Houses today need a good water heating system, considering the advanced technological means and improvements being made all around the world.
Water heaters are now better equipped to function more efficiently, save energy, while also providing a consistent temperature of water to the whole house. Whether for residential use or commercial use, there are certain brands that are most highly trusted.
One of these is Navien, a leading brand that manufactures the best Navien tankless water heaters.
How Does Navien Compare to the Competition?
Since the market today is packed with very similar products coming from different brands and companies, making a choice can be challenging. To solve this problem, we have listed some outstanding features that Navien has to offer compared to other competing brands.
Caters to Different Customers
The best part about Navien is that it caters to different customer needs. Its products range from high-end, pricey products to budget-friendly products. It also has separate ranges for standard products and advanced products. Plus, the company also manufactures products separately for commercial use and for home/residential use.
Offers Accessories as Well
Some condensation technology and some equipment might need extra accessories or add-ons. Finding certified, reliable accessories can be difficult. Therefore, Navien offers accessories themselves, which can be bought separately and, therefore, be used with full peace of mind.
Sizing Calculator
They have a really efficient website, which also comes with a sizing calculator. With the help of this accurate and reliable calculator, you can easily decide which size heater your house needs.
Warranty
Navien has varying warranties across different product ranges. The best part about their warranty and what makes them stand out is that all their products come with at least a 15-year coverage for heat exchangers.
Comparison of the Best Navien Tankless Water Heaters
If you just want to skim through the products and see which one meets your needs, here’s a quick comparison of the different models on our list.
|
Product Name
|
Unit Size (L”xW”xH”)
|
Energy Efficiency
|
Condenser Fan Motor (i.e., Single vs. Two)
|
Cost of Unit Only
|
Installation Cost
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NPE-180A |
17.3×27.4x 13.2 |
0.97 |
Dual Heat Exchanger |
$1,180 – $1,350 |
$500 – $1000 |
|
NPE-150S |
17.3×27.4×13.2 |
0.97 |
Dual Heat Exchangers |
$1,100 – $1,225 |
$500 – $1000 |
|
NPN-199U |
14.0×23.0x 9.3 |
0.97 |
Dual Heat Exchangers |
– |
$500 – $1000 |
|
NPE-210S |
17.3×27.4×13.2 |
0.99 |
Dual Heat Exchangers |
$1,100 – $1,275 |
$500 – $1000 |
|
NPE-240A |
17.3×27.4×13.2 |
0.97 |
Dual Heat Exchangers |
$1,395 – $1,650 |
$500 – $1000 |
|
NPE-180S |
17.3×27.4×13.2 |
0.99 |
Dual Heat Exchangers |
$1,075 – $1,265 |
$500 – $1000 |
Review of the Best Navien Tankless Water Heaters
The following are the top Navien tankless water heaters meant to cater to residential water heater needs. The products are all unique in their own way and are suitable for different sized households. Take a look to find the most suitable water heater for your home.
Best Overall
NPE-180A
Specifications
Max Water Flow (GPM): 4.3
Energy Factor (EF): 0.96
Dimensions: 17.3 (diameter) x 27.4
Water Temp Range: 30°F – 140°
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Why it Stands Out to Us
A good water heater such as this is meant to add convenience and comfort to the user’s experience. For this reason, this complete, all-in-one package stands out so much to us. The heater has a high-efficiency rate of 0.97 EF, meaning it will bring drastic cost cuttings to your bills and power consumption. Moreover, the heater is also equipped with all the necessary safety features that make it the perfect heater for residential or home use. Even first-timers can rely on it easily because of its safety devices.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, the Navien best overall water heater has an amazing build quality featuring dual heat exchangers made with stainless steel and an efficient control display, too. The heater is meant for medium to large-sized households, having an exceptionally low NOx emission and a phenomenal efficiency rate, too.
Pros
High-efficiency rate
Heater can be used both indoors and outdoors
Durable stainless steel components ensure longevity
Comes with a high-temperature limit switch for added safety
Safety features such as an exhaust temperature high-limit sensor
Cons
Requires professional help for installation
Runner-up
NPE-150S
Specifications
Max Water Flow (GPM): 3.2
Energy Factor (EF): 0.96
Dimensions: 17.3 (diameter) x 27.4
Water Temp Range: 35°- 67°
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Why it Stands Out to Us
The ultra-condensing efficiency rate of 0.97 EF and smart design with cascading capability, this tankless water heater by Navien truly stands out. It outperforms other products in various ways, one of which is its versatile fueling options, allowing you to fuel it with propane or natural gas. The heater has an electrical ignition, which makes it safer than other alternatives. Plus, it is also meant to cater to large households, meaning it will provide phenomenal cost savings with its energy efficiency but will supply large quantities of hot water.
Bottom Line
Navien NPE-150S is backed by a 15-year warranty for the heat exchangers, which are made with high-quality, durable and rust-resistant stainless steel meant to last you a long time. Moreover, it is a great choice for large households and has a high-efficiency rate, which will prove to be really cost-efficient in the long term.
Pros
Can be used both indoors and outdoors
Has a reliable warranty for heat exchangers
It can be fueled with both propane and natural gas
Dual heat exchangers made with durable stainless steel
Safety features such as high temperature and exhaust limit switch
Cons
Not recommended for smaller households
Best for the Money
NPN-199U
Specifications
Max Water Flow (GPM): 9.5
Energy Factor (EF): 0.81
Dimensions: 14. (diameter) x 23.0
Water Temp Range: N/A
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Why it Stands Out to Us
A heater must be diverse and versatile for it to be functional and usable in the long term. Your money and investment should not go to waste on a heater that performs the bare minimum. However, this tankless heater by Navien outperforms others in the market in terms of its highly satisfactory price to performance ratio.
This is one of the top-notch Navien heaters but at a relatively lower price. It has all the essential features, such as its built-in recirculation, indoor and outdoor installation design, 40ppm emission, and an integrated control panel, as well.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, if you have a tight budget but need to invest in a good-quality, long-lasting heater for your medium to large-sized household, then this unit is a perfect choice. The lower price does not mean that it does not have the best of all features. It is equipped with dual heat exchangers and also comes with a warranty.
Pros
It is available in both NG and LP
Built-in recirculation unit saves extra costs
Suitable for both indoors and outdoors use
Stainless steel components allow durability
Smart and efficient integrated control for precise temperature control
Cons
Might not be easy to install
Best Navien Tankless Gas Water Heater
NPE-210S
Specifications
Max Water Flow (GPM): 5.2
Energy Factor (EF): 0.97
Dimensions: 27.4 (diameter) x 13.2
Water Temp Range: 35° – 67°
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Why it Stands Out to Us
The most important thing everyone looks for in household appliances is the utility cost the unit will add. For this reason, this unit stands out the most to us since it offers an efficiency rate of a whopping 0.99 EF. This is higher than most models and is the best energy efficiency can get in tankless water heaters. Other than that, it also has other important features, such as its 20ppm emission rate, which makes it a more eco-friendly alternative. It also has a flow rate of 0.5 GPM, which again makes it suitable for a large number of hot water requirements.
Bottom Line
Wrapping it up, this is an electronically ignited tankless water heater by Navien that is best known in the market for its durable construction and dual heat exchangers made of stainless steel. The longevity of the unit is also guaranteed by the 15-year warranty supporting it.
Pros
Has a really low NOx emission
Has a smart and easy-to-use display controller
Can be used with both natural gas and propane
High-efficiency rating ensures better cost savings
Durable construction with stainless steel components
Cons
Costly installation with a need to install a new gas line
Best Navien 240a Tankless Water Heater
NPE-240A
Specifications
Max Water Flow (GPM): 5.6
Energy Factor (EF): 0.96
Dimensions: 17.3 (diameter) x 27.4
Water Temp Range: N/A
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Why it Stands Out to Us
This heater is more on the higher-end, premium side of the spectrum. The range of features it has and its application all make it worth the money. Backed by a generous warranty, it is equipped with dual stainless steel heat exchangers.
These are meant to provide the desired water temperature and ensure long-lasting, consistent, and disturbance-free performance for a long time. The unit is also equipped with a good flow rate of 0.5 GPM, along with safety devices, which make it the perfect choice for home use. It is compatible with wall-hung installation both indoors and outdoors.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this is a high-end product with top-notch features that provide endless benefits to its users. It is best for medium to large-sized households. It has outstanding safety devices such as high temperature and high exhaustion switch control and is also backed by a warranty.
Pros
Backed by a generous warranty
Has a good flow rate of 0.5 GPM
Can be installed both indoors and outdoors
Water temperature high limit switch guarantees safety
Versatile safety features such as ignition operation detector
Cons
Premium heater with a premium price
Best Navien 180s Tankless Water Heater
NPE-180S
Specifications
Max Water Flow (GPM): 4.2
Energy Factor (EF): 0.97
Dimensions: 17.3 (diameter) x 27.4
Water Temp Range: N/A
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Why it Stands Out to Us
The Navien NPE-180S is a unit designed to cater to the hot water needs of smaller households. Large units with a large flow rate and capacity are a waste of money and space. Thus, this particular unit stands out in the market as one of the best for smaller spaces and households. It has an exceptional efficiency rating of about 0.99 EF, which is guaranteed to bring lots of cost savings your way. Plus, the unit also has both outdoor and indoor installation capabilities, so the space for its installation is going to be no challenge.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the unit is the perfect choice for those looking for a good, quality water heater for their small household. It is equipped with advanced features such as the controlled display along with dual heat exchangers that ensure highly reliable and phenomenal performance for a long time, as well.
Pros
Has a high 0.99 EF rating
Weighs 67 lbs., less than other units
Can be wall-hung both indoors and outdoors
Can be fueled with both natural gas and propane
Has various safety devices ensuring user-friendliness
Cons
Not the best for larger homes
Requires a venting kit for outdoor installation
What Kind of Warranty Does Navien Offer?
Navien offers a warranty with each of its products. However, every product is backed by a different warranty covering different costs and aspects. Their warranty hugely varies on the basis of the series of products that are being bought. The wide product range of Navien includes series from NPE, NPE-Advanced, and NPN, too. The warranty specifics include:
Costs Covered
The warranty offered by Navien on various products covers labor, parts, and heat exchanger costs. The duration of labor costs is usually for about one year. Meanwhile, the parts replacement is about five years, and for exchanger, costs are usually covered for 15 years.
Must Contact the Original Manufacturer
The procedure to claim the warranty is to either contact the original seller of the product or get in touch with Navien themselves. If you are claiming the warranty through Navien, then your purchase invoice or any on-paper evidence should be present.
Does Not Cover for Your Faults
If, while installation, you made some errors, or damaged the product yourself in any way, then the warranty will not cover those costs.
Modification Voids the Warranty
In case of any alterations and modifications made to the product for whatever reason, the warranty will be void. Navien will only cater to the warranty if it’s on the original product.
Who is Navien?
Navien comes under a parent company KD Navien. KD Navien was founded in 1978, while Navien was created in 2006 as a sub-brand of manufacturing condensing equipment. The company is based in Seoul, South Korea. It stands today as one of the biggest condensation products manufacturer and seller in North America.
With KD’s 35 years of experience in boiler and water heating technology, they were able to create a sub-brand specifically dedicated to condensing technology. They are best known for the energy efficiency their products have to offer.
Conclusion
The market is packed with tankless water heaters today, each of the products being unique in their own way. Technology has led to water heaters becoming more efficient and exceptionally smart day by day. However, to choose wisely, you can always consider important factors such as brand reliability and customer feedback. Navien is one of the leading brands in the market, known for its versatile product range and its outstanding customer support.
People Also Ask
To learn more about Navien and its products, the following section has answered some commonly asked questions. If you are buying a Navien product for the first time, make sure to go through the following answers:
Tankless water heaters heat the water as soon as the hot water tap is open. They don’t use a storage container to store and heat the water, which is why they are the most energy-efficient and consistent, as well. They work by passing water through the pipes into the unit, and the unit heats the water. This is repeated every time you open a hot water tap at the sink or the shower.
Navien is a global brand. However, all their water heaters are manufactured in South Korea. Their water heater manufacturing factory in South Korea is known to be one of the biggest water heater factories in the world.
When you buy a Navien water heater, it comes set at a default temperature of about 49 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal temperature to ensure safety and comfort. Temperatures set higher than 52-53 degrees Celsius can be risky and pose a threat to your safety.
