Navien gas heating boiler: design and technical characteristics of wall-mounted and floor-mounted units + owner reviews

The optimal solution for organizing autonomous heating is to install your own boiler.

The choice of such installations is wide; there are samples that operate on various types of fuel and are capable of serving premises of one size or another.

The most successful performance characteristics are demonstrated by gas boilers, which are economical and efficient.

European manufacturers offer a fairly wide selection of units, but their cost makes you think about looking for more affordable analogues.

One of the optimal solutions is gas boilers produced by Navien.

Gas boilers from Nevien

The South Korean concern KyungDong NAVIEN is known for its equipment for heating and hot water supply of residential and industrial premises.

Gas boilers make up a significant share in the company’s overall product range, although they are not the main type of product.

They are distinguished by their specialization for Russian conditions, are able to work with unstable or low pressure of gas and water, and automatically correct voltage fluctuations in the power supply network up to 30%.

This makes them the most preferable option compared to European models, and the low price increases the demand and popularity of Korean units.

About company

Currently, the South Korean company Navien is one of the world's largest manufacturers, whose main specialization is the creation of gas and diesel boilers that are used for domestic use.

Navien works according to four main principles: sustainable development, the discovery of ethical values ​​for society, ecology and care for the environment and people.

The company began its activities in 1978, and has been operating successfully since then. For almost 40 years, the described manufacturer has been able to take a strong position in the market and win the trust of users.

Korean Navien gas boilers are inexpensive, reliable, but at the same time easy-to-use equipment that has a lot of positive consumer reviews.

Reviews for the Navien Ace boiler

Existing types by number of circuits

There are two design options:

• Single-circuit . They provide only space heating.
• Dual-circuit . They provide hot water and at the same time supply coolant to the heating system.

The first option is usually chosen if there is a connection to a centralized water supply system. The second type of boiler is used in private homes where there is no centralized hot water supply.

Most users unanimously choose dual-circuit units, as they are economical and allow you to get maximum functionality for relatively little money.

Which rooms is each model best suited for?

According to the manufacturer's specifications, Navien 16 kW double-circuit gas boilers are intended for use in residential or industrial (optimally public) premises with an area of ​​up to 160 m2.
Models Deluxe 16k, Deluxe coaxial 16k, Deluxe plus 16k showed themselves best when used in residential private houses, cottages, and less often in apartments. The high noise level inherent in these models causes inconvenience to people, especially at night.

In private homes, this issue can be solved by placing the boiler in a separate chamber and thereby eliminating the problem of excessive noise. The ATMO 16AN model requires increased room ventilation, which limits its use to private homes or office premises with separate ventilated rooms.

For use in industrial premises (workshops), such installations, as a rule, are not used, since they cannot provide the required heating mode under specific conditions.

Kinds

There are different types of Navien gas boilers:

• By type of installation - wall and floor. The difference between them is clear from the name. Floor-standing units have greater power and dimensions. Wall-mounted ones are more compact, do not take up too much space and can be installed directly in a room with disassembly points.
• The type of combustion chamber design is atmospheric and closed. In atmospheric models, combustion occurs with the direct participation of room air and requires high-quality ventilation. Closed systems provide air supply to the chamber (turbocharging) and removal of combustion products outside without contact with the internal atmosphere of the house. Atmospheric types have lower efficiency, but are noticeably cheaper than closed models.
• There are also convection and condensation models. The first, most common, use only fuel combustion energy. The second type of boiler, more complex in design and expensive, uses the energy of exhaust combustion products, receiving an additional 30% of heat. This occurs due to the presence of an additional heat exchanger, which uses the energy of steam formation in the smoke exhaust system.

IMPORTANT!

The most popular models are convection models with a closed combustion chamber. They have the highest efficiency and an optimal price-performance ratio.

Varieties

These heating devices are made in Korea. There are two types of their operating principle:

1. Atmospheric. (Navien Ace Atmo)
2. Turbocharged. (Navien Ace Turbo)

Atmospherics

Navien Ace Atmo gas boilers are equipped with an open combustion chamber, and these units are well adapted to our operating realities. These boilers easily tolerate low gas pressure in the mains, as well as low water pressure. These heating devices are also well adapted to voltage sags in the network. Despite adaptation to difficult operating conditions, gas-powered Navien Ace can boast of its good reliability.

Navien Ace atmospheric heating devices have many protective systems in their arsenal. The heating circuit in which such a boiler is used cannot be defrosted, since the heating device of this brand has protection against freezing of the coolant. I wanted to clearly respond to a critical drop in the temperature of the liquid inside the heating system, and if this temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, the boiler automatically turns on the centrifugal pump. This protection is useful if no one lives in the residential premises during the winter.

Atmospheric heating devices of this brand can operate uninterruptedly when the mains voltage drops by more than 30%. Also, these boilers can be operated during voltage surges, which can also exceed 30% - upward. Moreover, Navien Ace boilers are capable of long-term operation, both at low voltage and at high voltage.

The operation of these heating devices is not affected by low gas pressure. At low pressure, Navien boilers can not only operate efficiently in heating mode, but also in hot water preparation mode. These heating devices can be equipped with a remote control, which allows for more efficient use of gas.

Turbo boilers

Navien Ace Turbo turbocharged gas boilers have a closed combustion chamber, and are also perfectly adapted to our operational realities. These boilers have all the protective systems that atmospheric heating devices are equipped with. Only a system of forced ventilation of the combustion chamber (turbocharging) has been added to turbocharged heating devices, and this system has a modulated principle of operation. The turbine starts only when the boiler heats the coolant in the heating circuit, or when the device prepares hot water.

Navien Ace turbocharged heating devices use a stainless steel heat exchanger, and this significantly extends the service life of this expensive element of the gas boiler. Stainless steel is less susceptible to corrosion than copper, and therefore a stainless steel heat exchanger lasts much longer.

Specifications

Let's look at the main parameters of Navien gas boilers:

Navien presents a universal water heating system

Navien Ace gas boilers are not afraid of low pressure of gas and water, they are not afraid of voltage drops in the network. The operation of Navien gas boilers is characterized by a long service life and economical gas consumption. All Navien gas devices comply with the standards and regulations of the Russian Federation and have the appropriate certificates.

Frost protection system stability

If the room temperature drops, the automatic protection system is activated

from freezing. When the temperature of the heating water drops by more than 10 degrees Celsius, the circulation pump automatically starts, resulting in constant circulation of the coolant in the heating system. If the temperature of the heating water drops to 6 degrees Celsius, the burner is automatically turned on and the coolant warms up to 21 degrees Celsius.

Safety of operation during frequent power surges

According to the instructions, the voltage can fluctuate within ±30 percent due to the triggering of the Switched - Mode Power Supply (SMPS) protective chip on the microprocessor. At the same time, the boiler operation does not stop

, which prolongs its service life and prevents breakdowns.

Operating conditions for heating and hot water:

• provided there is low inlet pressure in the gas pipeline system, stable and safe operation of the Navien Ace gas boiler is possible at a gas pressure of four mbar (40 millimeters of water column);
• subject to low incoming water pressure in the water supply system - stable operation of the Navien Ace gas boiler is possible provided that the incoming water pressure drops to 0.3 bar, which allows this gas device to be used in homes
  where there is low water pressure in the water supply system, including where there are frequent pressure drops in the water supply system.

Rational design

Navien gas boilers are small in size and light in weight, they are convenient to transport, they are easy to install and there is the possibility of rational use of room space. For ease of installation, the connecting tubes are located on both sides of the device, which greatly simplifies the piping and installation of the Navien Ace gas boiler.

Fuel preheating (KR series)

At low temperatures, the viscosity of the fuel increases, resulting in a waxing effect, which significantly impairs the flammability of diesel fuel

and the operation of the Navien gas boiler becomes unstable. This feature of operation is relevant for regions with harsh climates, therefore arctic and winter diesel fuels were created for these conditions.

Navien gas devices operate on any Russian-made diesel fuel

However, the cost of winter or arctic diesel fuel is much higher than that of summer diesel fuel, and the use of summer fuel is impossible at low temperatures without preheating it.

The heating element, which is built into the burner of the Navien gas unit, preheats it before supplying fuel to the nozzle, resulting in high-quality fuel atomization and uninterrupted ignition. Due to preheating in Navien Ace gas boilers, it is possible to use inexpensive summer diesel fuel

, which leads to significant savings.

Design

1. The heat exchanger is made of stainless steel

Stainless steel is used to produce the heat exchanger, so it is not subject to corrosion

, which significantly extends the life of the Navien Ace boiler.

2. Modern diesel burner

Thanks to a modern, efficient diesel burner, low-noise, stable operation with minimal fuel consumption is ensured. According to the instructions , the burner can work with any diesel fuel

, taking into account all types of fuel produced in the Russian Federation.

3. Fuel filter with replaceable cartridges

The fuel supply system is equipped with a filter to remove unwanted impurities, as a result of which the stable operation of the Navien Ace gas boiler is disrupted. The Navien device comes with additional replacement cartridges.

4. Russified control panel

Using a fully Russified remote control panel equipped with a liquid crystal digital display, it is possible to save fuel consumption and reduce heating costs

, as well as constant maintenance of a comfortable room temperature thanks to the room temperature sensor built into the control panel.

Series of gas boilers and related models

Initially, there were two most common series of Navien boilers:

• Navien ATMO
• Navien ACE.

The ACE series is currently discontinued. It was replaced by boilers of the Deluxe and Prime series, which have almost the same parameters.

The series includes models:

• Turbo
• Coaxial
• Navien NCN and NCB (condensing).

NOTE!

The Navien boiler range is constantly being expanded and modernized, the development process does not stop, so it is impossible to provide a complete list of models.

Functional

The manufacturer has created several product lines that differ greatly in the available functions:

• Prime. The most complete and expensive package. By purchasing products from this line, the consumer receives not only the most modern and reliable means of heating a home, but also the most convenient. Important information is shown on the liquid crystal display, boiler power from 13 to 35 kW.
• Deluxe. Most of the functions of the previous line were retained, but this series eliminated the display. There is an air pressure sensor, with which the air flow is controlled and thereby the boiler parameters are optimized. Devices with power from 10 to 40 kW are available.
• Ace. The most popular series due to its price-quality ratio. There is nothing superfluous in this product line, only the most necessary innovative technologies to control the optimal room temperature.
• Steel (GA/GST). Products with different numbers of circuits. The power of the products varies from 11 to 40 kW. The most durable materials are used in production, including stainless steel.
• SmartTok. A smart line of the 21st century for the most advanced users. This series is controlled using a smartphone, so you can control the devices remotely. You can also control it by voice or in the classical way. It is possible to install a special outside temperature sensor.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Navien gas units include:

• The optimal combination of cost and functionality of boilers.
• Environmentally friendly type of equipment.
• The ability to obtain both heating and hot water supply using one boiler.
• Simplicity and a wide range of possibilities for controlling operating modes.
• Availability of remote control panel.
• There is a self-diagnosis function that shows the error code and makes it easier to find the problem.
• With proper operation and maintenance, the service life of boilers is practically unlimited.

There are also disadvantages:

• The units do not tolerate contact with hard water.
• High noise level.
• Dependence on the supply of gas, electricity, water.

Both advantages and disadvantages are design features and are characteristic of almost all samples of such equipment, regardless of the manufacturer.

Download instructions

Download instructions for the Navien Deluxe, Navien Coaxial, Navien ATMO model.

Device

Navien gas boilers consist of the following main components:

• Two heat exchangers - primary (copper or stainless steel) and secondary (stainless steel). On single-circuit series - only the primary.
• Combustion chamber with a gas burner, structurally combined with a primary heat exchanger.
• Expansion tank.
• Circulation pump.
• Three-way valve.
• Turbocharger fan (on dual-circuit models).
• Sensors, control board, connecting pipelines, protective casing.

Depending on the type of structure, there may be additional elements that perform certain functions.

Navien, Baxi or Protherm

These two European manufacturers are often compared not only by sellers, but also by buyers themselves. Generally speaking, there are not many differences between the products of Baxi and Protherm, but the difference between them and Navien is noticeable. All similar Navien gas boilers are at least 10-15% cheaper; only some Baxi and Protherm models are equipped with room thermostats and programmable operating modes; in terms of the efficiency of converting gas into thermal energy, the boilers of all three manufacturers are similar. However, models from European manufacturers do not have most of the disadvantages of Korean boilers.

Operating principle

Combustion of fuel contributes to heating of the coolant in the primary heat exchanger.

The circulation pump ensures the movement of water through the system, constantly supplying new portions of the cooled flow to replace the heated one.

The three-way valve regulates the temperature by mixing a certain amount of cold coolant into the flow with the maximum degree of heating, resulting in the formation of a given temperature in the system.

Fuel combustion is supported and enhanced by the air flow supplied by the turbocharger fan.

All work is constantly monitored by appropriate sensors that transmit signals to the control board, which interacts with the remote control.

Navien boiler error 10

This error is related to the smoke removal system of the gas boiler. Combustion products must be removed; for this purpose, the boilers are equipped with a fan. To control the operation of the fan and determine the presence of permissible draft for boiler operation, a differential relay is used, which is connected to the turbine by two plastic tubes. When the fan is running, a vacuum is created, the relay closes, and the boiler functions normally.

Reasons for error 10

may be a clogged chimney, the presence of reverse draft, or incorrect connection of the air pressure control sensor to the fan. For the latter case, you need to check that the yellow tube is connected to the bottom of the fan, and the transparent one is connected to the top, and the tubes themselves are not damaged, deformed or condensation inside.

Increased resistance in the chimney can occur due to direct gusts of wind or blockage of the chimney (bird nest or cobwebs, freezing in winter). That's right, the location of the chimney should be taken into account the direction of the winds of a particular region at the design stage and the chimney should not be installed on the leeward side of the house.

We focused on the most common malfunctions of Navien boilers, but in fact there are significantly more error codes. Methods for checking and troubleshooting are the topic of a separate article. For convenience, here is a summary table of codes with a brief description:

Installation technology and connection instructions

Floor structures are installed in a specially designated area and connected to the power supply network and related communications.

Wall-mounted units are hung on brackets secured with anchor bolts. Hanging on weak walls, temporary plasterboard partitions, etc. is prohibited.

The wall must be strong enough to support the weight of the boiler (about 30 kg). Connecting communications requires attention so as not to confuse the pipes.

The main responsibility lies with the connection of gas pipelines . It is necessary to carefully check the connection for leaks and check the condition using a soap solution.

Connection and installation should be entrusted to specialists, most often representatives of the service center that performs warranty service and repairs.

Price range

Navien gas boilers have a fairly wide price range. This is due to the design features, power and composition of the equipment . The most common options cost from 28 to 46 thousand rubles, although some samples of high-power gas convection boilers cost more than 100 thousand.

It is necessary to add to the price of the equipment the costs of delivery, installation and commissioning, which are paid separately and significantly increase the total cost.

IMPORTANT!

When purchasing, you should clarify the procedure for concluding a warranty agreement. Some stores have the authority to enter into such agreements, others only make sales. Then you have to contact the service center yourself and conclude an agreement with them . This must be done immediately upon purchase, since the warranty is often denied, citing the need for installation by service center employees.

Features of operation

Before you start using gas equipment, you should carefully study the manufacturer's instructions. It describes in detail the procedure for connecting the boiler, as well as putting it into operation. Even if you have previously used Navien heating equipment, read all the points very carefully, since models of different lines may differ significantly.

He suggests watching the following video to understand how to use a certain type of Navien gas boiler:

Watch this video on YouTube

Watch this video on YouTube

Watch this video on YouTube