Tankless Water Heater Maintenance

A tankless water heater or an on-demand water heater is energy efficient and ensures a steady supply of hot water without the need for a storage tank. The compact size, flexibility, and efficiency has made these heaters popular among homeowners and small businesses. Like all other plumbing fixtures and appliances, tankless water heaters require regular maintenance for optimal performance and efficiency. With proper maintenance, they can last over twenty years.

A tankless water heater requires annual maintenance, but if you are living in an area with hard water supply or your heater is set to a high temperature, you should maintain it twice a year. Here are a few simple ways to ensure that your tankless water heater works flawlessly:

Flushing

Flushing is the most basic maintenance activity for a tankless water heater. Over time, tankless water heaters accumulate minerals inside the tank’s heating chamber. Build-up is more common in areas with hard water supply. These mineral build-ups severely impact the efficiency of the water heater. Not removing the mineral deposits will damage the heat exchanger and reduce the lifespan of your heater. Damages related to limescale build-up are not covered under warranty. Flushing or descaling will remove all the limescale from the appliance. You can either flush the tankless water heater or hire a professional plumber for the job, but check warranty requirements before beginning..

If you plan on doing the descaling yourself, you will need distilled vinegar water, a sump pump, and two lengths of hose. Turn off all the power to the tankless water heater, remove the access panel, and close the water valves supplying water to the heater. Attach a hose to each of the isolation valves and use a sump pump to run distilled vinegar water into the heater to clean all the deposited minerals from the system. After that, rinse the heater again with plain water. You should follow the instructions written in the manual provided by the manufacturer. You can also find descaling kits online.

Clean the water filter

Some tankless water heaters come with a screen to trap the debris and stop them from reaching the heating unit. It is essential to clean the in-line water filter off any accumulated sediments and debris. A blocked water filter can affect the heater’s performance. Please turn off the water supply to the unit first, remove the filter and then clean it with under running water or wipe it with a cotton swab. If you are not sure of how to locate the filter, check the user manual.

Clean the air filter

You should clean the air filter regularly to ensure a good flow of air into the tankless water heater. Remove the filter and clean it with soap water solution using a soft-bristled brush. Then rinse it thoroughly with clean water and dry it properly using paper towels before reinstalling it. 

Apart from routine maintenance, it would help if you also inspected the tankless water heater from time to time to make sure it is in good condition. Inspect all the pipes, heating elements, and valves, and if you find any broken parts, they should be repaired or replaced immediately. Tankless water heater maintenance by a professional plumber will drastically improve its performance and keep the system damage free.

With over 25 years of experience, American Discount Plumbing has offered expert plumbing service and repair in Phoenix Arizona and surrounding cities at affordable rates for both residential and commercial properties. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing company with thirty-five years of experience in plumbing. From a simple leak to a complete plumbing renovation, we strive to be reliable, honest, professional and all of our work is guaranteed. Call 602-883-2787 today!