get functional due to the stainless steel construction that makes it long-lasting and versatile. Due to its strong heat transfer capacity, NPE-240A is considered 97 percent energy-efficient. This feature is amazing in the respect that other models cut down energy only up to 20%.
Additionally, as you turn the tab off, this tankless water heater automatically shuts off automatically to stop the extra energy usage.
Easy to Use
The front interface is convenient and easy to use. You can manage the temperature and get an update about flow ate by its crystal clear screen. The lowest temperature range is 98 F that can be managed up to its maximum limit of 140 F. When you change temperature, it gets lower or higher with a 1-degree increment. At the same time, generation warm water may produce some noise, just like the previous model discussed.
Pros
Cons
b) NPE Standard Series
This series of Navien is cheaper in price than that of advanced models. The product of this series comes with equally amazing energy efficiency that needs very less maintenance. This series demands very less installation cost. The main feature that separates it from the advanced one is the lack of advanced technology.
This unit comes with 0.97 energy efficiency. This standard model has more energy efficiency as compared to a similar product in the market. When comparing it to the electrical heater type, these series find to be more efficient. The condensing technology is fast enough to compensate for the heat loss that makes it superior to the non-condensing type.
This series says welcome to 40 PC pipe to ensure direct venting. It works efficiently to reduce the exhaust heat and sets economical.
1. NPE-150S Model
Technology
Like other models of Navien, this model is also equipped with condensing technology. The one thing that makes it different from the advanced series is the recirculation pump that is present in the advanced type. Moreover, the buffer tank is absent in standard type to make it more different.
Flow Rate
NPE-150S comes with a flow rate of 6.8 gallons per minute. This capacity is enough to meet the demand for small to medium homes. But, for a large home or commercial purpose, you cannot use this model.
It is capable of cascade formation that makes it useable for commercial or large homes. For this purpose, you can join up to 16 units together.
Durability
This unit comes with a very efficient condensing system to ensure warm water all the time. It has dual heat exchangers that are made of stainless steel to make it extremely durable. Plus, the same composition saves the unit from the attack of corrosion.
Safe to Use
It is equipped with a metal fiber burner that lets the mixture of air and gas for consistent service. The nitrogen oxide combustion is limited by the use of this tankless model.
This unit works happily with WC for the 0.5-inch gas line. Moreover, the same model can make the use of a gas line with 24 feet. Thanks to its dual venture fan that makes it fit for low pressure of the gas. Plus, the negative pressure gas valve also supports this scenario.
Remote Control
Though this unit does not come with remote control, you can buy it separately. The remote is used to manage the recirculation timer, in addition to the hot water timer. So, you have no need to directly deal with the control panel. With the same remote, you can manage the temperature of the cascading system very quickly.
Pros
Cons
2. NPE-180S Model
Safe for Environment
This unit comes with an Eco pre-max burner that minimizes carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emission to the surrounding. This is done so by mixing air and gas before ignition. It cut down emission up to 75 percent. NPE-180S minimizes the emission of carbon oxide equally by 31 cypress trees.
Flow Rate
This model comes with a flow rate of 8.4 gallons per minute that is sufficient to supply the need for small to middle homes. Thanks to its ready-link cascading technology that allows the joining of up to 16 units to meet the greater demand. When it gets link multiple units, a large supply of water can be managed for commercial business.
Energy Efficiency
This unit comes with strong energy efficiency that makes it a bit expensive. For the purpose of condensation, this unit comes with a secondary heat exchanger to transform condensation. This process results in the increase of energy factor and decrease of ventilation temperature. The overall result of this construction is the lower cost every month.
Durability
Both the heat exchangers and Eco pre-mix burners are made of stainless steel. This construction makes it strong enough to bypass corrosion. As a result, there are zero chances for the leakage that let it be active for a longer time.
Installation
This model of Navien can be installed indoors or outdoor. It is so because the overall profile is strong enough to cope with the external environment and thermal stress. Keep in mind that the outer installation demands additional costs.
It comes with a gas conversion kit that allows switching between natural gas and propane type. Other secondary elements that come with NPE-180S models include, A couple of 2 inches vent termination caps, one piece of wall mounting bracket, four tapping screws and anchor, and two pairs of wall flange with 2 inches size.
Pros
Cons
Other than Navien, a large number of brands are offering tankless water heaters in the market that are Rheem, Rinnai, EcoSmart, Eccotemp, Noritz, Takagi, Hike Crew, and more.
Enlist the Most Prominent Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater?
The most important advantages of using tankless water heaters are;
- They come with built-in advanced technology that makes them very energy efficient.
- Tankless water heater produces an endless amount of warm water to meet your demand.
- Most unit comes with a compact design to save the space at your home.
- The external appearance looks very good to suit your kitchen and bathroom.
- The internal profile gets strong due to copper and stainless steel that makes it durable by decreasing the chance of corrosion.
- It comes with multiple varieties that may run on electricity, fuel, or natural gas according to internal design.
- This unit uses a very less amount of respective fuel to offer hot water.
What Are the Main Series Offered by Navien?
Navien offers two main series in the market that are;
- NPE advanced series
- BPE standard series
Final Verdict
Navien tankless water heater reviews have been discussed due to its extensive demand in the market. After reviewing its series, we have concluded that all the Navien models are equipped with condensing technology that makes them different from the others.
Moreover, the heat exchangers are made of stainless steel to offer durability. This construction maintains the temperature of the water and supplies consistent warm water without cold water.
The NPE-Advanced series is equipped with advanced technology that makes it different from the NPE-Standard type. After reading Navien tankless water heater reviews, we hope that you would find the best model among all series. Now, you have enough insight for which model you should go for that would make the decision super easy.
Our Recommendation
If your budget is short, you can go for any model that belongs to the NPE standard family. All the models of this series are cheaper in price but come with equal durability. Plus, their energy efficiency is strong enough to make a good series that need less maintenance.
On the opposite side, with a strong budget, you can go for an NPE–Advanced tankless water heater. All the products of this line bundled with advanced technology. The recirculation technology supports you more. All the models of this series are durable with stainless steel heat exchangers that make a choice wonderful. You can connect multiple units to manage more burdens.
