Navien NPE-240A vs NPE-240A2: Which Tankless Water Heater is Right for You?

If you are looking for a high-efficiency condensing tankless water heater that can save you space, energy, and money, you might have come across the Navien NPE series. These water heaters are designed to provide endless hot water on demand, with ultra-low NOx emissions and easy installation.

But what are the differences between the Navien NPE-240A and NPE-240A2 models? And which one should you choose for your home or business? In this blog post, we will compare these two models and help you decide which one suits your needs better.

Navien NPE-240A: The Original High-Efficiency Condensing Tankless Water Heater

The Navien NPE-240A was one of the first models in the NPE series, and it has been a popular choice among customers for years. It has a heat capacity of 13,300 to 199,900 BTU/h, and a flow rate of up to 11.2 gallons per minute (GPM) at a 35°F temperature rise. It can also handle up to four showers and two faucets simultaneously, making it ideal for large households or commercial applications.

One of the main features of the NPE-240A is its patented ComfortFlow® system, which includes a buffer tank, a recirculation pump, and fine-tuned controls. This system eliminates the “cold water sandwich” effect that occurs when hot water is turned on and off repeatedly, and reduces the wait time for hot water at the faucet. It also saves water and energy by recirculating the unused hot water back to the heater.

Another feature of the NPE-240A is its dual stainless steel heat exchangers, which are more durable and resistant to corrosion than copper heat exchangers.

The NPE-240A also has a low exhaust gas temperature, which allows it to use PVC, CPVC, polypropylene, or stainless steel venting materials, saving time and costs on installation.

The NPE-240A has an EZNav™ multi-line control panel that displays temperature settings, status codes, diagnostics, and maintenance information. It also has a built-in HotButton control panel that activates the recirculation system with one touch.

The NPE-240A has an ultra-high efficiency rating of 0.95 UEF (uniform energy factor), which means it uses 95% of the energy it consumes to heat water.

This translates to lower energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The NPE-240A also has low NOx emissions of 20 ppm (parts per million), which meets the strictest environmental standards.

Navien NPE-240A2: The Updated High-Efficiency Condensing Tankless Water Heater

The Navien NPE-240A2 is the direct replacement of the NPE-240A model, and it has some minor improvements and changes over its predecessor. It has the same heat capacity, flow rate, efficiency rating, and NOx emissions as the NPE-240A, but it has some new features that make it more user-friendly and convenient.

One of the new features of the NPE-240A2 is its updated screen with a startup guide on screen. This guide walks you through the initial setup process and helps you configure the water heater according to your preferences. The NPE-240A2 also has a new cover design that is mounted differently and easier to remove for maintenance.

Another new feature of the NPE-240A2 is its dual venturi system, which creates better combustion control and turndown ratio. The turndown ratio is the ratio between the maximum and minimum heat output of a water heater, and it affects how well it can adjust to different hot water demands.

The higher the turndown ratio, the more precise and efficient the water heater is. The dual venturi system also allows for field gas conversions between natural gas and propane without changing any parts.

The NPE-240A2 also has some changes in its venting options compared to the NPE-240A. It has a new outdoor cap design that improves its performance in cold weather conditions. It also has a vent installation detector (VID) that ensures proper venting installation for added safety.

Navien NPE-240A vs NPE-240A2: Which One Should You Choose?

Both the Navien NPE-240A and NPE-240A2 are high-quality, high-efficiency condensing tankless water heaters that can provide you with endless hot water and save you space, energy, and money.

They have similar features and performance, but the NPE-240A2 has some minor improvements and changes that make it more user-friendly and convenient. The main differences between them are:

• The NPE-240A2 has an updated screen with a startup guide on screen, while the NPE-240A does not.
• The NPE-240A2 has a new cover design that is easier to remove for maintenance, while the NPE-240A has a different cover design.
• The NPE-240A2 has a dual venturi system that allows for field gas conversions and better combustion control, while the NPE-240A does not.
• The NPE-240A2 has a new outdoor cap design that improves its performance in cold weather conditions, while the NPE-240A has a different outdoor cap design.
• The NPE-240A2 has a vent installation detector (VID) that ensures proper venting installation, while the NPE-240A does not.

The choice between the Navien NPE-240A and NPE-240A2 depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you want a more updated and convenient model with some extra features, you might prefer the NPE-240A2.

If you want a more original and proven model with similar features, you might prefer the NPE-240A. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a Navien tankless water heater.

Q: What are the main advantages of a condensing tankless water heater over a conventional tank water heater?

A condensing tankless water heater has several advantages over a conventional tank water heater, such as:

• It provides endless hot water on demand, without wasting energy on heating and storing water that is not used.
• It saves space, as it can be mounted on a wall or outdoors, and does not require a large storage tank.
• It saves energy and money, as it has a high efficiency rating and uses less gas than a conventional tank water heater.
• It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as it has low NOx emissions and uses less gas than a conventional tank water heater.
• It lasts longer, as it has dual stainless steel heat exchangers that are more durable and resistant to corrosion than copper heat exchangers.

Q: What are the main differences between the Navien NPE-240A and NPE-240A2 models?

A: The Navien NPE-240A and NPE-240A2 models are very similar in terms of features and performance, but the NPE-240A2 has some minor improvements and changes over the NPE-240A, such as:

• It has an updated screen with a startup guide on screen, which helps you set up the water heater according to your preferences.
• It has a new cover design that is easier to remove for maintenance, while the NPE-240A has a different cover design.
• It has a dual venturi system that allows for field gas conversions and better combustion control, while the NPE-240A does not.
• It has a new outdoor cap design that improves its performance in cold weather conditions, while the NPE-240A has a different outdoor cap design.
• It has a vent installation detector (VID) that ensures proper venting installation, while the NPE-240A does not.

Q: How do I install and maintain the Navien NPE-240A or NPE-240A2 water heater?

A: The Navien NPE-240A or NPE-240A2 water heater should be installed and maintained by a licensed professional plumber or contractor, following the manufacturer’s instructions and local codes. Some of the installation and maintenance steps include:

• Choosing a suitable location for the water heater, either indoors or outdoors, with enough clearance and ventilation.
• Connecting the water heater to the gas supply, water supply, electrical supply, and venting system, using the appropriate materials and fittings.
• Setting up the water heater using the EZNav™ multi-line control panel or the Navien mobile app, adjusting the temperature settings, recirculation settings, and other preferences.
• Performing regular maintenance on the water heater, such as flushing the heat exchangers, cleaning the inlet filter, checking the venting system, and replacing any worn or damaged parts.

Q: How do I use the ComfortFlow® system on the Navien NPE-240A or NPE-240A2 water heater?

A: The ComfortFlow® system is a patented feature of the Navien NPE series that eliminates the “cold water sandwich” effect and reduces the wait time for hot water at the faucet. It consists of a buffer tank, a recirculation pump, and fine-tuned controls. To use the ComfortFlow® system, you need to:

• Connect the recirculation line from the buffer tank to your plumbing system, either at the farthest fixture or at a dedicated return line.
• Activate the recirculation system using either the built-in HotButton control panel on the water heater, or an optional external control device such as a motion sensor or a push button.
• Choose between three recirculation modes: Comfort mode (continuous recirculation), Economy mode (recirculation based on usage patterns), or Smart mode (recirculation based on both usage patterns and outdoor temperature).

Q: Where can I buy the Navien NPE-240A or NPE-240A2 water heater and get more information?

A: You can buy the Navien NPE-240A or NPE-240A2 water heater from authorized dealers or distributors in your area. You can also find more information about these models on the Navien website (www.navieninc.com), where you can download manuals, brochures, videos, and other resources. You can also contact Navien technical support (800-519-8794) if you have any questions or issues with your water heater.