Are you looking for a high-efficiency water heater that provides endless hot water? Navien tankless water heaters are the perfect solution. These compact yet powerful water heaters provide hot water for any size home or business. In this article, you’ll explore the Navien tankless water heater review.
Navien tankless water heaters provide an endless hot water supply while reducing energy costs and providing a flexible installation process. Navien offers a variety of models to choose from, and they provide hot water on demand, meaning you’ll never have to worry about running out.
In this Navien tankless water heater review, you’ll look at the features & benefits of the heater to decide if this is the right choice for your home.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Is Navien A Good Tankless Water Heater?
Navien tankless water heaters may be more expensive than regular models, but numerous advantages can compensate for the initial outlay.
For instance, specific models employ propane or natural gas. Additional energy produced by these items can get you a tax deduction on your power bill.
Besides the financial gains, numerous clients have noticed a reduction in their monthly payments since Navien runs multiple appliances in their residences (like hot tubs, washing machines, etc.).
Other noteworthy advantages include greater protection since defective pipes and decreased environmental impact cause no flooding dangers by eliminating excessive energy consumption through idle mode.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Pros And Cons Of Navien Tankless Water Heater
Navien tankless water heaters have both good and bad points. They have been a reliable firm for a long time, making them one of the most reputable companies in the industry.
Their top model offers a remarkable 10-year warranty on parts that covers the labor costs and materials related to repairing or switching out defective components.
If you buy a product from a reliable source, there is little danger when dealing with this business.
Pros
- Navien is a reputable company
- Excellent warranty
- Reliable water heaters
Cons
- No water reserves
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Where Are Navien Water Heaters Made?
Navien produces its water heater units in South Korea. The business asserts that its Seotan factory (located approximately one and a half hours from Seoul) is the biggest boiler production factory on the planet.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Condensing Vs. Non-Condensing
When deciding between a condensing and a non-condensing tankless water heater, you should consider several notable distinctions:
Condensing Water Heaters
- Affordable PVC venting
- Low operating cost because of the high efficiency of the unit
- 98% or higher efficiency
- A tankless unit is expensive, but installation is less costly
- Frequently condensing units are large
Non-Condensing Water Heaters
- Need costly venting
- High operating cost due to low efficiency of the unit
- 80% or higher efficiency
- A tankless unit is less costly, but installation is more expensive
- Frequently non-condensing units are small
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Types Of Navien Water Heaters
Navien produces two distinct tankless water heaters: the NPE-Advanced line (or NPE-A) and the NPE-Standard collection (or NPE-S). The NCB-240 model includes a combination boiler and heater system.
The heaters in both major product lines have highly efficient ratings, many of which have been endorsed by ENERGY STAR. All the heaters are powered by gas and don’t have a tank, incorporating condensing technology.
NPE-Advanced Series
Navien’s Advanced series water heaters use the company’s exclusive Comfort Flow technology. This system reduces the waiting period for warm water to reach a spigot to a minimum of just one second. Furthermore, the technology guarantees a continuous flow rate and preserves a balanced temperature.
Unlike other water heaters, Comfort Flow has the distinct advantage of having a built-in recirculation pump and a buffer tank. This system maintains the stored water at a predetermined temperature, which in turn helps you conserve energy.
Furthermore, it eliminates the unusual occurrence when one experiences a sudden blast of cold water after a hot water period.
You can turn off the recirculation pump, which may reduce your energy costs. Additionally, the NPE-A series offers WiFi capability so users can manage their heaters from a distance. They have reduced NOx levels, and provide combined heat and a DHW (Domestic Hot Water) system called H2Air. This system permits you to acquire hydronic air heating and hot water from the same water heater.
1. NPE-180A
The NPE-180A is one of the most advanced models. It can deliver 8.4 gallons of hot water every minute, making it adequate for the typical house and even some larger abodes.
This heater can be connected to other heaters, allowing multiple units for places that require a large amount of hot water, such as in a commercial setting.
The NPE-180A has a stainless steel heat exchanger to ensure its longevity, which is more corrosion-resistant than the traditional copper one. Additionally, the field convertible gas system allows you to switch the fuel source of the heater from propane to natural gas (or reverse) at any point during its lifespan.
2. NPE-210A
The NPE-210A has a better flow rate of 10.1 gallons per minute. This is further enhanced by the two stainless steel heat exchangers, enabling you to reach your desired temperature quickly and easily.
This unit is small enough to mount on a wall inside or even fit in a cramped outdoor area. Although, you may want to put it outside because it can be quite loud while it warms up the water.
When selecting a model, you can choose either a natural gas or propane variety. The heater also has a convertible gas system, meaning you can switch between sources at any point.
The heater can still operate on other fuel types if you don’t have a natural gas line. On the other hand, if you have a ½ inch gas line, you can use that instead.
3. NPE-240A
The NPE-240A is the strongest heater in the Advanced collection. It can generate 8.7 GPM) when the temperature increases to 45°F and 11.2 GPM when the temperature increases to 35°F.
All Navien water heaters available for sale have the highest demand, with this particular one being the most in demand.
The NPE-240A has a remarkable feature of its intelligent preheating system. The heater can recognize when you require a great deal of hot water (like when you usually take a shower) and begins to heat the water just before that moment. Additionally, its storage tank allows the heated water to remain at the optimal temperature until you require it.
The water will remain hot even if you keep the tap running long. Furthermore, you will get a powerful stream of water from the start of the flow until you switch it off.
The last advantage is the external control panel on the front of the device. This board is user-friendly and straightforward. It is possible to view the temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius format, observe the cascade flow, and measure the water flow rate.
It is possible to switch off the water heater, adjust it to recirculate mode, address small issues, and alter the temperature using the buttons. You can change the temperature in one-degree intervals, from a minimum of 98 degrees Fahrenheit to a maximum of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
This model has two drawbacks; it can be slightly noisy when heating water, but you can avoid this by placing it outside, and it does not come with a remote control. It’s possible to purchase a separate remote to operate the heater without going to the control center.
NPE-Standard Series
The Standard series from Navien has a competitive price point compared to the Advanced series and is equally reliable, especially with its energy efficiency and low upkeep requirements.
When it comes to installation, you will surely experience some cost efficiency. The only downside of the heaters in the Standard series is the absence of certain high-end features.
The Standard series heaters boast impressive energy efficiency ratings of 0.97, making them among the most effective gas heaters on the market. They are even more efficient than several electric heaters. The efficiency of the heat exchanger increases by the condensing technology, which captures the heat that might get lost in non-condensing models.
This quality makes it possible to employ a plan 40 PVC conduit for direct venting, which leads to lower exhaust gas levels. It is a more cost-effective option than other venting forms.
1. NPE-150S
The NPE-150S is the smallest water heater that Navien produces. Even so, it provides 6.8 GPM, sufficient for a tiny house and adequate for most average-sized dwellings. Additionally, this product can cascade, making it suitable for both large residential properties and commercial uses.
This water heater has a highly efficient condenser and two stainless steel heat exchangers. The metal fiber burner maintains a reliable gas-air mixture, producing low NOx combustion.
This NPE-150S tankless water heater can be connected to a ½ inch gas line with a lower water column and linked to a gas line up to a distance of 24 feet. This product can function with reduced gas pressure due to its double venturi fan and gas valve with negative suction.
You can buy the NPE-150S with a remote control, which will allow you to adjust the recirculation time and hot water temperature from a distance instead of going to the control panel.
It is possible to set the temperature and activate the water heaters at the beginning if you have a cascade system.
2. NPE-180S
As a last choice, there is another kind of water heater designed for either interior or exterior setup that can be powered by either propane or natural gas. The NPE-180S provides an 8.4 GPM flow rate.
This feature is suitable for medium-sized homes, but you can use Ready-Link cascading technology to interconnect up to 16 units. This is ideal for businesses that require a large amount of hot water, like hotels.
Although it will cost you a bit to buy the NPE-180S, you will soon start noticing the savings due to the high energy efficiency and minimal wait time to get hot water, which will keep low running costs.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: From Consumers
Navien water heaters have won over many customers and have top reviews of any water heater brand.
Reviews often discuss the straightforward installation process, energy efficiency, durable build that’s easy to take care of, and petite product dimensions. Customers are pleased that hot water comes out of the tap almost instantaneously, and gas water heaters (the majority of them) make little noise.
The only negative aspect of Navien water heaters is that they tend to be pricey, typically costing around $1,200. This makes the heaters more expensive than other options.
Despite their higher price tag, many customers find that the longer life, increased efficiency resulting in monetary savings, and cutting-edge tech make these heaters a wise investment.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Customer Service
Customers have provided good feedback when engaging with Navien’s customer service. Many customers have stated that Navien assistance was prompt, leading them to believe that the company is reliable.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Warranty
Navien water heaters provide customers with a 15-year warranty on their heat exchangers, one of the longest warranties any brand offers. Regarding the parts, they have a guarantee of 5 years, and the labor is insured for 1 year.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Maintenance
Even though Navien water heaters are constructed with excellent components, they will still require routine maintenance and inspections to guarantee that everything is operating.
The control panel identifies any issues, but it is necessary to perform inspections periodically to evaluate components such as valves, vent components, filters, and wiring.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Installation
Navien water heater installation requires approximately 4 hours, which is shorter than the time needed for most condensing heaters due to its PVC exhaust system.
Even though the directions for operating the heaters are simple to understand, you would still need to hire a specialist for assistance. A qualified HVAC technician must be the one to set up a gas heater, as incorrect installation can create a dangerous situation.
Where To Buy Navien Water Heaters
It’s not possible to purchase a Navien water heater online or from a local store, and you must instead look for a distributor who has them in stock to make your purchase.
Navien Tankless Water Heater Review: Prices
Navien water heaters provide an impressive blend of performance and quality, and their pricing is on par with other top-tier brands such as Rheem and Rinnai.
Here is a table of Navien water heater prices:
Navien Models | Max GPM | Unit Cost Only |
NPE-150S | 6.8 | $1,100-$1,225 |
NPE-180A | 8.4 | $1,180-$1,350 |
NPE-180S | 8.4 | $1,075-$1,265 |
NPE-210A | 10.1 | $1,375-$1,450 |
NPE-210S | 10.1 | $1,100-$1,275 |
NPE-240A | 11.2 | $1,395-$1,650 |
NPE-240S | 11.2 | $1,250-$1,535 |
The extensive price range indicates the way that different vendors price their items. Lower prices do not incorporate the cost of delivery, while higher prices do.
If you can locate a vendor in the vicinity and collect the item yourself, you’ll be able to reduce your expenses. Generally, freight fees from most retailers range between $50-85.
Remember that the Advanced Series units have built-in recirculation pumps, so they have high costs.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) On Navien Tankless Water Heater Review
1. Are Navien tankless water heaters any good?
Navien water heaters are among the best available. Tankless water heaters provide hot water without interruption and consume energy comparable to that of a light bulb. Navien tankless gas water heaters are recognized for their dependability and energy efficiency.
2. Is Rheem better than Navien?
Two major distinctions exist between Rheem units and Navien designs. Firstly, Rheem units do not feature an internal circulating system as Navien tanks do. Secondly, Rheem products are only backed by a warranty for a shorter duration. Navien’s heat exchanger is stainless steel, superior to Rheem’s copper heat exchanger.
3. Who makes Navien tankless water heaters?
KyungDong Navien (KD Navien) was established in 1978, and a decade later, it became the first firm in Asia to create and manufacture an effective and eco-friendly condensing boiler. This accomplishment enabled the firm to top in the condensed boiler sector.
4. Is Navien a Korean company?
Navien Inc. is a major player in condensing technology for water heaters and boilers. It has decided to invest $77.5 million to establish its initial US manufacturing and assembly facility in James City County, Virginia.
Conclusion: Navien Tankless Water Heater Review
Navien has been a reliable firm for a long time and has earned high marks among its clients. The NPE series has been a popular choice among homeowners and individuals who are seeking a reliable and high-quality water heater.
Navien tankless water heaters are different from other models because they lack a tank. Instead, they rely on a gas system, which is more efficient & less expensive to operate than a tank. The company also offers 10-year parts and labor guarantee on its products.
Furthermore, Navien can use a combined heat and DHW system called H2Air. This system provides the potential to acquire both hydronic air heating and hot water from the same water heater. Your installation will be enhanced by the system’s ability to provide a continuous 70 psi of pressure after it has completed its initial cycle.
If you’re searching for an affordable tankless water heater, then Navien is an excellent option. However, make sure you’re aware of the potential disadvantages associated with this relatively new technology. It may not be suitable for everyone.
I hope this article on the Navien tankless water heater review sounds helpful!
