Protect Your Outdoor Tankless Water Heater During Winter
A tankless water heater installed outside allows households to save on water consumption. Instead of maintaining a constant temperature in a vast body of water, they heat water as it is required. Outdoor tankless heaters are integrated with freeze prevention mechanisms to ensure that they can withstand the winter. To be confident that your tankless water heater will provide hot water in the early morning hours of winter’s next unexpected storm, be certain that you’ve covered all of the bases and that the system has been properly safeguarded.
The plumbing pipes that carry water to and from the tankless unit are the components that are most prone to freezing when the temperature drops below zero degrees.
Here is what you can do to help.
Pipes that carry water into and out of the outdoor tankless water heater should be measured as follows: In most cases, these are referred to as the input and output pipes.
- They might be dangerous.
- Ascertain the type of substance you will use to protect the plumbing pipes.
- You may use either pipe insulation, which is a substance that is similar to wall insulation but is designed particularly for plumbing pipes, or heating wire and pipe tape to keep your pipes warm and protected.
- It should be taped down.
- To fasten the heater tape, wrap it with electrical tape, being care to overlap the electrical tape so that the heating wire is not exposed to the elements throughout the process.
- When homeowners maintain their water heaters and safeguard them from the weather, they can expect a long-term return on their investment in these enormous household equipment.
- Image courtesy of Flickr
How to Protect a Tankless Water Heater in Freezing Weather
Tankless water heaters provide a constant supply of hot water for you; nevertheless, particular factors must be taken into account when installing them in climates ranging from moderate to cold. As long as the power and gas are operating, the heaters themselves do not require any protection from the cold weather conditions. If there is a power outage, it is possible that the heater will suffer from frozen water within its system. Including an emergency drain line during the installation process avoids this issue.
The most critical component of keeping an existing system operational during cold weather is to protect the copper pipes that deliver the water. It necessitates the use of a heat source in conjunction with insulation, which is referred to as “heat tracing” a water system.
- To determine how much heating wire and insulated pipe tape you will want, measure the length of the pipes that will be flowing into the tankless heater. Those jogging outside, those running along the inside of external walls, and those in uninsulated basements are all susceptible to freezing. Connect the heater tape to the nearest 120V circuit at the beginning of the pipe, near the heater, and turn on the power. To create a spiral design along the pipe, run the tape down it, twisting it every 12 inches to create a twist in the tape every 12 inches. The electrical tape should be used to secure the heater tape to the pipe every few inches. Allowing the heating tape to cross itself along the pipe is not recommended. If you are only a few inches short of the pipe’s end, it will be alright since the remainder of the heated water will maintain that water at a temperature above freezing. In case you have any extra heating tape, wrap it around the final few feet of the pipe in a tight spiral
- Wrap the pipe in an insulated tape spiral pattern, keeping the adhesive side of the tape facing up. With each pass of the tape, overlap the preceding tape by approximately a quarter-inch, ensuring that the whole outside of the pipe is covered with tape. Continue to wrap the pipe until you have completely covered the length of it.
Insulating Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
On the outside of my Atlanta home, I recently installed a Paloma PH-28 tankless water heater, which is a great investment. The heater is equipped with an inbuilt heater that keeps it from freezing. However, I need to insulate the supply lines because we will have numerous severe freezes per winter and I need to do it now. I’m going to build a box (about 14x24x10) to house the pipes. Is standard foam pipe insulation sufficient to preserve these 3/4-inch copper supply lines, or will additional insulation be required?
- Also, cutting a 4′′ PVC pipe in half and wrapping it around the supply pipes and filling it with foam insulation is something I’ve contemplated.
- Or, I have another option.
- Heat tape will not work since I only have around 30 inches of pipe that is exposed in total, and the tapes state that they should not be used on pipes less than the tape length.
- thanks, Mac
How to Prevent Your Tankless Water Heater from Freezing
Recently, I had a tankless water heater, the Paloma PH-28, put on the outer wall of my Atlanta house. For the purpose of keeping it from freezing, the heater is equipped with an internal heater. The supply lines, on the other hand, will need to be insulated because we will have numerous hard freezes each winter. For the pipes, I’ll be building a box (about 14x24x10). Are the 3/4-inch copper supply lines going to be enough protected by standard foam pipe insulation, or would I need to add more?
Also, cutting a 4′′ pvc pipe in half and wrapping it around the supply pipes and filling it with foam insulation is something I’ve contemplated.
A 100-watt lightbulb has crossed my mind as a possible solution to the problem.
I’d appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences.
- The electric freeze prevention heaters must be plugged in before they may be used. They will not function unless there is a power supply available. Even with the built-in electric heaters, extremely cold conditions may necessitate the use of extra precautions to avoid freezing. Only the most vital components of the heater are protected by the freeze prevention system.
In order to guarantee that your water heaters last during the winter, follow these freeze prevention recommendations. Installing your water heater in a warm location is essential. Although it is not always practicable, placing a water heater in a warm environment will, by its very nature, assist to prevent freezing during the colder months of the year. Whenever possible, use vent terminations that are equipped with wind-resistant characteristics and place them away from the direction of prevailing winds (to cut down on that wind chill).
- As previously stated, any standing water, no matter how insignificant, might accumulate within the device and freeze.
- When going away for a lengthy amount of time, empty the unit to avoid this from happening again.
- Maintain a reliable power source.
- Keep in mind that this does not imply that the water heater must be turned on; it only requires that the appliance be connected.
- Take into consideration a recirculation system.
- Another advantage is that it allows the heater to continually warm your pipes, preventing your plumbing lines and equipment from freezing over during the winter.
- Make certain that pipes are properly insulated with fiberglass or polyethylene insulation or heat tape.
- One method of avoiding pipes from freezing is to feed at least a trickle of water, measuring 0.1 to 0.2 gallons per minute, down the hot side of the furthest fixture overnight while turning off the gas to the heater.
This will maintain the water flowing through the system and reduce the likelihood of it freezing. Contact the Noritz technical staff at 1-866-766-7489 if you have any more concerns about freeze prevention.
Three Ways To Protect Your Tankless Water Heater This Winter
As winter approaches, we normally post a number of blog entries that provide useful information on preparing critical appliances and equipment for the season – lawn mowers, boats, and recreational vehicles, for example. Home heating systems would be included in this category as well, except that when winter arrives, you’re doing the inverse – preparing it for prolonged usage during the winter months instead of the reverse. Tankless water heaters are one type of home system that is becoming increasingly popular.
Traditional water heaters are shown to be less efficient and more expensive than solar water heaters.
Cold Weather Maintenance: 3 Ways To Protect Your Tankless Water Heater This Winter
It’s nearly time for winter to arrive, and homeowners all around the country are preparing to secure their houses before the temperatures drop. Installing a tankless water heater is one of the most cost-effective and energy-efficient methods to keep warm and save money throughout the winter. The water heater not only provides you with hot water on demand, but it is also more energy efficient than traditional or standard water heaters. Consider the fact that a tank heater that is seven years old operates at around 60 percent efficiency, but a tankless heater that is the same age operates at up to 75 percent efficiency.
As a result, it is important to safeguard and care for your heater in order to maintain it in excellent working order for as long as possible.
How cold weather can damage your water heater
Your water heating system might suffer as a result of the cold weather. Not only will it cause the pipes going to and from your tankless water heater to freeze, but it also has the potential to cause harm to the interior components of your unit. You may, however, defrost a frozen water heater by shutting off the electricity, closing the gas and water cutoff valves, and waiting for the device to thaw on its own. If you have reason to believe that your water heater has frozen, do not attempt to run it.
Flush your water heater
It is recommended by experts to clean your water heater to remove any accumulated debris that may be affecting its function. To flush your tankless unit, turn off the electricity and the water supply, and then use a hose and a bucket to complete the process. If you’re not confident in your ability to accomplish this yourself, a contractor can perform the flushing for you.
Insulate the external pipes
By insulating the external piping and valves of your water heater, you can ensure that they are protected from damage.
Insulation materials, which provide protection from the cold weather, are widely accessible at hardware and internet retailers.
Get rid of limescale build-up
It’s possible that your tankless water heater has a thin layer of limescale accumulation on its surface. A decrease in efficiency of your unit, and perhaps a reduction in the lifespan of your water heater, might result from this practice. White vinegar may be used to clean your water heating system in order to eliminate build-up in a natural method. To prepare your tankless water heater for the forthcoming cold winter, consider the following suggestions. Not only will you save money in the long term, but you’ll also be able to continue to enjoy having hot water for many more years.
Protection during freeze for Rinnai tankless
Comments for Protection during freeze for Rinnai tankless
| Jan 18, 2018Rating | Rinnai Tankless Water Heaterby: KenBI’m trying to answer that same question.There is not enough clearance inside the box to put any real insulation. Take a look at your Rinnai manual. It says not to obstruct air flow. My Rinnai has a horizontal vent near the top on a front that certainly can’t be covered by any exterior homemade insulation framework.The tag on the side of my Rinnai specifically says it must be mounted outside. It does not say that it can only be used in Miami or placed that don’t get cold. We should have been warned of this freezing flaw in the design. This, it seems to me, is an engineering fault that Rinnai ought to address, with some recommended solution.Please post any remedies you find at this site, and I will do the same. Good luck!KenB North Carolina |
| Jan 17, 2018Rating | Rennai Tankless Water Heaterby: Ken BenwayKJ:Many thanks for those options. In fact, on cold nights, I’m using the alarm clock method, and it has worked well so far. Many thanks.Ken B. North Carolina |
| Jan 17, 2018Rating | Freeze Protectionby: KJIf your system was installed with drain valve(s) on the inlet and outlet as well as isolation (shut off valves) on both sides then you can actually shut off the feed valve (cold) and outlet valve (hot) and then open the drain valves thus allowing the unit to be drained of water.Once back above freezing or next morning when up and around using water, you can close the drains, open the inlet and outlet and should be able to get flow as long all lines/valves to and from heater have been protected against freeze temp so they can be operated.Alternately, one could set an alarm every few hours during night, get up and let the water flow long enough to get hot water for a couple minutes thus insuring that the lines will not freeze inside the heater. |
| Jan 07, 2018Rating | Rinnai Tankless Heater Freeze – Central North Carolinaby: Ken BenwayLow temps ranging from 1 – 10 F. last two nights, and no hot water.When outside temps reached 25 F. Today used the hair dryer to try to thaw things out. Began getting weak flow with hot water in shower on full. May not be creating enough demand to kick in the heating element.Will let faucet flow for now and see if it will improve. Will take this and other comments adjacent to my heating guy (this has happened before). This appears to be a design flaw by Rinnai, one that by these comment dates seems to be long-standing. Do other manufacturers have fewer freeze problems? Suppliers and installers need to inform the consumer, and then squeeze Rinnai for a remedy, it seems to me.Class action suit anyone? |
| Dec 16, 2011Rating | How to protect Rinnai water heater from freezingby: AnonymousYour Rinnai water heater is protected as long as the outside temperature doesn’t drop below -4 F or -20 C. If you have bad wind-chills as we have in Michigan, your Rinnai tankless unit, even with the internal freeze protection will be affected even with the temperatures slightly above these ones.Every Rinnai tankless water heater is equipped with the freeze protection feature that includes the electric heating elements. As long as the unit is connected to the power, you water heater is protected.Rinnai water heater is tankless, but it doesn’t mean that it is empty. It has some water inside the internal piping and the heat exchanger, so any loss of power (even if not using for some time) will disable its ability to protect from freezing.Tip: If the freeze protection system doesn’t work for some reason, make that there is some water flow from the water heater (minimum will work).It is a good thing that you had protected the outside pipes, but the freeze protection system protects the inner components only.Also I didn’t see anyone recommending some sort of the blanket, such as on the tank-type water heaters, so I would do it here as well.Your Rinnai water heater needs proper venting and correct air supply, so any obstruction might be dangerous.If you are planning to go on a vacation, and if water heater is not going to be used for some time here is what you should do:- Shut off the water and gas supply to the water heater.- Turn the temperature controller OFF.- Disconnect the power to the water heater.- Open the drain plug and drain all the water from water heater.And if any damage occurs on the internal components due to freezing, the warranty is not valid. |
| Click here to add your own commentsJoin in and write your own page! It’s easy to do. How? Simply click here to return toRinnai. |
How do you insulate an outside tankless water heater?
Asked in the following category: General The most recent update was made on the 7th of June, 2020. There are two broad options to consider. Either pipeinsulation, which is a substance that is similar to wallinsulation but is designed particularly for plumbing pipes, or heating wire and pipe tape can be used to insulate plumbing pipes. Apply the insulation materials to the plumbing pipes, making sure that the pipe insulation is securely adhered to the pipes at all times. Instructions on how to keep your tankless water heater from freezing
- Installing your water heater in a warm location is essential. Despite the fact that it is not always practicable, putting a water heater in a heated environment will naturally assist in preventing freezing during the winter months. Drain the water from your water heater. Maintain a power source and think about installing a recirculation system. Insulate, Insulate, and more Insulation Make a trickle of water flow
Your water heater should be installed in a warm environment. Although it is not always practicable, placing a water heater in a warm location will naturally assist to keep the water from freezing during the colder months. Disconnect the water heater and let it cool. Preserve an electrical source; think about installing an air-recirculation system. It’s important to insulate everything. Water is being trickled;
Winterize & Maintain Your Tankless Water Heater
Despite the fact that tankless water heaters are excellent devices, they do require more care and maintenance than a normal 50 gallon tank heater. Because I live in the Southern United States, I choose to place my tankless water heaters outside. This implies that you won’t take up any valuable real estate in the house and that you won’t have to worry about venting or combustion problems. The following image is a typical installation for me. One of my favorite outside gas units is the Rheem RTG-84XLN, and here’s a photo of one I recently placed on a house in Austin.
- First and foremost, let us discuss winterization: These outdoor units perform admirably in Texas, but there is a risk of freezing if the temperature drops below 32 degrees for more than 48 hours in a row.
- The units themselves are safe as long as the electricity is turned on because they are equipped with an electric heater within the boiler that prevents the unit from being frozen.
- Because of the numerous valves and bends in these pipes, pipe insulation can only give a bare minimum of protection.
- In the event of cold conditions, use Easy Heat Pipe Heater Tape (together with an auto control plug to switch it on and off).
- I normally purchase either the 6′ or 12′ lengths, depending on how much pipe is visible.
- Listed below is a photo of my tankless water heater, which I wrapped some years ago.
- Using Gorilla Duct Tape every 4-6′′ will keep the pipe heater strips near to the pipe and prevent them from moving.
Maintenance: Please keep in mind that your Tankless units require frequent flushing and cleaning!
I made this blog article to provide you with all of the information you need to complete the procedure yourself!
Despite the fact that tankless units are excellent, if you fail to winterize your unit and it freezes, the results can be terrible.
If your unit begins to scale up, cleaning your pipes will be a time-consuming and expensive endeavor.
Visit my blog at www.MattRisinger.com for more information.
We employ an in-house carpentry workforce as well as the most recent building science research to construct homes that are much more energy efficient, healthful, and long-lasting.
Check out my video blog on YouTube for more information. Follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger (I’m most active on Twitter)Instagram @RisingerBuild Risinger Homes on Facebook (I’m most active on Facebook).
Maintaining Tankless Water Heaters in Freezing Temperatures
Tankless water heaters are often positioned on the exterior of the home, against the wall. Tankless water heaters might be particularly sensitive to damage in cold weather as a result of this. While tankless water heaters do not have the capacity to store significant volumes of water like tank water heaters, they are nonetheless susceptible to freezing in cold weather conditions. The freezing temperatures that might occur in a tankless water heater during cold weather may cause you to be concerned.
- The built-in electric heaters must be connected in order to operate, and they will not operate during a power outage.
- We can assist you!
- The electric freeze prevention will not protect outside pipes or other components that are not directly connected to the tankless water heater.
- For more information, please see our post on the best ways to keep your tankless water heater functioning while there is no power available.
How a Tankless Water Heater can Freeze
Water in tankless water heaters that are located outside is susceptible to freezing when standing water within the heater is exposed to wintry weather and the freezing temperatures that come along with it. The majority of indoor and outdoor tankless water heaters have built-in freeze protection against freezing temperatures that kicks in when temperatures drop into the low 30s Fahrenheit and range from -5 to -22 degrees Fahrenheit over a short period of time. As previously stated, most tankless water heaters have built-in freeze protection against freezing temperatures.
If your tankless water heater is beeping, it is possible that there is a problem with the internal components as a result of the freezing temperatures.
Because water expands when it freezes, a tankless water heater that is exposed to cold weather will not only cease operating, but the expanding water may also cause damage to the inside components, resulting in you having to pay for an expensive repair or replacement.
6 Tips to Keep Your Tankless Water Heater from Freezing
Water in tankless water heaters that are located outside is susceptible to freezing when standing water within the heater is exposed to wintry circumstances and the freezing temperatures that come along with it. As previously stated, most indoor and outdoor tankless water heaters have built-in freeze protection against freezing temperatures. This protection kicks in when temperatures drop into the low 30s Fahrenheit and range from -5 to -22 degrees Fahrenheit over a short period of time, as well as when temperatures drop below freezing.
There might be an issue with the internal components of a tankless water heater owing to the cold weather if your tankless water heater begins to beep.
A tankless water heater exposed to cold weather will not only cease to function, but the expanding water will also cause damage to the heater’s internal components, resulting in you having to pay for an expensive repair.
Install your water heater in a warm area
While it may not always be practical, placing your water heater in a warm location is the most effective approach to prevent it from freezing. Even though it is preferable to stay indoors and away from the harsh winter weather, an outdoor heater may be properly positioned to help alleviate the affects of the cold. Here are a few suggestions about where to locate outdoor water heaters:
- While it is not always practicable, placing your water heater in a warm location is the most effective approach to prevent it from freezing. Even if it is preferable to stay indoors and away from the harsh winter elements, an outdoor heater may be properly positioned to help reduce the affects of the cold weather. For outdoor water heater placement, consider the following suggestions: a.
Run a small stream of water through the tankless water heater
Water will normally only freeze if it is left standing for an extended period of time. If you run a tiny, consistent stream of water through your tankless water heater, you may considerably minimize the likelihood of your tankless water heater freezing. It doesn’t have to be much – 0.1 to 0.2 gallons per minute should be plenty to keep the water from freezing in the pipes. By turning on a tap that is slightly out of the way, you can achieve this goal. While this may result in a slight increase in your water bill, the savings from avoiding an expensive water heater repair charge will more than offset the increased expense.
Use of the built-in electric heaters
Several tankless water heaters are equipped with built-in electric freeze prevention heaters, which prevent standing water from freezing and turning into ice. In order for these heaters to be effective when they are in perfect working order, you must first ensure that they are connected to an electrical outlet with a dependable power supply. They will not function if they are not connected to an external source of electricity. Electricity outages are widespread during periods of high low temperatures or after winter storms.
The installation of a backup battery power supply for your tankless water heater is yet another option to consider.
Furthermore, freeze prevention heaters are only effective down to temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit, at the most.
Winterize the tankless water heater
Several tankless water heaters are equipped with built-in electric freeze prevention heaters, which prevent standing water from freezing and turning to ice. In order for these heaters to be effective when they are in perfect working order, you must first ensure that they are connected to an electrical outlet with a dependable power supply. They will not function unless they are connected to an external power source. It is typical to experience power outages during periods of severe cold or during winter storms.
The installation of a backup battery power supply for your tankless water heater is yet another option to think about.
Freeze avoidance heaters, on the other hand, are only effective down to -22 degrees Fahrenheit. In the event that you reside in an area where the winters are exceptionally cold, you may need to take further precautions to ensure that your tankless water heater does not fail.
How to manually drain your tankless water heater
Many tankless water heaters are equipped with built-in electric freeze prevention heaters, which prevent standing water from freezing and turning to ice. While these heaters are useful when they are operating correctly, you must ensure that they are connected to a dependable power supply. They will not function unless they are connected to an external source of electricity. Power outages are widespread during periods of high cold or during winter storms. If you have an agenerator installed, be sure that one of the circuits covered by the agenerator also powers the built-in heaters.
These are frequently independent supplementary systems that aren’t implemented until specifically requested by the client.
If you live in an area that gets unusually cold during the winter, you may need to take additional precautions to ensure that your tankless water heater does not fail.
- Turn off the gas and cold water supplies
- Turn off the electricity. The temperature control panel should be turned off. The electrical power to the water heater should be turned off
- To alleviate pressure in the pipes, turn on the hot water faucet at a sink within the home before turning on the valves. A bucket should be placed beneath the water heater to collect the water
- The drain caps on the hot and cold isolation valves should be removed. Open the hot and cold isolation valves, if necessary. Remove the cold water intake filter as well as any drain caps located at the bottom of the water heater and set them aside.
Tankless water heater maintenance may be done at the same time as winterizing.
Install a hot water recirculation system
For those who live in a very chilly region, it can be worthwhile to consider installing an air circulation system. The majority of the time, these systems are designed to give an instant source of hot water at a specific spot. However, they also continually engage both your water heater and your pipes. However, while this will protect your heater and pipes from freezing, the added expenditure is likely not worth it for most people. Other advantages of a recirculation system include minimizing the amount of time it takes hot water to reach the fixtures that are the furthest away from the tankless water heater.
Insulate your water supply pipes
Water does not only pass through your water heater; it also passes through other things. Your pipes are also at risk of freezing, and they do not have the freeze prevention devices that are included in the majority of tankless water heaters. When it comes to pipe insulation, there are a few materials you can use to protect your pipes from freeze damage that are not as expensive as other options.
- Insulation made of heat tape, polyethylene insulation, and fiberglass insulation
What to do if Your Tankless Water Heater Freezes?
It might be a little frightening to wake up to a tankless water heater that seems to be frozen. When it’s chilly outside, having access to hot water is very crucial, yet that also happens to be the time of year when your water heater is most prone to freeze. Consequently, if you turn on the water faucet in the middle of winter and nothing but ice-cold water comes out, there’s no need to get too worked up.
There’s a considerable probability that your water heater isn’t really frozen in the first place. However, if this is the case, you’ll most likely be looking at a pricey replacement, since most frozen water heaters cannot be used to heat water again.
Check the water supply pipes
When you have no hot water, the first thing to look for is a leak in the pipes. Your water heater’s pipes flowing into or out of it are considerably more prone to freeze than the heater itself. The most likely location to discover a frozen pipe is the area where they enter and exit your home. It is important to examine this piece of piping for frozen standing water before proceeding with any other work since it is the most exposed to the environment and cold wind gusts that can cause water to freeze.
- When frozen water expands, it has the potential to cause significant damage to most traditional plumbing materials.
- All of the above methods, including using a hairdryer, space heater, or heat gun, will swiftly defrost the water.
- Increase the temperature on your thermostat and open up any sections that contain pipes to allow the heat to reach them.
- Using a combination of local heat (a stream of air directed at the frozen piece) and global heat (your home’s heating system) should be sufficient to defrost practically any frozen pipes you come across.
Check the condition of your tankless water heater
If the pipes appear to be thawed and functioning as intended, you should inspect the water heater for problems. A frozen heater is only likely to occur if you have experienced a prolonged power outage or if you have left the heater turned off for an extended length of time. As a result, it is unlikely that a frozen heater would result in a rapid loss of water pressure. Having said that, it is still feasible, and it is something you should investigate more. The quickest and most straightforward approach to determine whether or not your heater is frozen is to open the drain valve.
If the tank is turned on and appears to be working, but no water is draining from the drain valve, there is a good likelihood that the heater has been filled with frozen water.
When water freezes, it can do serious damage to the internal components of your heater, making it more cost effective to simply replace the damaged components rather than hire a professional to fix them.
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Winterize Your Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
For the most part, the functioning of your tankless water heater is unaffected by the outside temperature. However, there is always the possibility that the extreme cold will cause external pipes to freeze. A tankless water heater can operate well regardless of the weather conditions outside, including during the tough winter months. A large portion of this excellent performance may be attributed to the fact that tankless water heaters have a condenser mechanism, which assists in warming the water as it flows through the device.
Tankless water heaters are now capable of operating at lower pressure circumstances.
This additional labor frequently results in pressure concerns, either as a result of the components working harder or as a result of silt building.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Handle The Cold
The performance of your tankless water heater isn’t greatly affected by the temperature. But there is always the possibility that the bitter cold may cause external pipes to freeze in place. No matter how cold or hot the weather is outside, a tankless water heater can keep up with the demands of daily life, even in the harshest winters. In part, this great performance can be attributed to the fact that tankless water heaters have a condenser mechanism that assists in warming the water as it travels through the device.
Tankless water heaters are now capable of operating at lower pressures.
It is common for pressure concerns to arise as a result of the increased workload placed on the components, or as a result of silt accumulation.
How To Winterize Your Water Heater
Winterizing your tankless water heater is a process that is performed to guarantee that it does not freeze during the winter months of the year. Before beginning this step, be certain that the unit has been switched off and that the electrical supply has been shut off. Remove the device from its power supply as well to ensure that no energy is allowed to pass through the system.
Drain the Heater
If you want to drain your tankless water heater, you must first turn off the flow of water to the heater. In addition, you should drain all of the water that is still in your tankless water heater. Following that, gradually lessen the water pressure that is being delivered to your tankless water heater. This reduction will allow you to remove the water lines that link the water heater to your water supply. Use plastic to cover the vent termination as well the exhaust outlet to avoid debris from entering the venting system.
Adding Dual Venting
Drain pipe runoff is dealt with in a way that avoids it from freezing in the winter by using a technique known as dual venting. Generally speaking, this entails relocating your drain pipes to a location where they will not be exposed to extreme external temperatures.
Following the repositioning of the lines, you should be able to maintain a thin trickle of water running through them at all times, as moving water is more resistant to freezing.
Who Should Winterize?
All of these approaches and processes are designed to achieve a single goal: to keep tankless water heater pipes from freezing. Using these strategies, many individuals who have outside water tanks may feel secure and protected during the winter months. These precautions, on the other hand, are not essential if you are only anticipating a few somewhat chilly days. Only those who anticipate extended periods of subzero weather should prepare their heating and cooling systems for the winter.
Let Diamondback Plumbing Help You Winterize
If you have any questions or would want expert assistance from a local plumber in winterizing your water heater, please do not hesitate to contact the pros atDiamondback Plumbing for assistance. For first-time homeowners, plumbing problems may be quite annoying, especially when they occur. That’s why we’re always here to assist you with any plumbing problems. We have extensive expertise with many types of plumbing and HVAC difficulties, and our charges are competitive. It becomes much simpler to establish successful, long-term connections with our consumers in this manner!
In the event that you’re looking for a tankless water heater but you’re not in Arizona, we propose the services of Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling.
How to Insulate Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters installed outside allow homeowners to conserve water. They give a constant supply of hot water while also heating the water as quickly as you use it. However, did you realize that these outdoor heaters necessitate extra attention throughout the colder months? Cold weather has the potential to harm interior water heaters, but what about an outdoor water heater in the winter? Isn’t this a serious situation? For this reason, in order to survive the winter, you must ensure that your water heater is properly insulated to prevent it from being frozen.
You’ll find out about it in due course.
But first, let’s take a look at some of the ways that cold weather might cause harm to your water heater.
How can Cold Weather Damage Your Outdoor Tankless Water Heater?
The plumbing lines that deliver water to and from the tankless water heater are the most exposed parts of the outdoor tankless water heater, rather than the device itself. Because these pipes are susceptible to freezing, it is necessary to keep them protected from the elements throughout the winter. Cold weather can also cause harm to the components of the heating system that are inside the house. Good news is that you may defrost the frozen water heater by shutting off the electricity and closing the gas and water shutdown valves, among other things.
It is the only way to keep the harm from getting worse. Water pipes may be protected from extreme cold weather by simply wrapping them with pipe wrap insulation or heating them with a pipe heating cable, which are both inexpensive options.
How to Insulate the Pipes
The first step is to conduct a thorough inspection of all of the pipes that you wish to cover. Get a pen, a piece of paper, and a measuring tape ready. You’ll need them to take measurements and make notes on the lengths of each pipe. Measure the length of each pipe leading to the tankless water heater and make a note of the measurements. Make careful to record the diameter of each pipe with the length of the pipe. These dimensions will assist you in determining the amount of heating wire and insulating pipe tape you will require for your project.
Bring a flashlight and a disposable crawl suit if your house is built on stilts or raised platforms.
2. Purchase insulation for your pipes
It is necessary to survey all of the pipes that you wish to cover as a first step in this process. Make sure you have a pen, paper, and a measuring tape on hand. The dimensions of each pipe will need to be taken by them and written down. Each pipe flowing into the tankless water heater should be measured and noted down exactly where it goes. Make careful you record the diameter of each pipe with its length for each pipe. Your heating wire and insulating pipe tape requirements will be determined by the results of this measurement.
A flashlight and a disposable crawl suit should be brought if your residence is elevated.
3. Wrap the electrical heating tape around the pipes
Connect the heating tape to the nearest power source at the start of the pipe, near your heater, and turn it on. This tape should then be used to create a spiral design on the pipe by twisting it every 12 inches along the pipe’s length. Make careful to use electrical tape to adhere the heater tape to the pipe every few inches after it has been applied. While doing so, be careful not to allow the heater tape to cross itself along the pipe itself. Don’t be concerned if you run out of heating tape a few inches before reaching the end of the pipe’s length.
4. Wrap the pipes with the insulation tape
Now that the heater has been installed, it’s time to wrap the pipes with insulation tape to protect them from the elements. Locate the vertical seam where the insulation in issue is cut in order to complete the task appropriately. Pulling the insulation open will require you to dig your fingers into the seam. Then, by pressing the insulation’s inside against the pipe, it will be attached to the pipe. This procedure should be repeated for all of the pipes.
5. Secure the insulation with cable ties or duct tapes
Duct tape or cable ties can be used to bind the insulation to the pipes, preventing it from slipping off the pipes. Wrap the tape around the base of the insulation three to five times and tighten it to achieve the best results possible. You may also attach it to the pipe by wrapping it around it and threading it through the pipe from one end of the tie to the other. Work your way up, covering the duct tape with cable ties or placing a cable tie every 2 to 4 feet as you progress.
Carry out the procedure with all of the pipes. One thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid pulling too hard on your pipes while wrapping them with insulation since you don’t want them to shatter throughout the process. It doesn’t matter if the insulation is held in place by tape or zip ties.
Conclusion
It is extremely vital to protect the pipes that transport water to an outdoor water heater. It is the most effective method of keeping the system operational during cold weather. In the event that you have an outside tankless water heater in your property, this information will be really useful. We hope that it will assist you in keeping your water heater operational throughout the year.
Cold Weather and Your Tankless Water Heater: How to Prevent Freezing
Whenever the weather becomes cold and the temperatures begin to drop, your tankless water heater is more susceptible to freezing and experiencing other weather-related problems. Whether you’re winterizing your hot water heating system as part of the process of closing down a summer cottage or you live in a region with frigid winters, your tankless system will require a little more care. If you live in a cold climate, this article will provide you with the knowledge you need to protect your tankless water heater from freezing.
Can a Tankless Water Heater Freeze?
Tankless water heaters require special attention throughout the winter months. Even water heaters that are located indoors may be susceptible to problems caused by the cold weather. The majority of manufacturer’s warranties do not cover damage resulting from freezing. A freeze protection feature is included into many units by manufacturers like as Rinnai and Rheem. This feature lets the unit to protect itself when temperatures dip below freezing. Rinnai tankless water heaters offer two layers of protection to keep them safe from the elements and prevent them from freezing in the winter.
Activated when the temperature goes into the low 30’s, these ceramic heaters help to keep the interior parts from freezing.
This technology makes use of a sensor located within the unit to identify whether or not the tankless is below freezing.
Both of these approaches will provide freeze protection for the Rinnai unit as long as the device has access to both electrical power and natural gas to operate.
How to Thaw a Frozen Tankless Water Heater
Frozen pipes and a frozen water heater are also possible consequences of cold weather. The unit should not be used if the exterior plumbing leading to the water heater has frozen, or if the water heater itself has frozen. Take the following steps:
- Frozen pipes and a frozen water heater are two common consequences of cold weather. The unit should not be operated if the exterior plumbing leading to the water heater has frozen, or if the water heater has frozen. Steps to take include:
Protecting External Pipes from Freezing
Many homeowners overlook the need of protecting the exterior piping that leads to and from their tankless water heaters, but these pipes and valves are particularly vulnerable to freezing if they are left exposed to the elements. A pipe wrap insulation or a pipe heating cable can be used to insulate the exterior pipes from freezing, preventing a severe headache. Both approaches are straightforward, low-cost, and widely available options. Pipe heating wires are available that are approved for outdoor usage and will keep pipes from freezing at temperatures of up to -50°F (-40°C).
However, you should always read the manufacturer’s guidelines for the individual items before wrapping your pipes with heating cable and then adding pipe wrap insulation.
How to Prevent a Tankless Water Heater from Freezing
Even though your tankless water heater is equipped with built-in freeze prevention, there will be instances when you will need to drain it. You will be left helpless against the chilly conditions if you ever lose electricity, and your tankless would be at risk of freezing. For lengthy periods of time away from home, we strongly advise draining your tankless system, especially in cold areas. Despite the fact that tankless heaters may always be manually drained, installing a set of offereze protection solenoid valvesis a wonderful approach to provide you with peace of mind during the chilly winter weather.
Freeze protection solenoid valves are also known as drain down solenoid valves or “usually open” drain down solenoid valves, depending on how they are configured.
When there is a power outage, the valves on the tankless water heater automatically open and release the water stored within the tank.
Even if you decide not to install this additional layer of safety, it is recommended that you take the steps below to safeguard your tankless water heater in the case of a power loss during the winter:
- Pump Drain Plug should be manually opened or removed. Remove the plug from the Condensate Trap Drain
- Remove the plug from the Water Drain
Remove the Pump Drain Plug or manually open it. The Condensate Trap Drain Plug and the Water Drain Plug should both be removed.
How to Manually Drain Your Tankless Water Heater
If your tankless unit does not have the freeze prevention solenoid valve kit installed, you will have to manually drain the unit whether you are draining it because of cold weather conditions or for another reason. Manually draining the tankless heater is more difficult, but it is just as effective at removing the water from the tankless heater’s inside. The following steps will show you how to manually empty your tankless water heater:
- Immediately shut off the cold water supply and switch off the gas supply. To turn off the temperature control, turn it off on the wall. The electrical power to the water heater should be turned off
- We recommend that you turn on a hot water tap or faucet inside the residence first. This will assist in reducing the pressure within the heater
- A bucket should be placed beneath the water heater to collect the water
- Remove the Drain Caps from the Hot and Cold Isolation Valves and OPEN the valves to allow the water to flow through. Because the hot water is under pressure, it has the potential to “blast out” of the unit. Caution should be exercised since the water may be heated. REMOVE the Cold Water Inlet Filter from the system. Drain plugs should be removed from your tankless water heater if they are present. Each of these drain plugs is positioned on the bottom of the tankless unit: the water drain plug, the pump drain plug, the condensate trap drain plug, and the hot water drain plug.
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When you’re ready to begin utilizing your tankless water heater, you’ll need to switch it back on so that it can resume regular functioning. This is a relatively simple method that is essentially the inverse of the draining procedure described above. Here’s what you should do:
- Check to make sure that all of the drain plugs have been removed from the unit, that all of the hot water taps/faucets have been turned off, and that the gas supply has been turned off. Replace the drain plugs for the water, the pump drain plug, and the condensate trap drain plug. Replace the Check Valve Drain Plug with a new one. Replace the cold water inlet filter and re-open the cold water supply valve to allow the water to flow. This will allow the tankless unit to fill with water
- However, it is not required. DON’T forget to turn on the hot water tap or faucet inside the house. You can close the tap/faucet if water is flowing from the tap/faucet, which indicates that the tankless water heater is functioning properly
- Otherwise, you can leave the tap/faucet open. In order to use the tankless heater, turn on the electrical supply. Check to make sure that the Temperature Controller is turned off. Activate the natural gas supply
- The Temperature Controller should be turned on.
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It’s not suggested to use this approach for lengthy periods of time, such as vacations, but it can be useful in an emergency situation when there is a power outage or the temperature dips beyond the unit’s capacity to freeze protect itself. Running a small amount of water through a tankless water heating system will help to keep the heater and external pipework from being iced over. Take the following steps:
- Turn off the electrical power to the tankless water heater
- Close the gas supply valve
- And turn on a hot water tap or faucet anywhere in your home to test the water temperature. It is recommended that the water flow at a rate of one-tenth of a gallon per minute, or that the water stream be. The breadth is 20 inches.
How to Winterize a Tankless Water Heater
Turn off the electrical power to the tankless water heater; close the gas supply valve; and turn on a hot water tap or faucet anywhere in your house to test the water temperature.
1/10th of a gallon per minute should be the flow rate, or the water stream should be 1/10th of a gallon per minute. a width of 20 inches
The Provision of Water
- The cold water supply to the tankless water heater should be turned off. Pour water out of the unit by turning on the freeze prevention (drain down) solenoid valves on the cold and hot water lines
- Start by turning on a few of hot water taps throughout the home. Remove the intake filter from the cold water line and set it aside. Remove any plugs or inline filters that may be present on the hot water side of your tankless system to allow for expansion if there is any water within the lines that freezes.
Remove the power supply to your tankless water heating system by disconnecting it or setting the circuit breaker to “off” position. In the event of a power surge or loss, this will safeguard the tankless water heater from being damaged. Ventilation System- If it is possible to reach the end of the vent safely, cover both the intake and exhaust vents with a cover. Debris, leaves, and even tiny animals like squirrels will be prevented from being stuck within the vent and producing air flow troubles when it’s time to use your tankless water heater once more.