How To Descale Navien Tankless Water Heater - ERNIEGRAVES

Simple Tips for Maintaining Your Navien Unit

Some maintenance operations should be conducted on a regular basis in order to maintain Navien units working at top performance and to extend their life expectancy. These treatments include: Listed below are a few straightforward measures you may take to ensure that you get the most out of your Navien machine. NOTE: The frequency of maintenance will vary depending on the unit’s installation, location, use, and operation. Installation, location, use, and operation are all factors to consider. Inspect and clean the water inlet filters.

Water screens are installed on the DHW cold-water connection, and there is also a screen installed between the heating supply and return connections on Navien combi-boilers.

Remove and clean the air filter.

These screens prevent debris from being drawn into the blower, burner, and heat exchanger assembly.

This trap is positioned at the bottom of the unit, next to the condensate drain.
When you replace the trap, make sure that the o-ring is properly secured in its position.
Flush solutions are circulated through the heat exchangers of water heaters and the DHW side of combi-boilers using a pump, which circulates the flush solution via the heat exchangers.
When bringing the unit back into service, make sure everything is working properly, including the gas pressure.

How to Clean a Navien Tankless Water Heater in 20 Easy Steps

In the event that your heating or air conditioning system requires repair or replacement, we can link you with a dependable and cost-effective specialist in your region. Even though tankless water heaters don’t require much care, cleaning them once a year will help to extend their lifespan and minimize the likelihood of corrosion occurring. Actually, because the water only passes through a tankless water heater once, it does not have time to negatively impact the tankless water heater. However, the possibility of accumulation is always present, particularly if you live in a region with hard water.

What’s the proper way of cleaning Navien tankless water heaters?

For your Navien tankless water heater to remain operational for an extended period of time, it is necessary to maintain it on a regular basis. Keep in mind that the amount of maintenance required will vary depending on your location, the installation, the frequency of usage, and the overall functioning of the unit. It is critical that you follow the instructions in order for the cleaning process to be effective and successful. Consider the following: 1. Examine the gas line Check the gas line and follow it all the way to the rear of the heater, where you should turn off the gas valve.

Check the manifold by removing the handle and bending it over the pipe to make a cross.
Unplug the item from the power source.
It is necessary to press and hold it for a few seconds in order to turn off the water heater.
Continue with the process of shutting off the water.
4.
To remove the cold air filter from your unit, you must first remove the lid from your unit.
Remove the lid by lifting it up and setting it to one side.

Turn off the electricity to your Navien water heater.

You must delete the item.

It is also necessary to clean the cold air intake filter on the vehicle.

There should be a screw on the front left of the intake housing, near the throttle body.

Another screw is located at the front of the filter; remove it and slide the screen out when it has been removed.

Once it’s clean, put it back in its original location.

Slide it back into position so that the screw holes are aligned and match up with one another. Replace the filter by screwing it back in. 8. It’s time to empty the water heater by turning on a number of different valves. Here’s how to go do it properly:

Close the cold water intake valve as well as the hot water inlet valve if necessary. They isolate the water heater, which must be turned off for the time being
Keep an eye out for the smaller pipes (a red and a blue one). They are referred to as “service valves,” and you must remove the caps in order to access them. Connections: Connect the hoses to the service valves and turn them on to allow the water heater to drain into a bucket
Once the hoses are linked, you can open the valves without risking injury. Pour water down the drain for a couple of minutes to ensure there is no more water coming out.

Close the cold water inlet valve as well as the hot water inlet valve if applicable. It is necessary to turn off the water heater while they isolate it. Smaller pipes should be sought out (a red and a blue one). The “service valves” are what they’re called, and you have to remove the caps to get to them. Organize the hoses and connect them to the service valves, allowing the water heater to drain into a bucket. It is safe to open the valves after the hoses have been properly connected. Continue to allow them to drain for a couple of minutes, or until they no longer leak water;

Fill a 5-gallon bucket halfway with white vinegar
Pour in two gallons of water. A sump pump should be installed, and the cold service pipe should be connected to the sump pump. Place the pump in the bucket and connect it to the power source. Inspect the return side to ensure that it is pointing into the bucket. Using the cold side of your water heater, pump the white vinegar up through it to the hot side
The “off” position should be used for the big valves, while the “on” position should be used for the service valves. Allow the vinegar to circulate through the chilly side for 45 minutes before using.

13. Empty the system of all waste. To begin, switch off the service valves and disconnect the hoses from the system.

Using a standard garden hose, connect the hot side service valve to the water supply. To use it in a bathtub, dampen it and fill the tub with hot water while forcing the water through the isolation side. Open the service port on the host side and the isolation valve on the cold side of the system, allowing water to flow through the system as quickly as possible. It should be discharged through the hot water port. Rinse your water heaters with vinegar to remove the vinegar smell.

14. Locate the service valve on the hot side of the system and shut it down. 15. Disconnect the service hose and reconnect the service ports on the hot and cold sides of the vehicle. It is recommended that you leave the service ports in the “off” position. 16. Turn on the water heater by turning on the faucet. 16. Turn on the hot water faucet. 17. 19. Replace the lid on the 19th. Increase the gas pressure to 20 psi. To turn on the computer, press the power button. You’ve completed your task! We are confident in our ability to link you with a reputable service in your region that can repair, replace, or maintain your heating and air conditioning systems.

How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater and Clean the Air Intake Filter

Water heaters that do not have tanks will accumulate calcium and debris on the heating components and filters within the unit. It’s critical to cleanse your system with food-grade white vinegar at least once every 12 to 18 months to keep it running smoothly. The performance and life of your water heater will be extended if you do this straightforward maintenance. This is also a good opportunity to remove and clean the air filter inside the tankless water heater while you’re conducting your regular cleaning.

However, this procedure may be used to any tankless water heater so long as you can identify the necessary components on your machine.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You should note that the knobs under your tankless water heater are color coded for your convenience. These levers are responsible for turning off the water and gas to your tankless water heater. If the levers are parallel to the pipe, it implies it is turned on, and if they are perpendicular, it means it is turned off. Make sure they are all perpendicular to the pipes before turning them on. As a result, the gas (yellow handle on the right side linked to the silver pipes), the central yellow handle, the cold water input (blue), and the hot water outflow will all be turned off (red).

Step 3: Unscrew the Cold Water Service Valve

Under your tankless water heater, you should see that the knobs are color coded. This is normal. The water and gas to your tankless water heater will be turned off via these levers. In this case, the levers are in line with the pipe, and if they are perpendicular, it signifies the valve is closed. Make sure they are all perpendicular to the pipes before turning them on their sides.

As a result, the gas (yellow handle on the right side linked to the silver pipes), the central yellow handle, the cold water input (blue), and the hot water outflow (red) will all be turned off (red). During this time, you can also unplug your unit from the wall socket if necessary.

Step 4: Setup Your Vinegar and Pump

The hoses you used to connect to the service valves in the previous step should be ready to use for this step by now assuming you did so in the previous step. Make sure you empty your 5-gallon bucket of any water that has accumulated in it from the service valves. Approximately 4 gallons of food-grade white vinegar should be added to the bucket. I purchased a generic brand from Safeway, and the total cost for four gallons was $16. Attach the line that connects to the cold water (blue) service valve to the sump pump’s top outlet.

Do not connect the pump at this time.
Because there is no on/off button, it will automatically turn on as soon as you connect it into a wall outlet.
It is not necessary to screw it into the pump; instead, it should be put loosely in the vinegar bucket.
Connect the pump to the electrical outlet as soon as possible.
At the very least, you’ll keep it like way for at least 60 to 90 minutes.

Step 5: Cleaning the Air Intake Filter

Additionally, while the vinegar is being circulated, you should wipe out the air intake filter. If you’ve been noticing an error message on your screen that says “027,” you’re not alone. This indicates that you should clean the air intake filter. The tankless water heater’s air intake filter is situated within the tankless water heater. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult to get to, but you must first remove the tankless water heater face plate before you can get to it. A total of four screws hold it all together.

It is necessary to first remove all of the screws from the face plate before lifting upwards and releasing the hook that connects the top of the face plate to the top of the tankless water heater frame.
Then you’ll want to look for the single screw that holds the air intake filter in place.
As soon as you have unscrewed the one screw that holds the air filter, pull the whole thing slightly towards you and then slant it slightly so that it will slide over the motor, and you have successfully removed the air filter.
Afterwards, I just strolled over to my water spout outside my garage and ran it on full blast, thoroughly rinsing the filter.

Replacing the tankless water heater face plate and allowing the pump to continue to operate for the remaining 60-90 minutes is recommended. It is not necessary to plug the tankless water heater into an electrical outlet until after you have completed the flushing procedure.

Step 6: Rinse Your Tanless Water Heater After the Vinegar Treatment

In addition to cleaning up the air intake filter while your vinegar is cycling, If you’ve been noticed an error message on your screen that says “027,” it’s because your computer is experiencing a problem. You will need to clean the air intake filter as a result of this. The tankless water heater’s air intake filter is situated within the unit. To access the tankless water heater face plate, first remove the tankless water heater face plate (don’t be concerned, it’s not difficult). A total of four screws hold it together.

Using this method, the water heater’s inside will be seen.
The air intake filter may be seen in the photographs, as I’m pointing it out.
Those who look closely at the photographs I took will realize what I mean.
Once everything had been completely dry, I replaced the filter in the same manner that I had taken it out the first time.
It is not necessary to plug the tankless water heater into an outlet until the flushing operation is complete.

Step 7: Reattach Everything and Turn It on – Moment of Truth

Following the complete descalement and cleaning of your tankless water heater’s air intake filter, it is time to reassemble everything. Before opening any valves, double-check that all service caps are securely fastened. After you’ve made certain that everything is properly sealed, you may begin opening valves. I’d start with the cold water valve and work my way up from there. You’ll hear the sound of water streaming inside your body. After that, turn on the hot water faucet. After that, the gas and central circulation valves are opened (yellow).

As soon as the display turns on and the machine begins to cycle, you may observe various symbols on the screen.

I hope everything goes as well for you as it did for me.

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Now that your tankless water heater has been fully descaled and your air intake filter has been thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to reassemble the entire system. Before opening any valves, make sure that all of the service caps are securely fastened. Start opening valves once you’ve double-checked that everything is securely closed up. Starting with the cold water valve would be my first choice. Your system will be filled with water, which you will hear. Open the hot water valve after that to complete the process.

Install the tankless water heater by connecting it to the power source.

Everything has been spoken and done. You should have a seamless experience, just like I had. Please let me know if you have any queries or if there is anything I can clarify for you.

Call Us:(647) 925-1930

Please consult your system’s manual before doing this technique, or seek the assistance of a qualified professional. In reality, we are professionals in the field of tankless water heater cleaning. Give us a call today to make a reservation or to arrange an appointment at a time that is convenient for you.

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?

In addition to tankless hot water heater, on-demand water heater, and instant hot water heater are also terms used to describe this type of appliance. There is no need for a storage tank because the water is heated as it travels through the device.

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?

Depositions of minerals may form. Consequently, the unit may get clogged, and regular heating action may be disrupted. The temperature of your hot water may fluctuate, causing the system to overheat and decrease its effectiveness.

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! It’s usually a good idea to use a licensed professional plumber for any plumbing job.

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.

Navien Water HeatersService, Repair & Troubleshoot

At Hoffmann Brothers, we are committed to providing you with the finest possible servicing for your Navient tankless hot water heater. Because of our partnership with Navien’s many popular products, our licensed water heater and Navien boiler heater technicians have the experience and skill to provide repairs, maintenance, installation, and replacement for a variety of Navien systems and models, including but not limited to the following:

Navien Tankless NPE Condensing Water Heaters – NPE-S StandardNPE-A Advanced Series
Navien Combi-Boilers – NCB-E Series
Navien Fire Tube Heating Boilers – NFB Series
Navien Water Tube Heating Boilers – NHB Series
Navien Combi-Bo

Inquire about a quote or schedule a Navien service.

Call Today for Navien Tankless Gas Water Heater Repair

This aligns with the mission of Navien hot water heaters, which is to offer “all the hot water you need, for as long as you need it.” 1 If your Navien unit is running out of hot water or if your energy costs are significantly higher than planned, it’s time to get it looked at by a qualified technician. Hoffmann Brothers plumbing and water heater contractors have been providing service to the individuals, homes, and businesses of the greater St Louis area for more than 40 years. Many tankless water heaters are capable of providing reliable service for 20 years or longer, although they do require frequent maintenance.

Bringing in the professionals is the best course of action if you are encountering Navien tankless water heater issues.

John C.

This is consistent with the purpose of Navien hot water heaters, which is to offer “all the hot water you need, for as long you need it.” 1 If your Navien unit is running out of hot water or if your energy costs are significantly higher than planned, it’s time to get it looked at by a qualified professional. Hoffmann Brothers Plumbing and Water Heater Contractors have been providing service to the individuals, homes, and businesses of the greater St Louis area for more than four decades. Many tankless water heaters are capable of providing dependable service for 20 years or longer, but they do require frequent maintenance to maintain their performance.

Bringing in the specialists is the best course of action if you are encountering Navien tankless water heater issues. In the case of a residential or commercial property, Hoffmann Bros can restore the hot water on demand that you’ve grown to rely on.

Navien Tankless Water Heater Manuals

When you contact Hoffmann Brothers, we can come in and conduct a comprehensive Navien tankless water heater troubleshooting and inspection to ensure that your unit is operating properly. In order to better serve our customers, we encourage them to peruse the useful resources available on the Navien tankless water heater manualspage for any of the following popular systems and more: a partial list of the items:

In the event that you contact Hoffmann Brothers, we can come in and conduct a thorough Navien tankless water heater troubleshooting and inspection as soon as possible. If you own one of the following popular Navien tankless water heaters, we encourage you to explore the useful information available on the Navien tankless water heater manuals page: a partial list of the items in the list

Further troubleshooting of your Navien hot water heater problem may be done by one of our professionals for any Navien series device. We will identify the problem, fix your system, perform full yearly maintenance, and, if necessary, suggest and install a new system. We will also provide recommendations for replacement systems. Inquire about a price quote. Schedule a Navien Service appointment today.

Our Team Will Explain Your Navien Error Codes

It is necessary to have Navien water heaters serviced by a staff that is knowledgeable in identifying the precise Navien error codes you are experiencing, as well as how to reset a Navien tankless water heater. Because of the highly specialized technical terminology used in manuals, you don’t have to do it alone if you follow the instructions. For our trained plumbers, a Navien error number signals the need to take a particular measure to repair your unit or schedule our recommended next steps to ensure that your hot water is running uninterrupted once again.

Call us at 314-664-3011 or submit a service request for Navien online.

Descaling Tankless Water Heater

Many individuals are concerned about whether or not they need do maintenance on their tankless water heater, and if so, how difficult it is to descale a tankless water heater. As we’ll discuss more below, it’s possible that you won’t need to service your tankless water heater at all. However, even if you do find yourself in the position of having to service a tankless water heater, you will find that it is not a difficult task. Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to descale a tankless water heater on your own, when you should call a professional, and how to keep your on-demand water heater running for decades longer.

How Do I Know If I Need to Descale a Tankless Water Heater?

It is recommended that you descale your tankless water heater on a frequent basis if you reside in a region where hard water is prevalent. This map from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) tells you where parts of the country have hard water and how much of a hazard it is to your tankless water heater. If the region in question is indicated in white or red, it is almost certain that you will need to do a routine flush in order to free your tankless of scale accumulation. Photograph courtesy of the United States Geological SurveyOther areas in blue are unlikely to require flushing, although you may want to be safe and flush them every couple of years or so.

Using a smart tankless, you can conduct your own diagnostics and find out exactly what is wrong with your tankless system.

When you receive an alert stating that your tankless water heater is not firing correctly or that there is a pressure problem, it is imperative that you call a plumber to come out to your home.

How to Descale your Tankless Water Heater

Although it appears to be a severe situation, maintaining a tankless water heater is not difficult. The following are the things you will require to begin descaling your water heater:

Pump with rubber hoses to attach to the valves
5 gallon water collecting bucket
Vinegar or tankless water heater descaling solution
Submersible pump with rubber hoses to attach to the valves

A excellent descaling kit, such as this one, will provide you with all of the ingredients you need. Kit de décalage

Kit for flushing a tankless water heater with six pieces. Contributes to the preservation and expansion of It is compatible with the vast majority of tankless water heaters, including Rinnai, Bosch, and Noritz. Our cleaning solution removes scale deposits from tankless water heaters, and it is environmentally friendly. 6 foot hoses connect easily to tankless heater valves, and the package includes everything you need to: ChromeX is a manufacturer of intelligent tools and accessories for both the professional and home user.

Here are the steps on how to descale a tankless water heater

Set the temperature to 150 degrees Fahrenheit and let the water flow for one minute
Turn off the water heater’s electricity completely. Close the water isolation valves for the incoming and departing water
Prepare a bucket large enough to hold approximately one liter of draining water. Drain the unit and attach the drain hoses to the drain ports of the isolation valves “A” and “B.” Set up a bucket that will contain the solution that will be pushed through the heater. Fill a bucket halfway with descaling solution and water
Set aside. Isolation valves “A” and “B” should be opened. Allow for 30-60 minutes of solution circulation after turning on the circulation pump. Close valve “B” to drain the descaling solution from the heater and flush the water through the heater
Drain the water from valve “A” into an empty bucket by connecting a hose to it. Activate the intake water valve to allow fresh water to pass through, and then drain the solution into a bucket.

That’s all there is to it when it comes to learning how to descale a tankless water heater. This should take no more than 5 minutes and does not necessitate the use of a professional. When in doubt about your capacity to complete this task, simply watch this short video on how to descale a tankless water heater and you will realize that it is not necessary to be a professional to complete it.

Flow Aide vs Vinegar

As far as descale a tankless water heater is concerned, that’s all there is to it. A specialist is not required for this task which should take no more than 5 minutes. When in doubt about your capacity to complete this task, simply watch this short video on how to descale a tankless water heater to realize that it is not necessary to be a professional to complete it.

Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Costs

If you are considering hiring a professional to flush out your tankless water heater on a regular basis, be prepared to spend a lot of money. Because costs vary so widely, I can’t give you a precise figure, but you could anticipate to pay between $100 and $200 to have your tankless system serviced. Decalcification, cleaning and perhaps replacement of the filter, and any necessary diagnostics of the tankless water heater system should all be performed during this process to ensure that it is operating correctly.

Purchase a pump flush kit descaler, and it will pay for itself within a few months.

How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Flush Kit Cost?

A competent flush kit shouldn’t cost more than $150 in materials and labor. A descaler kit will include a tankless water heater descaling pump as well as hoses that connect directly to the isolation valves or water input of the tankless water heater. The Chromex Descaler Kit is a fantastic product that I highly recommend. It includes the pump, hoses, a 5-gallon bucket, and descaling solution, among other things. Consider the following scenario: you purchase the descaler kit described above. You just paid for the services of a professional, and it will be useful for many years to come.

All that is left is to purchase the scaling solution, which will cost around $20.

How Often to Descale your Tankless Water Heater

When it comes to whether or not you will need to descale your tankless water heater, a few factors will come into play. As previously said, you may not even be required to perform any actions other than a few regular checks every now and again. The most common reason for needing to service tankless water heaters is because of scaling produced by hard water, which is the most common reason. This movie serves as a good introduction to hard water and the difficulties that it might bring. The inline water heater may require flushing once a year if you have hard water and your inline water heater is set at a very high temperature.

Even if you reside in a hard water location, you may not need to do this as frequently as you may think based on your circumstances.

If you truly want to know how hard water impacts a tankless water heater, you should absolutely read this in-depth post I published about it, which you can get by clicking on this link.

Otherwise, if you don’t live in a hard water area, check your error codes on a regular basis and cleanse your system when it shows that it needs to be repaired or replaced. Flush it out every couple of years just to be cautious, but realize that it is probably not essential.

FAQ about Descaling Tankless Water Heaters

To be honest, they do need to be flushed. When it comes to an electric tankless water heater, lime scale can accumulate on the heat exchanger in the same way that it can on a gas tankless water heater. When it comes to tankless water heaters, there are several distinctions between gas and electric models. If you haven’t chosen which model to purchase yet, I recommend reading this article.

How do I flush a Rheem tankless water heater?

The procedure of descaling a Rheem tankless water heater is the same as it is for other types of water heaters. The procedure is explained in detail in this short video.

What happens if you don’t flush your tankless water heater?

Tankless water heater maintenance, which includes descaling, is extremely necessary if you think that the heater has lime buildup. If you don’t get your tankless water heater serviced on a regular basis, the scale buildup will deteriorate it over time, causing major problems. Even a thin layer of scale might result in an increase in energy expenditures of up to 30%. This effectively offsets any savings realized by switching from a tank system to a tankless one. The heat exchanger has to work hard in order to create hot water, which reduces the lifespan of the water heater.

Final Thoughts on Tankless Water Heater Descaling

Not to worry if you are reading this before purchasing a tankless water heater and want to know what you are getting yourself into in terms of descaling and maintenance prior to making a purchase. It isn’t quite as horrible as it appears. And, in my opinion, it is preferable to having to deal with a flooded basement caused by a leaking storage tank water heater system. Alternatively, using cold water for an extended period of time. Most tankless water heaters come with isolation valves already installed, or at the very least with a kit that allows you to install them later if you so want.

Nick Lopresti is the creator of YourH2Home and a well-known specialist in the field of home renovation.

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.

We’ll also talk about how often you should maintain your water heater and whether or not a tankless water heater is a good investment in the long run.

Do You Need to Flush Your Tankless Water Heater?

A little ‘how-to’ information may go a long way toward keeping your tankless water heaters working properly. While you save money on your plumbing expenses, you also extend the life of your tankless water heater as a result of this. At this point, you may be asking yourself, “What are some tips for keeping my tankless water heater in good working order?” Tankless water heaters do not require normal maintenance, but do they need to be serviced periodically? The answer is yes, periodic maintenance is required for tankless water heaters.

Because of hard water or the amount of hot water your household consumes, you should anticipate to perform this task once each year.
It is recommended that you perform this once every 3-5 years if your water is soft or if a water softening system has been installed.
We’re here to assist you.
The service and cleaning of a tankless water heater may be accomplished by the homeowner.
As well as how often you should maintain your unit, we’ll talk about whether or not a tankless water heater is a good financial investment.

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. This is an excellent moment to replace the T P valve if it is necessary.

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.

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 located on the cold water inlet line that feeds into the tankless water heater system. Remove the sediment filter by unscrewing it and wiping it down 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.

Once a year, or more frequently if you have hard water, you should anticipate to descale your tankless water heater. 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.

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. This is true in many situations. 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.

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