State Condensing Water Heaters 
Review and Buying Tips

State condensing water heaters are the most advanced tankless models from the State Industries. Check out the review of its top features, benefits, and advantages, and compare it to the conventional tankless models to see its superiority.

Highlights of benefits

• Endless hot water – continuous and steady flow of hot water as long as it is needed.
• Saving energy and water – condensing tankless water heaters are designed to heat water on demand and with ultra-high efficiency, saving water and energy substantially. Tankless operates only when needed, so there is no standby heat loss as found in tank-type heaters.
• Small and compact design ensures space-saving, flexible and wall-mount installation.

Features and advantages

There are two types of tankless water heaters from the State condensing series – ProLine XE condensing with a recirculation pump and ProLine XE condensing, which are without the pump.

These water heaters are designed for residential water heating mostly, from the average to large-sized homes, delivering plentiful hot water to multiple fixtures working simultaneously or combined with the space heating. Some models are also powerful and strong enough to use in commercial applications.

As non-condensing tankless heaters, condensing models use tankless technology, heating water on demand, and providing endless hot water at the pre-set temperature. The difference is that condensing has one additional heat exchanger where the heat from the flue gases is utilized for preheating the incoming cold water, increasing its efficiency to over 90%.

This way, water flows with the increased temperature through the second exchanger, increasing the temperature to the pre-set one. The condensing heat exchanger is made of stainless steel as the additional protection against corrosion, while the primary is made of copper, or commercial-grade copper found in 540 models. Thermal efficiency is now increased to over 90%, making them Energy Star compliant and eligible for rebates and grants. The flue gases leave the heater at a lower temperature, which allows the State manufacturer to recommend PVC vents instead of vents made of stainless steel.

Note: Depending on the local codes, you might need a condensate neutralizer cartridge.

Model review

State condensing water heaters are designed as:

• ProLine XE tankless condensing with recirculation pump
• ProLine XE tankless condensing high efficiency

ProLine XE tankless condensing with recirculation pump

ProLine XE tankless condensing water heaters with a recirculation pump come from the 540 series and are available as indoor and outdoor models. Due to the modulating gas valve, the power ranges from its minimum of 15,000 BTU to its maximum of 199,000 BTU, delivering up to 10 gallons of hot water, with the Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of 0.93 for indoor and 0.95 for outdoor models. These condensing models also comply with the Ultra-Low NOx gas emission and Energy Star requirements, so except for excellent water and energy savings, they also help in pollution reductions.

As mentioned before, these water heaters include a recirculation pump, with the pump controls, two timer settings, and adjustable differential settings for the best performance.

Indoor models have an innovative control panel built-in, with an LCD display, touch buttons for easy navigation, and a sophisticated diagnostic system. This is your control center, where you select the temperature or check the error code if the problem occurs.

Outdoor models do not have controls on the unit but come with the temperature remote controller, with advanced diagnostics and temperature settings.

ProLine XE tankless condensing high efficiency

ProLine XE tankless condensing high efficiency, as opposed to the above models, is available in four sizes (140, 240, 340, and 540 series) that can also be installed indoors or outdoors using natural gas or propane.

The smallest models from the 140 series can heat water with the maximum power of 120,000 BTU, UEF of 0.91, and deliver up to 6.6 GPM of hot water. The control panel is not as advanced as found on other condensing models, but it also allows temperature control and diagnostics.

The largest tankless models from the 540 series are designed to heat water with the maximum power of 199,000 BTU and deliver up to 10 GPM of hot water with a UEF of up to 0.95. While all condensing models include two heat exchangers, primary, made of copper, and secondary, made of stainless steel, models from the 540 series utilize primary heat exchangers made of commercial-grade copper, making them stronger and more durable.

Indoor models also utilize large control panels as the above models with the integrated recirculation pump, except a model from the 140 series, which has a simpler version and not as appealing. Outdoor models come with the temperature remote controller.

These tankless and condensing models can be used in both residential and commercial applications. Due to the powerful gas burner and high water flow, they are ideal for large homes, but if hot water demand is higher, you can combine up to four units using an Easy-Link system or 20 units with the Multi-Link.

Either way, you go, it is guaranteed that you won’t run out of hot water, and there will be a sufficient amount even for the most demanding applications.

Indoor models utilize power or power direct venting, and since they come with the sealed combustion, they can be installed anywhere inside the home, while outdoor models only outside and as long as the temperature climate is mild. The best solution for the outdoor models is the recess box, which protects the delicate electronics and other elements from harsh weather.

The warranty of all State condensing tankless water heaters is 15 years on heat exchangers and 5 years on other elements.

Safety features

• Internal freeze protection
• Air-Flue ration sensor (AFR) to monitor and maintain proper gas combustion.
• Exhaust and water temperature sensor that protects components from extreme levels.
• Overheat heat exchanger protection from high temperatures.
• The electronic board is the brain of the water heater that ensures proper operation and breakdowns using a diagnostics system when the problem occurs.
• A commercial-grade heat exchanger (540 models) provides resistance to high temperature and mechanical stress levels.

Conclusion

If you are the owner of a large home with several bathrooms, and there is often high demand for hot water, State condensing water heaters might be the solution you are looking for. They will not only provide enough hot water, on-demand, and in an endless supply, but they will be providing excellent energy cost savings and fast delivery.

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