The Navien NPE 240A Review: A Good Water Heater Option?

This model’s effectively compact design and intuitive frontal touch plate and display make it easy to operate where many other models can be a pain to work with. To further bolster this unit’s ease of use, an additional accessory can be purchased which allows the model to be controlled wirelessly from a smartphone app. However, it must be purchased separately.

The manual offered by the manufacturer may be difficult for a layman to follow. However, the overall streamlined simplicity of the design cuts a lot of confusion from the process.

The model’s case is cold rolled carbon steel, with stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers, making this unit a long lasting investment.

A warranty of 1 year for labor, 5 years for parts, and 15 years for heat exchanger component is offered by the manufacturer for this model following the date of initial purchase.

The first water heater model we’ve chosen as a point of comparison in our Navien NPE 240A review is the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus, a tankless water heater which provides instantaneous hot water and energy efficiency. It offers microprocessor assisted Advanced Flow Control, allowing for hot water regardless of how high the demand is at any given moment by automatically reducing output. This achieves sustained and consistent temperature at the expense of water pressure. Sleek design and intuitive dial-based controls keep operation simple and responsive, with streamlined hookups for easy installation.

The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus is 16 5/8″ in width, 14 1/2″ in height, and 4 5/8″ in depth, with a total weight of 19lbs, making it quite compact. This model operates with a 240-volt power supply, with a wattage of 36 kW. It has an amperage draw of 3 x 50 A. The minimum water flow for activation is 0.77 GPM. The working pressure of this model is 150 psi, with a maximum pressure of 300 psi. Both water connections are 3/4″ NPT. 99% efficiency can be expected with this unit, usually resulting in 15_20% savings in comparison to traditional water heaters.

This model sports a responsive and intuitive dial-based interface with LCD display for easy readouts and adjustment of settings.

The manual offered by the manufacturer may be difficult for a layman to follow. However, the overall streamlined simplicity of the design cuts a lot of confusion from the process.

The small size and sheet steel exterior of this model contribute to a degree of durability. However, the copper internal components may be more subject to wear and necessary replacements.

A 3-year warranty for materials and workmanship, as well as a 7-year leak warranty are offered by the manufacturer following the date of initial purchase.

The second water heater model we’re taking a closer look at in our Navien NPE 240A review is the EcoSmart ECO 27. As the name implies, this tankless model performs extremely energy efficiently, effectively cutting water heating costs by 50%. It is capable of self-modulating, adjusting energy usage based on the amount of demand placed on the system. It features a frontal dial-based digital control scheme. It is compact, yet capable of running hot water to up to four showers and a sink simultaneously.

This model is 17″ in width, 17″ in height, and 3.625″ in depth, with an overall weight of 14.7lbs. The unit is activated upon a water pressure of over 0.3 GPM. It requires a power supply of 27kW, with an amperage draw of 113 A. The breaker required is 3 x 40 A, with a required wire of 3 x 8 AWG, and it sports 3/4″ NPT connection fittings. This model is UL-499 and ETL Listed.

The front dial of this system is straightforward, but offers less visual feedback than the other models of this list, making technical readouts more or less impossible. Although this may not be an immediate issue for most consumers, in the event of a technical malfunction, this could potentially be a source of headaches.

Very little installation information is offered by the manufacturer, making third-party installation assistance virtually a necessity. However, the unit itself is fairly simple in design and won’t require an intense installation process.

This model features a combination of copper and stainless steel components, designed for easy replacement in the event of failure and long-term durability, respectively.

A 5-year lifetime limited warranty is offered by the manufacturer.

The last model we’re examining in our Navien NPE 240A review is the extremely affordable, compact, and versatile Eccotemp EM-2.5. This model is considered a ‘point of use’ Mini-Tank type water heater, meaning it is only designed to heat water from one source. This makes it excellent for small living situations. Despite its small size and limited range of water supply, it is capable of heating up to two sinks, and can even be incorporated into an existing hot water system to increase the speed of hot water delivery. Although small, it is nonetheless a tank style water heater and requires a minimum recovery time of 20 minutes after use.

This model is ETL certified and operates at a maximum water pressure of 150 psi. Installation is a snap and allows for the unit to be mounted on any wall or surface or even to be left freestanding. It plugs into any standard 110/120v outlet. The tank is 2.5 gallons, with a heating capacity of 1440 watts. As a smaller unit, it does not require re-circulating lines or pumps. It has an adjustable temperature range of 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and is compatible with standard 1/2″ NPT connections. The model is 17″ in height, 16″ in width, and 15″ in depth.

Despite its simplistic, single dial control scheme, the fact that this model can be carried around and incorporated into effectively any plumbing arrangement where it might be needed makes it an extremely useful and easily managed device.

Directions for installation are clearly listed on the unit, and the various hookups are color-coded for convenience, making this a simple unit to install under any circumstances.

This unit is solid, but due to its significantly lower price and standalone quality, should something break or malfunction repair is likely less feasible than with more far-reaching and permanent models.

The manufacturer provides a 5-year limited warranty for leaks and a 2-year limited warranty for defects following the date of initial purchase. Free accessories, such as showerhead, hose, and regulator, are offered for 30 days.