Heating installations with Korean “roots”, Navien, are often used both in private country houses and in apartments.
What is the reason for such popularity, what design features does the equipment have, and what difficulties may a consumer encounter when purchasing a Navien gas boiler?
Instructions for safe use (operation), selection of model and proper care. We'll tell you about everything further.
Features of the Navien gas boiler
Navien produces devices of various capacities designed to provide heating for gas-fired homes. However, the technical features of the models allow them to be converted to an autonomous gas supply, that is, connected to cylinders.
A wide range of models allows you to choose a model to suit any needs and capabilities.
There are boilers:
- wall and floor;
- single-circuit and with hot water supply;
- with atmospheric and closed combustion chamber;
- with different heating outlet sizes (three options: 20, 25, 32);
- with different chimney diameters;
- and of course, the models differ in power and size.
The manufacturer did not neglect the design.
The devices have an elegant appearance and fit well into a kitchen or any other interior.
Security systems supplied with Navien boilers:
- Modulated turbocharging.
- Protection against coolant freezing.
- A special chip (SMPS) protects against 30% power surges.
- A control panel with a temperature sensor that allows you to maintain t constant and adjust the operation of the boiler to special circumstances.
Modulated turbocharging. The system is based on the interaction of a fan supplying combustion air and a pressure sensor (APS).
The fan rotation intensity changes in proportion to how much gas is supplied at the moment. This allows you to use resources economically and increase efficiency without wasting fuel.
Owners take the choice of equipment such as a gas boiler seriously. Read information about the Baxi gas boiler, the manufacturer, as well as the unit models on our website.
Read about the purpose of an air valve for heating here. Operating principle and design features.
And in this topic we will consider options for electric heating of a private house. Types of electric heaters and electric boilers.
Double-circuit wall-mounted gas boiler Navien, reviews, connection
For many years, the Navien gas boiler has been perceived by professionals as the most functional solution to all problems associated with hot water supply and heating of residential and other premises. In today's private housing, these devices can certainly be called the only way out of the situation, so in apartment buildings these devices are very often installed as an additional option.
gas boiler Navien Ace
- During operation of such a device, there is no need to allocate an individual boiler room for it. In other words, this device can be placed directly in the kitchen without fear.
- The funds you spend installing a wall-mounted Navien Ace gas boiler will fully pay off within the next year of vigorous use of such devices, since they provide extremely favorable fuel consumption.
- Modern heat generators are equipped with a multi-stage security system that makes it possible to protect them from overheating in the event of breakdowns in the operation of the water pump. In this case, it is necessary to highlight the fact that the device turns off the burner on its own, for example, if the gas supply is completely interrupted.
- All the newest models of gas-fired boilers are equipped with a special external thermal converter and the latest electronic filling, which ensures that the heat level is constantly maintained at the desired level and makes it possible to adjust the heat supply intensity in an acceptable manner.
Thanks to this, Navien gas heating boilers have become so popular today. You can read reviews about these devices on a wide variety of resources, but you, of course, need to make sure that they are almost always positive.
Almost every floor-standing Navien gas boiler is equipped with a separate gas supply system, thanks to which it is supplied both for heating the room and for heating water, thanks to which the hot water supply system can be used without any damage to the efficiency of the heat supply.
In the automatic circuit control system with which Navien gas boilers are equipped, technical properties have priority in the direction of hot water supply. Likewise, as soon as the client opens the water supply tap, the heating circuit is completely turned off, and the burner starts working only to support the hot water supply so that the water can be heated in flow mode.
If you need to achieve a continuous supply of hot water in large quantities, then in such a case it is most optimal to use a special integrated electric water heater in combination with a double-circuit heater, since by using it you can eliminate the prolonged shutdown of the heating circuit, which will make it possible to always maintain the desired temperature regime at indoors of your living space.
In addition, it should be noted that these specialized types of boilers provide a constant supply of hot water of 70 liters, and their storage tanks have special protection against scale and are able to work well even with minimal water pressure.
If you find that the consumption of hot water is too excessive, then in such a case it will be possible to additionally connect a special indirect electric water heater to the double-circuit heater, the volume of which can be up to 1000 liters. Very often, the instructions for connecting an electric storage water heater contain instructions for operating a Navien gas water heater.
Specifications of Navien boilers
At the same time, it is necessary to note the additional good quality that Korean Navien gas boilers have. Reviews from consumers often indicate that wall-mounted boilers are small in size and have sufficient throughput for many apartments, making it simply impractical to install floor-standing equipment in such rooms.
This will have almost no effect on the productivity of such devices, especially since almost all of today’s manufacturers are trying to reduce the total weight of the heat generators used in their own devices in order to guarantee the versatility of their own equipment and the ability to install it even in small rooms.
If we are talking about what are the important advantages of gas-fired boilers over solid fuel ones, it is necessary to note, at a minimum, their productivity and economy. It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about the use of liquefied or gas - in any case, the operation of the Navien gas water heater will be much more economical and will pay for itself after just a few years of vigorous operation.
How boilers work
The technical structure of wall-mounted devices includes the following elements:
- burner;
- frame;
- a water pump, which is designed to move water in a closed circuit;
- expansion pump;
- pipe coil.
The connection diagram for a wall-mounted two-stage gas boiler Navien is considered very simple: to fully install the boiler, it is enough to simply connect the pipes to the mixers, and also bring them to the entrance to the heating system.
All modern boilers differ from each other depending on what kind of burner they actually use. If we are talking about boilers with an open burner, then these devices require the forced supply of a special chimney, which operates on the principle of natural draft. In this case, oxygen for the burner is taken from the room in which the boiler is installed, so it will be necessary, first of all, to support a continuous flow of clean air.
Most often, it happens when a person does not follow the operating rules when using a Navien gas boiler, the message “Error 03” appears on the indicator, but this problem is very often quickly solved by professional craftsmen.
The design of the closed burner takes into account the use of a special coaxial type chimney, through which oxygen is supplied and various combustion products are removed. Such systems are activated by forced draft through a fan, which is built into the boiler design from the very beginning, and the pipe is vented outside through the wall.
When choosing a suitable boiler, you will need, first of all, to correctly calculate the boiler power, which is measured in kW and is determined by the area of the expected heat supply of the boiler. At the same time, before installing the Navien gas water heater, make sure that when heating every 10 m2 of living space, the boiler spends approximately 3 kW of power.
It would be most advisable if the heat generator had several outputs and inputs at once, especially if you decided to purchase this device in order to guarantee heat supply and hot water supply in a cottage outside the city. By using several outputs, you will be able to ensure the possibility of installing additional components and devices, among which, for example, it is necessary to highlight heat exchangers for swimming pools, indirect electric water heaters, hydraulic floors and much more.
When deciding on ignition, experts advise paying attention only to electronic ignition, since in this case you will not have any need to approach the boiler to activate it - you can simply activate the automatic system or turn on the device from a distance.
In addition, in piezo ignition there is no regularly burning ignition device, which can cause breakdowns of the Navien gas water heater and affects the overall safety of using such units.
To save yourself from surges, it is most advisable to ensure that a special electrical voltage stabilizer is provided in the boiler from the very beginning, which will enable you to repair boilers running on Navien gas less often.
It should be noted that it is most optimal to use boilers with additional operational reliability, since any errors in the interaction with gas lead to poor results.
In particular, several important functions should be noted, the action of which is aimed at preventing danger.
- Flame meter. With the help of such a device, the fire is extinguished, and if this happens, the automation is activated, which completely turns off the gas supply.
- Blocking thermostat. If the water overheats, this situation is detected by the sensor, and it sends a signal to automatically turn off the gas supply.
- A shutdown device that is triggered when the coolant level is insufficient.
- Blockers that are activated when the gas supply is completely stopped, as well as when the water supply is turned off and voltage changes occur.
All these types of systems are designed to guarantee the most effective protection of the residential complex from the occurrence of a variety of explosions or fires, so if the above indicators are present, the gas boiler you install will, in any case, maintain trouble-free operation for decades, successfully heating your home.
Design and main elements of the boiler
It is important to know your boiler in order to carry out basic maintenance. Although the model may vary from model to model, the main elements can be found in the case:
- combustion chamber;
- heat exchanger;
- expansion tank;
- gas burner;
- circulation pump;
- Control block.
Particular attention should be paid to the design of the lower part of the case, since this is where the inputs and outputs of the circuits are connected, and other important parts are located.
Navien boiler diagram
Closer to the wall there are 4 connecting pipes:
- Feed input.
- Return inlet (with safety valve).
- Hot water outlet.
- Cold water.
Next is a small gas supply pipe.
In front of the return inlet there is a hot water filter, and even closer there is a drain plug.
In front of the DHW outlet there is a make-up tap, through which the system is filled with water.
The principle of operation of the anti-freeze system. When the temperature in the pipes drops below -10°, the pump automatically turns on, which circulates the coolant and prevents it from freezing. If the temperature continues to drop and it reaches -6°, the burner is activated, which heats the water to +21°.
Specifications
Indicators, units | NAVIEN Ace-13A Atmo | NAVIEN Deluxe-16K | NAVIEN Deluxe-20K | NAVIEN NCN-25K |
Heating area, m2 | 98.0 | 128.0 | 160.0 | 220.0 |
Condensing type | No | No | No | Yes |
Thermal power, kW | 13.0 | 16.0 | 20.0 | 25.0 t |
Combustion chamber | open (chimney) | closed (turbo) | closed (turbo) | closed (turbo) |
Electrical power consumption, for own needs, kW | 110.0 | 150.0 | 150.0 | 130.0 |
Min. t in the heating circuit, °C | 42 | 42 | 42 | 30 |
Max. t heating circuit, °C | 80 | 80 | 80 | 95 |
Max. pressure in the DHW system, bar | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 10.0 bar |
Max. t DHW, °C | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Capacity (Δt=25°C), l/min | 9.0 | 13.6 | 13.8 | 14.0 |
Capacity (Δt=35°C), l/min | 5.5 | 8.6 | ||
Summer operating mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Hot start mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Efficiency, % | 86.0 | 91.0 | 91.6 | 98.2 |
Nominal gas pressure in front of the boiler, mbar | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 |
Max. hourly gas consumption, m³/hour | 1.33 | 1.72 | 2.15 | 2.51 |
Expansion tank capacity, l | 6.5 | |||
Chimney diameter, mm | 130.0 | 60/100 | 60/100 | 80/125 |
Price as of 07/01/2019 | 32780 rub. | 35200 rub. | 37880 rub. | 69800 rub. |
Important! The model is equipped with a closed firebox with an outdoor cold air intake
Deluxe Coaxial 16K
This is a wall-mounted model with a closed combustion chamber and two heating circuits. The turbocharged fan changes speed based on a signal from the built-in air sensor, which ensures complete combustion of fuel in the firebox, which reduces heat loss through flue gas emissions and increases the efficiency of the installation to 91%.
Benefits of Deluxe Coaxial 16K:
- High performance for hot water supply and heating;
- low contamination of the coolant in the heating system;
- low maintenance and repair costs;
- room temperature control;
- Russified control panel with a large LCD display;
- optimal balance of the gas-air mixture;
- innovative mode of modulation of the gas burner device;
- high-quality warranty service;
- easy setup of the Navien boiler;
- low cost of chimneys and gas transmission systems.
Parameter | Deluxe | Deluxe coaxial | Deluxe Plus | Deluxe ATMO |
Boiler type | Gas wall-mounted double-circuit | |||
Combustion chamber type | Closed | Open | ||
Efficiency | 91,7 % | 86 % | ||
Thermal power of the boiler according to the air conditioner | 9-40 kW | |||
Primary heat exchanger material | Stainless steel | Copper | ||
Coolant temperature in the heating system | 40°-85° | |||
DHW temperature | 30°-65° | |||
Control type | Electronic | |||
Mains voltage | Single phase, 230 V, 50 Hz | |||
Weight | 28 kg | 26 kg | ||
Case dimensions | 440x695x265 mm | 430x720x340 mm |
Operating modes
Like many heating appliances, Navien boilers have winter and summer operating modes. On the display, the mode change button is indicated by the “Snowflake” and “Sun” icons.
By pressing this button again, you can change the options:
- Winter mode activates heating and hot water supply.
- Summer is only hot water supply for household needs.
You can adjust the coolant temperature on the remote control when the heating radiator icon lights up on the display.
In some models, to do this you need to press the “Heating Mode” button, in others you need to turn the knob with this icon.
A flashing radiator icon means that the numbers you see show the set temperature of the coolant.
If the “radiator” just lights up, the actual temperature in the heating is displayed.
Having selected “radiator”, you need to press the “+” or “-” keys to increase or decrease the temperature. A few seconds after the desired temperature is set, the radiator icon stops blinking, and the display will show what temperature the coolant is now, and the device will begin to gradually heat it (or cool it) to the selected one.
You can adjust the temperature in heating within the range from 40 °C to 80 °C with a plus sign.
Range
The assortment of the South Korean company Navien is constantly expanding, which allows customers to purchase gas boilers that are optimally suited in all respects.
Therefore, it is impossible to talk about all representatives of the model range. Instead, we will look at Navien equipment, which can be divided into three broad categories.
- Wall models. Wall-mounted boilers have a double heat exchanger and are labeled as Ace, Deluxe. Deluxe are dual-circuit models that have a wide power range from 13 to 40 kW. All Deluxe series boilers are turbocharged. Turbocharged Deluxe equipment can have a coaxial or separate chimney. In addition to Deluxe, the Ace series of wall models is in great demand. The Ace series is divided into Turbo and Atmo. The difference between them is that Turbos are fully adapted for operation in conditions of non-steel gas and electricity supply to the boiler. An additional advantage of Ace Turbo is frost protection and burner turbocharging. If we talk about Atmo, then this is a classic gas boiler that perfectly provides heating for a private home. Atmo has all the strengths of the Turbo, except for the turbocharging of the burner.
- Floor-standing boilers from Navien. If wall-mounted models do not suit you for one reason or another, floor-standing models have earned excellent reviews. They are used for heating and hot water supply of private houses. The distinctive features of floor-standing models of Navien boilers include their compact size, ease of operation and convenient installation. Each boiler comes with detailed instructions, according to which even a novice in such matters can carry out the installation. Wall-mounted models are somewhat easier to install, although there are no problems with them. A double heat exchanger significantly increases the efficiency of heat generation in a gas boiler.
- Condensation. Deluxe, Ace and other models of the Navien company recently received a serious competitor in the form of South Korean condensing boilers. They are marked NCN. Their distinctive feature is increased power, the range of which is 19.6-37.9 kW. These boilers use fuel efficiently, using less fuel but providing higher quality heating. The efficiency of Navien condensing-type boilers reaches 108 percent. This was made possible by using the heat that is released when steam condenses. This way, consumers save money on gas bills, but heat their own homes more efficiently. The heat exchanger here is slightly different. Its design is unique and is distinguished by the presence of a system for preliminary creation of a combustible mixture. The burners are necessarily modulating, the range of operation of which is amazing.
By choosing boilers from the Navien company from the Deluxe, Ace or other ranges, you are buying quality and reliability. This is one of the few cases where the manufacturer does not demand more just for the brand. The high level of Navien boilers is beyond doubt.
Precautionary measures
The room where the boiler is located must be well ventilated.
Gas cylinders, if used, should be stored in a separate cool room.
Do not dry things on gas heating pipes.
The power supply parameters must meet the requirements for the specific model (For example, 220V, 50 Hz).
The unit must be plugged into a separate outlet (other devices cannot be plugged into it); extension cords and adapters are not allowed.
Do not touch the body of the device with wet hands or plug it into the mains.
A working device must be in a protective housing.
You cannot install or repair gas equipment yourself - this is the work of government services. Once a year, these services will conduct a preventive inspection of the boiler.
Periodically you need to check all joints of the boiler and pipeline for leaks. Applying a thick soap solution will show if there is a gas leak. If bubbles appear, immediately turn off the gas valve, provide air flow and call emergency services.
Price range
In most regions of Russia, the cost of Navien Deluxe boilers is in the range of 27-32 thousand rubles. First of all, prices depend on the power of the unit.
In addition, logistics and other factors, overhead costs, etc. are actively involved in pricing. People planning to purchase a boiler should take into account that the total cost will be slightly higher than the price of the unit. This happens because delivery, installation and connection of the device are required.
All these measures should not be carried out independently, since service centers refuse warranty service if the installation was not carried out by their employees.
NOTE! Some stores do not have the authority to draw up a warranty agreement. This point should be clarified, and if necessary, independently conclude a warranty agreement with representatives of the service center.
Filling the boiler and heating system with water
Error code 02 indicates that there was an attempt to start the boiler, but there is no water in the system, or there is not enough water. What to do:
- The appliance is unplugged and the gas supply is cut off.
- At the bottom of the boiler, among many elements, you need to find a make-up valve. Turning it counterclockwise opens it, and turning it clockwise closes it.
- When the tap is open, monitor the pressure gauge. You need to close the tap when it shows 1.3 - 2 bar.
- Now the boiler is connected again, gas is supplied and the start is made.
Don't worry if error 02 appears again. This may be caused by the fact that after bleeding the air (which is automatically done at startup), the water level is again insufficient. The filling operation must be repeated.
Adviсe
Even the exceptional skill of South Korean manufacturers does not allow 100% to eliminate the occurrence of violations and problems during operation. Poor water heating is mostly due to the filling of the heating system with air pockets. The problem is solved by removing accumulated air or changing the automatic vent. It is also possible that the filter in the heating circuit is dirty.
This situation can be corrected either by adding water or eliminating the leak. Code 3 indicates that gas is not supplied to the burner. It is necessary to check what position the valve is in, whether the fuel in the cylinder has run out, and whether there are any accidents on the line. Judging by the reviews of the owners, South Korean boilers are more compact than many other versions and are characterized by rapid achievement of the set temperature. But it is noted that there are no control elements on the boilers themselves and that occasionally turning on two hot taps on the water supply reveals insufficient heating power.
If the boiler is leaking, in many cases it is water leaking from a drain plug that is closed too loosely or is leaking for some reason. When the cause is more complex, you will have to remove the problematic unit, disassemble it and clean it. Unscrew the clamping nut and remove the air vent. Using a hexagon, unscrew the plug, then remove the rubber band (a needle or screwdriver with a thin tip will do). The piston and spring are removed, and when the float falls out, you need to wash it and then return it to its place (in the reverse order).
A more detailed overview of the Navien Deluxe boiler can be seen in the following video.
Korean-made Navien heating boilers are popular in our country. They are reliable and at the same time affordable in price. Due to the great demand for these devices, setting up a Navien gas boiler is a pressing issue among buyers.
Draining water from the boiler and hot water supply system
If the boiler is not planned to be used for a long time (especially in winter), it is recommended to drain all water from the heating and hot water circuits. What to do:
- The unit is de-energized and the gas valve is closed.
- The valves of the heating system (2 pieces) and cold water are closed.
- The tap that is usually used opens (above the sink, for example) and drains hot water from the system.
- The tap in the DHW system is closed.
- A plug is opened at the bottom of the housing and water from the heating is drained.
Draining the water may be necessary during system maintenance.
Safety precautions
Safety instructions are provided in each Navien boiler user manual, which contains all the important information for the safe use of the device. Failure to comply with any instructions may result in death, serious injury, or damage to the product being used.
The following abbreviations and symbols may appear on the Navien Ace boiler or in the instructions:
- OV – heating water;
- DHW – hot water supply;
- Cold water supply - cold water supply;
- a triangle with an exclamation mark inside - a threat to life if safety rules are not followed;
- crossed out circle - prohibited actions;
- a circle with an exclamation mark inside – mandatory actions.
The Navien gas boiler is an excellent alternative to expensive European-made analogues, not inferior to them in quality and durability. The main advantage over other European devices is the availability of warranty service.
Cleaning the heating water filter
Filters collect all the impurities contained in the water.
They need to be cleaned periodically, for this:
- Drain the water (see previous paragraph).
- Wait until the equipment cools down completely.
- There is a filter located not far from the drain plug. To remove it, first remove the mounting bracket, then pull out the filter itself.
- It must be rinsed under pressure with clean water.
- Then reassemble in reverse order.
If the filters are not cleaned in time, the boiler will overheat.
Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them
Navien error codes:
- 01 – overheating (check if the pump is working and if the filter is clogged).
- 03 – no gas (check if the tap is open).
- 04 – false flame signal (check the serviceability of the gas valve, replace the electrodes or board).
- 05 – 06 – Short circuit on the temperature sensor or open circuit.
- 09 – problems with the fan.
- 10 – problems with smoke removal (check the operation of the fan, whether the chimney is clogged, whether the fan pipes are connected correctly, gusty wind could also be the cause).
- 013 - Short circuit on the OM flow sensor.
If the boiler does not give any errors, but works much worse, the reason may be a clogged filter or an airy system.
Navien boilers, like any other equipment, require good care and proper handling. Regular checks and service control will help avoid breakdowns.
Installation of an internal electrical network is an important stage in the arrangement of a new building. Electricity in a private house with your own hands - how to do the wiring correctly? Read the advice of professionals.
For recommendations on making a gas burner for a boiler with your own hands, read the link.
What to do if the aspirated air leaks?
For the Atmo model range with an open (atmospheric) burner, the primary heat exchanger is made of copper.
The appearance of a leak is almost always associated with its destruction. Purchasing a new heat exchanger is not an easy and expensive task, so most often the issue is solved by soldering the fistula.
To carry out repairs, you should contact a technician from the service center, since this requires a qualified specialist who can dismantle the unit, find the fistula that has arisen, solder it properly, simultaneously rinse the heat exchanger and install it in place without damage.
The work is complex and requires the participation of a trained person.