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Navien NPE-240S2 vs Navien NPE-240A2

Two of the gas tankless water heaters in our best gas tankless water heaters comparison, lined up spec by spec. Every figure comes from the manufacturer pages linked below, and the scores use the same published formula as the full ranking.

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#20 of 40 in Gas Tankless Water Heaters

Navien NPE-240S2

4.0/10

Best for: Official UEF 0.96, maximum 5.8 GPM, minimum activation 1 GPM

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#34 of 40 in Gas Tankless Water Heaters

Navien NPE-240A2

2.6/10

Best for: Official UEF 0.95, maximum 5.6 GPM, minimum activation 1 GPM

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Spec-by-spec comparison

Green marks the better published figure. "Not listed" means the manufacturer doesn't publish it.

SpecNavien NPE-240S2Navien NPE-240A2Weight
Uniform energy factorOfficial ENERGY STAR uniform energy factor. Higher means more hot water delivered per unit of fuel. Missing values take the category minimum. 0.96 0.95 34%
Maximum flowOfficial ENERGY STAR maximum gallons per minute. This is a lab rating, not a guarantee at your incoming water temperature. Missing values take the category minimum. 5.8 GPM 5.6 GPM 32%
Minimum activation flowOfficial ENERGY STAR minimum gallons per minute needed to start the heater. Lower is better for low-flow fixtures. Missing values take the category minimum (the highest minimum flow in the set). 1 GPM 1 GPM 18%
Connected capableYes when the official ENERGY STAR record lists the model as connected-capable. Unstated counts as no. No No 16%
Uniform energy factor (ENERGY STAR UEF)0.960.95info
Maximum flow (ENERGY STAR)5.8 GPM5.6 GPMinfo
Minimum activation flow (ENERGY STAR)1 GPM1 GPMinfo
Fuel (ENERGY STAR)Natural Gas, PropaneNatural Gas, Propaneinfo
Vent type (ENERGY STAR)Power Direct VentPower Direct Ventinfo
Input rate (ENERGY STAR)199,000 BTU/h199,000 BTU/hinfo
Annual natural-gas use (ENERGY STAR)176 therms/year178 therms/yearinfo
Maximum GPM per 10,000 BTU/h (computed)0.29 GPM per 10,000 BTU/h, computed as certified maximum GPM ÷ certified input rate0.28 GPM per 10,000 BTU/h, computed as certified maximum GPM ÷ certified input rateinfo
Connected capable (ENERGY STAR)NoNoinfo
Draw pattern (ENERGY STAR)High-UsageHigh-Usageinfo
Recovery efficiency (ENERGY STAR)Not listedNot listedinfo
Dimensions (ENERGY STAR)27 × 17 × 13 in (H × W × D)27 × 17 × 13 in (H × W × D)info
Certified model numberNPE-240S2NPE-240A2info
Official brand name on the ENERGY STAR recordNavienNavieninfo
HeatPick score4.0/102.6/10100%

Where each one comes out ahead

Navien NPE-240S2

Better published figure on: Uniform energy factor, Maximum flow.

What we like

  • High official maximum flow (5.8 GPM)

Watch out for

  • Highest official minimum activation flow in this comparison (1 GPM)
  • ENERGY STAR does not list this model as connected-capable

Navien NPE-240A2

No scored spec where it is strictly ahead; its case rests on the strengths below.

What we like

  • Official certified ratings are published for every scored criterion

Watch out for

  • Lowest official uniform energy factor in this comparison (0.95)
  • Highest official minimum activation flow in this comparison (1 GPM)
  • ENERGY STAR does not list this model as connected-capable

Verdict

Two official Navien 199,000 BTU/h-class records. The NPE-240S2 record lists a 0.96 UEF and 5.8 GPM maximum flow. The NPE-240A2 record lists a 0.95 UEF and 5.6 GPM maximum flow. Both official records list a 1.0 GPM minimum activation flow and do not mark the models as connected-capable. We do not infer a buffer tank or recirculation difference from the S and A letters alone, because those features are not in the ENERGY STAR fields we used.

Navien NPE-240S2 on AmazonNavien NPE-240A2 on Amazon
Spec sources

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