Art96142
New Member
My NPE-240A2 was installed in June 2022 with a recirculation line. Unit ran fine for seven months until the internal check valve failed in February 2023. With a bit of difficulty I was able to obtain two replacement check valves (the check valve part number for the newer NPE units is #30024442A, the old part number is still listed in the installation manual). The unit is now running properly.
My question is this. Is there any reason why I could not install a check valve in the recirculation return line just before the heater (properly oriented) to replace the internal valve? A look at the flow diagram in the installation manual seems to indicate that this is possible. I was able to disassemble the original stuck check valve so I could reinstall the valve body with the internal check valve portion removed (the small section at the end of the valve body containing the check valve with spring can be unsnapped with a couple of jeweler screwdrivers). I expect that the newly installed Navien check valve will also fail in time - probably as an effect of how the local water is treated - damaging the valve O ring (EPDM?). The proper Navien check valve isn’t expensive but not that easy to obtain and if it continues to fail the cost and hassle adds up. I understand that this would void the warranty but as I installed the original unit myself this is a moot point.
BTW, it was this forum that helped me solve the original problem.
Thank you for your suggestions,
Art
My question is this. Is there any reason why I could not install a check valve in the recirculation return line just before the heater (properly oriented) to replace the internal valve? A look at the flow diagram in the installation manual seems to indicate that this is possible. I was able to disassemble the original stuck check valve so I could reinstall the valve body with the internal check valve portion removed (the small section at the end of the valve body containing the check valve with spring can be unsnapped with a couple of jeweler screwdrivers). I expect that the newly installed Navien check valve will also fail in time - probably as an effect of how the local water is treated - damaging the valve O ring (EPDM?). The proper Navien check valve isn’t expensive but not that easy to obtain and if it continues to fail the cost and hassle adds up. I understand that this would void the warranty but as I installed the original unit myself this is a moot point.
BTW, it was this forum that helped me solve the original problem.
Thank you for your suggestions,
Art
