While tankless water heaters minimize buildup, you still need routine maintenance. Performing the following tasks can help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Close the cold water supply and hot water outlet valves, remove the flush hoses, and turn off power and gas to your unit. For more information, you can inquire on this page Water Heater Replacement Denver.
- Clean the Water Filter
If you use a tankless water heater in your home, cleaning the filter is important. A dirty water filter can lead to clogs and decreased efficiency. It can also reduce the lifespan of your water heater. To clean the filter, first turn off your water and power supply. Then, remove the hoses from the isolation valves. Next, remove the drain caps from the cold and hot water lines. Finally, remove the hoses from the isolation ports and put them in a bucket. This will help ensure the cleaning solution stays in your water heater and doesn’t get into your fixtures.
Once the hoses and drain caps are in the bucket, close the cold and hot water valve on your tankless water heater. Open the hot and cold service ports on your water heater to drain vinegar from the pipes. After about five buckets of water have drained, you can shut off the service ports on your water heater and remove the hoses from the isolation valves.
After removing the hoses, you can wash and dry your water filter. Once the air filter is clean, you can reinsert it into its original position on your water heater. To rinse the filter, use a soft brush and soapy water to scrub away any dirt or debris. Then, rinse it thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before reinstalling it.
Cleaning the in-line water filters is an easy task that can save you a lot of time and money. You should also do the water heater strainer and air filter maintenance activities together to complete multiple maintenance-related tasks in one go.
In addition to cleaning the in-line water filters, it is also a good idea to descaling and flush your tankless water heater once a year. This process removes unwanted minerals from the inside of your tankless water heater, preventing them from building up and decreasing efficiency. It can be completed using white vinegar or a descaling solution and flushing the system. You should also inspect and clean your venting system once a year to ensure it is free from obstructions or damage.
- Clean the Air Filter
Many tankless water heaters have an air filter between the fan and the heat exchanger to keep solid debris from damaging the heating element. The air filter should be cleaned regularly to ensure unobstructed airflow. Depending on the model of the water heater, this could be as simple as removing the filter, using soapy water and a soft-bristled brush to scrub it, rinsing thoroughly, and drying completely before reinserting. Check the owner’s manual for specific instructions.
Small water filters on a tankless water heater help prevent the buildup of solid debris inside the unit. These are usually located at the bottom of the water heater and are easy to clean. Wipe away any dirt or lint, ensuring not to disturb the seals.
Another crucial maintenance task is cleaning a tankless water heater’s drain and venting ports. These can become caked with mineral buildup, which causes clogs and reduces the efficiency of your unit. A plumber can use a flushing mixture to clear these out. They will cycle the solution through the pipes a few times to ensure it is fully cleared.
Inspecting the pipes that connect your home’s plumbing to the tankless water heater is also important. Ideally, these should be insulated to protect them from the cold water. Our plumbers will look for any signs of damage or wear and tear to ensure they are safe and secure.
A good gas water heater will have adequate gas pressure to deliver hot water throughout the home. A professional will test the gas pressure with a specialized gauge to determine whether it meets standards. If not, they can perform a repair or recommend an upgrade that will increase the gas pressure.
Lastly, every year, having a professional flush and descale your tankless water heater is a good idea. This will remove any unwanted buildup of minerals and calcium. This is particularly important if you live in an area with hard water.
- Clean the Outside
Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters don’t store a reservoir. Instead, they use a small tank to heat water and send it to the hot water pipes in your home. But just like a regular water heater, it’s important to keep the outside of your tankless water heater clean so that it doesn’t develop mineral deposits and other debris that can erode the unit over time.
To do this:
- Start by shutting off the water supply valve located on the cold water pipe that enters at the top of your tankless water heater.
- Connect one end of a garden hose to the drain valve on your tankless water heater and the other to a bucket.
- Place the bucket somewhere it won’t spill, like underneath a sink, near a floor drain, or right outside if the hose is long enough.
- Open the drain valve and allow the water to drain from your tankless water heater.
- Once the water is completely drained, switch the valve back on.
It would be best to consider flushing your tankless water heater once a year to help remove any sediment that can cause the unit to malfunction and decrease its lifespan. Do this more often if you live in an area with hard water. Flushing a tankless water heater is much less time-consuming than flushing a traditional water heater. It only involves temporarily turning off the water supply, draining the water heater, and a quick rinse of the interior components.
In addition, you should also inspect the anode rod, which is located on the top of the water heater, for any signs of wear and tear. If the anode rod has a calcium coating, has exposed core steel wires, or is less than 1/2 inch thick, you should replace it immediately.
Keeping up with routine maintenance tasks can help ensure that your tankless water heater lasts 10 to 20 years or more, depending on the type of unit you have. But you may also need to repair or replace it sooner if your unit develops damage that needs to be fixed. For this reason, it’s a good idea to sign up for a maintenance plan that includes annual inspections and cleanings of the water heater and air filters.
- Inspect the Heater
Hiring a professional for a tankless water heater inspection at least once a year is a good idea. This will ensure that all parts of the unit are working correctly and will help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.
In addition to checking the heat exchanger for mineral buildup, a professional will also clean the fan motor, fresh air intake valve, and exhaust vent. They can also check the temperature setting to ensure it is safe for your family (the maximum recommended hot water temperature is 120degF). A professional will also ensure that all gas, electrical, and water connections are secure and that the unit’s circuit breaker and gas line have been properly installed.
A common issue with tankless water heaters is that they need to provide more hot water. In most cases, this is because someone in your home showered just before you and used up all the hot water. Another possible cause is that the water temperature is too high. This serious safety hazard for children and older adults should be fixed immediately. A professional will use a thermometer to test and adjust the temperature as needed.
The most important thing to remember about tankless water heaters is that they only work when there is a demand for hot water. Running as many appliances simultaneously as your tankless water heater can handle would be best. For example, if you run three appliances at once, the tankless water heater may struggle to keep up and could burn out.
If your tankless water heater is not performing well, you will likely need to repair or replace it. A professional plumber can evaluate your needs and costs and provide a personalized estimate. They can also help you decide whether repairing or replacing your tankless water heater is the best option for your home. If you want to switch to a tankless water heater, they can recommend the right size and model to meet your needs. They can also help you install your new water heater and connect it to the appropriate pipes.