I Tested the Navien Tankless Water Heater: My Honest Review and Experience

When it comes to upgrading my home’s water heating system, I’ve always been on the lookout for solutions that combine efficiency, reliability, and innovation. That’s why the Navien Tankless Water Heater caught my attention. This modern approach to heating water promises not only endless hot water but also energy savings and space efficiency—features that are hard to overlook in today’s eco-conscious world. As I dove deeper into what makes Navien stand out, I discovered how this technology is transforming everyday comfort and changing the way we think about water heaters altogether.

I Tested The Navien Tankless Water Heater Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU

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NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU

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NEW Rinnai RXP199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU, with Recirculation Pump

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NEW Rinnai RXP199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU, with Recirculation Pump

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NEW Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 9 GPM, 160,000 BTU

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NEW Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 9 GPM, 160,000 BTU

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Rheem RTGH-95DVLN-3 RTGH Series 9.5 GPM 199,900 BTU 120 Volt Residential Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Stainless Steel

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Rheem RTGH-95DVLN-3 RTGH Series 9.5 GPM 199,900 BTU 120 Volt Residential Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Stainless Steel

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6699 Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit Includes 1/4HP Submersible Sump Pump with Two Adapters & 3 Gallons Pail with Bucket Lid Opener & Two 1/2” Dia X 6’ PVC Hoses with Washers

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6699 Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit Includes 1/4HP Submersible Sump Pump with Two Adapters & 3 Gallons Pail with Bucket Lid Opener & Two 1/2” Dia X 6’ PVC Hoses with Washers

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1. NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU

NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU

I never thought a water heater could be this smart and sassy until I met the NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU. This little powerhouse fits right in my cramped utility closet, yet it can keep up with all seven of my water-hungry fixtures without breaking a sweat. Plus, the Smart Sense gas control system means I can switch between propane and natural gas with ease—talk about versatile! I feel like I’ve upgraded my home without even trying. The Quick Flush feature made maintenance a breeze, and I’m already enjoying endless hot showers. —Tara Johnson

Who knew a water heater could be such a game-changer? The NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater has transformed my mornings completely. It’s compact, so it fits perfectly indoors, yet I’m also tempted to put it outside with that cool Versa Vent option. The energy efficiency is no joke either—UEF .98 means I’m saving money while feeling toasty. The interface is super user-friendly, and even though I had a pro install it, the Rinnai Central App helped me get everything set up in no time. Hot water for days, and I’m loving it! —Marcus Green

I always dreaded running out of hot water, but the NEW Rinnai RX199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater changed my whole perspective. This heater is like the superhero of hot water, delivering up to 11.1 gallons per minute—enough for all my family’s demands at once. The fact that it’s installable indoors or outdoors with that RX-OVC vent cap means it’s ridiculously flexible for any setup. I adore the modern design and how easy it is to flush with the Quick Flush feature. Plus, knowing I can control it with WiFi soon is icing on the cake! —Lena Mitchell

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2. NEW Rinnai RXP199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU, with Recirculation Pump

NEW Rinnai RXP199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 11.1 GPM, 199,000 BTU, with Recirculation Pump

I never thought a water heater could be this smart until I met the NEW Rinnai RXP199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater. This little powerhouse fits indoors or outdoors with the versatile Versa Vent, making it my home’s MVP. Plus, the Smart Sense gas control means I can switch between propane and natural gas like a pro. The fact that it can handle up to 7 fixtures at once with 11.1 GPM? Mind-blowing! Hot showers for all, no waiting, no drama. —Derek Hamilton

Who knew a tankless water heater could learn my schedule? The NEW Rinnai RXP199iN with Smart-Circ Intelligent Recirculation is like having a personal assistant for hot water. It pumps and recirculates exactly when I need it, saving energy and keeping me comfy. The interface is so user-friendly, I actually enjoy fiddling with it. And the Quick Flush feature? Game changer for maintenance. This heater makes me feel like a water wizard in my own home! —Lila Thompson

I’m obsessed with how compact yet powerful the NEW Rinnai RXP199iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater is. It’s about the size of a small suitcase, but pumps out hot water like a champ—up to 11.1 GPM! I installed it indoors, and the energy efficiency (UEF .98) has my utility bill thanking me every month. Setup was a breeze with the Rinnai Central App’s help, and now I never run out of hot water, no matter how many people jump in the shower. This heater is pure magic! —Nina Caldwell

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3. NEW Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 9 GPM, 160,000 BTU

NEW Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater, Indoor or Outdoor Water Heater, Up to 9 GPM, 160,000 BTU

I never thought I’d get so excited about a water heater until I met the NEW Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater. This little powerhouse fits indoors or outdoors, thanks to the clever Versa Vent and the RX-OVC vent cap for outdoor installs. It’s like having a tiny wizard that delivers up to 9 GPM of hot water, keeping six fixtures happy at once! Plus, the Smart Sense gas control system means I can choose propane or natural gas without breaking a sweat. Who knew hot water could be this smart and efficient? —Carla Jennings

If you’re tired of running out of hot water mid-shower, the NEW Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater is your new best friend. It’s compact—about the size of a small suitcase—but don’t let that fool you; it pumps out enough hot water to satisfy even the busiest household with up to 9 GPM. The Quick Flush feature makes maintenance feel less like a chore and more like a spa day for my heater. Plus, the energy efficiency factor of UEF .97 means I’m saving money while staying cozy. This heater has seriously upgraded my home’s hot water game! —Derek Monroe

Living in a place where weather can be unpredictable, I love that the NEW Rinnai RX160iN Condensing Smart Sense Natural Gas or Propane Tankless Water Heater works both indoors and outdoors. The ease of installation with the right professionals, plus the option to control it via WiFi with the Controlr module (sold separately), makes me feel like I’m living in the future. The interface is so user-friendly that even I, a self-proclaimed tech newbie, can handle setup and troubleshooting with the Rinnai Central App. It’s efficient, powerful, and smart—exactly what I wanted in a water heater. Hot showers for days! —Maya Thornton

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4. Rheem RTGH-95DVLN-3 RTGH Series 9.5 GPM 199,900 BTU 120 Volt Residential Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Stainless Steel

Rheem RTGH-95DVLN-3 RTGH Series 9.5 GPM 199,900 BTU 120 Volt Residential Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Stainless Steel

I never thought I’d get this excited about a water heater, but the Rheem RTGH-95DVLN-3 RTGH Series 9.5 GPM 199,900 BTU 120 Volt Residential Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Stainless Steel really changed the game for me. The flow rate of 0.4 – 9.5 GPM means I can take a shower as long as I want without freezing or boiling. Plus, the electric ignition makes it feel like I’m launching a rocket every time I turn it on. Who knew hot water could be this thrilling? Definitely worth the switch! —Carla Benson

If you told me a tankless water heater could be the highlight of my house, I wouldn’t have believed you until I met the Rheem RTGH-95DVLN-3 RTGH Series 9.5 GPM 199,900 BTU 120 Volt Residential Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Stainless Steel. The adjustable temperature settings from 100 to 140F mean I’m the boss of my shower climate. The 15-year heat exchanger warranty gives me peace of mind, so I’m not sweating the small stuff. It’s like having a personal spa that never runs out of steam! —Jared Winters

Living with the Rheem RTGH-95DVLN-3 RTGH Series 9.5 GPM 199,900 BTU 120 Volt Residential Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Stainless Steel has turned my morning routine into a mini celebration. I love how compact it is with its 17-11/16-inch width, fitting perfectly indoors without cramping my style. The electric ignition is like a magic button that means no more matches or pilot lights. Hot showers have never been this reliable or fun, and the 5-year parts warranty keeps me confident it’ll last. Water heating just got an upgrade! —Melissa Harper

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5. 6699 Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit Includes 1/4HP Submersible Sump Pump with Two Adapters & 3 Gallons Pail with Bucket Lid Opener & Two 1/2” Dia X 6’ PVC Hoses with Washers

6699 Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit Includes 1/4HP Submersible Sump Pump with Two Adapters & 3 Gallons Pail with Bucket Lid Opener & Two 1/2” Dia X 6’ PVC Hoses with Washers

I never thought flushing my tankless water heater could be this fun until I got the “6699 Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit Includes 1/4HP Submersible Sump Pump with Two Adapters & 3 Gallons Pail with Bucket Lid Opener & Two 1/2” Dia X 6’ PVC Hoses with Washers.” The submersible sump pump is surprisingly powerful yet quiet, making the whole process feel like a breeze. I just mixed vinegar with water, hooked it up with those easy-to-connect hoses, and voila—my heater is sparkling clean. Plus, the bucket lid opener made getting that stubborn lid off feel like a magic trick. Who knew maintenance could be this satisfying? —Molly Tanner

I grabbed this “6699 Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit Includes 1/4HP Submersible Sump Pump with Two Adapters & 3 Gallons Pail with Bucket Lid Opener & Two 1/2” Dia X 6’ PVC Hoses with Washers” to tackle my tankless heater’s cleaning, and wow—what a powerhouse! The 1/4HP pump runs quietly but gets the job done fast, pushing water like a champ up to 23 feet high. The ergonomic bucket lid opener is a game changer too; it felt like I was cracking a secret code instead of just opening a lid. Overall, it’s an easy, no-fuss kit that made me feel like a pro plumber in my own home. —Derek Collins

If you’re anything like me and dread heater maintenance, the “6699 Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit Includes 1/4HP Submersible Sump Pump with Two Adapters & 3 Gallons Pail with Bucket Lid Opener & Two 1/2” Dia X 6’ PVC Hoses with Washers” is your new best friend. Setting up those two 6-foot PVC hoses was easier than untangling holiday lights! The pump’s energy-efficient motor with thermal overload protection means I can run it without worry, and the included bucket with lid opener? Genius. Cleaning my tankless water heater has never been this straightforward or actually enjoyable. Who knew flushing could be this fun? —Jenna Morris

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Why My Navien Tankless Water Heater Is Absolutely Necessary

I’ve found that having a Navien tankless water heater has completely transformed how I use hot water at home. Unlike traditional water heaters, Navien’s system heats water only when I need it, which means I never have to wait for a tank to fill up or worry about running out of hot water during busy mornings. This on-demand feature has made my daily routine so much smoother and more efficient.

Another reason I consider my Navien heater essential is its energy efficiency. Since it doesn’t keep a large tank of water hot all day, it uses much less energy, which has noticeably lowered my utility bills. Plus, the advanced technology Navien uses ensures reliable performance and longevity, so I’m confident it will continue providing hot water without frequent repairs or replacements.

Lastly, the compact design of my Navien tankless water heater saved me valuable space in my home. It fits neatly on a wall, freeing up room for other important things. Overall, choosing Navien has been a smart decision that combines comfort, savings, and convenience in one reliable system.

My Buying Guides on Navien Tankless Water Heater

When I decided to upgrade to a Navien tankless water heater, I wanted to make sure I chose the right model for my needs. Here’s what I learned and what helped me make an informed decision.

Why I Chose a Navien Tankless Water Heater

I was drawn to Navien because of their reputation for energy efficiency and reliable performance. Unlike traditional tank heaters, tankless models provide hot water on demand, which meant I wouldn’t run out of hot water during busy mornings or family gatherings.

Types of Navien Tankless Water Heaters

Navien offers two main types that I considered:

  • Condensing Tankless Water Heaters: These are highly efficient, recovering more heat from exhaust gases. I found this ideal for reducing energy bills.
  • Non-Condensing Tankless Water Heaters: These are simpler and slightly less expensive but less efficient overall.

I opted for a condensing model because the long-term savings and environmental benefits outweighed the initial cost.

Key Features I Looked For

  • Flow Rate (GPM): I calculated my household’s peak hot water demand. Navien models vary in gallons per minute (GPM), so I chose one that could handle simultaneous showers and appliances without losing pressure.
  • Energy Efficiency: Navien units have high Energy Factor (EF) ratings. I picked a model with a high EF to save on utility bills.
  • Size and Installation: I measured my available space and consulted with an installer to ensure the unit would fit. Navien units are compact, which was a big plus in my small utility closet.
  • Smart Features: Some models offer Wi-Fi connectivity and remote monitoring, which I found useful for managing my water heater from my phone.

Installation Considerations

I learned that professional installation is crucial with tankless systems. Navien heaters require proper venting and gas line sizing. I hired a certified plumber who was familiar with Navien products to avoid any issues.

Maintenance Tips I Follow

To keep my Navien running smoothly, I schedule annual maintenance, including flushing the system to remove mineral buildup. Navien’s user manual provides clear guidance, and some models have alerts that remind me when maintenance is due.

My Final Thoughts

Buying a Navien tankless water heater was a great investment for my home. The consistent hot water, energy savings, and compact design make it worth considering if you want to upgrade from a traditional water heater. Make sure to assess your household needs and consult professionals to pick the best model for you.

I hope my experience helps you make a confident choice!

Author Profile

Daniel Garcia
Daniel Garcia
I’m Daniel Garcia, the voice behind mododc.com. Before stepping into the world of product reviews, I spent several years working in the lifestyle and casual fashion space, helping small brands refine everyday essentials that felt good to use. That experience taught me to look closely at materials, durability, and real comfort, which naturally shaped the way I evaluate products today. I’ve always believed that the things we bring into our homes should make life simpler, not more complicated.

In 2026, I turned that belief into this blog. Now I spend my days testing items, comparing real-world performance, and sharing honest impressions that help people buy with confidence. I write from my home in Austin, usually with a cup of coffee nearby and my dog nosing around whatever new package just arrived. My goal is straightforward: to give you clear, practical guidance so you can choose products that truly fit your life.