Navien is located in South Korea and has been manufacturing it’s tankless water heater for several years now. There are a suspected 13,000 units with the defect and recalled. An unstable connection can cause the vent collar to separate or disconnect allowing exhaust and carbon monoxide to leak into the home.

Tankless water heaters are a green appliance that is able to heat water instantly saving consumers money and energy. A tankless eliminates the need to have a standing storage hot water tank that needs to be heated continuously.

The affected Navien tankless systems that are being recalled were sold to distributors from February 2008 to March 2009. They have been described as:

Navien tankless hot water heaters are white with “T-Creator” and “NAVIEN” on the front. Recalled model numbers are CR-180(A), CR-210(A), CR-240(A), CC-180(A), CC-210(A) and CC-240(A) manufactured in 2008. A label on the side of the water heater lists the model number along with the manufacturing year in YYYY format.

These units are installed indoors in basements and closets (typically in Canada and the northern US). The units that are installed outside are not affected and not being recalled.

If you discover you have one of these models you can schedule a free repair but should not use the water heater in the mean time. Navien also suggests that a carbon monoxide detector be installed outside the sleeping areas of homes.

For more information you can contact Navien at (800) 244-8202 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Related posts:

1. Navien Tankless Water Tank
2. Navien Condensing Tankless 98%
3. Navien Rebates

The lifespan of a Navien is 20 plus years and the manufacture provides a warranty for 15 years on them.  By the time your conventional tank type water heater hits 15 years it will be so full of calcium and build up it you will be lucky if it is achieving more than 20% efficiency.  Meanwhile if you had had one of our Toronto reps come by and install a tankless your system would still be operating in the high 90% efficiency range. 

Servicing the Toronto and area region has shown one thing to us, houses are small and space is important to home owners.  A Navien tankless can reduce your water heaters footprint by over 90% as it simply mounts on the wall.  Take back some of your space with a tankless heater.

Not all Toronto and area homes can meet the venting and positioning requirements necessary and thus its important to understand the requirements that need to be met.  If you live in Toronto or surrounding area we do offer free assesments where some one can come to your home and ensure that a tankless will work for youand your home.  Again this is free for Toronto and surrounding areas.  Otherwise if your handy you can check out the diagram to see for yourself if a tankless will fit.

FIND OUT MORE HERE 

Toronto, Ontario

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The 3 primary Navien models

NR-180

NR-210

NR-240

These three are Natural gas systems, but you should note that they come in propane versions as well.  In fact as propane burns hotter than natural gas the propane versions are a bit more efficient.

Navien tankless water heaters utilizes dual stainless steel heat exchangers, providing a longer life-expectancy and more resistance to erosion than copper heat exchangers. All tankless systems are designed to be cleaned and de-scaled, improving life span and durability.

Hot Water Flow Chart.

This chart shows the corrected values for hotwater production of each Navien water heater in relation to ground water temperature.  Here in Ontario, Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, and the surrounding cities we should assume a ground water temperature of 35F.

 Intelligent Remote Control For the Navien Tankless

NR-10DU (Included with every Navien Tankless Water Heater)
. Temperature adjustment in 1¡ÆF increments between 98-120¡ÆF
. Touch activated backlight function
. Easy-to-Use button type control
. Built-in recirculation timer for water and energy savings
. Key-pad lock button prevents inadvertent temperature changes
. Advanced water heater diagnosis capability and error feedback

 Endless Hot Water Supply

Navien’s (and all tankless systems) offer an unlimited supply of hot water to meet a home’s unending demand
for hot water. With body showeres becoming much more common place now, it is imperative that you install a tankless.  These new shower systems can
run a conventional tank type water heater dry in very short period.

Navien Venting Benefits

The high effciency of Navien’s Condensing Tankless Water Heater results in lower exhaust
temperatures, allowing for the use of 3” PVC venting.
• PVC venting offers a significant cost savings when compared with other venting materials.
• PVC venting is lightweight and easily slides together, reducing installation time
and makes it easy to run long distances.

See the Full Navien Brochure

Related posts:

1. Navien NR-180
2. Navien Condensing Tankless 98%
3. Navien Venting

Nope, there is a solutions….. Envirosense.

GSW makes a conventional style tank type system that is 90% efficient.

The Envirosense Power Vent is a 50-gallon, 76,000 BTU gas water heater, equipped with a fully submerged, spiral-shaped condensing heat exchanger. This design provides much greater heat transfer surface than a standard straight flue tube, resulting in 90% thermal efficiency and higher hot water output than standard water heaters. With a 22” diameter, Envirosense Power Vent can be installed in less space than a 75-gallon unit and delivers greater recovery and lower operating costs. The Envirosense Power Vent is so advanced, it can deliver “endless hot water for showers” … a continuous flow of over 3 gallons per minute

If you are not keen on a tankless water heater you can still have unlimited hot water with this GSW high efficiency tank.  This qualifies for Government Grants and Rebates

Find out more on the Envirosense tank

Related posts:

1. Whats Involved In A Tankless Install?
2. Navien Condensing Tankless 98%
3. Navien NR-180

Bosch vs Rinnai Tankless

There has been quite the buzz regarding tankless water heaters lately.  Claims of their superior energy savings and efficiency have been touted by every company pushing the units.  Yes they do reduce the amount of gas or propane you use but they also provide endless hot water.  If you take a 45 minute shower your more than likely using more energy than you would with a conventional tank that simply runs out of hot water after 20.  Yet if you are reasonable and shower for the same duration, you have great potential to see some real energy (and money) savings with a tankless water heater.

Now that you know you want a tankless you have two options…

Option 1 –  Go to your nearest Home Depot and purchase one from there, then hire a gas fitter and a plumber to install it

or

Option 2 –  Look for a professional tankless installer who has the specialty to preform a stand-up job.

Being the person purchasing the system cost will obviously be a factor and I guarantee Home Depot will be the cheapest option (If cost is your only driving force you should click the link and head to Home Depot now).

For those of you that stuck around I will explain why the second choice is probably the best choice.

Firstly if you call around to a few tankless installers you will quickly realize that none of them sell Bosch tankless heaters (Bosch is the only tankless brand Home Depot sells). The reason why these companies don’t offer this brand is due to the fact they offer extended warranties and guarantees.  They are on the line for the products they sell and thus they go with quality products they know will stand up  and remain reliable.

Enter Rinnai.

Ask these same tankless installation companies if they sell the Rinnai brand tankless water heater and I bet you find that 99% of them do. Rinnai tankless water heaters are built to last and this is why industry professionals install this brand. Lets compare the Bosch and Rinnai tankless models and see some of the differences.

Bosch Aquastar Tankless Water Heater 1600H compared with Rinnai R75LSi Tankless

Bosch Tankless Verses a Rinnai Tankless

As you can see there are some definite differences, probably the most glaring is the amount of hotwater that can be provided.  The Rinnai is able to produce more than twice as much, meaning you won’t run into problems when running more than one appliance or faucet..

Of course this doesn’t take into account all the benefits that you get from a professional install like:

• Proper venting, tankless systems have very specific code requirements

• Correct sizing so that you always have enough hot water

• Additional warranty and workmanship guarantees

• Maintenance guarantees, service plans, and emergency tech service.

Sure any Ontario Home Depot has the cheapest system but I hope I clarified why they’re some much cheaper.  Now those of you still left reading option 2 and didn’t click on the Home Depot link you are obviously interested in a tankless.  These systems can’t go in every home due to venting issues so we send out a technician to make sure everything will work and what size tankless  your home would need. This is a free service, so just fill out the form below and we will call you to schedule a time for someone to come by.  Typically only 15-20 minutes.

Technicians are fitting and sizing tankless water heaters in all of the greater Toronto area as well as, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Rexdale, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, North York, Scarborough, Im sure I have missed some cities but you get the idea, if in question just send us an email.

Related posts:

1. First Rinnai Condensing Tankless
2. Rinnai R85 Tankless Water Heater
3. Takagi Condensing Tankless Review

Navien Tankless Error Codes

This is the Entire list of Error codes for the Navien tankless water heater.

These troubleshooting tips are for models 180, 210, 240.

If you have any further questions send an email or post in the comments section and we will try to answer all inquiries.

There will be error codes on both the remote control and on the computer board on the main unit.

To reset a Navien tankless water heater either unplug the unit and wait a minute to plug it back in again, or press the power button on the remote control off and then back on again.

If Nothing else works call Navien’s Tech Support at 1-800-519-8794

Related posts:

1. Navien Problems
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3. Condensing Tankless Explained

Noritz Tankless Video

Here is a video on the Noritz 842 condensing tankless. It is a YouTube video, its informative but tailored to the American market. Keep in mind that with and Eco Energy Audit you can get access to 750$ rebate from the Canadian and Ontario government. This program will end in 2011 so get your D audits done soon or you may miss out. You can find out more about an Energy audit or even Book One.

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2. Service Area and Shipping
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Norits Tankless Hot Water

We are now starting to install the Norits tankless systems to replace the Navien that we have had some troubles with. The Norits is a condensing tankless that is able to provide sufficient hot water for the typical 3 bedroom 3 bathroom home.

Nortis Advantages

1. 0.5 GPM low flow start up requirement
2. Direct ignition
3. Condensing so
4. Greater than 93% efficient
5. Digital thermometer for accuracy
6. Dual copper primary heat exchangers
7. Multi-system compatibility
8. PVC (636) venting capabilities

The Noritz 842 tankless water heater also uses a dual flame in its burner. This is a system that recirculates the exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber to burn off any excess fuel and particulate mater so as to increase efficiency and provide, essentially free heat.

Single Burner

Dual Burner

These energy efficient models use dual heat exchangers to increase efficiency to over 93%.  Available form Norits are the N-0842MC and the N-0842MC-DV, the tankless come in either direct or power vent.

Fill out this form and see if the Norits tankless will work in your home.  CLICK FOR FORM

Noritz is correctly spelled with a Z instead of an S but its a common mistake.

Related posts:

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2. First Rinnai Condensing Tankless
3. GE Hybrid Electric Water Heater

Navien Problems

Navian was the first to come out with a condensing tankless water heater and thus they are bound to have some issues. This post is aimed at addressing some of these problems.
Issues

1. Navien flow sensor issues
2. Navien Control board failures
3. Navien Heat exchanger cracks

The flow sensor

Early Navian models had flow sensors that would easily corrode and shut the unit down as the buildup would impair operation. There is a temporary fix where you take the two clamps off the sensor, pull it out and blow on it. The fix that Navien has made is to change the sensor over to stainless steel, you can replace the part to prevent this unexpected shut down. Also an additional fix is to install a 5 micron filter in the water inlet right before the Navian.

Navian Control Boards or Motherboards

These do fail relatively frequently and symptoms would be that the unit turns on, then off, then on, and then off repeatedly or possibly, fails with error code 03 (ignition failure). There are a few other issues that the board can cause but the only real solution is to power cycle the unit (un-plug and plug back in) or replace the Navien control board.

Cracking Heat Exchanger

This isn’t near as frequent as the problems listed above but it is an issue none the less. A heat exchanger should be replaced immediately; it’s a breach containment allowing exhaust gases to enter your home. The heat exchanger is under Navian warranty.

More Help

Here is some places and information you can use to find additional help.

Our Service Department – 1-855-696-8265

Navien Technical Help Line – 1-800-519-8794

Navien online trouble shooting – Go HERE

Navien Warranty details – Find out more  HERE (should be accurate for Canada and Ontario)

Additional Issues – Read Here

UPDATE – here is a complete list of Navien error codes – Read HERE

If all else fails post a comment and we can try and trouble-shoot any issues here.

Related posts:

1. Condensing Tankless Explained
2. Navien Condensing Tankless 98%
3. Navien Venting

Rennai Tankless water heater

Rennai tankless or Rannai tankless is actually spelled Rinnai, it is commonly misspelled as Rennai condensing or Rannai condensing. Here are some more spelling errors for Rinnai tankless water heater.

1. Rennai Tankless
2. Rinai Tankless
3. Renni Tankless
4. Rinni Tankless

For the Record it is Rinnai.

Here are some Rinnai Facts

- Uses concentric venting which results in only one hole drilled in your wall but this results in a reduction of venting options.
- Lowest failure rates.
- 10 years parts and labour warranty
- Made in Japan
- 8.0 GPM hot water production on most units
- More than 30 million units installed world wide
- No pilot light (direct electronic ignition)

This picture is an example of the vent pipe that a Rinna tankless uses.  Basically there is a pipe inside a pipe, one directs exhaust gases out of the house, while the other allows fresh air to flow in from outside directly to the combustion chamber.

So for the record it is Rinnai.

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2. Solar Water Heater and Tankless Update
3. Rinnai Concentric Venting