Description

This Navien model has been discontinued, but GSHA Services continues to service and repair Navien NPE tankless water heaters. If your unit needs repair, contact us to schedule service. If you’re considering replacement, explore the current Navien option below.

Schedule Water Heater Repair View Current Replacement

Prefer to call? (224) 220-3660.

About this model

The NPE-180A was the 150,000 BTU/h size in Navien’s first-generation NPE-Advanced (“A”) line of condensing tankless gas water heaters. Like every condensing tankless unit, it uses a second heat exchanger to capture heat from the exhaust, which is why its efficiency rating is high and why it vents in PVC and needs a condensate drain. The “A” models added ComfortFlow: a small built-in buffer tank and internal recirculation pump that shorten the wait for hot water and smooth out temperature swings at the tap.

Navien published the following specifications for the NPE-180A. They are shown here for owners of existing units and for comparison with the current model; they are not a description of anything GSHA sells today.

Specification	NPE-180A (as published by Navien)
Type	Condensing tankless gas water heater, wall-hung, indoor or outdoor (outdoor vent kit optional)
Input range	15,000 – 150,000 BTU/h (natural gas or propane)
Uniform Energy Factor (UEF)	0.96 (natural gas and propane)
Hot water flow	8.4 GPM at 35°F rise; 6.5 GPM at 45°F rise; 4.3 GPM at 67°F rise
Recirculation	ComfortFlow: built-in 0.5-gallon buffer tank and internal recirculation pump
Venting	2″ or 3″ PVC, CPVC or polypropylene, direct vent; 2″ up to 60 ft, 3″ up to 150 ft (without elbows)
Gas supply	Natural gas or propane (propane via the included field conversion kit); 1/2″ gas pipe capable up to 24 ft
Water and gas connections	3/4″ NPT cold, hot and gas
Dimensions and weight	17.3″ W x 27.4″ H x 13.2″ D; 75 lbs
Navien limited warranty (residential, original terms)	15-year heat exchanger, 5-year parts, 1-year labor with standard or controlled recirculation; shorter terms apply to uncontrolled recirculation and commercial use. Coverage runs from the original installation date.

Source: Navien NPE series specification sheet (Rev. 11/16) and NPE contractor brochure. ENERGY STAR status for this model: see Navien product data.

What those numbers meant in practice: UEF is the federal efficiency rating for water heaters, and higher is better. The GPM figures tell you how many fixtures can run at once. In a northern Illinois winter, incoming water is cold and the temperature rise needed is large, so the 67°F-rise figure of about 4.3 GPM is the realistic planning number for this unit: roughly one shower plus one other hot-water draw at the same time.

Repair and service for this model

Discontinued does not mean your NPE-180A has to be replaced. Navien stopped producing this generation, but a well-maintained unit can keep working, and GSHA Services, LTD services and repairs first-generation NPE units. We are a Navien Service Specialist (NSS) and an authorized Navien dealer, listed on Navien’s installer locator at navieninc.com, with Navien Level 3 trained technicians.

Typical service calls on this model include descaling and flushing the heat exchangers, cleaning the inlet filter and flame sensor, checking the condensate line and neutralizer, verifying gas pressure and venting, and diagnosing error codes shown on the front panel. Annual maintenance matters with hard Midwest water, because scale buildup is a common cause of reduced flow and error codes on tankless heaters.

Parts availability for a discontinued model can vary by component. When you book service, tell us the model and any error code and we will confirm what is needed before the visit. See our water heater services page for repair, maintenance and replacement options, or schedule water heater repair online.

Replacement options

Current Navien alternative: Navien NPE-180A2

The closest current Navien equivalent to the NPE-180A is the Navien NPE-180A2, the same 150,000 BTU/h size in the NPE-A2 series, with the same 8.4 GPM at a 35°F rise and the same 17.3″ x 27.4″ x 13.2″ cabinet. Navien’s discontinued-products page lists the first-generation model; GSHA suggests the NPE-180A2 as the matching size in the current line.

What changed in the NPE-2 generation, per Navien’s published data: the minimum input dropped from 15,000 to 10,000 BTU/h so the burner can modulate lower for small draws, 2″ PVC venting is allowed up to 75 ft instead of 60 ft, it has a multi-line backlit display that makes settings and error codes easier to read, the NPE-180A2 is ENERGY STAR certified, and it is a little lighter at 73 lbs. ComfortFlow (the built-in buffer tank and recirculation pump) carries over. The NPE-180A2 is rated 0.95 UEF. If you do not need built-in recirculation, the NPE-180S2 is the standard version of the same size.

Navien’s residential limited warranty on the NPE-A2 series is 1-year labor, 5-year parts and 15-year heat exchanger with standard or controlled recirculation. GSHA installations add Install-Right coverage of 5-year parts and 5-year labor; the labor coverage requires annual GSHA maintenance, and service by others voids it. Navien’s coverage runs from the original installation date, and the homeowner or installer must provide that date to Navien (proof may be requested).

There is no set package price for the NPE-180A2 in our price book, so we provide an installation estimate. The estimate is free, and financing is available with approved credit. Compare all current sizes on our Navien tankless water heaters page. We install and service Navien equipment across McHenry County and Lake County, IL, and the surrounding Chicago suburbs and southeastern Wisconsin; see our service area.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Navien NPE-180A still made?

No. Navien lists the NPE-180A among its discontinued first-generation NPE-A products and does not publish a discontinuation date. The current equivalent line in Navien’s catalog is the NPE-A2 series; GSHA suggests the NPE-180A2 as the matching size.

Can I still get parts and repair for my NPE-180A?

Yes, GSHA Services repairs existing NPE-180A units. Availability of a specific part can vary for a discontinued model, so tell us the model and any error code when you book and we will confirm parts before the visit.

Do I have to replace my NPE-180A because it is discontinued?

No. Discontinued means Navien no longer manufactures it, not that installed units must be removed. If the unit is maintained annually and repairs remain reasonable, keeping it is a sensible choice. Replacement makes sense when a major component such as a heat exchanger fails outside warranty or repair costs approach the cost of a new installation.

What replaces the NPE-180A?

The Navien NPE-180A2 is the closest current equivalent: the same 150,000 BTU/h size with ComfortFlow built-in recirculation. The NPE-180S2 is the same size without the built-in buffer tank and pump.

Will a new NPE-180A2 fit the same venting and gas line?

Often, but not always. The NPE-180A2 has the same cabinet size and the same 3/4″ water and gas connections, and both generations use 2″ or 3″ PVC direct venting and can run on 1/2″ gas pipe up to 24 ft. Existing vent runs, gas line capacity and the condensate drain still have to be checked against the new unit’s requirements, and our estimate visit confirms venting, gas line and condensate needs before any work is quoted.

Need help with your Navien NPE-180A?

Book a repair visit online or ask for a free installation estimate on the current NPE-180A2.

Schedule Water Heater Repair View Current Replacement

GSHA Services, LTD · (224) 220-3660 · Woodstock and Lake Bluff, IL