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Navien Tankless
Navien Problems
Mar 18th
Navien Problems
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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
- Navien flow sensor issues
- Navien Control board failures
- 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.
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.
Condensing Tankless Explained
Mar 11th
Navian Condensing Tankless
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Navian Condensing Tankless Water Heater
To help explain “condensing technology” for a tankless water heater imagine the condensation that forms on the outside surface of a glass of ice water. This condensation is purposely created inside Navien’s condensing heat exchanger (thats the secondary heat exchanger) from the incoming cold water. This cold water works to cool the hot gases inside the unit increasing its efficiency. Navien’s stainless-steel condensing heat exchanger then traps this condensation and uses it, making the whole process incredibly efficient and economical. This condensation (or vapors and gases) would normally escape through the vents in a conventional tankless water heater. But with Navien’s technology the water heater reuses the condensation, providing one of the most efficient and economical tankless Water Heater a home owner can buy.
Thats how all the Navian condensing Tankless systems work.
Navien Venting
Oct 22nd
Navian Venting
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Navian Tankless water heaters have a significant advantage in their venting requirements. For the Navian system to meet code it only need to be vented with conventional PVC piping. This results in a significant cost savings for the consumer or Navian tankless owner. The required pipe can be purchased at your local Home Depot or hardware store. In addition if you purchase the system from a certified installer or dealer they are able to pass the savings on to you, reducing the overall cost.
The reason that conventional piping can be used is due to the Navian system recycling so much of the heat that the exhaust gasses being released are basically just warm air. This reduces the risk of fire and allows for more versitile venting options.
If your considering a tankless water heater, take another look at the Navian systems they are full of unique innovations other companies are trying to match.
Are you in the greater toronto area or the golden horse shoe? Places like Mississauga, Hamilton, Oakville, Newmarket, Vaughn, Richmond Hill, Scarborough. If so we are a certified dealer and installer of Navien Tankless water heaters fill out a quick form and we can have someone call you within 24 hours to book a free consultation and see if your home fits the requirements for a tankless water heater.
Fill out the form here for a Free Quote FORM
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Navien Condensing Tankless 98%
Apr 22nd
Navien Condensing Tankless 98%
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Navian tankless water heaters are rated at up to 98% efficiency; this is achieved through a process called 
condensing. This is the highest rated condensing tankless available on the market today. As a result if the Navian’s high efficiency an average house can expect to save about 40$ additional over a conventional non condensing tankless Water heater. Compare it to a conventional tank type water heater and you could potentially save more than 160$. Efficiency is the key for the future, we need to get more out of what we now have less of. 98% of the energy used in this Navian unit actually works to heat water and is not just blown out the exhaust vent. The chart should help to determine what size of Navien tankless water heater you might need to meet your home/familys domestic hot water needs.
Navian has now moved to dual stainless steel heat exchanges in its tankless water heaters, they claim that this material offers 20 times more corrosion resistance and increased condensation damage. The Navien Tankless water heaters are also employing a new air pressure sensor that senses incoming and oxygen and can compensate for long vent runs to maximize efficiency in the combustion chamber.
Navien has also updated their website so check it out here. Visit Navien’s Website
Condensing verses Non-Condensing Tankless
Mar 27th
Condensing verses Non-Condensing
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Tankless water heaters come in two different efficiency styles, condensing and non condensing. A condensing unit will recover more than 85% of the gas that a regular tankless water heater would otherwise vent out. Navien or “Navian” makes a tankless system that is 98% efficient by employing the condensing system. The high efficiency is gained by allowing the relatively warm exhaust gases to transfer otherwise wasted heat to the incoming water preheating it before flowing through the primary heat exchanger. This adds about a 10 to 15 percent efficiency increase to a tankless water heater which in itself is already quite efficient.
Now the grants that are available from the provincial and federal government are 
different for a condensing and non condensing tankless water heater. A condensing unit will receive $600 in total grants or $300 from each government level. The non condensing unit will net you $250 from provincial and federal netting $500 total. The governments trying to reduce energy consumption and pollution emissions would naturally give more grant money to tankless water heaters that are the most efficient.
Renting a Tankless Water Heater
Mar 9th
Renting a Tankless Water Heater
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For a lot of people in Ontario renting your water heater is something you have always done, the charge is roughly between 10$ and 20$ a month. Companies that provide this service (for the most part) 
put in low end tanks so that their return on investment is only a few years. The problem is that low end tanks are energy hogs and consume copious amount of power. The company you rent it off of doesn’t care about efficiency as they are not paying the bills, thus the problem.
Renting a Tankless Water heater is going to be more expensive on a monthly basis but the savings it 
produces more than outweigh the additional cost. Remember a Tankless water heater is the top of the line water heating system, if it’s a Navien (or Navian which is often spelled incorrectly) you will be getting 98% efficiency. A Rinnai will produce great savings with lots of hot water and very reliable service. These units are the best there is for residential hot water demands.
The rental fees are almost identical from all companies that are offering rental tankless systems in Ontario and the greater Toronto area. On average you will be looking at between 32$ and 40$ per month for the rental water heater. You will also be getting the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong the unit will be replace or fixed.
The Tankless Hot Water Guide rents tankless water heaters if you are interested in renting a tankless system please fill out the form below and we will have a representative contact you.
Navien Tankless Water Tank
Feb 4th
Navien Tankless Water Tank
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Firstly let’s get this straight; Navien is a brand of tankless hot water heater not Navian. I have seen this 
spelled wrong many times, Navian (I googled it) is nothing, definitely not a tankless water heater.
Navien has 6 residential models (CR-180, CR-210, CR-240, CR-180A, CR-210A, CR-240A) and then 3 commercial units (CC-180, CC-210, CC-240). These tankless water heaters are all relatively similarly designed but as you go up in model number you increase the amount of hot water the tankless unit can provide. Here is a quick list of each units performance.
- CR-180 and 180A are able to provide roughly 3.8 gallons per minute with a 77 degree F rise.
- CR-210 and 210A are able to provide roughly 4.5 gallons per minute with a 77 degree F rise
- CR-240 and 240A are able to provide roughly 5 gallons per minute with a 77 degree F rise
We should definitely look at the efficiency of the Navien tankless water heater which is currently the only condensing unit on the market. This extra step gives Navien the efficiency title, currently rated at 98%, therefore 98 cents of every dollar spent on heating your water is actually turned into hot water. This is an amazing number as most tankless water heaters are 10% to 15% less efficient. Of course being the first on the block has its issues, the Navien tankless water heater is facing some problems from rubber hoses becoming blocked. This has been reported numerous time in several forums around the internet.
The good thing is that most of the other Tankless water heater manufactures are working on their own form of tankless condensing units. This should give the consumer a good choice in high efficiency water heating.
CR-180, CR-180A…… Specifications Sheet
CR-210, CR-210A…… Specifications Sheet
CR-240, CR-240A…….Specifications Sheet
UPDATE
This write up was done in February of 2009 so its been over a year now and there are a number of alternate condensing tankless water heaters available now. Navien was the first on the block and realistically you cant beat the price of the unit, even today its still lower than all condensing tankless units. Sure there has been some issues regarding the system but thats to be expected from a new technology (we will be authoring a new post on all these problems and their fix, check back soon).
Navien problems and the Fix – Click here to read
If your interested in a Navien tankless water heater fill out the form below and we will contact you, there’s no obligation and at the very least you will be more informed on whether a tankless is right for you or not.
Navien Tankless Error Codes
Apr 25th
Posted by administrator in General Info
4 comments
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.
3. Check the heat exchanger, remove and clean with a solution
3. Check the igniter for spark
2. Check the igniter for spark
2. Replace the thermistor
2. Replace the thermistor
2. Check and clean the fan motor
2. Check and clean the air filter
2. Check intake air pipe
3. Check the ground wire
4. Check power supply
2. Check the GFI
2. Clean the inlet water strainer
3. Check the automatic flow adjustment valve
4. Check the heat exchanger: remove and clean with a cleaning solution
2. Replace thermistor
2. Replace thermistor
2. Check and clean the air filter
3. Check the automatic flow adjustment valve
4. Check the heat exchanger: remove and clean with a cleaning solution
2. Replace thermistor
2. Replace thermistor
2. Replace leaking parts
2. Check the water flow sensor
3. Check the cold water main
2. Replace thermistor
2. Replace thermistor
2. Fill the LPG gas
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