How Often To Descale Tankless Water Heater

How Often Should I Flush My Tankless Water Heater?

A hearty congratulations to everyone who has just made the conversion from a standard tank water heater to a tankless model. Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than their tank counterparts – and while they are more expensive up front, they are less expensive in the long run due to the energy savings they create on a per-gallon basis. When it comes to water heaters, one of the most often asked questions by Grove HeatingCooling plumbers is whether or not homeowners should flush their tankless water heater and, if so, how often they should do so.

Give the plumbing professionals at Grove HeatingCooling a call today if you have any questions regarding your tank or tankless water heater.

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters are equipped with high-capacity burners that can swiftly heat water as it passes through the heat exchanger in the tank. These machines do not require the usage of a tank since they distribute water to the faucets on demand. Tankless systems consume up to 30 to 50 percent less energy than tank-based systems since they do not require the storage of water in a storage tank to function. Tankless water heaters are significantly smaller in size and may be attached directly to the wall.

Should I Flush My Tankless Water Heater?

The short answer is, without a doubt! However, despite the fact that tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type water heaters, do not keep 40 or 50 gallons of water, as typical tanks do, and so do not suffer from considerable scaling, the inner components and pipelines still require regular maintenance and cleaning. Tankless systems can become clogged with calcium, magnesium, and other minerals over time, which can impair the effectiveness of the unit and cause it to fail sooner than expected.

The heat exchanger in a tankless water heater is one of the most important components to consider.

In order to compensate for the loss of efficiency caused by scaling, the burners must work harder to heat the water, resulting in a shorter burner life expectancy.

Because of the high levels of magnesium and calcium present in hard water sources, homeowners who use hard water should consider flushing and cleaning their units even more regularly, potentially every six to nine months.

The Benefits of Flushing a Tankless Water Heater

Another major advantage of demand-type water heaters is that they are almost maintenance-free and may last for up to 20 years, nearly twice as long as a tank unit. Flushing your tankless system on a regular basis will ensure that it operates at peak efficiency for the longest possible time and that your house benefits from clean water and energy savings.

Maintenance on your tankless water heater will guarantee that it continues to operate at peak efficiency for many years to come. Some of the additional advantages are as follows:

• It is possible to reduce the number of repairs made, increase the unit’s lifetime, lessen the impacts of scaling, and prevent blockages in the pipes. Increasing heating rates, lowering noise levels, and extending the life of the equipment are all possible.

Trust Grove for Water Heater Repair and Maintenance

Cleaning your tankless water heater may be a do-it-yourself activity if you’re handy and familiar with the workings of a hot water heater; there are various internet videos and articles that describe the procedure step-by-step for doing this function. Grove HeatingCooling, on the other hand, can assist you if you are not sure in your capacity to flush a water heating system or if you want to leave the duty to an expert who will do the job correctly. Whether you want water heater maintenance, repairs, or replacement, contact Grove HeatingCooling for all of your water heater requirements.

Tankless Myths 1: Tankless Needs An Annual Maintenance? (Demo)

HomeBlogTankless Myths 1: Does a Tankless System Require Yearly Maintenance? (Demo) Every year, there are a slew of tasks that must be completed. It is essential to schedule annual dental checkups in order to maintain those pearly teeth looking their best. Once a year, you should inspect your smoke alarms to ensure that they are in working order. If you haven’t had your car’s oil changed in more than a year, you should make a beeline for the nearest service shop right now! If you had something you could rely on for more than a year without having to do any maintenance, wouldn’t it be good to have something to remind you of all the yearly things you have to remember?

• A common misconception is that a tankless water heater requires annual maintenance; however, according to Jason Fleming, marketing manager at Noritz America, this is a fallacy.
• “It all relies on the hardness of the water,” says the scientist.
• Each location of the United States has water with a different amount of hardness than the other regions.
• (See this water hardness map for further information.) Water heaters, whether they are tank-type or tankless, can accumulate mineral deposits faster if the water is hard.
• Instead of forcing minerals to gather at the bottom of a tank-type water heater’s storage tank, a tankless water heater drives the most (if not all) of the scale through the system.
• Eventually, the water heater, if it is equipped with scale detecting software, will provide an error message indicating that maintenance is necessary.
• Using a water softener in conjunction with your tankless water heater is one approach to reduce the hardness of the water.
• It occurs on an as-needed basis, and there is no defined schedule for when it occurs.
• As Fleming suggests, “a 60-minute flush with white vinegar as the descaling substance is recommended.” CLR-type products have the potential to be damaging to the copper heat exchanger in a water heater.

Please see the following link for additional information on descaling your tankless water heater, including step-by-step instructions: descaling your tankless water heater Tankless Myths 2 is the second installment in this series on Tankless Myths.

9 Helpful Tips for Tankless Water Heater Cleaning and Maintanence

Previous PostNext PostHot water at your fingertips! One of the advantages of installing a tankless water heater is that it saves space. Another advantage of a tank water heater is the potential for energy savings of up to 50% over a normal tank water heater. In the same way that any other household appliance performs more effectively with proper maintenance, your water heater will work more efficiently with proper care as well. The first step is to do routine maintenance! Read today’s post for six suggestions on how to clean a tankless water heater and perform other essential maintenance activities.

You might even be able to extend its usable life!

1. How Often Should You Clean a Water Heater?

Whatever your experience level with tankless water heaters is, whether you’re a new convert or have had your unit for several years, you’ve probably had queries about how often you should clean the unit. The majority of water heater manufacturers recommend cleaning your water heater once a year. To be sure, the frequency may vary depending on your location and the quality of your drinking water. In the case of hard water, you may need to cleanse your water heater more frequently than in other circumstances.

Residents in all cities are provided with monthly or quarterly updates on the state of municipal water systems by city staff.

Concerning the cleaning of the unit’s outside, we’ll get to it in a minute.

2. Taking Care of Exterior Maintenance

The majority of homeowners take pleasure in performing at least a few house maintenance tasks themselves. In order to ease into water heater maintenance if you are new to the game, taking care of the outside of your water heater is a good first step. Exterior upkeep does not necessitate the expenditure of a significant amount of time or resources. Begin by wiping down the cover of the book. Using a non-abrasive cleanser and a soft cloth to clean the device helps to maintain it clear of dust and avoid the formation of rust.

• Checking pipes during cold weather is important for our northern neighbors to avoid frozen pipes.
• Finally, if your tankless water heater is equipped with a pressure release valve, you should make sure it is working properly.
• If you have any questions concerning your water heater, you should consult with a plumber.
• The process of flushing the water heater will take a bit more time.

3. Why You Should Flush

Water heaters, like other appliances, accumulate limescale deposits over time. Failure to descale conventional tank models can result in an explosion in some instances. Tankless water heaters will not explode, but if the sediment is not flushed out of the unit, it may cause the heat exchanger to work harder than it needs to, increasing the risk of failure. The ability to keep sediment washed out not only allows the water heater to operate more effectively, but it can also assist prevent additional issues.

Consider an isolation valve to be similar to the shut-off valve on a normal tank water heater in terms of function.

It is possible that your water heater does not have an isolation valve. If it doesn’t, you might want to consider having a plumber install one. When doing maintenance, the absence of an isolation valve might pose a serious safety threat.

4. What Supplies Do You Need to Clean the Water Heater?

We’ve covered safety; now it’s time to speak about the supplies you’ll need to flush the unit. These are the materials you’ll need: While you may purchase each component separately, a flush kit contains everything you need in one convenient package. Alternatively, you may use 4 gallons of undiluted white vinegar instead of the descaling solution included in the flushing package.

5. How to Descale a Tankless Water Heater

We’re presenting the simple methods for descaling a water heater since it’s one of the maintenance activities that many homeowners can complete with little or no help from a professional. The first step is to turn off the power that is feeding your water heater. Locate and close the gas isolation valve if one exists. Shut off the hot and cold water shut-off valves while you’re working on the unit to prevent water from entering the unit. If your machine is equipped with a pressure relief valve, carefully open it to relieve any built-up pressure.

1. Next, put the submersible pump in the bucket you just made.
2. You may either pour four gallons of vinegar into the bucket or use the descaler that came with the flush package to remove the scale.
3. Allow at least an hour for the descaling solution of your choice to circulate through the hot water heater.
4. Following completion of descaling, switch off the pump.

6. Final Steps for Tankless Water Heater Cleaning

Closing the cold water service port and opening the cold water shut-off valve are the next tasks you need to do. This step removes any vinegar that may have remained. Following that, you’ll close the valve and allow the water to drain completely. It is now necessary to shut the hot water port. Finally, if there is a cold water input filter, make sure to remove it as well as the hot water in-line filter before continuing. Flush both of them in the sink to ensure that any remaining sediment is removed.

Keep in mind that, while it might be a fun DIY project, you may feel more comfortable having a professional plumber complete the task.

Need to Schedule Tankless Water Heater Maintenance?

Maintenance, including tankless water heater cleaning, should be performed at least once a year to ensure that everything is running well. You may need to perform additional duties, such as cleaning off the unit’s outside, on a more frequent basis, especially if the location where the water heater is installed receives a lot of dust. While you can perform some simple maintenance on your own, why not enlist the assistance of our team?

For both tankless and traditional tank water heaters, we are delighted to plan periodic descaling and yearly service appointments with you. For a free estimate, please contact us immediately. Previous PostNext Post Previous Post

How Often Do Tankless Water Heaters Need Maintenance?

It is recommended that tankless water heaters be serviced by a professional at least once a year. However, if you have a water heater that leaks, you may need to have it repaired twice a year.

1. The water in the region where you reside is hard. The temperature of your water heater is set at a high setting

The reasons for tankless water heater maintenance will be discussed in greater depth later, but for now, just know that they are important. But first, let’s take a short look at how tankless water heaters function in general.

How tankless water heaters work

Tankless water heaters do not have a storage tank to store water. It is instead the case that they heat the water as it enters your home through the cold water line. Consequently, when you turn on your hot water faucet, you are effectively activating the tankless water heater. In contrast to traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters heat water by the use of heating components, which are also known as a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is fueled by either natural gas (which is the most popular) or electricity.

Why tankless water heaters need maintenance

Tankless water heaters have a lifespan of 20 years or more, but only if they are maintained properly. Unfortunately, as compared to traditional tank water heaters, tankless water heaters are sometimes misrepresented as “low-maintenance” technologies. However, this is not the case. When it comes to how much maintenance each unit requires, there isn’t much of a difference between the two units. The reason behind this is as follows: Both types of water heaters are affected by hard water. Hard water refers to water that has a high concentration of minerals, usually calcium and magnesium, in your local location.

• As a result, your water heater is forced to work extra in order to heat your water.
• Furthermore, this mineral deposit on the heat exchanger has the potential to cause irreversible damage, necessitating the replacement of the heat exchanger or the replacement of the complete unit.
• A professional will descale, also known as delime, your tankless water heater during a routine maintenance visit to ensure that there is no accumulation around the heating components.
• However, there are two unique scenarios in which you may require maintenance more frequently than once a year.

You may need maintenance more than once a year IF…

There is some level of mineral content in the water that enters your water heater, no matter where you reside. However, in some parts of the nation, the water is more difficult to drink (meaning it has more minerals in it). If you reside in a hard water region, your tankless water heater may need to be descaled twice a year in order to prevent damage to the heat exchanger in your tankless unit. Map of hard water in the United States. Source: To determine whether your location has a high or low concentration of hard water, look at the hard water map shown above.

Here in Phoenix, Arizona, the water is quite hard. Continue reading our article “Why Arizona’s Hard Water Secretly Makes Your Life Harder (And What You Can Do About It)” to discover more about hard water.

2: Your tankless water heater is set to a high temperature

If the temperature of your water heater is set too high, you run the risk of scale building, which is especially dangerous if you reside in an area with hard water. As you may be aware, heat has the ability to cause many substances to dissolve more quickly. As a result, the higher the temperature of your water heater, the faster limescale accumulates around the heating components. So, here’s what you should do: Check the temperature setting on your tankless water heater’s thermostat to see what it is currently set at.

This indicates that frequent maintenance on your tankless water heater and the removal of mineral buildup from the heat exchanger should be performed by a qualified specialist.

Need to schedule your annual water heater maintenance?

In order to make a water heater maintenance appointment with one of our technicians, please contact George Brazil Plumbing.

Related articles

• Should I Preemptively Replace My Old Water Heater?
• 3 Common Water Heater Problems (and How to Fix Them)
• Should I Preemptively Replace My Old Water Heater?

How Often To Descale Tankless Water Heater

How often should I descale my tankless water heater? If you reside in an area where hard water is infrequently encountered, you will not have to worry about descaling your tankless water heater. However, people who live in hard water areas or in areas where the temperature is significantly higher than the national average should be particularly concerned. In most cases, you will need to maintain your tankless system once a year in normal circumstances.

How Often To Descale Tankless Water Heater

However, when it comes to the hard water zone, the inconvenience is a little more severe. We will cover all aspects of tankless water heating systems in this post, so please read on for more information. But first and foremost, we must understand how it operates and why it requires maintenance, and in the interim, we will discuss how frequently the entire system should be descaled. So let’s get this party started.

Working Procedure of Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater does not have a storage tank to keep the water hot for long periods of time. Instead, it warms water that is drawn straight from your home’s main water supply line. As a result, when you switch on the hot water tube, you are essentially turning on the tankless heater as well. A heat exchanger is a type of device that is often used in heating systems to transfer heat from one medium to another. This heat exchanger is powered by either natural gas or electricity. Having established the fundamentals of how a tankless water heater operates, let’s get straight into the meat of the matter: why does it require maintenance.

Main Reasons Why Tankless Water Heater Needs Regular Maintenance

Scale accumulates far more slowly in the tank system than it does in the tankless system. If you reside in a hard water zone, you should have been at least a little bit aware of the existence of this component, which is known as “hard water.” So, what exactly is it? Hard water, on the other hand, is a sort of water that includes minerals in it. Calcium and magnesium are the most abundant minerals. These minerals accumulate in the heat exchanger and eventually obstruct the flow of heat through the system.

For the time being, this will shorten the lifespan of the heater and raise the cost of electricity.

It also necessitates the replacement of the system at the end of the day, which is not really worth it.

When a professional comes to do maintenance, he or she will descale the whole system, which is also known as sublime.

At the very least, you should have your complete system descaled by a professional once a year. However, there are a few instances in which you will need to descale it twice, or perhaps more than twice, a year.

Is It Necessary To Descale The Whole System More Than Once a Year?

It is possible that you may need to descale the system twice a year if, for example,

• The area in which you live is classified as a hard water zone: Regardless of where you reside, the water that enters your water heater is constantly brimming with minerals. However, in some areas, the water contains significantly more minerals than the norm, resulting in the designation of a hard water zone by specialists. If you live in a hard water zone, your tankless system will require descaling twice a year
• Otherwise, it will not require descaling. The temperature of your tankless heater is set to a high level: It would be extremely dangerous and inconvenient if the temperature of your water heater was set extremely high. It is possible that the system will be harmed in the meanwhile. When heat is present, many compounds dissolve significantly more quickly than when they are not. As a result, the hotter your water is, the faster scale accumulates around the route or pathway it passes through. This may be avoided by checking the thermostat of your tankless water heater to see what temperature it has been set at
• If the thermostat displays a temperature more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, it is imperative that you contact a professional to descale the whole system and clear the mineral buildup from the passage.

FAQ

When I set the temperature higher than 120°F, what happens is that the temperature rises. Ans:It is done for the sake of user safety. Alltankless heaters come with a maximum default temperature setting of 120°F, which is the maximum value available. If you raise the temperature, it’s possible that your heating system has been suffering from a severe performance problem. Despite this, the filter within the heater may have lost some of its effectiveness. What is the best way to determine whether or not my area has hard water?

You will have no trouble locating the solution.

What Happens If I Don’t Flush My Heater?

Also, be sure you adhere to the security checks (turning off the main electric line).

Conclusion

We were discussing the topic of “How often should a tankless water heater be descaled,” which was previously discussed. If you checked on your heater on a regular basis, you wouldn’t have many difficulties. Aside from that, because hard water has an adverse effect on the heater, you may also try some simple home cures. However, consulting with a professional is always the best course of action. Because lime and scale accumulate in the heater’s route, it is necessary to flush the heater on a regular basis.

If the flush fails to function in some way, the heater will immediately cease to function and lose its efficiency.

If this is not done, severe electric shocks can result.

How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater (Step-by-Step Procedure)

Please keep in mind that this content may contain affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, we may gain a small profit on purchases made via our links. Knowing how to clean a tankless water heatercan assist you in getting the most out of your investment in terms of efficiency and longevity. Consider the following steps in detail, as well as some helpful tools and crucial considerations.

The Importance of Flushing Tankless Models

Tankless water heaters are less expensive and more energy efficient to operate when compared to standard water heaters. They also demand significantly less maintenance and operating area.

That is why it is essential to understand first why and when it is necessary, followed by how to flush a tankless water heater, whether it is gas or electric. Examine how the naturally existing sediment in your water impacts the heater, as well as how to make flushing more convenient and safer.

Tankless Water Heaters and Scale Buildup

Anyone who has had a conventional water tank is aware with the necessity of flushing the tank on a regular basis in order to remove sediment. Tankless heaters are not an exception to this rule. Hard water includes minerals that can cause lime scale to build up on the surface of the water. An explosion from the accumulation is less likely with a tankless heater than with a tank model, but it can still result in some expensive complications with a tankless heater. The heat exchanger is particularly susceptible to scale buildup.

This can result in a considerable reduction in the lifespan of this component, as well as a large rise in your electricity expenditures over time.

How Often Should You Flush a Tankless Water Heater?

It is recommended that your tankless water heater be cleansed once a year to keep it operating at peak performance. However, the hardness of your water plays a role in this, and you may find that flushing twice or three times a year is preferable if your home’s water is of very low quality in this regard. To a certain extent, a sediment trap or a water softener can help with hard water.

Isolation Valves

It is critical that we explain isolation valves before proceeding with the rest of the processes. As the name implies, an isolation valve allows you to isolate (isolate) a segment of your pipeline’s liquid or gas supply without having to shut down the entire supply line (as would otherwise be the case). Essentially, the word is equivalent with the term “shut-off valve.” From your stove to your toilet, a wide range of objects in your home are equipped with some type of isolation valve for maintenance or emergency purposes, depending on the item.

In some cases, depending on the manufacturer and if a professional installed your tankless heater, an isolation valve may or may not be put on your tankless heating system.

Using Pumps and Flush Kits

A submersible pump is one of your greatest friends when it comes to flushing a tankless water heater. Instead of enormous volumes of water to sweep up and remove the sediment from a tank heater, a high-quality pump such as the91250 from Superior Pump can save you hours if not days of manual flushing and will save you money in the long run. Flushing will necessitate the use of a large bucket to contain the pump, since there is no easy drainage option available, as there is with a typical tank model, necessitating the use of a submersible model pump.

These kits often include everything you’ll need, including a pump, bucket, descaler, and hoses, among other things.

My favorite kit is made by My PlumbingStuff, and it not only works well and is simple to use, but it is also ecologically friendly down to the last component, making it the greatest tankless water heater flush kit in my opinion.

How to Flush a Gas Tankless Water Heater

Check the owner’s handbook for your water heater, since it may provide specific instructions on how to flush and descale the unit. Rinnai, Rheem, and Noritz are the three most popular manufacturers of gas tankless versions. For your convenience, we’ve included particular guidelines for each of the brands listed below:

• Procedures for flushing a Rinnai tankless water heater, a Rheem tankless water heater, and a Notritz tankless water heater are all available online.

No matter what type of gas tankless water heater you have, there are a few steps in the flushing process that must be completed in the proper order, but they are all rather straightforward to complete.

Phase 1: Preparation

1. Disconnect the electrical power source that is feeding the heater. Remove the access panel and check the terminal with a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that there is no longer any power coming through it. Discover where the gas isolation valve is located and close it. To prevent any water from entering the unit while you are working, locate the hot and cold shut-off valves and close them accordingly: To release any pressure, locate the hot water pressure relief valve, which should be located somewhere along the hot water line. Take cautious, because the hot water will be quite hot
2. The service port for cold water and the service port for hot water will be separate. Hoses should be connected to both of these ports. Fill a five-gallon bucket halfway with water and submerge your submersible pump. The cold water pipe should be connected to your pump. Into the bucket, insert the free end of the hot water line
3. Pour four gallons of undiluted virgin food-grade white vinegar into a pail and set it aside. In addition, Noritz recommends diluting one gallon of CLR with three gallons of water for heavy-duty applications.

Phase 2: Flushing

1. Make sure that the hot and cold service ports are open and that the pump is running. Make sure the vinegar is allowed to flow through the heater for at least one hour (longer if the pump runs at less than four gallons per minute). As a result of this, the scale is broken down and the silt is flushed away. Turn off the pump and empty the vinegar into a trash can. Close the cold water service port and disconnect the hose that is connected to it. Open the cold water shutoff valve to let any residual vinegar to be flushed out through the second hose into your bucket for around ten minutes. Close the cold water shut-off valve on your faucet. Allow the water to drain completely before disconnecting the second hose. Close the hot water service port on the boiler. Remove the cold water intake filter as well as the hot water inline filter (if applicable). Remove any retained sediment by flushing the filters with water in a sink.

Phase 3: Cleanup

1. Reinstall the filter(s) in a secure manner, and then turn off the hot and cold water valves
2. Replace the access panel
3. Turn on the gas shutoff valve
4. And remove the access panel. The electrical supply should be reconnected.

How to Flush an Electric Tankless Water Heater

Flushing out an electric tankless water heater is a little different than cleaning out a gas tankless water heater, and some disassembly may be necessary. Generally speaking, Navien models are easier to understand, however some Takagi models require additional steps in order to properly place the water control valve.

• Technique for flushing a Navien tankless water heater
• Procedure for flushing a Takagi tankless water heater

Descaling an electric model is similar to descaling a gas model in that it may be divided into three stages.

Phase 1: Preparation

1. Switching off the electrical power at the circuit breaker
2. Close the cold water shut-off valve on your faucet. Open your taps to let any water that has accumulated in the heater to drain
3. Close the shut-off valve for the hot water supply. Remove the access panel and check the terminal with a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that there is no longer any power coming through it. Disconnect the wires from the heating elements by removing the screws that hold them in place. Extraction of the heating element is accomplished by loosening the hexagonal brass top of the heating element in a counterclockwise manner
4. Make a visual inspection of the heating components for evidence of damage. A broken element should be replaced as soon as possible. Storage of the heating elements in the cooper chambers of the heater to allow for cleaning of the heating elements

Phase 2: Flushing

1. Fill the cooper chambers with virgin food-grade white vinegar that has not been diluted
2. Pour vinegar into the chamber and allow it to rest for 90 minutes to two hours. Using this method, you may break up any scales on the components. Remove the vinegar from the mixture. Replace the heating elements and reattach the cables as necessary. Open the cold water shut-off valve and let the tank to fill up with cold water
3. Observe the tank for any evidence of leakage (the paper towel test is quite effective in this situation)
4. To turn off the hot water, turn the shutoff valve. Fill the sink with warm water from various hot water taps and let the water run for about five minutes to flush out the vinegar and remove any air pockets from the line

Phase 3: Cleanup

1. Turn off all hot water faucets in your home. Close the cold water shut-off valve on your faucet. Clean any dirt from the cold water input filter by flushing the filter under a cold water faucet. Replace the filter in a secure manner. Power should be restored at the breaker once you close the access panel

Easy Maintenance Tips for Tankless Water Heaters w/Photos

A little ‘how-to’ information may go a long way toward ensuring that your tankless water heaters operate at peak efficiency. As a result, not only will you save money on plumbing expenses, but you will also extend the life of your tankless water heater. You may be asking yourself right now, ‘what are some tips for keeping my tankless water heater in good working order?’ Is it necessary to do periodic maintenance on tankless water heaters? Tankless water heaters, like any other type of water heater, require periodic maintenance.

• Because of hard water or the amount of hot water your household consumes, you should anticipate to do this once a year at the most.
• It is recommended that you perform this once every 3-5 years if your water is soft or if you have a water softening system installed.
• We can assist you!
• It is feasible to service and clean a tankless water heater without the assistance of a professional.
• Step-by-step instructions will be provided to make it simple to understand how to remove limescale and other mineral deposits from your plumbing system.

Do You Need to Flush Your Tankless Water Heater?

The majority of people are aware that they must flush a tank-style water heater. Most people, on the other hand, are unaware that they should also flush their tankless water heater. Yes, tankless water heaters do require flushing on a regular basis. It is necessary to flush the tankless water heater to eliminate limescale accumulation on the burners within. Typically, flushing is required every 2 to 3 years in the majority of situations. When flushing maintenance is necessary, tankless water heaters will automatically shut down and display an error code on the display.

• The number of minerals present in the water supply has an impact on the hardness of the water in the tap.
• As the water warms, the sediment separates from the water in the same way as it does in a tank-style water heater.
• These misunderstandings wind up accumulating on the burners within the tankless unit as well as on the faucet aerators.
• If you find yourself cleaning your aerators on a regular basis, it may be time to descale your tankless water heater.
• A family of two may probably get away with flushing their tankless water heater every 18 months or so, according to the experts.

Because of the installation of an in-home water softening system, you may be able to get away with cleaning your water heater once every 3-5 years. Now that you’re ready to learn more about how to manage your tankless water heater, let’s get this party going.

How to Flush and Descale a Tankless Water Heater

It is necessary to do periodic maintenance on a tankless water heater in order for it to operate properly. It is possible to flush your tankless water heater in order to clean and remove mineral deposits from the burner system by following these steps:

Supplies You Will Need:

• 5 gallon bucket, 3 gallons pure white vinegar or descaling solution, 2 clothes washer hoses, channel lock pliers, 2 clothes dryer hoses

It is possible to acquire the My PlumbingStuff – Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit – 32-ounce at this location. User Instructions for the J.C. Whitlam FLOW32 Flow-Aide System Descaler – Zoeller 42-0007 Floor Sucker Pump – 5-Gallon Bucket – Safe to Use. This practical set comes with a 5-gallon bucket, two hoses, a descaling solution, and a sump pump, among other things.

Directions for Flushing Tankless Water Heaters:

The connections under the tankless water heater may be accessed by removing the cover on top of the unit. Some tankless types may not have a cover fitted at the time of purchase.

Step 2: Verify your tankless water heater has a flushing kit installed

If the flushing valves on your tankless water heater are not there, check to see if they have been installed. Stop what you’re doing and call a qualified plumber to install them.

Step 3: turn off the gas supply

Turn off the gas feed to the tankless water heater at the main shutoff valve. It will be necessary to switch the gasoline supply such that it is “perpendicular” to the fuel line. It is not necessary to cut off the electricity to the electric thermostat.

Step 4: Turn off the water supply

Close the cold water supply valve, which is responsible for supplying water to the tankless water heater, to prevent it from being used. Cold water is prevented from entering the unit as a result of this. Close the hot water supply valve, which is responsible for delivering hot water from the tankless water heater to the rest of the home. Shot water is prevented from entering the home as a result of this. Use this opportunity to inspect your temperature and pressure relief valve (T P valve) to confirm that it is in proper operating order.

Step 5: Open the flushing valves and connect the hoses

Remove the caps from the flushing valves and set them aside. This is important in order to relieve any pressure that has built up inside the valves. Connect the hoses to the flushing valves and tighten the connections with channel lock pliers to ensure that they are secure. Check to see that the rubber washers are properly seated in the tube to ensure a tight seal and avoid leaks. The flushing valves should be opened by rotating them 90 degrees at right angles (or perpendicular) to the existing positions of the cold and hot valves, respectively.

Step 6: Setup the bucket and sump pump

Add descaling solution or white distilled vinegar to the 5-gallon bucket until it is completely filled. Lower the sump pump into the 5-gallon bucket filled with descaling solution or distilled vinegar, and then turn on the sump pump to start the cleaning process.

Step 7: Flushing the tankless water heater

Using a descaling solution, allow the sump pump to run for 30 minutes; if using vinegar, allow the sump pump to run for 1-2 hours. Using this method, the cleaning solution will be pumped through the water heater and into the pipes to be cleaned. Completely switch off the sump pump once the job is done. Remove the hoses and pour the cleaning solution container into a trash can.

Using clean water, rinse off any residual descaling solution that may have accumulated in the bucket. Until the water running through the system is clear, you’ll need to repeat this procedure several times. When you’re finished, switch off the sump pump and throw away any residual solution.

Step 8: Finishing up and closing the system

The hosing should be removed from the flushing valves. Replacing and tightening the purge port caps properly is essential. Take care not to damage the rubber seals that are contained within the caps. If you do, you must replace them as soon as possible.

Step 9: Check the sediment filter

The sediment filter is situated on the cold water input line that feeds into the tankless water heater system. Remove the sediment filter by unscrewing it and wiping it off with a damp cloth if necessary. When you’re finished, remove the filter and replace it.

Step 10: Open the water supply to the tankless water heater

Rotate the cold water supply and hot water supply valves so that they are in line (or parallel) with the pipes before opening each of the valves.

Step 11: Turn the gas on to the tankless water heater

To finish, turn on the gas supply valve so that it is in line (or parallel) with the pipe system. Start by turning on the hot water faucet. This will drive any trapped air out of the pipe that has been stuck there. Run the water for as long as it takes for all of the air to be expelled, which is about 2-3 minutes in total. Items should be cleaned and stored for use the following year. That’s all there is to it! This is a step-by-step guide on cleaning and maintaining your tankless water heater.

When Should You Descale a Tankless Water Heater?

Descalement of your tankless water heater does not have a specific schedule for when it should be performed. This will be highly influenced by the hardness of the water in your location. Tankless water heaters should be descaled once a year if you live in a region with extremely hard water. You’re not sure if you have hard water or not. You may use theHealth Metric Drinking Water Test Kit for Home Tap and Well Water, which is an EPA-recognized at-home water analysis kit, to assess the quality of the water that is coming into your home from your water source.

It is recommended that you describe your tankless water heater every 3-5 years if your water is soft or if you have a water softener system installed in your home.

Clean the Air Filter

• The tankless water heater should be turned off and unplugged. Remove the front cover of the book. It is customary for the air filter to be situated at the top of the water heater. Identifying and removing the air filter will allow you to determine whether or not it is unclean. Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild dish soap and water solution to clean the air filter if necessary. Afterward, rinse it well with clean water and allow it to dry on a lint-free towel Replacing the filter and the lid, as well as plugging in the water heater and turning it on

Clean the In-line Water Filter

• To switch off the gas supply to the water heater, turn the valve so that it is perpendicular to the supply line. The cold water supply to the water heater should be turned off by twisting the valve perpendicular to the supply line. The in-line water filter should be installed at the cold-water input. Remove the filter from the cold water line by unscrewing the nut. The water filter should be cleaned under running water or with a cotton swab, as necessary. reinstall the water filter, reopen the cold-water supply valve, and reopen the gas line that supplies the water heater

How Much Does it Cost to Service a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters may be extremely expensive to fix or maintain on a professional level. Plumbers’ rates often range from $200 to $800 each service call, depending on the location. A service price for cleaning a tankless water heater will most likely range between $300 and $400 dollars. Performing the work on your own will save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

Can I Use CLR to Clean My Tankless Water Heater?

There are several differing viewpoints on the effectiveness of using CLR to clean a tankless water heater. Those that believe in a 60-minute flush with white vinegar as the descaling ingredient, such as Jason Fleming, marketing manager at NoritzAmerica, a maker of tankless water heaters, advocate doing so. CLR-type products have the potential to be damaging to the copper heat exchanger in a water heater. 1 Although I’ve spoken with a number of qualified plumbers, they’ve all stated that vinegar alone may not be powerful enough to dissolve build-up in water heaters that aren’t maintained on a regular basis.

A variety of home items, such as coffee pots, showerheads, toilet bowls, and washing machine basins, may be cleaned using this product in an environmentally friendly manner.

These mineral deposits that accumulate at the bottom of your heater will be securely ‘eaten away’ by CLR, avoiding the need for extensive cleaning. Adding one capful of CLR to each gallon of white vinegar can aid in the removal of stubborn deposits from within your water heater’s heating element.

Is Cleaning a Tankless Water Heater Worth the Time and Money?

It is true that the initial cost of a tankless water heater (which often costs approximately $1,750) is more than the cost of a regular tank-style water heater (which typically costs around $1,000). However, it will save you a significant amount of money in the long run. The long-term advantages offset the greater initial cost, making them a more advantageous investment. Gas-powered tankless versions, according to the United States Department of Energy, consume less energy and save around $108 per year in heating expenditures, making them anywhere from 24 percent to 34 percent more energy efficient overall.

• Bottom line is that, in the end, they are well worth the time and effort.
• Moreover, the parts are simply interchangeable and, when cleaned on a regular basis (once a year), they can survive for another 5 to 10 years.
• Taking everything into consideration, the tankless version is the best choice for your needs.
• It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of treatment.
• Maintaining your tankless water heater may extend the life of your water heater by about two times compared to a water heater that has had no maintenance.

Final Thoughts

Maintenance and servicing a tankless water heater are relatively simple tasks that can be accomplished with the correct equipment and a little handyman expertise. Simple step-by-step instructions will allow you to safely and properly clean your unit, saving you hundreds of dollars in plumbing bills. If you want to save time and money, you may purchase a descaling kit or flushing system, which is widely accessible online and includes everything you need to thoroughly clean your unit. This kit may be reused, which allows you to save even more money in the long run.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on HomeInspectionInsider.com is not intended to be professional guidance.

It is owned and operated by Hubert Miles who is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by placing advertisements and links on their websites that direct traffic to Amazon.com (hereinafter referred to as “Amazon.com” or “Amazon.com Associates Program”).

As an affiliate, HomeInspectionInsider.com participates in a variety of affiliate programs with other websites. Hubert Miles receives a commission for recommending visitors and commerce to these businesses.

What You Need to Know About Flushing a Tankless Water Heater

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• A tankless hot water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater or an instant hot water heater, provides hot water on demand. They do not require the use of a storage tank since they heat the water as it travels through the device.

Why install a tankless water heater?

• Tankless hot water heaters provide clients with a limitless supply of hot water at a reasonable cost. A tankless hot water heater should be installed by a certified professional plumber so that you and your family may take back-to-back showers without ever running out of hot water.

Do tankless water heaters save money?

• Yes! Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient and will save you money in the long term. A tankless water heater’s base price may be more than the price of a regular hot water tank
• On the other hand, they can be up to 34 percent more energy efficient than a standard hot water tank and can last more than twice as long.

Tankless gas water heater or tankless electric water heater – which one?

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• This is one of the most often asked questions when it comes to water heaters. People are sometimes forced to choose between natural gas and electricity. There are certain things to consider if you are given the opportunity to make a decision.

Thermoelectric Water Heater with No Tank

• Gas units are designed to burn natural gas or propane, and the majority of manufacturers provide both a natural gas and a propane version of their product. The use of gas water heaters may be advantageous for big households with a high demand for hot water. These devices, on the other hand, require more maintenance and are less energy efficient.

Electric Water Heater Without a Tank

• Electrical water heaters are less complicated to troubleshoot and consume less energy than gas water heaters. Electricity rates, on the other hand, tend to change less than gas prices.

What does it mean to winterize a tankless water heater?

• Winterizing a tankless water heater refers to the process of prepping the unit for use in cold weather. Due to the fact that most manufacturers do not cover damage caused by freezing under their warranties, they may require a little additional attention during the colder months. Examine the following article to find out why winterizing your tankless water heater is vital and how to properly prepare your tankless water heater for the winter

What does flushing a tankless water heater mean?

• When you flush a tankless water heater, you’re just cleaning it out with a descaling chemical, which eliminates any sediment or buildup that has formed.

What happens if I don’t flush out my tankless water heater?

• Mineral deposits may form over time. This might result in a clog within the unit, which could prevent regular heating activity from taking place. The temperature of your hot water may fluctuate, causing the system to overheat and reduce its effectiveness.

What are the benefits of flushing out a tankless water heater?

• Reduces the likelihood of clogging: Tankless water heaters can accumulate mineral backing, which can be flushed out using a descaling chemical to reduce the likelihood of clogging
• And Noise reduction: If your tankless water heater is creating noise, it is likely that there is a buildup of sediment within the tank. If the noise goes away on its own, it is possible that the accumulation has become so hardened that water is no longer able to travel through it efficiently. Acceleration of the heating process: The greater the amount of buildup in the tankless water heater, the longer it will take for the heat to move. Flushing your tankless water heater on a regular basis might help it operate at peak efficiency. Equipment lifespan: By flushing out the tankless water heater with a descaling solution, you are extending the life of the tankless water heater. Cost: If your tankless water heater is clogged, it makes it more difficult for the water to move through, increasing the amount of energy required to create hot water, resulting in higher costs! Flushing on a regular basis boosts water flow and has the potential to save expenditures dramatically.

How often should I have my tankless water heater flushed out?

• Tankless water heaters should be cleaned out once a year to twice a year, depending on usage.

Why should I have my tankless water heater flushed out so regularly?

• The water in the areas surrounding Rochester, NY that are supplied by the Monroe County Water Authority is somewhat hard, which means that tankless water heaters must be cleaned out more frequently than in other places.

What is hard water and how does it impact my tankless water heater?

• Water hardness is a measure of the amount of minerals present in a body of water. Monroe County’s water is regarded to be somewhat hard by most standards. In one gallon of hard water, it comprises between 5.6 and 7.6 grains of calcium carbonate. The mild hardness of the water in Rochester, NY and Monroe County means that homeowners do not require a water softener
• Nonetheless, flushing out your tankless water heater using a descaling solution is extremely vital owing to this.

Do I need a professional for flushing out my tankless water heater?

• Yes! It’s usually a good idea to get a licensed professional plumber for any plumbing emergency.

Do I need to call a plumber near me just to have part of my tankless water heater cleaned?

• Yes! If you are experiencing problems with your tankless water heater, it is possible that a specific section of it has to be cleaned. A tankless water heater is made up of a number of different pieces, therefore it is always advisable to consult with a certified professional plumber for assistance with your water heater needs.

What brands of tankless water heaters does Pride Plumbing carry?

• When it comes to tankless water heaters, we at Pride Plumbing of Rochester only provide the highest-efficiency models that are helpful to your house. The Navien brand of tankless water heaters is one that we sell
• Navien tankless water heaters are energy star rated, which means that they save both energy and money over time. These tankless water heaters may also be used in conjunction with the RG E refund, which can result in a savings of up to $200! These water heaters also have a sleek appearance and are 80 percent less in size than standard tank water heaters.

Are you thinking, “who is a plumber near me that can help with my tankless water heater?”

We are here to assist you! Call (585) 271-7150 to speak with your neighborhood plumber, or make an appointment online. Take advantage of our promotion to save $250 on a tankless hot water heater purchase.